Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Picks Column: Week 11

Nov. 9, 2016

Site: The Swamp (cap: 88,548)

Austin Appleby (12) directs the offense during Florida's 38-28 loss to Tennessee on Sept. 25, 2016, at Neyland Stadium. Appleby passed for 296 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Austin Appleby to start for Florida against South Carolina

By Patrick Pinak | Nov. 9, 2016

Austin Appleby hung his head and dropped his pads on the locker room floor in Neyland Stadium more than a month ago.

Quincy Wilson (6) stiff-arms a Missouri defender after intercepting a pass during Florida's 40-14 homecoming win over Missouri on Oct. 15, 2016, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Opposite Tabor, Quincy Wilson turning heads

By Ethan Bauer | Nov. 9, 2016

With recorders surrounding his head and a circle of reporters glaring at him, Quincy Wilson stared blankly at the concrete floor.

Coach Amanda Butler (right) celebrates with Eleanna Christinaki during Florida's win over Kentucky on Jan. 31, 2016, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida women’s basketball prepping for season opener

By Alejandro López | Nov. 8, 2016

The last time Florida’s women’s basketball team made the trek to Jacksonville’s Veterans Memorial Arena, it fell victim to a 43-year trend.

South Carolina head coach Will Muschamp, right, communicates with defensive back Steven Montac (22) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 5, 2016, in Columbia, S.C. South Carolina defeated Missouri 31-21. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Muschamp hoping to spoil his former team’s season

By Ethan Bauer | Nov. 8, 2016

Joey Ivie remembers Will Muschamp well.

Coach Jim McElwain looks on during Florida's 24-10 win over Georgia on Oct. 29, 2016, in Jacksonville.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Roundtable: After disappointing end to 2015, how will Florida football finish 2016?

Nov. 8, 2016

With only two conference games remaining, Florida can still win the SEC East if it can defeat South Carolina at home and No. 19 LSU on the road. Add on a road matchup at No. 22 Florida State, however, and the home stretch of UF’s schedule looks daunting. How will the Gators finish out the season? Sports writers Ethan Bauer, Ian Cohen, Jordan McPherson and Patrick Pinak debate.

Anna Danilina watches the ball during the 2016 ITA Regional Championships at the Ring Tennis Complex.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

UF women’s tennis ends Fall season on positive note

By Cassie Amundson | Nov. 7, 2016

Relaxed, confident and handling their business.

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

Coach proud of season-long development from Gators volleyball

By Skyler Lebron | Nov. 7, 2016

No. 6 Florida is standing tall in the latter portion of its Southeastern Conference schedule.

UF soccer coach Becky Burleigh talks with her team following Florida's 5-2 win against Iowa State on Aug. 19, 2016, at James G. Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Florida soccer earns No. 1 seed in NCAA Tournament

By Lauren Staff | Nov. 7, 2016

After winning the program’s 12th Southeastern Conference Tournament Championship, Florida was named a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament on Monday.

Luke Del Rio stands on the sideline during Florida's loss to Tennessee on Sept. 24.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Notebook: Florida football decimated by injuries after loss

By IAN COHEN | Nov. 7, 2016

When Luke Del Rio couldn’t lift his duffle bag after Saturday’s game, Jim McElwain knew something was wrong.

UF right-side hitter Alex Holston (3) celebrates during Florida's 3-0 win against St. John's on Sept. 17, 2015, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Florida volleyball sweeps Miss. State, forces tie for first in SEC

By Ray Boone | Nov. 6, 2016

She hadn’t attempted a swing the entire match.

Florida celebrates its 2-1 overtime win in the 2016 Southeastern Conference Tournament championship match in Orange Beach, Alabama.

SPORTS | SOCCER

BACK TO BACK: UF wins SEC Tournament in overtime

By Lauren Staff | Nov. 6, 2016

The golden goal came in the last minute.

Luke Del Rio looks to the sideline for instruction during Florida's 24-10 win over Georgia on Oct. 29, 2016, in Jacksonville.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: UF has a quarterback problem, and it may lead to Del Rio's benching

By Patrick Pinak | Nov. 6, 2016

Luke Del Rio dropped back and tried to squeeze a slant pass in too tight a window to his first-year receiver, Tyrie Cleveland.

Florida's Luke Del Rio (14) looses the ball before being taken down by Arkansas' Deatrich Wise Jr. (48) and Randy Ramsey (10) during the second half of an NCAA college football game on Nov. 5, 2016 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Arkansas beat Florida 31-10. (AP Photo/Samantha Baker)

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

PICKING UP THE PIECES: Injuries, loss destroy UF’s playoff hopes

By IAN COHEN | Nov. 6, 2016

After his team was decimated by injuries, and after his starting quarterback threw two interceptions, Jim McElwain stated the obvious.

Arkansas' Rawleigh Williams III (22) outruns Florida's Nick Washington (8) and DeAndre Goolsby (30) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 5, 2016 in Fayetteville, Ark. Arkansas beat Florida 31-10. (AP Photo/Samantha Baker)

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

No. 11 Florida falls flat in road loss to Arkansas

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Nov. 5, 2016

It was supposed to be a statement game.

Savannah Jordan dribbles the ball during Florida's 5-2 win over Iowa State on Aug. 19 at James G. Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Florida defeats No. 2 South Carolina, advances to SEC Championship game

By Dylan Dixon | Nov. 4, 2016

Savannah Jordan has been in a funk recently.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Picks Column: Week 10

Nov. 3, 2016

Site: Razorback Stadium (cap: 72,000)

Melanie Monteagudo (far right) heads the ball into the net during Florida's 6-0 win over Alabama on Oct. 20, 2016, at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Florida to face No. 2 South Carolina in SEC Tournament semifinals

By Dylan Dixon | Nov. 3, 2016

With Florida’s biggest game of the season on the line Wednesday night, Melanie Monteagudo stood nervously at midfield hoping the fate of the contest wouldn’t come down to her.

UF’s Justin Leon drives toward the basket during Florida’s 95-63 win against Auburn on Jan. 23, 2016, in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Leon, Hayes looking to become impact players

By Ray Boone | Nov. 3, 2016

With tired legs and a sweat-soaked jersey, Justin Leon approached the free-throw line with the weight of the team on his shoulders.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Florida volleyball sweeps Georgia, Wise earns 400th SEC win

By Skyler Lebron | Nov. 3, 2016

With the Florida Volleyball team leading 14-9 in the second set, coach Mary Wise decided to utilize her bench, something that has become more important as the long Southeastern Conference season progresses.