Curan Ahern

Sports Editor

Curan is a senior sports journalism student in his sixth semester at The Alligator. He is currently a sports editor and football beat reporter for the Gators and the Jaguars. He previously served as a men's tennis and sports enterprise reporter, and he is pursuing a public relations minor.

Fans hold up their hands as Florida attempts a third down during the first half of an NCAA football game against Campbell, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla.

Bayden Armstrong

Sports

The Conference Call: The Alligator’s football reporters pick Week 6 SEC matchups

By Ava DiCecca , Max Bernstein , Curan Ahern and Riley Orovitz | Oct. 7

In Week 5, the SEC took part in some of Saturday’s most notable games. Florida fell for the first time in 2026 in a rout at Missouri, Alabama demolished Mississippi State on the road and Kentucky won an overtime thriller at South Carolina. Now, the Alligator’s Florida football beat reporters, Ava DiCecca, Max Bernstein, Curan Ahern and Riley Orovitz, are back to make picks for this week’s seven-game slate.

Florida offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner and defensive coordinator Brad White watch warmups before an NCAA college football game against FAU, Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla.

Noah Lantor

Sports

‘There has to be more of a dog mentality’: Brad White, Buster Faulkner talk adjustments ahead of South Carolina

By Curan Ahern | Oct. 6

Florida football saw glaring issues hinder its effectiveness on both sides of the ball in a 45-17 loss to Missouri, but with the Gators set for a Homecoming bout against South Carolina on Saturday, defensive coordinator Brad White and offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner spoke on exactly what needs to be improved ahead of Florida’s 12:45 p.m. kick.

Florida head coach John Sumrall speaks at “Gator Talks” inside the Swamp Restaurant, Monday, Aug. 31, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla.

Bayden Armstrong

Sports

Gator Talk takeaways: Sumrall speaks on owning Missouri loss, prep for South Carolina

By Curan Ahern | Oct. 5

In his sixth appearance at Gator Talk, Florida head coach Jon Sumrall spoke about the need to embrace the demoralizing 45-17 loss at Missouri and grow moving forward.

Daniela Peñafiel

Sports

Takeaways from the Jaguars’ Week 4 win in Cincinnati

By Curan Ahern | Oct. 5

For the second consecutive week, the Jaguars logged two interceptions and showed a bend-but-don’t-break defense that forced opponents to leave the red zone without scoring. Jacksonville’s ability to generate takeaways has been a strength, and the Jags have allowed just 23 points and 106 rushing yards over the last two weeks en route to a 3-1 start.

Daniela Peñafiel

Sports

Strong defensive showing lifts Jaguars to first win over Bengals since 2019

By Curan Ahern | Oct. 4

After holding the Patriots to just 83 rushing yards in Week 3, the Jaguars’ front seven showed up in a big way in Cincinnati. They held the Bengals to 16 rushing yards in the first half, and Cincinnati finished with just 23 yards on the ground. Behind a strong run defense and two interceptions, Jacksonville (3-1) bested the Bengals (2-2) 22-17 at Paycor Stadium on Sunday.

Florida wide receiver TJ Abrams (4) misses a catch during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Missouri, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, in Columbia, Mo.

Noah Lantor

Sports

Florida fails to find a spark in blowout loss to Missouri

By Max Bernstein and Curan Ahern | Oct. 4

With expectations continuing to soar after a 4-0 start to the season, Florida faced the harsh reality of football in the SEC: any team can humble anyone on any given Saturday. Head coach Jon Sumrall preached that message ahead of the Gators’ 45-17 loss to Missouri, but Florida still fell flat in Memorial Stadium, mustering just 7 points in the second half and allowing 560 yards of total offense.

Florida quarterback Aaron Philo (12) rushes during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Missouri, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, in Columbia, Mo.

Noah Lantor

Sports

No. 8 Florida football fizzles out on the road against No. 25 Missouri

By Curan Ahern | Oct. 3

Behind a 340-yard, two-touchdown performance from Mizzou quarterback Austin Simmons and a 211-yard, three-touchdown day from running back Jamal Roberts on the ground, No. 8 Florida (4-1, 2-1 SEC) fell to No. 25 Missouri (4-1, 1-1 SEC) 45-17 at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Missouri.

Mily Moran

Sports

Jaguars head to Cincinnati, look for leg up on all-time series against Bengals

By Max Bernstein and Curan Ahern | Oct. 3

The Jacksonville Jaguars are coming off their largest win of the season after a 35-6 rout of the New England Patriots in Week 3. But standing between the Jags and a 3-1 record is a road trip to face the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.

Fans hold up their hands on a Florida third down during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Ole Miss, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla.

Bayden Armstrong

Sports

The Conference Call: The Alligator’s football reporters pick Week 5 SEC matchups

By Ava DiCecca , Max Bernstein , Curan Ahern and Riley Orovitz | Sep. 30

The Alligator’s Florida football beat reporters, Ava DiCecca, Max Bernstein, Curan Ahern and Riley Orovitz, are back to make picks for this week’s seven-game slate.

Florida head coach Jon Sumrall yells at his players during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Ole Miss, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla.

Bayden Armstrong

Sports

Jon Sumrall, Florida set sights on Missouri, 5-0 start

By Ava DiCecca and Curan Ahern | Sep. 28

With a riveting 52-28 victory over then-No.4 Ole Miss that propelled Florida to its first 4-0 start since 2019, the Gators skyrocketed to No. 8 in the AP Top 25 Poll. But head coach Jon Sumrall and Co. are dead set on staying where their feet are and preparing the right way for a fifth consecutive week.