Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Washington Redskins tight end Jordan Reed (86) catches a touchdown pass in front of Cleveland Browns inside linebacker Demario Davis (56) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Reed makes history, Neal outshining Hargreaves

By Matt Brannon | Oct. 3, 2016

Week 4 of the NFL season answered three big questions for Gator fans: How good are Washington’s stars? Who is the NFL’s best former Florida defensive player? And which rookie is off to the best start? Find out which Florida alums shined this week — plus who to watch out for — in our fourth regular-season edition of Gators in the NFL.

Jim McElwain looks on during Florida's 29-15 loss to Alabama in the 2015 SEC Championship Game.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: Help wanted: UF still looking for lost offense

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Oct. 3, 2016

Jim McElwain is tired of waiting.

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

UF's offense is a tale of two quarterbacks

By IAN COHEN | Oct. 3, 2016

Quarterback Luke Del Rio will practice this week.

Sam Horsfield lines up a shot to start the third round of the SunTrust Invitational on Feb. 21, 2016, at UF's Mark Bostic Golf Course.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Horsfield, Gators start strong at Nike Golf Intercollegiate

By Jake Dreilinger | Oct. 2, 2016

Following the worst performance of his collegiate career, sophomore Sam Horsfield knew he needed a bounce-back tournament.

Senior Josie Kuhlman scored the deciding point in Florida's 4-2 win over Arkansas in the semifinals of the SEC Tournament. The Gators will face either Ole Miss or Vanderbilt for the title on Sunday.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

UF tennis teams compete at ITA All-American Championships

By Cassie Amundson | Oct. 2, 2016

The men's and women's tennis teams had six individuals competing in the ITA All-American Championships this weekend, with pre-qualifying rounds played on Saturday and Sunday. Josie Kuhlman and Spencer Liang both reached the women's singles qualifying round, while no one who competed for the men this weekend made it on.

Caroline Knop serves during Florida's 3-0 win over Jacksonville at the Lemerand Athletic Center on Sept. 16, 2016.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

UF volleyball bounces back from loss with 3-1 win over Tennessee

By Skyler Lebron | Oct. 2, 2016

After a strong start to the fourth set, the No. 5 Florida volleyball team was tied with Tennessee at 20.

Alex Anzalone (34) and CeCe Jefferson (96) motion to the crowd during Florida's 13-6 win over Vanderbilt on Oct. 1 in Nashville. "He doesn't hold anything back," linebacker Jarrad Davis said of Anzalone. "He lets everything go, and that's what we want from our teammates."

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Notebook: Young D-linemen gain experience in win over Vandy

By Patrick Pinak | Oct. 2, 2016

With nearly all of Florida’s starting defensive lineman injured, many younger players were forced to step up in Saturday’s 13-6 win over Vanderbilt.

Quarterback Austin Appleby (12) is tackled by a Vanderbilt defender short of the goal line during Florida's 13-6 win over the Commodores on Oct. 1, 2016, at Vanderbilt Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

PROBLEMS TO SOLVE: UF’s offense stalls against Vanderbilt in win

By Ethan Bauer | Oct. 2, 2016

Antonio Callaway fired off the line and beat his man, leaving quarterback Austin Appleby with an easy target down the right sideline.

UF forward/midfielder Melanie Monteagudo dribbles down the field during Florida's 5-2 win against Iowa State on Aug. 19, 2016, at James G. Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Florida soccer shuts out LSU on road

By Dylan Dixon | Oct. 1, 2016

Defense has been an issue for the Florida soccer team this season.

Marcus Maye (20) points to the crowd in celebration during Florida's 13-6 win over Vanderbilt on Oct. 1, 2016, at Vanderbilt Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Led by youngsters, Florida’s defense makes statement

By Ethan Bauer | Oct. 1, 2016

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Jalen Tabor celebrated after grabbing the interception. It was the first time in a while he had anything to celebrate about.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

‘That was ugly’: Florida escapes Vanderbilt with win

By IAN COHEN | Oct. 1, 2016

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The ball sailed past Vanderbilt’s punter, who backpedaled, turned and tried to salvage any positivity from this fourth-down disaster.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

alligatorSports Picks Column: Week 5

Sep. 29, 2016

Site: Vanderbilt Stadium (Cap. 39,790)

Vanderbilt University running back Ralph Webb (7) is tackled by multiple Western Kentucky University players in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016, in Bowling Green, Ky. (AP Photo/Michael Noble Jr.)

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida vs. Vanderbilt: Q&A with the opponent

Sep. 29, 2016

Alligator sports editor Ian Cohen and Vanderbilt Hustler sports editor Robbie Weinstein discuss Florida's matchup with Vanderbilt this weekend in a question and answer format.

Mac Reynolds races during the 2014 Mountain Dew Invitational on UF's Mark Bostick Golf Course.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS CROSS COUNTRY

Inexperienced Gators to face tough competition at Paul Short Run

By Mark Stine | Sep. 29, 2016

The last time a Florida cross country team travelled to the Paul Short Run at Lehigh University was in 2014.

Chase Perez-Blanco had an emotion-filled evening as he was one of three seniors honored at Florida's Senior Day match against Alabama. He won his singles set and helped set the tone for a sweep of the Crimson Tide on Friday.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Men's tennis finding success early in season

By Cassie Amundson | Sep. 29, 2016

To coach Bryan Shelton, tennis is like taking a test.

UF soccer coach Becky Burleigh puts her arm around defender Rachelle Smith (81) following Florida's 3-2 win against Florida Sate on Aug. 30, 2015, at James G. Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Despite dominant past, UF struggling against SEC

By Dylan Dixon | Sep. 29, 2016

The Florida soccer team’s dominance in the Southeastern Conference over the past decade has been undeniable.

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

SPORTS | SOCCER

Former Georgia soccer player now a key component for UF

By Lauren Staff | Sep. 28, 2016

Two years ago, Gabby Seiler was a Georgia Bulldog.

Right-side hitter Alex Holston swings for a kill during Florida's 3-1 win against Miami in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Dec. 6 in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Kentucky snaps Florida's win streak in sweep

By Ray Boone | Sep. 28, 2016

During the first set of Wednesday night’s matchup between No. 5 Florida and Kentucky, UF outside hitter Carli Snyder drilled a ball off a perfect set from Allie Monserez.

UF coach Kevin O'Sullivan runs out of the dugout during team introductions prior to Florida's 4-2 season-opening win on Feb. 19, 2016, at McKethan Stadium.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

O’Sullivan gets 10-year extension

By IAN COHEN | Sep. 28, 2016

Kevin O’Sullivan isn’t leaving Florida any time soon.

UF's Taylor Tubs races during the 2015 Mountain Dew Invitational on Sept. 19, 2015, at the Mark Bostick Golf Course.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS CROSS COUNTRY

Seniors Miranda,Tubbs stepping up for Florida cross country team

By Mark Stine | Sep. 27, 2016

The Florida men’s and women’s cross country teams collected their second-straight sweep on Saturday, and they hope to carry their success into Pennsylvania.