Sports | Football - The Independent Florida Alligator

Tyler Murphy runs the ball during Florida’s 30-10 victory against Arkansas on Saturday in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. The Gators are 4-1 this season.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Murphy enjoying ‘game manager’ title

By ADAM PINCUS< | Oct. 7, 2013

Call Tyler Murphy a ‘game manager.’ The redshirt junior is not offended.

LSU quarterback Zach Mettenberger passes during LSU's 35-21 win against Auburn in Baton Rouge, La., on Sept. 21.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

LSU poses challenge to stout UF defense

By JOE MORGAN< | Oct. 7, 2013

Florida will face an explosive offense against LSU on Saturday in Baton Rouge, La.

Cleveland Browns cornerback Joe Haden (right) tackles Cincinnati Bengals A.J. Green during an NFL football game in Cleveland

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Gators in the NFL: Haden impressing as lockdown cornerback

By CHUCK KINGSBURY< | Oct. 7, 2013

With Week 5 of the NFL season in the books, we take a look at a few former Gators who made the most tangible impact for their respective teams.

Loucheiz Purifoy returns an interception 42 yards for a touchdown during Florida’s 30-10 victory against Arkansas on Saturday in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Florida forced two turnovers during the game.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Junior cornerback sparks Gators with first interception

By JOE MORGAN< | Oct. 5, 2013

Don’t be careless with the football when Loucheiz Purifoy is coming after you.

Austin Hardin (16) and sophomore holder Kyle Crofoot (43) scramble for the football after a blocked kick during Florida’s 30-10 victory against Arkansas on Saturday in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Center ejected in third quarter

By PHILLIP HEILMAN< | Oct. 5, 2013

Jon Harrison was ejected against Arkansas on Saturday night, but the reason remains unclear.

Tyler Murphy runs the ball during Florida’s 30-10 victory against Arkansas on Saturday in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Murphy completed 16 of 22 passes for 240 yards and three touchdowns.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

RAZOR SHARP: Murphy goes hog wild in win

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Oct. 5, 2013

In the first night game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in nearly two years, Tyler Murphy shut out the lights.

Tyler Murphy runs the ball during Florida’s 31-17 victory against Tennessee on Sept. 21 in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Man down, Murphy up: Redshirt junior making most of first opportunity

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Oct. 3, 2013

Jeff Driskel lines up in the shotgun.

Jon Harrison prepares to snap the ball during Florida’s 24-7 victory against Kentucky on Saturday at Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington, Ky. Behind the Gators’ dominant offensive line, running back Matt Jones rushed for a career-high 176 yards against the Wildcats. Florida will face a talented Arkansas defense on Saturday at 7 p.m. in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Powerful offensive line paving way for Gators

By ADAM PINCUS< | Oct. 3, 2013

A 67-yard run takes more than a running back hitting the hole.

Arkansas tailback Alex Collins (3) runs past Texas A&M linebacker Nate Askew during the first quarter of a 45-33 loss to the Aggies on Saturday in Fayetteville, Ark. Collins is second in the Southeastern Conference in rushing yards per game.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Freshman running back to test Gators

By PHILLIP HEILMAN< | Oct. 2, 2013

Arkansas running back Alex Collins has started his college career so impressively that even he is surprised.

Florida linebacker Michael Taylor blocks an opponent during UF’s 27-14 victory against Bowling Green on Sept. 1, 2012.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Taylor enjoying role increase for Florida defense

By JOE MORGAN< | Oct. 2, 2013

Linebacker Michael Taylor wears his heart on his sleeve.

Brent Pease walks on the field and watches warm-ups prior to Florida’s 24-7 victory against Kentucky on Saturday at Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington, Ky. Florida’s second-year offensive coordinator took the Gators’ quarterbacks for a nature walk near their hotel prior to the game.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Offensive coordinator takes UF quarterbacks on nature walk

By JOE MORGAN< | Oct. 1, 2013

Several Gators heard their phones buzz and ring on Saturday morning.

Austin Hardin attempts a field goal during Florida’s 24-7 win against Kentucky on Saturday in Lexington, Ky. Hardin has made four of his seven tries this season.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Replacing Easley tough task

By ADAM PINCUS< | Oct. 1, 2013

Damien Jacobs did not lose just a teammate on the practice field when Dominique Easley was injured on Tuesday.

Dominique Easley (2) pushes through two opposing players during Florida’s 31-17 win against Tennessee on Sept. 21 in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Injured defensive tackle plans to enter 2014 NFL Draft

By PHILLIP HEILMAN< | Sep. 30, 2013

Dominique Easley’s career with the Gators is finished.

Tyler Murphy attempts a pass during Florida’s 24-7 victory against Kentucky on Saturday at Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington, Ky.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Murphy still adjusting to new role

By JOE MORGAN< | Sep. 30, 2013

Two days after winning his first start for the Gators, Tyler Murphy was talking about First Take.

Jaylen Watkins (14) tackles Kentucky wide receiver Alexander Montgomery during the Gators’ 24-7 victory against the Wildcats on Saturday at Commonwealth Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Watkins becoming versatile member of Florida secondary

By ADAM PINCUS< | Sep. 30, 2013

Coach Will Muschamp called him first-class.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Gators in the NFL: Former Florida safety notches six tackles in second start

By CHUCK KINGSBURY< | Sep. 30, 2013

With Week 4 of the NFL season in the books, here are a few former Gators who made the most tangible impact for their respective teams.

Dante Fowler Jr. awaits a snap by the Wildcats. The sophomore Buck linebacker collected two of Florida’s five sacks while limiting Kentucky to 173 yards of offense.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Fowler fills void for Gators

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Sep. 29, 2013

LEXINGTON, Ky. — With senior defensive tackle Dominique Easley out for the season with a torn ACL and medial meniscus, Florida’s defense needed someone to step up to lead the unit.

Matt Jones runs down the field during Florida’s 24-7 victory against Kentucky on Sept. 28 at Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington, Ky.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Jones rushes for career-high 176 yards in Florida win

By JOE MORGAN< | Sep. 28, 2013

Coach Will Muschamp called Matt Jones into his office on Monday.

Tyler Murphy runs the ball during Florida’s 24-7 victory against Kentucky on Saturday at Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington, Ky. Murphy completed 15 of 18 passes for 156 yards during his first college start.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

NO EXCUSES: Gators beat ‘Cats again

By ADAM PINCUS< | Sep. 28, 2013

LEXINGTON, Ky. — After a week from hell, No. 20 Florida traveled to the Bluegrass State in need of a boost.

Dante Fowler Jr. celebrates after recovering a fumble during the first quarter against the Volunteers.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Fowler hoping to build on strong showing

By PHILLIP HEILMAN< | Sep. 26, 2013

Dante Fowler Jr. had two weeks to wait for, visualize and put into action his plan to wreak havoc on the Tennessee offense.