Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Patric Young poses for a photo during Florida’s basketball media day. The senior center, who averaged 10.1 points and 6.9 rebounds per game last season, is hoping to help the Gators improve on defense in 2013-14.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

UF defense seeking improvement

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Oct. 27, 2013

Florida’s defense was one of the strongest in the nation in 2012-13.

Savannah Jordan battles for the ball during Florida’s 2-0 victory against Texas A&M on Oct. 27 at James G. Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Freshman tallies two goals to lead Florida to victory

By MICHELLE PROVENZANO< | Oct. 27, 2013

Coach Becky Burleigh’s most potent force on Florida’s offensive attack continues to score goals.

Ziva Recek reaches for the ball during Florida’s three-set victory against Tennessee on Oct. 27 in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Gators stave off Volunteers’ attack

By RJ Schaffer | Oct. 27, 2013

With the score tied at 21 in the second set, it appeared that Florida could be in for a battle with Tennessee.

Sophomore Antoinette Bannister poses for a photo during Florida’s basketball media day.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators searching for new defensive identity

By GORDON STREISAND< | Oct. 27, 2013

The buzz around the Gators this preseason has been about their new, fluid offense that incorporates the transition game.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Keegan drops semifinal match in singles, doubles

By BRITNEE MCCOY< | Oct. 27, 2013

Kourtney Keegan had two chances to advance to tournament finals at the USTA Clay Court Invitational in Orlando this weekend.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Gators men's golf in sixth after first day at The Ocean Course

By LAWRENCE LAGUNA< | Oct. 27, 2013

The end of the fall season for the Florida men’s golf team started with a sixth-place finish in the opening round of the Invitational at The Ocean Course on Sunday at Kiawah Island, S.C.

Freshman Stefani Stojic swings at the ball during her first round singles match against USF freshman Olaya Garrido-Riyas on Oct. 10 during the Bedford Cup at the Ring Tennis Complex.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS

Gators end run at USTA Clay Court Invite after Day 3

By BRITNEE MCCOY< | Oct. 26, 2013

On Day 3 of the USTA Clay Court Invitational, all of the participating Gators fell in their respective matches.

Redshirt senior middle blocker Chloe Mann spikes the ball over the net in Florida’s 3-0 win against Auburn on Oct. 25 in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

UF bounces back with home win against Auburn

By RJ Schaffer | Oct. 26, 2013

One long streak in the second set was all Florida needed to snap out of its recent slump and put Auburn away.

Havana Solaun (19) fights for the ball during Florida’s 2-0 win against Oklahoma State on Sept. 6 at James G. Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Solaun drops two goals as Florida defeats Tennessee 3-0

By MICHELLE PROVENZANO< | Oct. 26, 2013

Havana Solaun makes a statement out of finding the back of the net.

Freshman Kourtney Keegan swings at the ball during the second day of the Bedford Cup on Oct. 11 at the Ring Tennis Complex.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Keegan advances to singles semifinals after Day 2

By BRITNEE MCCOY< | Oct. 25, 2013

On Day 2 of the USTA Collegiate Clay Court Invitational, freshman Kourtney Keegan slid right into the singles semifinals.

Eli Carter poses for a photo during Florida’s basketball media day. The junior shooting guard, who transferred to Florida from Rutgers in the offseason, is expected to participate in a scrimmage against Georgia Tech this weekend in Valdosta, Ga.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Junior guard to participate in scrimmage

By LANDON WATNICK< | Oct. 25, 2013

When Florida faces Georgia Tech on Saturday in a private scrimmage in Valdosta, Ga., guard Eli Carter could finally see some full-court action.

Johnny Manziel scrambles during the third quarter of Texas A&M’s 52-31 victory against Rice on Aug. 31, 2013 in College Station, Texas.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Picks Column: Halloween Edition

Oct. 24, 2013

Boo!

South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (7) walks off the field after his team's 52-7 win against Arkansas in Fayetteville, Ark., on Oct. 12.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

The Rally: Who will win the Gamecocks-Tigers matchup on Saturday?

By PHILLIP HEILMAN< | Oct. 24, 2013

Phillip: Adam, do you know why chickens live on farms? Because they wouldn’t survive in the zoo. Sure, the joke is corny, but the point is prescient — No. 5 Missouri will continue its improbable season and take care of business against No. 21 South Carolina on Saturday at home.

Freshman forward Savannah Jordan dribbles the ball during Florida's 3-0 victory against LSU on Oct. 20 at James G. Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Freshman looking to help UF change losing trend

By MICHELLE PROVENZANO< | Oct. 24, 2013

Savannah Jordan has never stepped foot on Tennessee’s turf.

Jaterra Bonds (10) runs the floor during Florida’s 77-72 win against LSU on Jan. 6 in the O’Connell Center. Bonds is Florida’s leading scorer returning from last season.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida looking for new scoring options entering season

By GORDON STREISAND< | Oct. 24, 2013

The best defense is a good offense.

Redshirt sophomore middle blocker Simone Antwi (16) blocks the ball during Florida’s 3-0 victory against Texas A&M on Oct. 4 in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

UF still in hunt for SEC title

By RJ Schaffer | Oct. 24, 2013

Despite sweeping nine consecutive opponents earlier this season, the Gators are still battling to win the program’s 20th Southeastern Conference title.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Three Gators advance in singles day after Day 1 of USTA Clay Court Invite

By BRITNEE MCCOY< | Oct. 24, 2013

Following a day of competition, Kourtney Keegan, Stefani Stojic, and Belinda Woolcock have all advanced to the singles round of 16 at the USTA Collegiate Clay Court Invitational in Orlando.

Florida offensive lineman Tyler Moore (73) attempts to block Missouri defensive lineman Michael Sam (52), who leads the nation with nine sacks and 13 tackles for a loss, during the Gators’ 36-17 loss against the Tigers on Saturday at Faurot Field in Columbia, Mo. The UF offensive line surrendered six sacks to Missouri.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida struggling to win line of scrimmage on both sides of ball

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Oct. 23, 2013

Since arriving at Florida, coach Will Muschamp has strived to establish a power-running offense that can dominate the line of scrimmage.

Kelvin Taylor runs the ball during Florida’s 36-17 loss against Missouri on Saturday at Faurot Field in Columbia, Mo. Taylor ran for a 20-yard touchdown in the third quarter.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Notebook: Another Gator out for year

By LANDON WATNICK< | Oct. 23, 2013

The list of season-ending injuries continues to grow for the Gators.

St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina (right) walks away as Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz (center) celebrates with Jacoby Ellsbury (left) and Dustin Pedroia after scoring during the first inning of Game 1 of the World Series on Wednesday in Boston.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Columnist cannot stand sight of postseason without Braves

By JOE MORGAN< | Oct. 23, 2013

Last night, I watched a World Series game for the first time this century.