sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Sports

Reliving last season the only remaining option

Aug. 30, 2011

What year is it?

Florida sophomore cornerback Cody Riggs injured his thumb in practice but said he should be ready to go on Saturday against FAU.

Sports

Notebook: Corner situation muddled with Riggs in cast

By MATT WATTS | Aug. 30, 2011

Sophomore Cody Riggs appeared in front of reporters Tuesday with a cast on his right hand, further jumbling an already unsettled situation in Florida’s secondary.

Gators offensive coordinator Charlie Weis said he’ll be looking for minimal mistakes against FAU on Saturday.

Sports

Weis to unveil new pro-style offense Saturday

By TOM GREEN | Aug. 30, 2011

Charlie Weis came in with a plan when he became offensive coordinator on coach Will Muschamp’s staff.

Sports

Notebook: Florida releases preliminary depth chart; Weis, Quinn will be on field this season

By MATT WATTS | Aug. 29, 2011

Gators coach Will Muschamp released the first depth chart since spring on Monday, and while there were some surprises, there’s also a catch.

Sports

The Rally: Pivotal position — offensive line or secondary?

Aug. 29, 2011

Tyler: I know this sounds boring to the casual fan, but you need to watch the offensive line Saturday. If the group plays well this year, the offense will thrive. And if the offense thrives, the Gators will exceed the ho-hum expectations we all have thrust upon them.

Sports

New season, same expectations for Brantley

Aug. 29, 2011

This time last August, John Brantley joked about chucking the ball out of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in the season opener.

Senior outside setter Stephanie Ferrell had 20 kills and hit .381 during the Gators’ home tournament this weekend. She earned the Most Valuable Player Award.

Sports

Ferrell emerging for Gators; rivalry match with ‘Noles tonight

By JOE MORGAN< | Aug. 29, 2011

Going from 13 kills in a Final Four match to coming off the bench just one season later was a tough break for senior outside setter Stephanie Ferrell.

Florida Atlantic coach Howard Schnellenberger, who will retire at the end of the 2011 season, said Florida “certainly” should win Saturday’s game.

Sports

Coaches: Unlikely paths intersect Saturday

By GREG LUCA | Aug. 29, 2011

With 1:48 left and the Gators trailing by four, UF quarterback Wayne Peace was in trouble. His running lanes were completely closed and his first passing option — the tight end — was covered.

Florida outside hitter Stephanie Ferrell was named the Active Ankle SEC/ACC Challenge’s Most Valuable Player after recording 20 kills and hitting .382 in two games during the weekend.

Sports

Florida starts season with sweep of UNC, BC

By JOE MORGAN< | Aug. 28, 2011

Sophomore outside hitter Stephanie Ferrell and the Gators know how to start out on the right foot — or ankle.

Sports

Coach’s tirade not what it seems

By MATT WATTS< | Aug. 28, 2011

Forget waiting until Sept. 3. Those eager to see Coach Boom in action need only look to Wednesday night’s press conference.

After nearly transferring a season ago, sophomore defensive tackle Dominique Easley said he is well adjusted to life in Gainesville. He said he had trouble with the move from Staten Island, N.Y.

Sports

No longer homesick, DT Easley ready to step up

By GREG LUCA | Aug. 28, 2011

For much of last year, there were questions about whether then-freshman defensive tackle Dominique Easley would make it to a second season in a Florida uniform.

Midfielder McKenzie Barney scored the game-winning goal in Friday’s game against Texas A&M, but UF couldn’t duplicate that success in Sunday’s 2-0 loss to UCLA.

Sports

Missed opportunities haunt Gators in first loss of season

By JOSH JURNOVOY< | Aug. 28, 2011

The Gators found themselves trailing in the first half Sunday afternoon for the second time in as many games.

Sports

UF volleyball sweeps UNC, Active Ankle Challenge

By JOE MORGAN< | Aug. 27, 2011

Tar Heels and active ankles are not of the same foot.

Sports

Late goal lifts Florida to win

By JOHN BOOTHE | Aug. 26, 2011

After 45 minutes of futility, one strike by McKenzie Barney with 15 seconds to spare turned everything around for the Gators.

Sports

Gators cruise past Eagles in opener

Aug. 26, 2011

With the O’Connell Center lights out and David Guetta’s “Where Them Girls At” blaring from the speakers, Florida’s volleyball team danced onto the court to begin the 2011 season.

Florida running back Jeff Demps missed all of spring practice and summer workouts, but he said coaches have been helping him get up to speed in offensive coordinator Charlie Weis’ pro-style offense.

Sports

Notebook: Demps making up for lost time, Brantley update, Hunter mentoring line

By GREG LUCA | Aug. 25, 2011

After missing all of the spring and summer practice seasons, it’s natural that senior running back Jeff Demps could be a few steps behind.

Senior setter Kelly Murphy, a first-team All-American, led UF with 337 kills last season and must keep her teammates focused.

Sports

Gators leaning on Murphy for offense as season opens

By JOE MORGAN< | Aug. 25, 2011

Kelly Murphy is a rock for Florida.

Sports

The Mailbag: Defense, steaks and hostages

Aug. 25, 2011

Welcome to the first incarnation of the alligatorSports mailbag. It’s a working model, but we hope to answer any and all questions you have on Gators sports. And we’ll make it fun.

With a two-game road trip ahead, junior McKenzie Barney (pictured) said midfielder Annie Speese and the rest of the freshmen must forget about last week’s wins.

Sports

Florida searching for balance with Texas A&M match looming

By JOHN BOOTHE | Aug. 25, 2011

It wasn’t easy for Annie Speese to pull the trigger on her first open look at goal in a Gators uniform.

Sophomore safety Matt Elam is reportedly the leader of the defense and will be counted on to fill the void left by Ahmad Black.

Sports

Talented Elam leading secondary

Aug. 25, 2011

Will Muschamp has joked this offseason that he is only coaching certain safeties this year: the ones who play well.