Sports | Football - The Independent Florida Alligator

UF defensive lineman Caleb Brantley lines up during Florida's 14-9 win against Kentucky on Sept. 19, 2015, at Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington, Kentucky.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Gators defensive lineman Caleb Brantley announces he's returning next season

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Dec. 18, 2015

Caleb Brantley is coming back.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Top kicker Eddy Pineiro commits to the Gators

By Luis Torres | Dec. 15, 2015

Florida’s kicking woes may soon be a thing of the past.

Will Grier runs onto the field during Florida's 14-9 win against Kentucky on Sept. 19 at Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington, Kentucky. West Virginia announced on April 6, 2016, that Grier was transferring to WVU.

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Will Grier to rejoin Gators after bowl game

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Dec. 15, 2015

UF quarterback Will Grier, who is in the midst of serving a 12-month suspension for failing an NCAA-sanctioned drug test, will not be with the Gators as they prepare for their Citrus Bowl matchup against Michigan.

Vernon Hargreaves III returns an interception 36 yards during Florida's 38-10 win against Ole Miss on Oct. 3, 2015, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

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Vernon Hargreaves III and Jon Bullard named AP All-Americans

By Luis Torres | Dec. 13, 2015

Two players on Florida’s defense have been named AP All-Americans.

UF linebacker Jarrad Davis tackles Florida State running back Dalvin Cook during Florida's 27-2 loss on Nov. 28, 2015, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

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Jarrad Davis' return for next season strengthens the Gators

By GRAHAM HALL | Dec. 8, 2015

While much has deservedly been made about the skill of the seniors, Jim McElwain knows Florida’s remarkable 10-3 record this season couldn’t have been possible without the progression and subsequent contributions of the team’s underclassmen.

UF defensive lineman Jon Bullard (90) goes for a tackle during Florida's 28-27 win against Tennessee on Sept. 26, 2015, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

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Five Gators named to coaches' All-SEC teams

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Dec. 8, 2015

Five Florida players found themselves on the coaches’ All-Southeastern Conference first and second teams, which were announced Tuesday afternoon.

Jim McElwain walks on the field of the Georgia Dome during warmups prior to Florida's 29-15 loss to Alabama in the 2015 SEC Championship Game.

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Florida begins bowl preparation

By GRAHAM HACK | Dec. 7, 2015

Bowl games might count on season records, but bowl season is unlike any other part of the year.

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Alabama running back Derrick Henry headlines Heisman Trophy finalists

By Luis Torres | Dec. 7, 2015

And then there were three.

UF coach Jim McElwain smiles in the huddle during practice on Dec. 4, 2015, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

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Despite SEC title game loss, McElwain still exceeded expectations in Year 1

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Dec. 6, 2015

ATLANTA — On Dec. 5, 2014, Jim McElwain stepped off of a UAA private plane at the Gainesville Regional Airport.

UF's Antonio Callaway returns a punt 85 yards for a touchdown during Florida's 29-15 loss to Alabama in the Southeastern Conference Game on Dec. 5, 2015, in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

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UF’s special teams proves to be mixed bag in Atlanta

By Luis Torres | Dec. 6, 2015

ATLANTA — The last time Florida had a punt and a field goal blocked in the same game was against South Carolina last season, ultimately costing former coach Will Muschamp his job.

UF's David Sharpe (78), Jake McGee (83) and Bryan Cox (94) walk off the field at the Georgia Dome following Florida's 29-15 loss to Alabama in the SEC Championship Game on Dec. 5, 2015, in Atlanta.

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IT WASN'T PEACHES & CREAM: Gators fall to Crimson Tide in SEC Championship Game

By GRAHAM HALL | Dec. 5, 2015

ATLANTA -- There weren’t many who expected the Gators to show up in Atlanta and roll the Crimson Tide.

UF football players run out of the tunnel prior to Florida's 27-2 loss to Florida State on Nov. 28, 2015, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

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Florida embracing underdog label going into Atlanta

By GRAHAM HALL | Dec. 3, 2015

Barring an unforeseen mangling of the College Football Playoff rankings, Florida enters Saturday’s Southeastern Conference Championship Game solely focused on the 60 minutes of play and not on any championship possibilities, giving UF a chance to play spoiler of the Crimson Tide’s postseason dreams.

UF offensive linemen Trip Thurman (63), Tyler Jordan (64) and Mason Halter (75) protect quarterback Treon Harris (3) during Florida's 27-2 loss against Florida State on Nov. 28, 2015, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

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UF offensive line faces tough test in Alabama defensive line

By Luis Torres | Dec. 3, 2015

Florida’s offensive line has seen its share of ups and downs throughout the season.

Alabama running back Derrick Henry (2) runs the ball during an NCAA college football game against Auburn, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2015, in Auburn, Ala. Alabama won 29-13.

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UF preparing for stud Alabama running back Derrick Henry

By Luis Torres | Dec. 2, 2015

Standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing in around 240 pounds, Alabama running back Derrick Henry is built like a linebacker, but he’s quick enough and powerful enough to run through you with the momentum of a high-speeding semi truck down a highway.

UF coach Jim McElwain walks out of the tunnel prior to Florida's 27-2 loss to Florida State on Nov. 28, 2015, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

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Former Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy talks Jim McElwain

By GRAHAM HACK | Dec. 2, 2015

Jim McElwain’s dead fish analogy isn’t something new.

UF's Demarcus Robinson (left) eludes defenders after catching a pass during Florida's 9-7 win against Vanderbilt on Nov. 7, 2015, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

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UF seniors keep Demarcus Robinson on team

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Dec. 2, 2015

Demarcus Robinson now has another opportunity.

Alabama head coach Nick Saban walks across the football field before an NCAA college football game against Auburn on Saturday in Auburn, Alabama.

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Looking back at the UF-Alabama SEC Championship rivalry

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Dec. 1, 2015

When No. 18 Florida and No. 2 Alabama face off in the Southeastern Conference Championship Game at 4 p.m. Saturday, it’ll be the eighth matchup between the two for the conference crown. The Gators own the all-time record against the Crimson Tide in the title game, 4-3. Here’s a look at how the other matchups panned out.

Teammates celebrate with cornerback Jalen Tabor after his interception during Florida's 20-14 overtime win against Florida Atlantic on Nov. 21, 2015, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

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Secondary duo key to Florida football team’s success

By GRAHAM HACK | Dec. 1, 2015

In the second quarter of Saturday’s game against Florida State, UF defensive back Jalen Tabor came inches away from knocking down a pass on fourth down.

UF quarterback Treon Harris passes during Florida's 27-2 loss to Florida State on Nov. 28, 2015, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

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Florida rallying around struggling sophomore quarterback

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Dec. 1, 2015

Quarterback Treon Harris has failed to move Florida’s offense over the last month.

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SEC Championship Game asserts UF’s return to relevance

By GRAHAM HALL | Nov. 30, 2015

Saturday’s Southeastern Conference Championship Game is the most concrete evidence to date that the Gators have returned to the national spotlight sooner than anyone could have anticipated.