Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Picks Column: Auburn

Oct. 13, 2011

We here at the alligatorSports Brand Picks Column appreciate fine art.

Florida sophomore forward Annie Speese (center) tied the Gators' game against New Mexico on Sept. 9 with a right-footed kick in the 50th minute. Speese tore her right ACL during Florida's loss in the second round of the NCAA Tournament last season.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Speese emerging as diverse force on offense for Gators

By JOSH JURNOVOY< | Oct. 13, 2011

Annie Speese has been terrorizing opposing defenses every time she touches the ball.

Florida coach Mary Wise said her team should not look past Ole Miss, even though the Rebels currently have a 1-7 record in the SEC.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Despite record, No. 13 Gators not underestimating Rebels

Oct. 13, 2011

Ole Miss is the best 1-7 team the Southeastern Conference has ever seen.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS SWIM AND DIVE

Florida swimming hosting dual meet against upstart LSU

By ALEX PECKHAM< | Oct. 13, 2011

After blowing away the competition at the All-Florida Invitational last weekend, the Florida men’s and women’s swimming teams face a much stiffer test Saturday at 1 p.m., when LSU's 20th-ranked men's team and 18th-ranked women's squad comes to Gainesville.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS CROSS COUNTRY

UF cross country trying to not get lost in crowded Wisconsin meet

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Oct. 13, 2011

Trapped. Three miles in, with another two to go, but still trapped.

Backup linebacker Dee Finley will transfer from Florida, the school announced in a release Wednesday. Finley came to Gainesville as a four-star prospect out of Auburn, Ala., but he played sparingly in two-plus seasons.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Notebook: Finley transferring from Florida, Muschamp wants one quarterback to emerge

Oct. 12, 2011

Linebacker Dee Finley has decided to transfer from Florida, the team announced in a statement Wednesday.

Returning center Patric Young has big shoes to fill in the wake of the departures of Vernon Macklin, Chandler Parsons and Alex Tyus.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

UF basketball looking for balance with guard-heavy roster

By JOHN BOOTHE | Oct. 12, 2011

After unloading three big bodies to graduation and the NBA Draft, the Gators are trying to pick up some speed.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

With plenty of blame to go around, who’s at fault?

By MATT WATTS | Oct. 12, 2011

After posting the worst back-to-back losses in the last 40 years, it would be easy for players and coaches to point fingers.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Beal leaving past accolades behind

By JOHN BOOTHE | Oct. 12, 2011

When Bradley Beal stepped on Florida’s campus this summer, coach Billy Donovan soon realized he was not only getting his highest-rated recruit in the last 10 years, but also one of the most mature freshmen he’s ever had at UF.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Two-quarterback situation not limited just to Florida

By GREG LUCA | Oct. 12, 2011

Who starts at quarterback?

Senior guard Deana Allen said Florida is not new to anything this year. After having six newcomers join the team last season, the Gators struggled with turnovers.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

More experienced Gators looking to minimize turnovers, stay aggressive

By JOE MORGAN< | Oct. 12, 2011

With every key player returning from last season, Florida will not experience much change in its lineup.

Florida running back Mike Gillislee could receive more carries this week against No. 24 Auburn after rushing for a team-high 56 yards on nine carries against No. 1 LSU last week.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Gillislee stepping into larger role

By MATT WATTS | Oct. 11, 2011

For as long as he has been at Florida, running back Mike Gillislee has sat behind Jeff Demps and Chris Rainey.

Florida junior Matt Patchan has taken the starter’s role at left tackle from Xavier Nixon.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Notebook: Driskel’s ankle not an issue, Patchan earning more time at left tackle

By TOM GREEN | Oct. 11, 2011

Florida has a quarterback competition on its hands this week.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

The Rally: Can UF open up the offense?

Oct. 11, 2011

Tyler: Florida’s offense will be more complex this week. It certainly won’t be getting any simpler.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

The Mailbag: Brantley vs. Tebow, jump passes and redshirt possibilities

Oct. 11, 2011

Welcome back to another edition of The Mailbag. Florida’s football team may be struggling, but we’re still on top of our game and ready to answer another batch of questions, so let’s see what you’ve got.