Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Safety Matt Elam runs to the sideline after losing his helmet while making a tackle during Florida's 14-6 win against LSU on Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. The junior safety earned SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Week.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida defense tougher, tackles better in 2012

By JOSH JURNOVOY | Oct. 11, 2012

Jaylen Watkins saw right through the raw numbers.

Defensive coordinator Dan Quinn yells to the defense during UF's 37-20 victory against Tennessee on Sept. 15. at Neyland Stadium. Florida faces Vanderbilt and versatile quarterback Jordan Rodgers this Saturday.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: Mobile quarterbacks like Jordan Rodgers a threat

By JOSH JURNOVOY | Oct. 10, 2012

To the naked eye, the Florida defense has been dominant this season.

Junior Patric Young poses for a picture during basketball media day on Wednesday. Due to an added year of experience, the center is expected to play more minutes this season.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Notebook: Patric Young healthy, ready for increased role after bout with mono

By LANDON WATNICK | Oct. 10, 2012

Despite a three-week bout with mononucleosis during the offseason, Patric Young passed his conditioning test on Tuesday, coach Billy Donovan said. The junior center returned to workouts on Sept. 19.

Freshman Gabby Mallette serves during Florida’s 3-0 win against Arkansas on Friday in the O’Connell Center. Mallette notched two blocks against the Razorbacks and leads Gators freshmen with 23 this season.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Freshman developing into potent blocker after slow start

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN | Oct. 9, 2012

Coach Mary Wise said blocking is typically a veteran strength. Freshman Gabby Mallette didn’t get the memo.

Senior midfielder Erika Tymrak dribbles past Tennessee junior Tori Balley (3) in Florida’s 2-1 win on Sept. 21 at James G. Pressly Stadium. Tymrak returned from a left ankle sprain on Friday.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Tymrak quickly rounds back into form after return from injury

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN | Oct. 9, 2012

Erika Tymrak needed to prove she was not a rusted boot.

Redshirt senior Omarius Hines runs toward the sideline during UF’s 14-6 victory against LSU on Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Notebook: UF offensive line credited for run success

By JOSH JURNOVOY | Oct. 8, 2012

Mike Gillislee was named Southeastern Conference Offensive Player of the Week on Monday for his efforts in Saturday’s win against LSU, but both he and coach Will Muschamp gave credit to the blockers.

Junior outside back Taylor Travis (41) fights for the ball against Arkansas defenders Yvonne DesJarlais (15) and Evan Palmer (31) in Florida’s 4-0 win on Sept. 30 at James G. Pressly Stadium. Travis played a major role in preserving a road victory against Texas A&M on Sunday.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Gators junior erasing scoring opportunities on back line

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN | Oct. 8, 2012

Taylor Travis and Shea Groom were almost teammates.

Junior setter Taylor Brauneis (8) celebrates with her teammates during Florida’s 3-0 win against Arkansas on Oct. 5 at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Junior setter propelling Florida’s high-scoring offense

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN | Oct. 8, 2012

Taylor Brauneis doesn’t mind dishing away the ball or the spotlight.

Sophomore Kyle Christy (4) punts in Florida's 14-6 victory against LSU on Saturday in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Christy helped UF win the field position battle by pinning LSU inside their 10-yard line three times.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Notebook: Jenkins injures hamstring; Driskel has quiet day passing

By JOE MORGAN | Oct. 7, 2012

Jelani Jenkins finally got back on the football field during Florida’s 14-6 win against LSU on Saturday. However, he quickly returned to the sidelines.

Junior safety safety Matt ELam drops into coverage during Florida's 14-6 win against LSU on Saturday in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Elam forced a fumble and finished with a team-high seven tackles.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

UF defense dominates, bounces back from 2011 loss to LSU

By JOSH JURNOVOY | Oct. 7, 2012

The Florida defenders believed their 2011 performance at LSU was an aberration.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Back on Top: Gillislee, Gators assert their will in physical home victory

By GREG LUCA | Oct. 7, 2012

With every open hole Mike Gillislee plowed through and every would-be tackler he dodged, the Gators moved closer to reestablishing themselves as one of the best teams in college football.

Adriana Leon (91) fights for the ball against Arkansas defender Melanie Foncham (14) in UF's 4-0 win on Sept. 30 at James G. Pressly Stadium. Leon kicked the game-winning goal in the 39th minute against No. 5 Texas A&M on Sunday in College Station, Texas.

SPORTS | SOCCER

UF soccer upsets No. 5 Texas A&M on road

By LANDON WATNICK | Oct. 7, 2012

In a hostile environment at College Station, Texas, the underdog Gators tuned out the noise.

UF senior Lauren Embree won her first Grand Slam tournament of her collegiate career on Sunday. Embree defeated Virginia's Julia Elbaba in three sets to clinch the Riviera/ITA All-American Tournament.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Embree wins grand slam championship

Oct. 7, 2012

Florida senior Lauren Embree was the No. 1 recruit coming out of high school, won two Southeastern Conference Player of the Year awards and secured the Gators’ national championship with a comeback victory in 2011.

Outside hitter Ziva Recek attempts to hit the ball over the net in Florida's 3-0 win on Friday in the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. Recek led UF with 19 kills against the Razorbacks.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Freshman powers Gators volleyball to come-from-behind victory

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN | Oct. 7, 2012

As Ziva Recek goes, so do the Gators — for better or for worse.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Embree moves on in ITA All-American Tournament

Oct. 6, 2012

Florida Gator Lauren Embree advanced to the round of 16 last season in the Riviera/ITA All-American Tournament before losing out to 35th-ranked Petra Niedermayerova of Kansas State, 6-1, 6-4. But this year, she has come back with a vengeance.

Middle blocker Betsy Smith (14) spikes the ball against Georgia Tech in a 3-1 victory on Sept. 8. The senior led the Gators with a season-high 11 blocks in Florida's sweep of Arkansas on Friday night.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

UF's Betsy Smith blocks her way to a Florida victory

By KATIE AGOSTIN | Oct. 5, 2012

Although Friday night might have started off with a kill for redshirt senior Betsy Smith, but it was her blocking that dominated the match.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Picks Column: LSU

Oct. 4, 2012

On Wednesday night, living rooms across the country hosted two heavyweights fighting it out for supremacy. As expected, Barack Obama and Mitt Romney traded jabs and zingers, trying to win over as many voters as possible. But the real battle begins on Saturday.

Sophomore Madison Monserez (11) attempts a pass during UF’s 3-0 win against FIU on Aug. 24, 2012, in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Gators volleyball approaching defense with clear minds

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN | Oct. 4, 2012

When Madison Monserez first sees Arkansas send a ball over the net on Friday at 7 p.m. in the O’Connell Center, her mind will be shut off.

Jordan Reed (11) has improved his blocking and receiving abilities during his second season as a full-time tight end. The junior leads Florida with 16 catches in 2012.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

UF's Reed finding confidence, success at tight end

By JOSH JURNOVOY | Oct. 4, 2012

For Jordan Reed, the journey to success didn’t begin with long days on the football field.

LSU quarterback Zach Mettenberger (8) drops back to pass in the second half of their NCAA college football game against Idaho in Baton Rouge, La. Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012. LSU won 63-14.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

LSU's Mettenberger adds fresh dimension to offense

By GREG LUCA | Oct. 3, 2012

After four seasons with an offense reliant on the power running game, LSU finally has a quarterback capable of leading a downfield passing attack.