Sports | Football - The Independent Florida Alligator

Saturday's win over Vanderbilt was UF's largest against an SEC opponent since 2008.

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All the ways Florida improved against Vanderbilt

By Sam Campisano | Nov. 9, 2019

What a difference a week makes.

Mohamoud Diabate had three sacks in UF's 56-0 win over Vanderbilt.

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Gators suffocate Vandy in shutout win

By Tyler Nettuno | Nov. 9, 2019

It wouldn’t have been much of a consolation. But at least it would have been something.

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Unselfish play characterizes UF’s talented receiving corps

By Kyle Wood | Nov. 8, 2019

Before every game, Freddie Swain and Josh Hammond trot out to the 50-yard line, flanking David Reese II for the coin toss. After the coin has been flipped, possession decided and hands shaken, either Swain or Hammond will take a spot on the sideline.

Florida is No. 31 in passing offense and No. 107 in rushing offense. UF only put up 278 yards vs. UGA.

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What went wrong for UF’s offense vs. Georgia

By Kyle Wood | Nov. 7, 2019

Florida’s worst offensive performance of the season came at the most inopportune time this past weekend in Jacksonville. The Gators put up season-low offensive statistics across the box score in their 24-17 loss to Georgia, which dropped them to second place in the SEC East.

Quarterback Kyle Trask led two fourth-quarter touchdown drives, outscoring the Bulldogs 14-10 in the second half.

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UF still sees a lot to play for post-UGA

By Kyle Wood | Nov. 3, 2019

Florida, much like a lot of fans, promised it would behave better this year at The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party. It wouldn’t let things get out of hand in Jacksonville, again — as they so often do, both on and off the field.

Florida's defense allowed 398 yards to Georgia's offense.

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Florida defense MIA in loss to Georgia

By Tyler Nettuno | Nov. 2, 2019

JACKSONVILLE — Zero sacks, zero turnovers.

An inconsistent offense and unreliable third-down defense resulted in Florida losing its third-straight game to Georgia.

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Florida falls to No. 8 Georgia

By Dylan Rudolph | Nov. 2, 2019

JACKSONVILLE — The grills were hot, and the music was loud. The hype was real, and the excitement was high.

Tommy Townsend credits his brother (and former UF teammate) Johnny Townsend with helping him hone his craft: "(He) made me so much better as a punter."

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‘Wild Stallion’: Townsend is tough and entertaining at a position not known for it

By Dylan Rudolph | Nov. 1, 2019

Three yards.

Receiver Kadarius Toney, pictured against Miami in 2019, was drafted 20th overall in the NFL Draft Thursday night and is now a member of the New York Giants.

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Gators set for biggest Cocktail Party in years

By Sam Campisano | Nov. 1, 2019

It doesn’t get much bigger than Saturday’s Florida-Georgia game in Jacksonville.

Linebacker Jonathan Greenard (58) is one of the Gators returning from injury this week.

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Gators better positioned for Georgia game than in recent years

By Kyle Wood | Oct. 29, 2019

Players and coaches often won’t outright admit that some games mean more than others either out of political correctness or respect for their opponents. But the reality of college football — and sports for that matter — is that all games are not created equally, and that’s perfectly fine.

Defensive tackle Jabari Zuniga (92) is expected to return from injury this week.

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The Gators are getting healthy at the right time

By Dylan Rudolph | Oct. 27, 2019

Dramatic endings, top-10 upsets and championship dreams busted. All Florida had to do was sit and watch.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Demarcus Robinson runs the ball against the Denver Broncos on Oct. 17 in Denver.

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Gators in the NFL: Week 7 update

By Payton Titus | Oct. 22, 2019

Despite two losing seasons in the last 10 years (2013 and 2017), Florida’s football program has consistently turned out NFL-caliber athletes, establishing it as the FBS team with the third-most active players on a 53-man roster in 2019 with 35 — including five rookies (Vosean Joseph, Jordan Scarlett, Jawaan Taylor, C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Fred Johnson).

Injured players, like receiver Kadarius Toney, can use the bye week to recuperate.

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Gators welcome bye week after road win at South Carolina

By Kyle Wood | Oct. 20, 2019

It’s all happening for Florida's football team.

South Carolina's Ryan Hilinski, bottom, gets sacked by Florida's Zachary Carter, right, in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019, in Columbia, SC. Florida defeated South Carolina 38-27.

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Florida defense plays savior in win over South Carolina

By Dylan Rudolph | Oct. 19, 2019

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Kyle Trask has been asked to do a lot this season.

Florida's head coach Dan Mullen smiles with his players during the first half of an NCAA college football game against South Carolina, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019, in Columbia, SC.

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Gators proved they can win ugly against the Gamecocks

By Tyler Nettuno | Oct. 19, 2019

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Florida played its worst game of the year, appearing to follow a recipe for back-to-back losses precisely.

Florida's Jacob Copeland (15) catches a pass for a touchdown as South Carolina's Jammie Robinson (7) defends in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019, in Columbia, SC.

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Gators survive SC with fourth-quarter comeback

By Sam Campisano | Oct. 19, 2019

COLUMBIA, S.C. — They say an alligator moves faster in water than it does on land.

Kyle Trask leads a UF offense that averages 100 more yards through the air than it did last year.

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Gators and Gamecocks meet at a crucial point

By Kyle Wood | Oct. 17, 2019

The Gators’ meetings with the Gamecocks this season and last have both come at precarious times in Florida’s grueling schedule. For the second year in a row, the Gators will head into the game following a loss, which is quite the coincidence considering UF has lost just four games in the past season and a half.

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Defense will be key in South Carolina trap game

By Dylan Rudolph | Oct. 15, 2019

The South Carolina State Fair is in Columbia this week across the street from Williams-Brice Stadium.

The Gators lead the SEC in sacks and turnovers, yet, they didn't add any to their resume following the 42-28 loss in Death Valley.

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Florida's season isn't derailed by loss to Tigers

By Kyle Wood | Oct. 13, 2019

Adversity is nothing new to the Gators football team. The rash of injuries to key players on both sides of the ball has been well documented, but a loss is something Florida hasn’t swallowed in quite some time.

Florida's defense only forced three punts against LSU.

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What happened to Florida’s defense against LSU?

By Sam Campisano | Oct. 12, 2019

BATON ROUGE, La. — The Florida defense went into Saturday night’s top-10 showdown with LSU leading the SEC in scoring defense (9.5 points per game), sacks (26) and interceptions (12).