Sports | Football - The Independent Florida Alligator

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Freshman corner out for year

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Sep. 10, 2014

J.C. Jackson’s first season at Florida is over.

Michael Taylor and Caleb Brantly force Eastern Michigan quarterback Reginald Bell to fumble the ball during the Gators' 65-0 win against the Eagles on Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida defense has room to grow heading into SEC play

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Sep. 10, 2014

In Florida’s season opener against Eastern Michigan, all eyes were focused on the offense.

Clay Burton runs with the ball during Florida's 65-0 win against Eastern Michigan on Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Burton seeing increased role in passing game

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Sep. 9, 2014

Clay Burton did not have an active role in the passing game during his first three years at Florida.

Jeff Driskel (6) passes to Matt Jones (24) during Florida's 65-0 win against Eastern Michigan on Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Roper focused on improving offense as SEC slate approaches

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Sep. 9, 2014

Florida got exactly what it needed Saturday when it clobbered Eastern Michigan 65-0.

UGA's Todd Gurley rushes during Georgia's 45-21 win against Clemson on Aug. 30 in Athens, Ga.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Georgia-South Carolina highlights college football matchups

By MORGAN MORIARTY | Sep. 9, 2014

Florida opens its Southeastern Conference slate at home on Saturday against Kentucky, but there are other games happening around the country. Week 3 of the College Football season, besides a few decent matchups, is painful folks. It’s the sad truth. While I in no means would recommend you avoid any weekend of college football might I suggest you stick to watching the games I have put for you here. Conveniently enough, they are spread out between noon and 7 p.m.

Former Gators defensive back Loucheiz Purifoy catches a throw during a drill at Florida’s Pro Scout Day in March.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Purifoy pleads no contest to marijuana possession

By RICHARD JOHNSON | Sep. 8, 2014

Former Florida cornerback Loucheiz Purifoy pleaded no contest to marijuana possession of no more than 20 grams — a first-degree misdemeanor — on Thursday after initially being arrested for felony possession earlier this year. Purifoy accepts punishment that includes no jail time and no trial.

Jeff Driskel scrambles in the backfield during Florida's 65-0 win against Eastern Michigan on Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Driskel comfortable in Florida’s new up-tempo offense

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Sep. 8, 2014

It did not take Jeff Driskel too long to get into a rhythm during Florida’s 65-0 rout against Eastern Michigan on Saturday.

Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice pauses as he speaks during a news conference at the team's practice facility in Owings Mills, Md. A new video that appears to show Ray Rice striking then-fiance Janay Palmer in an elevator last February has been released on a website.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Column: Ray Rice case handled wrongly

By MORGAN MORIARTY | Sep. 8, 2014

When I woke up on Monday morning, I watched new elevator footage of former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice striking and knocking out his then fiancé Janay Palmer with his left hand, released by TMZ Sports.

Redshirt senior Neiron Ball tackles an Eagles player during Florida's 65-0 victory against Eastern Michigan on Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Ball highlights dynamic Florida defense

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Sep. 6, 2014

UF defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin said Wednesday that he wants to use Neiron Ball more in pass-rushing situations this year.

Redshirt senior tight end Jake McGee lies on the field injured during Florida's 65-0 victory against Eastern Michigan on Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. McGee broke his tibia and fibula and will be out for the season, Muschamp said.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Notebook: McGee out for the season

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Sep. 6, 2014

Jake McGee will miss the entire 2014 season with a broken tibia and fibula after playing less than one full game for the Gators.

Coach Will Muschamp celebrates following Florida's 65-0 win against Eastern Michigan on Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

'WE WANT 70': UF offense shines in season-opening win

By RICHARD JOHNSON | Sep. 6, 2014

For 49 years, the University of Florida has been quenching your thirst with the signature sports drink of athletes everywhere — Gatorade.

Florida students and fans cheer during Florida's weather delayed game against Idaho on Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

STORIES FROM THE SWAMP: UF fans, players ready for football

By RICHARD JOHNSON | Sep. 4, 2014

How did you spend your week? And what were you doing when the heavens opened Saturday evening over Ben Hill Griffin Stadium?

Stanford head coach David Shaw watches his team play UC Davis during the second half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2014, in Stanford, Calif.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Picks Column: Eastern Michigan

Sep. 4, 2014

Mother Nature got the best of Florida football on Saturday.

Quinton Dunbar attempts to catch a pass in the end zone during the fourth quarter of Florida’s 26-20 loss to Georgia Southern on Nov. 23, 2013, in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Dunbar leading UF wide receivers

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Sep. 4, 2014

It’s been a while since Quinton Dunbar left a game without a catch.

Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota runs the football during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game against South Dakota in Eugene, Ore., Saturday, Aug. 30, 2014.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

College Football Preview: Week 2

By MORGAN MORIARTY | Sep. 4, 2014

It seems like just yesterday we were kicking off the 2014 college football season with the Texas A&M vs South Carolina Thursday night opener, but week two is already upon us. Outside of Florida’s game against Eastern Michigan this Saturday, let’s take a look at some of the best games of the weekend.

Dante Fowler Jr. (6) rushes Vanderbilt quarterback Patton Robinette during the Gators 34-17 loss to the Commodores on Nov. 9 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

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Notebook: Muschamp responds to critics regarding suspensions

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Sep. 3, 2014

Coach Will Muschamp has received criticism this week concerning his decision to lift the suspensions of wide receiver Demarcus Robinson (university sanction) and nose tackles Darious Cummings and Jay-nard Bostwick (violation of team rules) on Monday.

Fans wait out the weather delay during Florida's suspended game against Idaho at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Saturday night. The game was announced a no contest on Wednesday.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida-Idaho game declared no contest

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Sep. 3, 2014

Florida and Idaho will not face off again in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium this season.

Offensive coordinator Kurt Roper addresses the media during his introductory press conference on Jan. 13.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Roper’s first game cut short, offense fails to see field

By MORGAN MORIARTY | Sep. 2, 2014

Although Florida fans were expecting to get its first look at Kurt Roper’s new offense, they would have to wait another week to do so as the season opener versus Idaho was suspended last weekend due to unsafe weather in the area.

Jeff Driskel warms up in the rain before Florida's suspended game against Idaho on Saturday in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Notebook: Roper looking for third-down efficiency

By RICHARD JOHNSON | Sep. 2, 2014

How fast is too fast for an offense? Texas A&M ran 99 plays in its season opener against South Carolina, and Baylor ran 97 in its debut against Southern Methodist.

Redshirt junior Valdez Showers returns the opening kickoff — the only play of the game — during Florida's season opener against Idaho on Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Showers returned the kickoff 64 yards to Idaho's 14-yard line. Play was suspended shortly afterward.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Notebook: Showers lights up kickoff before second weather delay, game suspension

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Sep. 1, 2014

At the start of Florida’s practice on Monday, the first since its season opener against Idaho was suspended, coach Will Muschamp said the team focused first on going through film from the game — all 10 seconds of it.