Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Lily, the daughter of tormented Gator fan Daniel Stone, offers an uncomfortable expression while wearing Michigan apparel.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Guest column: Bullied Gator fan from Michigan in need of rescue

By Daniel Stone | Aug. 31, 2017

Dear Coach McElwain and Gators football team,

The Gators are going up against Washington tonight at 11 p.m. and will face Portland at 9 p.m. on Sunday.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Gators going to Seattle to face Washington, Portland

By Mark Stine | Aug. 31, 2017

The Florida soccer team is taking its new No. 2 ranking to Seattle this weekend to play in the Husky/Nike Invitational.

Senior middle blocker Rhamat Alhassan swings for a kill during Florida's 3-0 win against Georgia Southern on Aug. 29 in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

UF volleyball set to play SEC-ACC Challenge in Puerto Rico

By Justin Ahlum | Aug. 31, 2017

Rachael Kramer stood in front of reporters on Wednesday coming off Florida’s strong start to the season. Despite winning multiple honors this week, including the American Volleyball Coaches Association Player of the Week, she remained modest by crediting her teammates.

Feleipe Franks stands under center during UF's Orange and Blue Debut on April 7, 2017, at McKethan Stadium.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: How starting Feleipe Franks at QB affects the Michigan game and fight against ISIS

By Matt Brannon | Aug. 31, 2017

Florida football coach Jim McElwain made an announcement Wednesday that the entire Gators fan base has been patiently waiting for.

Gorjok Gak (right) is competing for Australia in the World University Games in Taipei. Through eight games, the rising sophomore averaged 11.1 points a game.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators Gak, Koulechov close World University Games with impressive showings

By Skyler Lebron | Aug. 30, 2017

Throughout the 2016-17 Florida men’s basketball regular season, freshman center Gorjok Gak averaged just 5.3 minutes per contest. He saw more than five minutes of action just twice in the regular season, relegated to the bench as he developed strength and coordination.

UF coach Mary Wise talks with her players during Florida's 3-1 win over Marshall on Sept. 17, 2016, in the Lemerand Athletic Center.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Gators volleyball team looking to avoid complacency, tackle season together

By Andrew Huang | Aug. 30, 2017

After an opening weekend that featured a pair of top-5 upsets at the hands of the Florida volleyball team, the No. 3 Gators insist that they’re still hungry for more.

Feleipe Franks was named Florida's starting quarterback on Wednesday. The redshirt freshman will play in his first career game on Saturday against Michigan.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Feleipe Franks wins starting job; Jordan Scarlett suspended indefinitely

By Dylan Dixon | Aug. 30, 2017

Michigan, Gators fans and the rest of the college football world no longer have to wonder who Florida’s starting quarterback will be on Saturday.

Tyrie Cleveland (89) runs toward the end zone during Florida's 40-14 win over Missouri on Oct. 15, 2016, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

WR Cleveland’s family hit by Houston storm

By IAN COHEN | Aug. 29, 2017

Tyrie Cleveland tries to block it out.

Receiver Dre Massey participates in Florida's 2016 Spring practice at the Sanders Practice Fields.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

A year after he tore his ACL, receiver Dre Massey prepares for return

By Ethan Bauer | Aug. 29, 2017

Dre Massey’s screen saver tells a story. So did the brace he wore on his knee all spring. It’s one of tragedy and determination, of heartbreak and resilience, and it’s one Massey hopes ends in triumph.

Hurricane Harvey has left Houston and the surrounding areas flooded. Rescue boats are out trying to help people and animals get to safer and dryer land.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: In the midst of Harvey devastation, Astros make it all about them

By Dylan Dixon | Aug. 29, 2017

The city of Houston is hurting right now. It’s hurting pretty bad.

Gabby Seiler (38) celebrates with teammates during Florida's 3-2 win over UCF on Sept. 18 at James G. Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Gabby Seiler carries Florida soccer team to No. 2 ranking

By Morgan McMullen | Aug. 29, 2017

Gabby Seiler knows how to be versatile.

With the loss of Jarrad Davis and Alex Anzalone to the NFL, Florida will have to rely on some new faces at the linebacker position this fall.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

2017 Florida Gators Position Previews: Linebacker

By Dylan Dixon | Aug. 29, 2017

Less than one week remains until Florida kicks off the 2017 regular season against Michigan at AT&T Stadium. The Gators enter this year as back-to-back SEC East champions, notching 13 conference wins under coach Jim McElwain since he took over the program in 2015. As always, UF’s success on the gridiron this fall will largely depend on its roster, a group of players featuring both seasoned veterans and unestablished newcomers. Here is the position preview for players set to play running back at Florida this year:

Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh refuses to release his roster for the 2017 season. That level of paranoia makes him a perfect fit for the U.S. military.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: McElwain, Harbaugh should be put in charge of U.S. nuclear arsenal

By Ethan Bauer | Aug. 28, 2017

Florida’s Jim McElwain, Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh and a bouquet of other college football coaches are wasting their time drawing up plays to move a ball up and down a rectangle. No, based on how much paranoia, control and secrecy they like to involve in such an arbitrary task, it’s clear they belong somewhere else: the U.S. military.

Florida players celebrate during UF's 2-1 win against Syracuse on Sunday at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Seiler, Espinoza step up for Gators in Week 2

By Mark Stine | Aug. 28, 2017

Courtney Brosnan guessed wrong.

UF head coach Jim McElwain talks to his players after Florida's spring game on April 7, 2017, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Jim McElwain says he has a quarterback plan. He just won’t tell you what it is.

By Matt Brannon | Aug. 28, 2017

Florida coach Jim McElwain is a man with a plan — and that’s all he’s willing to say.

Michigan fans celebrate after the Wolverines beat the Gators, 41-7, in the 2016 Citrus Bowl.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Game week: Getting to know Michigan

By IAN COHEN | Aug. 27, 2017

Florida doesn’t play Michigan often. In fact, the two programs have never played each other in a regular-season game.

Floyd Mayweather Jr., right, fights Conor McGregor in a super welterweight boxing match Saturday, Aug. 26, 2017, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken)

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: Is Mayweather really the world’s best fighter? No.

By Jake Dreilinger | Aug. 27, 2017

Floyd Mayweather defeated Conor McGregor by technical knockout on Saturday.

New England Patriots running back Mike Gillislee (35) runs into the end zone for a 1-yard touchdown during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Detroit Lions, Friday, Aug. 25, 2017, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

RB Gillislee, WR Hammond score in preseason Week 3

By Matt Brannon | Aug. 27, 2017

After leaving Gainesville, many former Gators players are continuing their careers at the next level. Here’s a look at how former Florida players performed in Week 3 of the preseason in this edition of Gators in the NFL:

Rachael Kramer (right) attempts a block during Florida's 3-0 win over Jacksonville on Sept. 16, 2016, in the Lemerand Center.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Sophomore Rachael Kramer ‘flourishing’ in larger role

By Justin Ahlum | Aug. 27, 2017

For the first time in program history, the Florida Gators beat two top-five opponents in back-to-back nights after defeating No. 1 Texas in four sets Friday and No. 5 Nebraska in a five-set thriller on Saturday.

Parker Roberts dribbles the ball during Florida's 2-1 win against Syracuse on August 27, at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Parker Roberts scores game-winner as Gators beat Syracuse, 2-1

By Morgan McMullen | Aug. 27, 2017

After a midfield volley from junior midfielder Sarah Troccoli found the control of Briana Solis’ left foot just 20 yards from goal, she couldn’t help but notice the streak of a white jersey cutting across the middle of the box.