Curan Ahern

Sports Editor

Curan is a senior sports journalism student in his sixth semester at The Alligator. He is currently a sports editor and football beat reporter for the Gators and the Jaguars. He previously served as a men's tennis and sports enterprise reporter, and he is pursuing a public relations minor.

Florida students hold up their phone flashlights as they sing “I Won’t Back Down” by Tom Petty before the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game against Campbell, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla.

Noah Lantor

Sports

The Conference Call: The Alligator’s football reporters pick Week 4 SEC matchups

By Ava DiCecca , Max Bernstein , Curan Ahern and Riley Orovitz | 9:00am

The 11-game Week 3 SEC slate was the most unpredictable one yet. Texas A&M was vanquished by unranked Kentucky at home; Florida and Ole Miss picked up emotional rivalry game victories; and Vanderbilt beat NC State in one of the most unforgettable finishes to any football game in recent memory. Now, the Alligator’s Florida football beat reporters, Ava DiCecca, Max Bernstein, Curan Ahern and Riley Orovitz, are back to make picks for this week’s nine-game slate.

Mily Moran

Sports

3 takeaways from the Jaguars’ Week 2 loss to the Broncos

By Max Bernstein and Curan Ahern | Sep. 21

Headed into Sunday’s matchup against the Denver Broncos, the Jacksonville Jaguars were on one of the best runs in franchise history. The Jags had won nine straight regular-season games, the second-longest streak in the organization's 30-year history. But that streak was snapped at Empower Field at Mile High.

Florida head coach Jon Sumrall talks to a player during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Auburn, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Auburn, Ala.

Noah Lantor

Sports

Jon Sumrall, Florida put Auburn behind them, prepare for Ole Miss

By Ava DiCecca and Curan Ahern | Sep. 21

Florida comes off a thrilling road win over Auburn on Saturday, but Jon Sumrall won’t let his team get too high. “I'm not thinking about that game ever again,” Sumrall said.

Mily Moran

Sports

Jaguars fall to Broncos in Denver behind poor pass defense

By Curan Ahern | Sep. 20

A Trevor Lawrence interception and a missed 54-yard Jacksonville field goal allowed Denver to compile 17 unanswered points and hold the Jaguars to just three points in the second half.

Florida defensive lineman DK Kalu (93) sacks Auburn quarterback Byrum Brown (17) during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Auburn, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Auburn, Ala.

Noah Lantor

Sports

Highs and lows: Florida sees offensive explosion, defensive concerns

By Max Bernstein and Curan Ahern | Sep. 20

In a 44-39 win over Auburn at Jordan-Hare Stadium, Florida silenced its doubters. With swirling narratives of whether the Gators would produce a strong showing after beating up on lesser non-conference competition, Florida marched into Auburn, Alabama, and posted 495 total yards and seven sacks.

Florida inside linebacker Aaron Chiles (8) celebrates by holding the ball in the air during the first half of an NCAA football game against Campbell, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla.

Bayden Armstrong

Sports

Gators head to Auburn, kick off conference play Saturday

By Curan Ahern | Sep. 18

Though the two teams haven’t faced off since 2019 and the Gators haven’t headed to Auburn since 2011, there’s been no love lost between the intraconference rivals.

Fans sit inside the Swamp during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Campbell, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla.

Bayden Armstrong

Sports

The Conference Call: The Alligator’s football reporters pick Week 3 SEC matchups

By Ava DiCecca , Max Bernstein , Curan Ahern and Riley Orovitz | Sep. 16

After another exhilarating week of college football action, headlined this time by Texas’ thrilling 24-23 comeback win over Ohio State, The Alligator’s Florida football beat reporters, Ava DiCecca, Max Bernstein, Curan Ahern and Riley Orovitz, are back to make picks for this week’s 11-game slate.

Florida head coach Jon Sumrall speaks to Voice of the Gators Sean Kelley during a “Gator Talks” event at The Swamp Restaurant, Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla.

Michael Angee

Sports

Gator Talk takeaways: Sumrall touches on standout Gators, depth pieces

By Curan Ahern | Sep. 14

Even with the play of multiple depth pieces not meeting Sumrall’s standards, a handful of players have taken advantage of snaps against Florida Atlantic and Campbell. In his third appearance at Gator Talk, Sumrall noted which players he’s been pleased with and which players have been elevating on game days.

Florida head coach Jon Sumrall watches his team in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Campbell, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla.

Bayden Armstrong

News

‘These games count twice’: Jon Sumrall’s Gators gear up for road test against Auburn

By Max Bernstein and Curan Ahern | Sep. 14

After a 2-0 start with home wins over Florida Atlantic and Campbell, the Florida Gators head on the road for the first time under Jon Sumrall. But this game is personal in many ways. For the first time since 2011, Florida will take on the Auburn Tigers in Jordan-Hare Stadium, a venue that has hosted some of the most storied battles for both programs.

Mily Moran

Sports

Takeaways from the Jaguars’ season-opening surge past Cleveland

By Max Bernstein and Curan Ahern | Sep. 14

Entering the long-awaited 2026 season opener, head coach Liam Coen made one thing clear: He wanted the Jaguars to be violent and physical. In a dominant 34-10 win over the Cleveland Browns Sunday, Jacksonville lived up to that.