sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Senior outside hitter Kristy Jaeckel lifted the Gators with 10 kills and seven service aces in UF’s 3-0 win against South Carolina.

Sports

Gators beat Gamecocks in straight sets on road

Oct. 19, 2011

Florida’s goal against South Carolina on Wednesday night was very simple: go for the sweep.

Matt DeLancey paid $150 to have this fire hydrant shipped to his home. “It’s not even heavy,” DeLancey said. “This is nothing.”

Sports

Lifting more than weights: DeLancey brings passion to UF workouts

By ALLISON BANKO | Oct. 19, 2011

When it comes to the realm of weight training, where clinking metal echoes and beads of sweat stain the floor, Matt DeLancey jumped in early.

Sports

Brantley 2.0: the difference a year makes

By MATT WATTS | Oct. 19, 2011

Rewind, if you can, to this time last year.

Florida midfielder Havana Solaun is the Gators’ third-leading scoring with 16 points this season despite starting just two games.

Sports

Freshman Solaun providing big spark off bench for No. 13 Florida

By JOSH JURNOVOY< | Oct. 19, 2011

Since her first game as a Gator, Havana Solaun has shown a knack for finding the back of the net and helping her teammates do the same.

Sports

Gators swimming splits squad for Dallas Classic and Arkansas meet

By ALEX PECKHAM< | Oct. 19, 2011

The Florida men’s and women’s swim teams are truly a united group.

Florida starting quarterback John Brantley was still wearing a walking boot Saturday, but coach Will Muschamp said he hopes Brantley will return to practice next week.

Sports

Notebook: Brantley not practicing, status for UGA uncertain

Oct. 18, 2011

Though he remains hopeful that John Brantley will be ready for the Georgia game Oct. 29, coach Will Muschamp said Tuesday that Florida’s starting quarterback will not practice this week.

Guard Jaterra Bonds was a spark for Florida last season, averaging nearly 15 points per game as the Gators finished the season on a 6-2 run.

Sports

Bonds works to build on strong freshman year

By JOE MORGAN< | Oct. 18, 2011

During a trying season, Jaterra Bonds helped the Gators hold it together.

After putting extra emphasis on digging the past two weeks, libero Taylor Unroe has recorded 43 digs in the Gators’ last three games — all UF straight-set wins.

Sports

Florida volleyball finishing teams quickly

Oct. 18, 2011

For Florida’s volleyball team, there’s something about third sets.

Sports

Cross country runner Parrish back to form after bike crash

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Oct. 18, 2011

Blood trickled down his face. Gravel dug into his wounds. His swollen ankle seemed to be hiding a baseball.

Sports

UF golf's total team effort brings home title

By LANDON WATNICK< | Oct. 18, 2011

The Gators entered Tuesday with a 10-stroke lead. Turns out the cushion was more than enough.

Florida senior Kristy Jaeckel is on a tear the last 13 games with 188 kills, 98 digs and a .327 hitting percentage.

Sports

Jaeckel playing best volleyball of her career in senior season

Oct. 17, 2011

The decision came from Kristy Jaeckel’s family before she ever stepped on campus.

Sports

Florida seeking offseason cure for second-half woes

By JOE MORGAN< | Oct. 17, 2011

Halftime often marked a shift for Florida last season but rarely in the right direction.

Sports

Unfair situation gave Brissett, Driskel no chance to succeed

By TOM GREEN | Oct. 17, 2011

They say life is not fair.

Sports

No. 11 Gators struggling to finish goal-scoring opportunities

By JOSH JURNOVOY< | Oct. 17, 2011

Scoring chances were easy to come by for the Gators last weekend.

Sports

Gators look to keep momentum in final round at The Bake

By LANDON WATNICK< | Oct. 17, 2011

Florida finally found its rhythm Monday.

After falling to Auburn 17-6 on Saturday, Florida will need South Carolina or Georgia to lose a game to have any hope of winning the Southeastern Conference East division.

Sports

Team hurting after third straight loss

By GREG LUCA | Oct. 16, 2011

AUBURN, Ala. — For the second straight year, the Gators’ sizzling start has given way to an October meltdown.

The Gators are the most penalized team in the nation with 61 for 465 yards, including six against Auburn on Saturday. The most glaring was an offsides call on defensive tackle Dominique Easley that allowed Auburn a free shot at the end zone, which it converted for the game’s first points.

Sports

Mistakes, penalties contribute to loss

By MATT WATTS | Oct. 16, 2011

AUBURN, Ala. — The Gators are a representation of first-year head coach Will Muschamp: young, emotional and undisciplined.

Linebacker Jelani Jenkins (bottom) dropped an interception in the fourth quarter of Saturday’s 17-6 loss at Auburn. Florida hasn’t forced a turnover since the second half against Kentucky on Sept. 24.

Sports

Florida defense fails to force turnover for third straight game

By TOM GREEN | Oct. 16, 2011

AUBURN, Ala. — Thirteen and a half quarters.

Freshman Jeff Driskel replaced Jacoby Brissett at quarterback to start the second half Saturday.

Sports

Ugly game highlights UF's faults

Oct. 16, 2011

AUBURN, Ala. — On the final play of the game Saturday, Jeff Driskel was still fighting for something. Pride, maybe.

Sports

Notebook: Gillislee not featured as run game struggles again

By TOM GREEN | Oct. 16, 2011

AUBURN, Ala. — After coaches said Mike Gillislee earned himself a more prominent role in Florida’s offense, the reserve running back was largely absent from the game plan in the Gators’ 17-6 loss to Auburn.