Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

The Gators will kick off the season in Jacksonville at the Timuquana Collegiate Jan. 25-26.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Florida unveils spring 2021 schedule

By Michael Hull | Jan. 9, 2021

UF will kick off its 2021 campaign in Jacksonville later this month.

Junior Addie Baggarly kneels down to contemplate a putt. Her teammate Annabell Fuller came in second at the Amateur Women’s Championship this past weekend.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Gators release full 2021 spring schedule

By Michael Hull | Jan. 9, 2021

The No. 8 ranked Gators will play a total of eight tournaments this spring, starting with the Moon Golf Invitational in Melbourne, Florida.

The team is led by junior standout Trinity Thomas, pictured above. She was a finalist for the Honda Award, which is given to the best collegiate gymnast in the country.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Thomas dazzles for Gators in opening meet

By Zachary Huber | Jan. 8, 2021

Florida proved why its ranked the No.1 team in the country after defeating Auburn 197.500 to 195.725 and breaking its season opener record.

The Gators will face Kentucky Saturday. Photo from UF-Marshall game in November 2019.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

UF looks to bounce back against struggling Wildcats

By Declan Walsh | Jan. 8, 2021

Fortunately for Florida, its subsequent game against the blue-blooded Kentucky Wildcats Saturday is an uncharacteristically easy matchup.

Florida head coach Dan Mullen and the Gators made a splash with the commitment of former Penn State defensive tackle Antonio Shelton Wednesday. Photo from UF-Virginia game in December 2019.

SPORTS | RECRUITING

Gators land defensive tackle transfer from Penn State

By Ryan Haley | Jan. 8, 2021

With several 2020 starters unsure to return, Florida shored up the defensive interior with a graduate transfer from the Big Ten.

Houston, a redshirt junior from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, has been with the program since the 2017 season.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida linebacker James Houston enters transfer portal

By Ryan Haley | Jan. 8, 2021

The second level of Florida’s defense suffered a blow Wednesday when James Houston, who has amassed more than 100 tackles in his career, announced he’s entering the transfer portal.

Lavender Briggs showed an early surge of energy she lacked Jan. 3 against Texas A&M. Photo from UF-Longwood game in November 2019.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

MS State overwhelms Gators after close fight

By Grethel Aguila | Jan. 8, 2021

Florida fans’ screams couldn’t stop MS State guard Myah Taylor from scoring two free throws, and just like that, the game was over.

Pitts was awarded the Mackey following a 770 yard, 12 touchdown campaign in 2020. Photo from UF-Auburn game in October 2019.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Pitts wins Mackey Award, loses out to Smith in Biletnikoff

By Declan Walsh | Jan. 8, 2021

In one of the least contentious decisions of the night, Pitts was awarded the Mackey following a 770 yard, 12 touchdown campaign in 2020.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Gators to clash against No. 14 Tigers

By Zachary Huber | Jan. 8, 2021

This season will be more daunting than last year’s — and not just because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Every team Florida is set to face was ranked in the of the Women’s Gymnastics Coaching Association preseason poll.

Junior Noah Locke knocked down two threes in a losing effort Saturday.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Lewis’ foul trouble consigns Gators to first SEC loss

By Declan Walsh | Jan. 5, 2021

The Gators struggled and were ultimately overwhelmed by the size and physicality of the Crimson Tide, losing 86-71 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Florida quarterback Kyle Trask drops back to pass against the Auburn Tigers Oct. 5, 2019. Trask is now a member of the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Kyle Trask passed up for the Heisman

By Grethel Aguila | Jan. 5, 2021

Trask faced Alabama quarterback Mac Jones, Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence and Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith, who was ultimately awarded the Heisman.

Guard Kiara Smith pulled up to tie the game during the first quarter. Photo is from the Florida-Indiana game in November 2019.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

The Aggies preserved their undefeated record, overpowering the Gators 92-67

By Grethel Aguila | Jan. 3, 2021

And as the scoreboard’s digits changed, the Aggies’ lead grew from 11 to 20 to 30, eventually ending at 25.

Florida is 7-2 over it’s last nine games. Photo from Florida-Ole Miss game in January 2020.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida downs LSU behind Castleton’s breakout second half

By Dylan O'Shea | Jan. 3, 2021

Florida is 2-0 after returning to the court following star junior forward Keyontae Johnson’s collapse during an 83-71 loss against FSU Dec. 12.

Gators quarterback Kyle Trask, who is a finalist for the Heisman after a record season, declared for the NFL Draft Thursday. Photo from the Florida-Auburn game in October 2019.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Kyle Trask declares for 2021 NFL Draft

By Grethel Aguila | Jan. 1, 2021

Gators quarterback Kyle Trask, who is a finalist for the Heisman after a record season, ended 2020 declaring for the NFL Draft.

Gator guard Lavender Briggs facing Longwood University in November 2019. The Utah native scored nearly 1,000 points in over two seasons with the Gators.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Turnovers and rebounding sink Florida’s upset to Gamecocks

By Declan Walsh | Dec. 31, 2020

Florida dropped its first SEC contest despite a second-half flourish.

Not all universities have the resources Division I programs do to keep their football teams active during the pandemic. In Melbourne, Florida, Florida Tech cut their team as a cost-saving measure.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida Tech, football and the toll of COVID-19

By Christian Ortega | Dec. 31, 2020

Not all universities have the resources Division I programs do to keep their football teams active during the pandemic. In Melbourne, Florida, Florida Tech cut their team as a cost-saving measure.