Sports | Columns

Freshman outside hitter Kennedy Martin spikes the ball in the Gators' 3-0 win against the Winthrop Eagles Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023.

Florida volleyball starts regular season in style

By Max Bernstein | Aug. 30

In its first regular season match of 2024, Florida volleyball prevailed, battled Colorado State Friday.

Jackson Reyes was the Fall 2023 sports editor and the Summer 2023 Digital Managing Editor at The Independent Florida Alligator.

Everything happens for a reason

By Jackson Reyes | Dec. 5, 2023

Topher Adams was the Fall 2023 assistant sports editor at The Independent Florida Alligator.

A second chance

By Topher Adams | Dec. 5, 2023

Brandon Hernandez was the Fall 2023 Enterprise reporter at The Independent Florida Alligator.

With a Flanigan’s cup in hand, I come to you humbled and grateful

By Brandon Hernandez | Dec. 5, 2023

Freshman wide receiver Eugene Wilson III runs the ball for the touchdown in the Gators' 43-20 loss to the Georgia Bulldogs on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023.

COLUMN: Florida loses big to Georgia on field, closing gap in recruiting

By Jackson Reyes | Oct. 31, 2023

Gators vs. Bulldogs: Hypothetically, who would win?

By Brandon Hernandez | Oct. 23, 2023

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Redshirt junior quarterback Graham Mertz sits in the pocket in the Gators' 41-39 win against the South Carolina Gamecocks on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

COLUMN: Graham Mertz finally shows what he’s made of

By Topher Adams | Oct. 17, 2023

The Florida Gators (5-2, 3-1 SEC) escaped the South Carolina Gamecocks (2-4, 1-3 SEC) 41-39 in a high-flying conference clash. Mertz led two touchdown drives in the final nine minutes, and he threw the game-winning touchdown pass to senior receiver Ricky Pearsall with 47 seconds left in the game.

The front entrance of Southwest Recreation Center.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

UF intramural sports offer competition and relaxation for students

By Bennett Solomon | July 3, 2023

Intramural sports are offered for students to participate in competition during the heart of the semester. Summer B offers sports such as sand volleyball, basketball, indoor soccer and spike ball for anyone taking classes at UF.

Florida defensive end Brenton Cox stands in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium during the Gators' 29-26 victory over the No. 7 Utah Utes Saturday, Sept. 3, 2023.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Where does Brenton Cox Jr. stand?

By Connor O'Bryan | Mar. 13, 2023

The pass rusher projected as a high day two prospect with the potential to move up in the draft; he’s a former five-star recruit with elite potential. However, recent concerns have caused Icarus to crash back to Earth.

Florida head coach Todd Golden celebrates against the South Carolina Gamecocks Jan. 25, 2023.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Golden, the Gators enter late push to make NCAA Tournament

By Jackson Reyes | Feb. 6, 2023

Florida head coach Todd Golden and his squad’s chances of snatching a bid to the National Collegiate Athletic Association Tournament hang in the balance. The Florida Gators (13-10, 6-4 SEC) have eight games left in their season.

A Florida football player during the Gators' game against Eastern Washington Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

The Alligator Sports 2022 year in review

By Alligator Editorial Board | Dec. 31, 2022

Before 2022 ends, don't miss out on our best Sports coverage of the year.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

What if I hadn’t joined The Alligator?

By Michael Hull | Dec. 6, 2022

Michael Hull spent five semesters at The Alligator, including a term as sports editor. He reflects on the ride and everything it did for him.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

A leap of faith

By Joseph Henry | Dec. 5, 2022

Saying goodbye is a cathartic exercise. After five semesters at The Alligator, I take away more personal development from the experience than anything to do with journalism. Although, I grew in those ways too.

Quarterback Kyle Trask (left) was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy in 2020. He finished with the most passing touchdowns in the country that season (43) while racking up the second most passing yards (4,283). Tight end Kyle Pitts (right) was a unanimous first-team All-American in 2020. He finished the year with 43 catches for 770 yards and 12 touchdowns, despite only playing in eight games.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

2021 Georgia defense versus 2020 Florida offense: Who wins?

By Michael Hull | Oct. 25, 2022

The 2021 Georgia defense was one of the best squads of all time. The 2020 Florida offense could’ve been in the history books if a few things go differently on the other side of the ball. If these two units went at each other head-to-head, who would come out on top?

Florida sophomore quarterback Anthony Richardson during the Gators game against Utah Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022. He led UF with 274 total yards and three rushing touchdowns.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Yes, Anthony Richardson is him

By Jackson Castellano | Sep. 5, 2022

To just say Richardson delivered would almost be disrespectful. He had a career night. The redshirt sophomore totaled 274 yards through the air and ground and recorded a career high of three rushing touchdowns. Every play was a highlight waiting to happen.

Head football coach Billy Napier calls his team during a spring practice March 29, 2022.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Billy Napier teaching Florida fans a valuable lesson in patience

By Michael Hull | Aug. 30, 2022

Many Florida fans became wary of new head coach Billy Napier after what appeared to be a slow start to the recruiting process. However, Napier has since proven patience is a virtue many need to learn.

Graphic of Billy Napier and Todd Golden. Photos by Emily Felts and Joe Henry, graphic by Namari Lock.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Familiar territory: all eyes rest on Napier, Golden

By Carson Cashion | Aug. 1, 2022

The last time UF brought a new football and men’s basketball coach in the same year, neither lived up to expectations. As the Fall semester looms, Gator nation finds itself at a similar watershed.

Sara Kate Dyson worked at The Alligator since Fall 2020.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

A sad, beautiful, tragic goodbye to The Alligator (SK’s Version)

By Sara Kate Dyson | Dec. 6, 2021

As Red (Taylor’s Version) continued to play through my ears, I thought about how it perfectly sums up the bittersweet goodbye I wanted to convey in this final article.

Noah Ram worked at The Alligator since Spring 2019.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Trust the process

By Noah Ram | Dec. 6, 2021

A phone call from then-sports editor Jake Dreilinger on a Thursday night in late-January set in motion the best three years of my life.

Zachary Huber worked at The Alligator since Spring 2020

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Always team Alligator

By Zachary Huber | Dec. 6, 2021

Tears dropped from my eyes and formed a puddle on the ground at the library at Providence High School because I thought it would be the last time I’d be a part of a team.