Sports | Football - The Independent Florida Alligator

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida lacking killer instinct in dead season

By GREG LUCA | Nov. 13, 2011

COLUMBIA, S.C.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Notebook: Gators shuffle offensive line personnel against Gamecocks

By TOM GREEN | Nov. 13, 2011

COLUMBIA, S.C. — After tweaking the offensive line in the second half against Vanderbilt, Florida came out with a makeover on the front against South Carolina.

Florida cornerback Jaylen Watkins (14) said the Gators’ secondary has to concentrate on taking the ball out of South Carolina receiver Alshon Jeffery’s hands this Saturday.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Secondary facing biggest test of season Saturday

By GREG LUCA | Nov. 9, 2011

Like every other unit on the team, the Gators’ secondary has been through some tough times.

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Picks Column: South Carolina

Nov. 9, 2011

We here at the alligatorSports Brand Picks Column like to run a clean program. We don’t get caught up in any off-the-field exploitations, recruiting violations or even legal trouble (for the most part).

Junior Sam Robey replaced sophomore Jonotthan Harrison at center after halftime against Vanderbilt, and he worked with the first team in practice on Monday.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Notebook: Robey working with first-team offense at center

By GREG LUCA | Nov. 8, 2011

After replacing sophomore center Jonotthan Harrison on Saturday, junior Sam Robey took the ﬁrst-team reps in Monday’s practice.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Brantley’s injury saved Florida against Vandy

By TOM GREEN | Nov. 8, 2011

Florida escaped utter embarrassment at the hands of Vanderbilt on Saturday, and fans have no one to thank more than Commodores linebacker Archie Barnes.

Quarterback John Brantley sat out the final nine minutes of UF’s win against Vanderbilt on Saturday after suffering an injury to his arm.

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Notebook: Brantley expected to play at South Carolina

By TOM GREEN | Nov. 7, 2011

Florida redshirt senior quarterback John Brantley was held out of practice Monday after injuring his right arm against Vanderbilt.

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The Rally: Should the SEC expand from eight to nine conference games?

Nov. 7, 2011

Tyler: University of South Carolina President Harris Pastides said Sunday that the SEC will expand to a nine-game conference schedule starting next season. SEC officials, for their part, went all “nothing to see here” and said they had not even discussed changing the current eight-game format.

Deonte Thompson (6) and Jordan Reed (center), members of UF’s hands team, celebrate after corraling Vanderbilt’s onside kick late in Saturday’s 26-21 win.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Gators fend off late comeback, find win column

By GREG LUCA | Nov. 6, 2011

There were ample moments Saturday when it appeared the Gators might allow the unthinkable.

Vanderbilt receiver Chris Boyd catches a fourth-quarter touchdown over UF corner Marcus Roberson. UF allowed 297 passing yards.

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Secondary exposed in second half

By TOM GREEN | Nov. 6, 2011

Florida’s defense faced an unfamiliar situation Saturday, and coach Will Muschamp wasn’t pleased with how the Gators handled it.

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Gators post lowest penalty mark of season in close win

By MATT WATTS | Nov. 6, 2011

The Gators committed just three penalties Saturday; they also won a football game for the first time in more than a month.

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Win brings joy, but UF still a letdown in ‘11

Nov. 6, 2011

Don’t expect to see a plaque with Mike Gillislee’s inspirational words pasted on the side of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium any time soon. Tim Tebow, he is not.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Gators hold off Commodores on homecoming

By GREG LUCA | Nov. 5, 2011

There were ample moments Saturday when it appeared the Gators might allow the unthinkable.

The Gators’ hopes on offense rest on the health of senior quarterback John Brantley and running back Chris Rainey. During the four-game losing streak, UF has scored just 11 points and rushed for less than 100 total yards during the second half.

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UF must move ball in second half against Vandy

By MATT WATTS | Nov. 3, 2011

The Gators’ season is standing on one leg, and so, too, are their hopes of winning on Saturday.

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Picks Column: Vanderbilt

Nov. 3, 2011

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Facing an even matchup, Florida may have hands full

By TOM GREEN | Nov. 3, 2011

This isn’t the Vandy you’re accustomed to seeing.

After switching from defensive tackle to defensive end in fall camp, sophomore Sharrif Floyd is starting to become acclimated to his new position. He had eight tackles, including two for loss, against UGA.

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Notebook: Floyd becoming comfortable in new role at defensive end

Nov. 2, 2011

Sharrif Floyd is starting to hit his stride coming off the edge.

Coach James Franklin said he knows the only thing that will truly change what people think about Vanderbilt is wins.

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First-year coach Franklin trying to change perception at Vanderbilt

By MATT WATTS | Nov. 2, 2011

The passion was visible in the eyes of their first-year head coach.

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With hopes of title dashed, should freshmen see more time?

By GREG LUCA | Nov. 2, 2011

Greg: There’s a big difference between a disappointing season and a “lost” season.

After taking all but one snap from the shotgun formation against Georgia, quarterback John Brantley has healed enough to start working from under center in practice this week. Offensive coordinator Charlie Weis said he will evaluate Brantley’s progress throughout the week to determine Saturday’s gameplan.

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Notebook: Brantley healthy enough to take snaps from center

By GREG LUCA | Nov. 1, 2011

Florida senior quarterback John Brantley is able to play from under center and has even been politicking for more under-center snaps this week, offensive coordinator Charlie Weis said.