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Florida students hold up their phone flashlights as they sing “I Won’t Back Down” by Tom Petty before the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game against Campbell, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla.

The Conference Call: The Alligator’s football reporters pick Week 4 SEC matchups

By Ava DiCecca , Max Bernstein , Curan Ahern and Riley Orovitz | 9:00am

The 11-game Week 3 SEC slate was the most unpredictable one yet. Texas A&M was vanquished by unranked Kentucky at home; Florida and Ole Miss picked up emotional rivalry game victories; and Vanderbilt beat NC State in one of the most unforgettable finishes to any football game in recent memory. Now, the Alligator’s Florida football beat reporters, Ava DiCecca, Max Bernstein, Curan Ahern and Riley Orovitz, are back to make picks for this week’s nine-game slate.

Florida offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner and defensive coordinator Brad White watch warmups before an NCAA college football game against FAU, Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla.

Buster Faulkner, Brad White talk first home SEC test

By Max Bernstein and Riley Orovitz | Sep. 22

Florida Gator's defender Hannah Jibril and midfield Mia Gray laughing in conversation prior to beginning match against Jacksonville Dolphins, at Donald R. Dizney Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. Thursday, Aug 27th.

Offensive, defensive takeaways from Florida soccer’s first two conference games

By Zach Moore | Sep. 21

3 takeaways from the Jaguars’ Week 2 loss to the Broncos

By Max Bernstein and Curan Ahern | Sep. 21

Florida head coach Jon Sumrall talks to a player during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Auburn, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Auburn, Ala.

Jon Sumrall, Florida put Auburn behind them, prepare for Ole Miss

By Ava DiCecca and Curan Ahern | Sep. 21

A Tennessee Volunteers mascot stuffed animal sits in the mouth of the Bull Gator statue Wednesday afternoon. The Gators will take on the Vols at the Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Saturday.

OPINION: Stop pretending ‘Gator Bait’ is the problem

By Evan Dressel | Sep. 21

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A refs chair sits at Alfred A. Ring Tennis Complex, Thursday, March 26, 2026 in Gainesville, Fla.

Sports

Former South Carolina standout Sarah Hamner prepared to bolster Florida women’s tennis coaching staff

By Alisa Gershman | Sep. 21

With a strong four years of collegiate play under her belt, Sarah Hamner had intentions of going professional straight out of college. But that dream was cut short when she tore her Achilles this April. Hamner was forced to undergo surgery and reconsider her future in tennis.

Florida’s Paula Francisco swings her club during the Gators Invitational, an NCAA golf tournament, at the Mark Bostick Golf Course, Friday, March 6, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla.

Sports

Gators women’s golf ties for second at Mason Rudolph Women’s Championship

By Bob Sager | Sep. 20

No. 7 Florida women’s golf eyed a second-straight sweep after two rounds of the Mason Rudolph Women’s Championship Saturday, but collapsed Sunday with a plus-7 Round 3 performance.

Sports

Jaguars fall to Broncos in Denver behind poor pass defense

By Curan Ahern | Sep. 20

A Trevor Lawrence interception and a missed 54-yard Jacksonville field goal allowed Denver to compile 17 unanswered points and hold the Jaguars to just three points in the second half.

Florida’s Jack Turner sets up a putt during the Gators Invitational, an NCAA golf tournament, at the Mark Bostick Golf Course, Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla.

Sports

Gators men’s golf ties for fifth at Fighting Illini Collegiate

By Bob Sager | Sep. 20

Florida men’s golf finished in a tie for fifth at the Fighting Illini Collegiate. The No. 1 Gators struggled through the first two rounds but had an incredible finish in the third, shooting 14-under — the lowest of the day at Olympia Fields County Club.

Florida wide receiver Vernell Brown III (1) celebrates with tight end Luke Harping (15) and running back Evan Pryor (21) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Auburn, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Auburn, Ala.

Sports

Florida enters AP Top 25 Poll at No. 21

By Ava DiCecca and Max Bernstein | Sep. 20

After falling just short of the AP Top 25 rankings at the beginning of the college football season and narrowly missing the polls ever since, Florida has entered the Week 4 poll.

Florida defensive lineman DK Kalu (93) sacks Auburn quarterback Byrum Brown (17) during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Auburn, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Auburn, Ala.

Sports

Highs and lows: Florida sees offensive explosion, defensive concerns

By Max Bernstein and Curan Ahern | Sep. 20

In a 44-39 win over Auburn at Jordan-Hare Stadium, Florida silenced its doubters. With swirling narratives of whether the Gators would produce a strong showing after beating up on lesser non-conference competition, Florida marched into Auburn, Alabama, and posted 495 total yards and seven sacks.

Florida quarterback Aaron Philo (12) struggles to the end zone during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Auburn, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Auburn, Ala.

Sports

Immediate takeaways from Florida's victory at Auburn

By Max Bernstein | Sep. 19

Florida’s first major test of the Jon Sumrall era was administered on Saturday night at Jordan-Hare Stadium. And the Gators passed the exam. Facing SEC rival Auburn on the road for the first time since 2011, Florida never surrendered its lead once, defeating the Tigers 44-39. Once again, the Gators were powered by their elite offensive performance and a reinvigorated pass rush.

Florida running back Jadan Baugh (13) rushes during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Auburn, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Auburn, Ala.

Sports

Gators grit out victory in first SEC clash against Auburn

By Ava DiCecca | Sep. 19

Behind the offensive turnaround, the Gators (3-0, 1-0 SEC) topped the Tigers (2-1, 0-1 SEC) 44-39 Saturday evening at Jordan-Hare Stadium to start the season 3-0 for the first time since 2019 and win their first game in Auburn since 1999.

Florida tennis player Kevin Edengren screams in celebration during an NCAA tennis match against Vanderbilt, Thursday, April 2, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla.

Sports

Florida men’s tennis records slow start with sole victory in season opener

By Ethan Feinberg | Sep. 19

The season began on Saturday with the Intercollegiate Tennis Association’s (ITA) All-American Championship pre-qualifying rounds hosted by the University of Tulsa.

Sports

Florida vs. Auburn: Live updates

By Riley Orovitz | Sep. 19

Kickoff is set for approximately 7:00 p.m. ET Saturday at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama. Follow along for live updates.

Kelvin Cheruiyot runs during the Gans Creek Classic cross country meet on Friday, September 26, 2025 at Missouri in Columbia, Mis. / UAA Communications photo by Dylan Cannella

Sports

Florida cross country posts strong performances at the John McNichols Invitational

By Katie Mosley | Sep. 19

In its second of three regular-season meets, Florida cross country came out of the gates strong and posted solid performances. The Gators traveled to Terre Haute, Indiana, for Saturday's John McNichols Invitational. If all goes well for the Gators this season, both the men’s and women’s teams will return to Terre Haute in November to compete in the NCAA Championships.

Florida opposite Logan King (8) celebrates winning a point during an NCAA Volleyball match against FAU, Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla.

Sports

Florida defeats FSU to cement best start since 2023

By Sofia Alamo | Sep. 18

After 13 ties and seven lead changes in the third set, Florida trailed 25-24 to Florida State. The set had been a constant back-and-forth, but after losing the second set, the Gators needed to find a way to regain control. Behind two straight kills from opposite hitter Kamryn Chaney, Florida did just that, winning the third set 27-25.

Freshman midfielder Courtney Hogan pursues a ball for Florida soccer.

Sports

Florida rallies back twice to force 2-2 draw at Mississippi State

By Zach Moore | Sep. 18

Nov. 15, 2025, may not have seemed like a particularly significant date at the time. But 307 days later, it became the centerpiece of a full-circle storyline.

Florida head coach Ryan Theis talks to outside hitter Jordyn Byrd (14) during an NCAA Volleyball match against FAU, Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla.

Sports

Florida rides five-match win streak into rivalry game with FSU

By Sofia Alamo | Sep. 18

Off to its best start since 2023, Florida is re-establishing itself as a force in collegiate volleyball. The Gators have won their last five matches, the longest winning streak during head coach Ryan Theis’ tenure.