Michael Pfeffer lives in Knoxville, TN with his wife and daughter. Growing up in South Florida, he has been a lifelong Florida Gators fan. When not writing, he enjoys spending time with his family and volunteering at church and with a prison ministry.
The Gators staff is hosting a cookout for current and future recruits today, and it has already paid off. Jonathan Odom of Jesuit High School in Tampa, announces his intentions to be a Florida Gator during the event on Saturday afternoon.
The 6’5″ 250-pound tight end is currently a three star prospect with a 0.8527 composite score as per 247Sports. Odom chose Florida over the likes of LSU, Purdue, and Alabama. Larry Scott is credited as his primary recruiter and the program absolutely needed this shot of good news.
Odom, the son of former Gators player Jason Odom, comes in as the 32nd ranked TE in the class of 2020.
For much of Friday’s NCAA Opener, the Gators looked much more like the team that found themselves with a .500 SEC record than the team that swept past three Top-20 programs in three days in the conference tournament.
The Gators spent four innings leaving runners on base or watching strike three go past them.
For four innings, Boston’s Ali DuBois held the Gators without a hit.
In the fifth inning, Cheyenne Lindsey became the first player to record a hit with a one-out pinch hit single to right. Lindsey also scored the eventual game winning run.
Lindsey advanced to second base on an Alex Voss sacrifice bunt. DuBois was clearly pitching around Lorenz to force Kendyl Lindaman to the plate with two outs and runners on first and second. Lindaman made BU pay for the decision. She took the second pitch of the at-bat to left-center that scored Lindsey for the go-ahead run.
Hannah Adams then singled through the right side to score Lorenz and pinch-runner Lily Mann, giving the Gators a 3-0 lead.
Barnhill pitched well, but admitted she didn’t feel it was her best stuff. She utilized dropballs and screwballs (pitches down in the zone) much more frequently than usual due to her riseball not placing as well as she’d like.
While Florida didn’t play their best, they did get the win. Florida advances in the winner’s bracket and will face Boise State on Saturday at 2:00 PM.
Fast stats:
Kelly Barnhill: 7 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 5 K, 0 BB
Amanda Lorenz: 0-1, 2 BB, R
Cheyenne Lindsey: 1-1, R
What’s next:
Florida will face Boise State from the Mountain West Conference. The Broncos defeated Stanford 9-1 in a surprising upset.
Boise State entered the weekend with the No. 10 ranked offense in the country.
Florida will enter fall camp with an abundance of talent this season. While they do have to replace four starters on the offensive line, the Gators are loaded at the skill positions, and that includes running backs coach Greg Knox’s group.
A position that really shined last year, the rushers look to actually be even stronger in their second season under Dan Mullen. This is, in large part, due to strength and conditioning coach Nick Savage. He has the pleasure and honor of running the team until their tongues hang from the sides of their mouths, and sculpting every muscle into its peak form.
It is because of Savage and Knox that these backs are able to maximize each of their God given talents. With that said, what can be expected from this position come fall?
Despite Jordan Scarlett leaving for the NFL, Florida really shouldn’t see much of a drop off in production. Lamical Perine split reps with Scarlett last season, performing at least as well if not better.
Perine averaged 6.2 yards per carry on his way to 826 yards and eight touchdowns. He has also proven to be an effective receiver, recording 170 yards by air. With the number one spot firmly in his grasp, it isn’t out of the realm of possibilities that he could reach 1,000 yards rushing this season.
Perine’s fast, powerful, agility make him a great every down back. However, knowing the way Mullen likes to use his running backs, who will be that change of pace guy? As of right now, I would probably go with Malik Davis.
Davis is lightning quick and has excellent field vision. He established himself as a fan favorite early on, during the 2017 season. The only real knock on him is that he has yet to complete a season.
After being sidelined by a torn ACL in 2017, Davis found his season cut short, once again, just three games into last season when he broke his foot. When he is healthy, Davis can run with the best of them, giving defenses fits as they attempt to contain him. He provides some added value in pass protection, as well.
Should he be able to avoid the injury bug that has plagued his career so far, Davis will be a powerful compliment to Perine. And if he goes down again? Let’s just say, the Gators have an excellent insurance policy.
Dameon Pierce thrilled fans during the early portion of his freshman campaign. Amassing 424 yards rushing on just sixty-nine carries, Pierce’s 6.14 yards per carry and two touchdowns gave Florida fans a glimpse of the future.
Pierce runs with an angry and aggressive style and displays a surprising burst. His 5’10” 216-pound frame will also come in handy on short yardage situations when power and a low center of gravity are needed.
The major weakness in Pierce’s game last season was pass protection, something he has worked exhaustively on during the off season. When he improves that area, Pierce has the potential to be one of the leading backs in the SEC.
Without question, we will see a heavy dose of these three in the coming season. Beyond this trio of tenacity, the Gators have a capable supporting cast.
Iverson Clement is a gifted back that many have forgotten simply because of the extraordinary talents ahead of him on the depth chart. Make no mistake, he has the skills to shine at Florida if and when he gets a shot. He will need to continue working on becoming a complete back, however. Mullen requires a lot from his backs. Whether it be blocking or knowing which route to run, the position is demanding in this offense.
Though he is primarily a receiver now, Kadarius Toney’s incredible athleticism will demand at least a handful of carries this season. It may come in the form of a reverse or a jet sweep, but Toney is electric with the ball in his hands, averaging over ten yards per carry in his career.
That athleticism and versatility gives Mullen a valuable weapon on any down, and one that can be used in multiple deceptive packages.
As they continue in coach Savage’s strength and conditioning program this summer, a group that was already a strength, will become even stronger this fall. They will receive their first test on August 24, 2019 when they kickoff the college football season against Miami in Orlando.
The Gainesville Regional opens Friday as the NCAA postseason is officially underway. The Gators nabbed a national no. 5 seed after sweeping through the competition in the SEC Tournament.
Despite finishing with just a 12-12 record in league play over the course of the regular season, the Gators appeared to peak at just the right time. Kelly Barnhill, Amanda Lorenz, and Hannah Adams led the Gators to their second straight SEC Tournament title. The Gators are the highest rated SEC team in the field of 64 (six SEC programs earned national seeds).
BOSTON– So. Ali DuBois (23-9, 1.32 ERA), Fr. Emily Gant (13-7, 1.56 ERA), Sr. Alex Heinen (.333 BA, 10 HR, 38 RBI)
Prediction:
Florida has the best pitcher and best hitter in the regional. Kelly Barnhill and Amanda Lorenz have both earned SEC Player of the Year honors in their career and both were finalists for National Player of the Year just a season ago.
The Gators will have to rely on timely hitting to go along with solid starts in the circle, but should be able to do so against teams that have struggled against top programs. Stanford, Boise State, and Boston have combined to go 20-25 on the road while the Gators are 18-8 in the friendly confines of Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.
Florida should win the regional, and it shouldn’t go to a do-or-die game on Sunday.
The Cleveland Cavaliers of the NBA made a surprising hire with Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Beilein.
That leaves an opening at one of the major programs in college basketball.
Jeff Borzello of ESPN.com (insider required) made a list of candidates that he believes would consider the position. Among those candidates, Borzello named former Florida head coach and Oklahoma Thunder head coach Billy Donovan a home run hire.
“Had the UCLA search extended further into April, there was some buzz that Donovan would have been interested…if he’s trying to get back into college basketball, there aren’t many better jobs.”
Donovan’s name for a major college head coaching position is no surprise, however it is unknown whether he would have any interest.
A surprising name in Borzello’s article is Mike White.
The current Gators head coach would be leaving for the program that defeated his team in the round of 32 in April. Borzello admits that White would be outside-the-box, but that his successes at Florida and Louisiana Tech would make him a solid candidate.
Obviously, this doesn’t mean that Michigan is considering either for it’s head coach position, but it does show the amount of respect that Mike White has earned in the coaching profession.
Something that Gators fans take for granted at times.
One day after winning the program’s fifth SEC Tournament Championship, the Gators found out that they have earned a 5-seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Florida entered the conference tournament with work to do in earning a national (top 16) seed for home field advantage through Super Regional play.
The Gators finished with a 44-15 record, but own a 18-8 home record on the season.
Florida will be joined in the Gainesville regional by Boston University, Boise State, and Stanford.
For the third straight season all 13 SEC teams advanced to the NCAA Tournament. Six SEC programs earned national seeds (Alabama (8), LSU (10), Mississippi (11), Tennessee (12), Kentucky (14).
Kelly Barnhill leads the pitching staff into the postseason after posting a 1.57 ERA in 44 appearances this season. The senior hurler has tossed a career high 241 innings of work.
Offensively, the Gators are led by senior Amanda Lorenz. The Moorpark, CA native hit .421 in her final year of eligibility to go along with 11 homers and 40 RBI.
The regional will open play on Friday with the Boise State – Stanford game set for noon and the Gators – Boston game to be played afterwards.
Florida has assured themselves of an NCAA Tournament bid and potentially a bid to host a super regional after defeating Alabama in the SEC Tournament Championship Game.
Florida faced a 1-0 deficit heading into the sixth inning, but Amanda Lorenz came up with a clutch hit that led to the victory.
Kelly Barnhill pitched well against a lethal Alabama lineup, but got in a little trouble in the fourth inning. Alabama jumped out to the 1-0 lead after Merris Schroder reached on a fielder’s choice that scored KB Sides.
The Gators finally got on the scoreboard in the sixth. With two outs, Cheyenne Lindsey was called on to pinch-hit and got on with a double. Jordan Matthews then walked setting up Amanda Lorenz with a two on, two out scenario.
Lorenz doubled down the line in left to score both runners and take the lead.
The Tide had a chance to get the run back in the bottom half of the sixth as they had two runners on and two outs, but Barnhill got a big strikeout to end the threat.
Fast stats:
Kelly Barnhill: 7 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 6 K, 6 BB
Amanda Lorenz: 2-3, 2B, BB, 2 RBI
Hannah Adams: Reached base with two walks
Florida: 2-15 with runners on base, 1-8 with runners in scoring position
What’s next:
Florida will likely host a regional and super-regional. The NCAA selection show is Sunday evening. The regional will likely be held in Gainesville from Friday to Sunday.
The Florida Gators’ lacrosse team will advance to the second round of the NCAA Tournament after beating Johns Hopkins with a convincing score of 16-9.
The Gators, who travelled to Chapel Hill, N.C. after claiming the AAC Conference title were quick on the draw scoring six points in the first 10 minutes of play.
To get scoring underway, Caroline Benitez forced a turnover and gave the Gators a quick opportunity to score as Sabrina Cristodero assisted a cutting Lindsey Ronbeck.
Just seconds later, Sydney Pirecca found Shannon Kavanaugh to tack on one more for the Gators.
Pirecca would continue to contribute early as she found the back of the net three times to make the score 5-0. Converting on a free position attempt, Brianna Harris added a goal of her own to make it 6-0 with just over 20 minutes left in the first half.
Hopkins would chip away at the deficit going on a 4-0 run of their own.
Kavanaugh would end the Blue Jays’ scoring streak by netting her 100thcareer goal becoming the 12thGator to accomplish the feat, but more even more impressive, she is just the second Gator to do so in the first two years of their tenure.
Heading into the locker room, the Gators would hold on to an 8-5 lead after Madi Hall tallied a goal of her own for Florida.
Coming out of the break, Florida was quick to strike again as Kavanaugh found Ronbeck to expand on the lead.
While Hopkins would get on the board as well, the Gators would quickly score insurance goals creating a more comfortable lead behind goals from Harris, Ronbeck and Kavanaugh.
Florida suffered two yellow cards late in the match allowing the Blue Jays to get a man-up goal to come within four.
Florida answered quickly with back-to-back scores; one coming from Grace Haus and the other coming from Kavanaugh, making for her fifth goal of the day.
With 1:15 to play, Hall would add one more goal to her stat sheet and Hopkins would score a last second goal to make the final score 16-9.
Looking forward, the Gators will camp out at Chapel Hill and prepare to face off against the No. 3 seeded North Carolina Tar Heels. The Gators’ second round contest is chalked up for a 1 p.m. start on Sunday.
The Gators are headed to the SEC Tournament Championship Game behind another stellar outing by star pitcher Kelly Barnhill and the bat of second baseman Hannah Adams.
The Gators opened the scoring in the first inning as Adams cranked a two-run homer to right center that put Florida up 2-0 early.
Adams added to the lead with a third inning RBI single that plated Amanda Lorenz.
The 3-0 advantage was more than Barnhill needed as she looked to be in midseason form. The senior from Marietta, GA tossed a complete game shutout for the second straight day.
Barnhill allowed only two hits and two walks, but struck out eleven. In the second inning, Banhill eclipsed the 300 strikeout mark for the third consecutive season.
Fast stats:
Kelly Barnhill: 7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 11 K, 2 BB
Hannah Adams: 2-3, 3 RBI, R
Gators: only three at-bats with runners in scoring position (1-3)
Florida hit only 3-22 (.143) while Auburn was only 2-22 (.091) at the plate.
What’s next:
No. 4 Kentucky is taking on No. 1 Alabama in the other semifinal. Florida will take on the winner at 8:00 PM on Saturday. The game is slated to be broadcast on ESPN2
The University of Florida announced, on Friday afternoon, that they have scheduled a home and home with the Texas Longhorns. The first of these two meetings will take place in Gainesville on Sept. 7, 2030, and the Gators will then travel to Texas for an out of conference match up on Sept. 6, 2031.
Future awaits…
🐊 – Sept. 7, 2030 in Gainesville
🤘 – Sept. 6, 2031 in Austin
Florida recently announced that they would be playing a home and home with Colorado as well. Clearly, the prospect of taking on Texas is a much more enticing series for fans and media alike.
Florida first faced Texas on Oct. 25, 1924, when they ended in a 7-7 draw. The Longhorns won the only other two matchups in 1939 (12-0) and 1940 (26-0). The Gators will be hungry and looking for their first and second wins against the storied program from Austin.
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