Sports | Football - The Independent Florida Alligator

Junior fullback Gideon Ajagbe (25) blocks during Florida’s 24-6 victory against Toledo on Saturday in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Ajagbe caught two passes for 16 yards in the game.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Ajagbe enjoying bigger role after offseason position switch

By PHIL HEILMAN< | Sep. 2, 2013

Gideon Ajagbe did not play a snap for the Gators in 2012.

Mack Brown runs down the field after catching a pass during Florida’s 24-6 victory against Toledo on Saturday in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Brown rushed for 112 yards and two touchdowns in the win.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

What can Brown do for you?: Gators ground Rockets 24-6

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Aug. 31, 2013

With starting running back Matt Jones (viral infection) out for Florida’s season opener against Toledo, the Gators handed the running game to junior Mack Brown.

Fullback Gideon Ajagbe scores the first touchdown of his Gators career during No. 10 Florida's 24-6 win against Toledo on Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Ajagbe notches first receiving touchdown of career, Gators' 2013 season

By PHIL HEILMAN< | Aug. 31, 2013

Gideon Ajagbe did not play a snap for the Gators in 2012.

Following No. 10 Florida's 24-6 win against Toledo on Saturday, coach Will Muschamp blasted multiple media outlets for inaccurately reporting that freshman defensive tackle Jay-nard Bostwick would miss Saturday's game due to suspension.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Muschamp lashes out on publications about inaccurate suspension report

By ADAM PINCUS< | Aug. 31, 2013

Will Muschamp wasted no time unleashing the fiery outbursts for which the third-year coach has become known. It just didn’t happen on the field.

Jeff Driskel tosses a football during warm-ups prior to Florida’s 37-26 victory against Florida State on Nov. 24 in Doak Campbell Stadium. Florida is ranked No. 10 to start the season.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

His team... His time: Driskel unquestioned starter in ‘13

By PHIL HEILMAN< | Aug. 29, 2013

In many ways, Jeff Driskel is the same now as he was entering last season.

Ronald Powell looks up at the crowd during Florida’s 33-23 win against Tennessee on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2011, in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Powell is ready to return to the UF defense after missing the entire 2012 season with a torn ACL suffered in the Orange and Blue Game.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Junior linebacker Powell looking to reach full potential after missing entire 2012 season

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Aug. 29, 2013

It has been almost two years since Ronald Powell lined up at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium to face an opposing team.

Will Muschamp speaks with senior defensive tackle Dominique Easley during Florida’s 17-6 loss to Auburn on Oct. 15, 2011, at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Easley recorded a team-leading four sacks in 2012.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Colorful senior defensive lineman preparing to lead UF defense

By ADAM PINCUS< | Aug. 29, 2013

Dominique Easley-watch had commenced.

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

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Morrison apologizes for arrests

By PHIL HEILMAN< | Aug. 28, 2013

Antonio Morrison spoke publicly for the first time Wednesday following two offseason arrests.

Sophomore running back Matt Jones runs the ball during Florida’s 37-26 victory against Florida State on Nov. 24 at Doak Campbell Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Sophomore running back practices in pads Tuesday; out Saturday

By JOE MORGAN< | Aug. 28, 2013

Running back Matt Jones practiced in pads for the first time Tuesday since contracting a viral infection in July. Jones is still out for Saturday’s game against Toledo.

Quinton Dunbar reaches for a pass during warm-ups prior to Florida’s game against Kentucky on Sept. 22 in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. The Gators defeated the Wildcats 38-0.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Gators hoping new additions improve dismal passing attack

By ADAM PINCUS< | Aug. 27, 2013

The Superdome turf seemed like an ideal field for Florida’s Southeastern Conference speed. Instead, Louisville made UF look like it had just come off Bourbon Street from Mardi Gras.

Redshirt senior center Jon Harrison prepares to snap the ball against Tennesee on Sept. 15 in Neyland Stadium. Florida scored 24 unanswered points to win the game 37-20.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Center looking to become anchor on depleted offensive line

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Aug. 27, 2013

Jon Harrison has seen a lot of changes during his time at Florida.

Valdez Showers battles a Bowling Green defender in Florida’s 27-14 win on Sept. 1. Showers moved from safety to tailback during the offseason.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Junior fullback returns to team

By JOE MORGAN< | Aug. 27, 2013

Fullback Hunter Joyer (hamstring) returned to practice on Monday, offensive coordinator Brent Pease confirmed Tuesday. Joyer had been sidelined for more than two weeks.

Antonio Morrison runs through drills during a spring practice in 2012. Will Muschamp reduced Morrison’s suspension from two games to one Monday.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Muschamp reduces suspension of sophomore linebacker to one game

By JOE MORGAN< | Aug. 26, 2013

Will Muschamp announced Monday that linebacker Antonio Morrison (suspension) and running back Matt Jones (virus) are expected to play in Florida’s game against Miami on Sept. 7.

Will Muschamp said Monday that offensive tackle Chaz Green (above) would miss the 2013 season after suffering a torn labrum during an Aug. 20 practice. Green will undergo surgery soon to fix structural damage.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Junior offensive lineman to miss season with labrum tear

By PHIL HEILMAN< | Aug. 26, 2013

Florida entered fall camp with the best depth it had seen along the offensive line under Will Muschamp.

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

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

New NCAA targeting rule receives criticism from Gators

By PHIL HEILMAN< | Aug. 25, 2013

Florida has not played a down of football in the 2013 season, but coach Will Muschamp has made it clear he is already not in favor of the NCAA’s new "targeting" rule.

Freshman Keanu Neal reaches for a pass during practice last Monday. Neal was rated the No. 7 safety in the 2013 recruiting class, according to Rivals.com.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida coaching staff searching for freshman contributors

By ADAM PINCUS< | Aug. 25, 2013

Amari Cooper torched Notre Dame for two touchdowns in Alabama’s re-christening as national champions last season. His teammate, T.J. Yeldon, added 108 yards and a touchdown against the Irish.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Sophomore tailback out for season opener versus Toledo

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Aug. 25, 2013

Florida kicks off its season against Toledo on Saturday, but two key players will be absent.

Guard Jon Halapio blocks Georgia nose tackle Kwame Geathers in Florida’s 17-9 loss on Oct. 27 at EverBank Field in Jacksonville.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Jones, Halapio out for Florida against Toledo

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Aug. 23, 2013

Florida kicks off its season against Toledo on Aug. 31, but two key players won’t be on the field.

Wide receiver Demarcus Robinson catches a pass at the Orange and Blue Debut in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on April 6, 2013.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Freshman receiver generating buzz during fall practice

By PHIL HEILMAN< | Aug. 22, 2013

Demarcus Robinson is eager to accomplish something in 2013 that no Florida receiver has during the past five years — become relevant in the offense as a true freshman.

Junior cornerback Marcus Roberson stands at the line of scrimmage during practice on Monday. Roberson led Florida with 12 pass deflections and had two interceptions in 2012.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Junior has Florida secondary covered

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Aug. 22, 2013

Marcus Roberson opened the 2012 season with a 31-yard interception that set up a Florida scoring drive against Bowling Green.