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  • Florida gymnastics opens season as #2 team in preseason poll

    Florida gymnastics opens season as #2 team in preseason poll

    For the twelfth straight year the University of Florida finds itself opening the gymnastics season in the top-five of the National Association of Collegiate Gymnastics Coaches preseason poll.

    The Gators are slotted at number two in the poll following the two time defending champions, Oklahoma.

    Florida will face nine top-20 opponents this year including home matches against #1 Oklahoma, #3 LSU, and #4 Alabama.

    Florida begins it’s season January 5th in Morgantown, West Virginia against the Mountaineers.

    NACGC 2018 PRESEASON TOP 10:

    1. Oklahoma(33) 1769
    2. Florida(10) 1728
    3. LSU(7) 1692
    4. Alabama 1584
    5. Utah 1544
    6. UCLA 1477
    7. Michigan 1443
    8. Denver 1313
    9. Nebraska 1214
    10. Kentucky 1213
  • Baseball America names four Gators among top-100 college prospects for 2018 draft

    Baseball America names four Gators among top-100 college prospects for 2018 draft

    There is no doubt that the Florida Gators will enter 2018 with targets on their backs. After winning the program’s first National Championship last June, Florida will enter the season as the defending champions. The Gators will likely get their opponents’ best shot night in and night out.

    Florida will be led by several juniors and seniors who have helped shape this program. Four of those student-athletes were named to Baseball America’s Top-100 College Prospects for the 2018 MLB Draft.

    RHP Brady Singer tops the list, as he has for almost every draft analysts for this year. Singer was drafted in the second round of the 2015 MLB Draft out of high school, but opted not to sign with the Toronto Blue Jays.

    RHP Jackson Kowar ranks #5 by Baseball America. Kowar was drafted in the 40th round by the Detroit Tigers in 2015 and has compiled a 15-1 record in a Gators uniform.

    Third baseman Jonathan India checked in at #36. India has hit .289 with 10 homers and 74 RBI in his two seasons at Florida. India was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 26th round in 2015.

    Much maligned C/1B JJ Schwarz was listed as the #78 college prospect. Schwarz was the #1 prep catcher in the country in the class of 2014. He was drafted in 2014 by Milwaukee in the 17th round, mostly because he seemed intent on attending the University of Florida. After a record breaking freshman season, Schwarz has since cooled off. Schwarz fell all the way to the 38th round of the 2017 Draft, though it seems teams knew he intended to stay at Florida for his senior season. A rebound year as the Gators primary catcher could push Schwarz much higher by the June draft.

    Florida is positioned well for success in 2018 and it would surprise most pundits if the Gators didn’t make it to Omaha. Florida will be led by these draft-eligible players, but will need the contributions of the entire team as they are now the top target in collegiate baseball.

  • Former Gator WR Riley Cooper announces retirement from NFL

    Former Gator WR Riley Cooper announces retirement from NFL

    Riley Cooper was a part of two National Championship teams as a Florida Gator,was drafted in the fifth round, and played six seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles. On Tuesday, Cooper announced his retirement from the NFL.

    Cooper was drafted in the fifth round of the 2010 draft and spent six years with the Philadelphia Eagles. In those six seasons Cooper amassed 169 catches and 2,418 yards. Cooper finished his career with 18 touchdown catches.

    Cooper had a breakout year in 2013 when he caught 8 touchdowns and recorded 835 yards on a team that won the NFC East. After that season Cooper signed a 5-year, $25 million dollar extension.

    Cooper spent 2016 out of football, and had a tryout opportunity opportunity with Tampa Bay during mini-camp, but failed to make the team.

    Cooper attended the University of Florida from 2006-2009, where he finished with 81 receptions for 1,496 yards and 18 total touchdowns.

  • Gators land commitment of K Evan McPherson

    Gators land commitment of K Evan McPherson

    On Sunday the Florida Gators football team received a boost on the recruiting trail. The nation’s number two ranked kicking prospect, Evan McPherson announced via Twitter his commitment to the University of Florida.

    McPherson committed to Mississippi State under new Florida head coach Dan Mullen in April, but took an official visit to UF this weekend.

    McPherson is a 6-0, 165 lb prospect from Fort Payne, Alabama. In 2016 he made 7-13 field goals including a 52 yarder. He also made all 36 PAT’s he attempted.

    (Photo via Hudl)

  • FINAL FOUR BOUND: Gators show off unbelievable resilience in five-set thriller over USC

    FINAL FOUR BOUND: Gators show off unbelievable resilience in five-set thriller over USC

    FINAL: FLORIDA 3, USC 2

    1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th FINAL
    USC 23 25 25 24 11 2
    FLORIDA 25 20 18 26 15 3

    GAINESVILLE, FL- How to sum up Florida’s victory over Southern California to advance to the Final Four? Two words come to mind, improbable and unbelievable. In the third longest match in NCAA Tournament history, the almost four thousand fans that attended were treated to an unlikely comeback.

    Florida trailed USC 19-12 in a must-win fourth set, and found themselves down 8-4 and 9-5 in the fifth and final set before Florida’s senior leadership could take control. As Florida took the fourth set, the Exactech Arena crowd erupted. Just a short time later, after Shainah Joseph killed the final point, the crowd hit an even higher decibel.

    Florida topped USC in a back and forth first set. The Gators outhit the Trojans .310 to .225, and finished with 17 kills on 42 attacks. USC was forced into six errors on 40 swings while landing 15 kills.

    The Gators got behind in set two, and never seemed to get in a rhythm. USC finished with 17 kills and 7 attack errors on 38 total attacks. Florida finished with only 11 kills, though only committed one error. Every time Florida went on an attack, it seemed directed right at a Trojan defender.

    After the ten minute halftime session, Florida seemed to play much the same way. Attacks failed to land on the court and the Gators hitting efficiency was only at .086. Florida landed only nine kills but made six errors. USC hit .250 with 12 kills and four errors on 32 attempts.

    Set four was one of the wildest in recent Gators history. Florida found themselves behind early and often. Florida took their final timeout of the set trailing 21-18, and quickly scored the next three points to erase the deficit. The Gators faced match point down 24-23, but Joseph earned three straight kills for the victory in the set.

    Set five saw a seesaw of emotions from Florida fans. The Gators trailed 8-4 when the teams switched sides. A quick point for the Trojans made it 9-5, but Florida rattled off the next three points to get within one point. Florida would score seven of the final nine points to finish off USC.

    Florida earned the victory largely behind the play of their senior leadership. Joseph led Florida with 15 kills, many in clutch moments with the game on the line. SEC Player of the Year Rhamat Alhassan finished with 14 kills while hitting .423. Alhassan also contributed six blocks playing inside. Snyder and (sophomore) Rachael Kramer finished with 11 kills. Snyder played an important role in the comeback as she had only two kills and three errors on 31 swings in the first three sets for a -.032 efficiency.

    Florida advances to their eighth Final Four in program history, but their first since 2003. Florida will face Stanford in Kansas City on Thursday at 9:00 PM. The Final Four features the #1, #2, #3, and #5 overall seeds. The winner of #2 Florida and #3 Stanford will face the winner of #1 Penn State and #5 Nebraska.

    Florida head coach Mary Wise looks to become the first female head coach to win a Division-I Volleyball National Championship. In 36 years no female head coach has accomplished this feat.

  • Gators advance to Elite Eight, will face USC Saturday

    Gators advance to Elite Eight, will face USC Saturday

    FINAL: FLORIDA 3, UCLA 1

    1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th FINAL
    UCLA 25 17 17 17 X 1
    FLORIDA 23 25 25 25 X 3

    GAINESVILLE, FL- The Florida Gators are headed to the Elite Eight for the sixteenth time in program history. Florida defeated the UCLA Bruins in the regional semifinal on Friday to advance to Saturday’s match. Despite losing the first set, Florida swept the final three frames to end the season for UCLA in front of more than 3,000 fans at Exactech Arena.

    Florida lost set one despite a better hitting percentage (.297 to .244). UCLA finished the opening set with 16 kills to the Gators’ 14. UCLA recorded six attack errors to Florida’s three.

    The Gators won set two with excellent defense. Florida forced the Bruins into ten errors on 46 attack attempts for a total efficiency of only .065. Florida finished with another .297 rate and finished with 13 kills for the set.

    Somehow Florida’s defense was even better in set three. Coming out of the halftime intermission, the Gators attention to detail on the defensive end was impressive. Florida forced UCLA to a negative hitting efficiency. UCLA finished set three with a -.025 clip. UCLA made ten errors on forty attacks. Florida’s offense wasn’t at it’s best in the third set, finishing with five errors on 33 attacks for a .152 rate.

    In set four, Florida committed only one error in 35 attempts. UCLA, meanwhile, made four errors on 42 attacks. Florida finished the final set with 14 kills while the Bruins notched 13.

    Florida finished with a 70-61 edge in points earned. The two teams were even in both kills (51) and aces (5). Florida made 14 blocks, while the UCLA front line only managed five. Senior Rhamat Alhassan finished with a match high ten blocks, adding to the program record that she already owns.

    Senior Carli Snyder finished with a double-double at a team high 18 kills and 15 digs. Snyder also added three service aces. Cheyenne Huskey and Allie Monserez each recorded more than twenty assists. Libero Caroline Knop finished with 18 digs despite a cast on her right (service) hand.

    Florida now moves on to the Elite Eight (regional finals) where they will face Southern Cal on Saturday. #10 Southern Cal defeated #7 Minnesota 3-0 on Friday. The match will begin at 6:00 PM from Exactech Arena. The winner will advance to the final four in Kansas City on Thursday.

  • WR James Robinson’s career is over due to heart condition

    WR James Robinson’s career is over due to heart condition

    Florida freshman wide receiver James Robinson has seen his football career end before it even began.

    Robinson was diagnosed with a heart condition in September, but the University announced on Friday that he could not be medically cleared to play football.

    Robinson was the #14 ranked wide receiver in the country, and was Florida’s top ranked offensive signee in the 2017 recruiting cycle.

    Robinson tweeted his own frustration upon learning of his football fate:

    Robinson was cited for marijuana possession in August and was subsequently suspended for the season opener against Michigan. It was only days later when then head coach Jim McElwain announced the heart condition.

    (Photo from the Orlando Sentinel)

  • #12 Ohio State rolls past Florida, 103-77

    #12 Ohio State rolls past Florida, 103-77

    FINAL: OHIO STATE 103, FLORIDA 77

    1st 2nd 3rd 4th OT FINAL
    OSU 31 20 25 27 X 103
    FLORIDA 18 20 21 18 X 77

    GAINESVILLE, FL- The Florida Gators had a signature victory against Oklahoma on Sunday and were hoping to use some of that positive momentum against #12 Ohio State on Wednesday. The Buckeyes however, proved to be too much for a team still developing an identity offensively and defensively.

    From the opening tip it was clear who was the better team. Ohio State raced out to a 10-0 start, after which Florida coach Cameron Newbauer described his team as “shellshocked.” Ohio State led 31-18 by the end of the first quarter. The Buckeyes extended their lead to twenty with less than three minutes remaining in the half, but a 9-2 run by the Gators to end the half left Ohio State with a thirteen point margin at the intermission.

    After a mini 6-3 run by the Buckeyes to open the second half, Florida erupted for a 14-3 run of their own over a nearly three minute span. The run moved Florida within six points of Ohio State. Unfortunately, it never got any closer. Ohio State would score the next five points, and finish the third quarter on a 16-5 run. Ohio State would cruise in the fourth quarter and still outscore the Gators 27-18 for the period despite letting their starters sit for much of the quarter with the game well in hand.

    Newbauer explained the second half collapse on ‘selfish’ basketball, stating, “We did a great job of fighting back, then we got selfish. We got away from who we are and what we do.”

    Newbauer also expressed adoration for Ohio State guard Kelsey Mitchell (pictured above), who set the OSU career scoring mark in the first quarter, “(she’s) an explosive scorer.”

    Haley Lorenzen finished the night with a double-double, finishing with 17 points and 11 rebounds. Both of those numbers led Florida for the night. Funda Nakkasoglu finished with 16 points while Paulina Hersler and Delicia Washington each finished with 14.

    While Florida’s transition defense was suspect, allowing 20 fast break points, there were a lot of positives to build upon. Florida outrebounded Ohio State by nine boards, and finished plus-seven on the offensive glass. The Gators hit on eighty percent of their free throws, and, as Nakkasoglu said after the game, “when we run our plays, they obviously work.”

    The Gators fell to 5-4 on the season with the loss, but will look to rebound on Sunday when Florida faces Marshall at Exactech Arena.

    TEAM STATS:

    OSU FLORIDA
    FG % 54 44
    3-PT % 36 30
    FT % 93 80
    Offensive Rebounds 10 17
    Total Rebounds 33 41
    Assists 7 14
    Steals 13 1
    Blocks 6 1
    Turnovers 10 24

    WHAT’S NEXT:

    Florida will take on the Marshall Thundering Herd on Sunday inside Exactech Arena. The Herd is 2-5 on the season heading into their Wednesday matchup against Morgan State. On Saturday, Marshall was dropped by Southern Illinois 64-59 at home.

    Florida vs Marshall

    December 10, 2017

    1:00 PM / Exactech Arena

    SEC Network

  • MLB.com tabs Brady Singer as top 2018 draft prospect, Jackson Kowar #10

    MLB.com tabs Brady Singer as top 2018 draft prospect, Jackson Kowar #10

    On Monday MLB.com named the Top-50 2018 MLB Draft prospects. Florida RHP Brady Singer topped the list. Singer’s teammate and fellow righty, Jackson Kowar rounded out the Top-10.

    Singer has amassed a 11-7 record and a 3.65 ERA in two seasons with the Gators. He sports a 8.84 strikeouts per nine innings rate (167 k’s in 170 innings of work). Singer has thrown three complete games thus far in his collegiate career.

    In August MLBPipeline.com named Singer the #1 college prospect.

    Kowar joined the list as the #10 draft prospect despite not being in the Top-10 among MLBPipeline’s college prospects.

    Kowar has recorded a remarkable 15-1 record at Florida to go along with a 3.90 ERA. Kowar has struck out 128 hitters and walked only 54.

    This is the third consecutive year that a Gators pitcher has been included in the Top-5. In 2016, AJ Puk was ranked #2, and Alex Faedo entered 2017 as the #4 prospect.

    Singer, Kowar, and junior Tyler Dyson are expected to round out Florida’s weekend rotation and played a major part in Florida winning the program’s first National Championship in June.

    MLB.com 2018 Top-10 Draft Prospects:

    1. Brady Singer, RHP, Florida
    2. Ethan Hankins, RHP, HS
    3. Matthew Liberatore, LHP, HS
    4. Nolan Gorman, 3B, HS
    5. Shane McClanahan, LHP, USF
    6. Nander De Sedas, SS, HS
    7. Brice Turang, SS, HS
    8. Casey Mize, RHP, Auburn
    9. Ryan Rollison, LHP, Mississippi
    10. Jackson Kowar, RHP, Florida

    *HS indicates prospect is in high school.

  • #5 Florida doomed by poor shooting, turnovers in loss to FSU

    #5 Florida doomed by poor shooting, turnovers in loss to FSU

    FINAL: FLORIDA STATE 83, FLORIDA 66

    1st 2nd OT FINAL
    FSU 42 41 X 83
    FLORIDA 35 31 X 66

    GAINESVILLE, FL- The #5 ranked Florida Gators looked like a team that hadn’t played in over a week. The shots wouldn’t fall, and the turnovers amounted to too much for the Gators to overcome against an undefeated Florida State team. The Seminoles have now won four straight games against Florida.

    The Gators made only six three pointers and only 21 total field goals over the course of the game. Florida entered the game averaging 99.5 points. The poor shooting was evident from the onset of the game. The Gators found themselves trailing 10-1 just two and a half minutes into the game. Florida would eventually go on a run, and even managed to take a lead just over midway through the first half. But the Seminoles were relentless and took over in the second half.

    Florida State attacked the paint at will against the Gators. The Seminoles also outrebounded Florida by a 51-34 margin including grabbing 23 offensive boards. Florida turned the ball over 17 times while FSU was only forced into 12. The Gators shot 36% for the game, and only 24% beyond the arc.

    Jalen Hudson led Florida with 16 points while KeVaughn Allen added 15. Egor Koulechov contributed 11 points in the effort. Deaundrae Ballard finished with a team high nine rebounds. Chris Chiozza finished with a team leading four assists.

    Hudson, Allen, Koulechov, and Chiozza finished a combined 13-40 from the field and 4-20 from deep.

    Florida’s defense did play very well until Florida State began to put the game away, but it’s clear that this team has no inside game. If shots aren’t going down, and Florida turns the ball over, it’s going to be very difficult to win games, at least until January when 6’11 center John Egbunu is expected to return.

    RECORDS:

    • FSU: 7-0
    • FLORIDA: 5-2

    Team Stats:

    FSU FLORIDA
    FG % 39 36
    3-PT % 30 24
    FT % 83 72
    Offensive Rebounds 23 11
    Total Rebounds 51 34
    Assists 9 7
    Steals 8 3
    Blocks 3 6
    Turnovers 12 17

    What’s Next:

    Florida will face Loyola-Chicago on Wednesday at Exactech Arena. The Ramblers are 8-1 on the season and defeated UIC 85-61 on Saturday. Aundre Jackson led the Ramblers with 23 points on 10-11 shooting in the contest.

    Florida vs Loyola-Chicago

    December 6, 2017

    8:00 PM / Exactech Arena

    SEC Network