Sports | Football - The Independent Florida Alligator

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Harvin ready to compete for Seattle following injury-plagued 2013

By ERICA HERNANDEZ | Sep. 1, 2014

The reigning Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks will kick off regular season play against the Green Bay Packers at 8:30 p.m. on Thursday. Former Gator Percy Harvin, who returned the second half opening kick for 87 yards to help secure Seattle’s first Super Bowl win, will be looking to compete this year after only playing one regular season game in 2013.

Florida huddles on the field prior to kickoff in its season opener against Idaho on Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. The game, which was initially delayed two hours and 48 minutes due to lightning, was suspended after field conditions were deemed unsafe to play. Details regarding rescheduling have yet to be finalized.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida Field swamped, opener suspended

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Sep. 1, 2014

It took all of 10 seconds for officials to decide that Florida Field was not capable of hosting a football game Saturday night.

Alabama running back T.J. Yeldon (4) dives into the end zone for a touchdown as West Virginia's Travis Bell (26) and Karl Joseph (8) defend in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Aug. 30, 2014, in Atlanta.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

College football roundup: Week 1

By MORGAN MORIARTY | Sep. 1, 2014

Week 1 of the college football season has come and gone, and the slate of games gave us a lot to digest. Let’s look at some of the major takeaways from the weekend of games, and look ahead at the best games for week two.

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 season opener suspended, rescheduling unknown

By MORGAN MORIARTY | Aug. 30, 2014

Florida fans will have to wait another week to see the 2014 Gators play. The season opener that was scheduled against Idaho on Saturday evening was suspended.

$Two trainers tend to quarterback Jeff Driskel after he suffered a fractured right fibula during Florida's 31-17 victory against Tennessee on Sept 21, 2013 in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.$

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Ready for Redemption: Driskel focused on improving in 2014

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Aug. 28, 2014

Jeff Driskel started Florida’s second drive against Tennessee on a hot streak.

UF coach Will Muschamp looks down at the field during Florida's 23-20 loss Georgia on Nov. 2 in Jacksonville.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Previewing the field: Florida’s 2014 schedule

By MORGAN MORIARTY | Aug. 28, 2014

Following a 4-8 season, head coach Will Muschamp seemingly made all the right changes. He hired a new offensive coordinator in Kurt Roper, as well as offensive line coach Mike Summers to give the 2013 offense an up-tempo makeover.

In this Jan. 1, 2014, file photo, South Carolina running back Mike Davis (28) gains yardage against Wisconsin during the second half of the Capital One Bowl NCAA college football game in Orlando, Fla. Steve Spurrier says 1,000-yard rusher Mike Davis hadn't practiced last week and might not be ready when the ninth-ranked Gamecocks open the season against No. 21 Texas A&M tonight.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

SEC Games to Watch: Week 1

By MORGAN MORIARTY | Aug. 27, 2014

We’ve made it people. The 2014 college football season kicks off tonight. With the season finally here, I give you the best matchups of the weekend from the Southeastern Conference.

Max Garcia (76) runs at an opposing player during Florida’s 30-10 victory against Arkansas on Oct. 5, 2013, in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Garcia moved from guard to center during spring practice.

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Garcia improving at center

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Aug. 27, 2014

After redshirt senior Jonotthan Harrison played his last game for the Florida Gators — a 37-7 loss to Florida State on Nov. 30 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium to close out a 4-8 season — coach Will Muschamp knew he needed a replacement.

Kelvin Taylor rushes during Florida's 23-20 loss to Georgia on Nov. 2 at Everbank Field in Jacksonville.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Taylor, Jones highlight talented Florida running back group

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Aug. 27, 2014

With Jeff Driskel returning from a broken fibula to play in Kurt Roper’s new high-tempo spread offense — and not to mention the hoopla surrounding the backup battle between Treon Harris and Will Grier — much of the attention surrounding Florida’s offense has been directed to the quarterback position.

Mike Taylor (51) pursues Missouri quarterback Maty Mauk during the Gators' 36-17 loss to the Tigers on Oct. 19 in Columbia, Mo.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Redshirt senior linebacker ready to open the season, win games

By MORGAN MORIARTY | Aug. 26, 2014

Come Saturday, Florida will get the chance to finally bury the disaster that was the 4-8 season of 2013. It seemed the day would never come, but a clean slate for the program starts with its season opener against Idaho.

Frankie Velez kicks a field goal during Florida's 17-6 loss to LSU on Saturday in Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, La.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Driskel to hold snaps for undetermined kicker

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Aug. 26, 2014

Jeff Driskel won’t just be responsible for taking care of the ball when the Gators are on offense.

Treon Harris takes a snap during practice on Aug. 14 at Donald R. Dizney Stadium. Harris was named Florida's backup quarterback on Tuesday.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Notebook: Harris wins backup quarterback job, secondary starters

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Aug. 26, 2014

Treon Harris won the first battle.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

McCalister, defensive line prepare for season opener against Idaho

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Aug. 25, 2014

Alex McCalister plans to make the most of his 7-foot-2 wingspan.

Antonio Morrison chases down a Florida State player during Florida’s 37-26 win on Nov. 24, 2012 in Doak Campbell Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Junior linebacker ready to rebound from 2013 season

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Aug. 24, 2014

Antonio Morrison is ready to move past the 2013 season.

Running back Kelvin Taylor (21) rushes for a touchdown during Florida’s 19-14 loss to South Carolina on Nov. 16 at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, S.C.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Notebook: Taylor highlights running back depth

By MORGAN MORIARTY | Aug. 24, 2014

The Gators football team has made it through the dog days of summer and the grind of fall camp, and game week is finally here. Florida will face Idaho on Saturday to open its 2014 season.

Freshman quarterback Treon Harris remains in contention for the UF backup quarterback position along with fellow freshman Will Grier and Skyler Mornhinweg.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Backup quarterback still unknown, will play in season opener

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Aug. 24, 2014

After three weeks of fall camp, coach Will Muschamp and offensive coordinator Kurt Roper are still undecided about who will backup Jeff Driskel at quarterback this season.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

McNeely, Velez awarded full scholarships

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Aug. 22, 2014

After practice ended Friday, coach Will Muschamp broke some news to wide receiver Mike McNeely and kicker Frankie Velez.

Florida offensive coordinator Kurt Roper during practice on Thursday at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Roper needs Driskel to be mentally tough

By MORGAN MORIARTY | Aug. 20, 2014

With the 2014 Gators football season just 10 days away, all eyes are on Kurt Roper and his new offense in Gainesville.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

McGee, Robinson among players ready to make an impact

By MORGAN MORIARTY | Aug. 18, 2014

Have no fear, the 2014 Florida football season is practically here. With just 12 days until Florida kicks off its season against Idaho, here are a few players to keep an eye on this year that you might not know who they are just yet.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Neal excelling during practice while recovering from scooter accident

By RICHARD JOHNSON | Aug. 13, 2014

The scabs on his knees and his torn up index finger are not football injuries for Florida safety Keanu Neal.