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  • WBB: Gators can’t escape preseason WNIT gauntlet

    WBB: Gators can’t escape preseason WNIT gauntlet

    Florida falls to a .500 win-percentage after consecutive losses

    Photo by Brian Fox | ChompTalk

    The Florida Gators basketball team entered the weekend with high hopes after a strong performance over Georgia State last tuesday. 

    But not everything goes as planned.

    Florida hit the floor and fell to 2-2 after participating in the preseason WNIT classic. The gauntlet of opponents included No. 5 North Carolina State, Towson and Wofford.

    Game 1: Towson 87- Florida 70

    The first matchup of the weekend against the Towson Tigers ended in a 17-point loss for the Gators but a few players emerged on the court to impress on the stat line.

    Forward Jordyn Merritt posted her second career double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Efficiency from the floor helped the sophomore go perfect from downtown on four shots and 6-13 from the field. Meanwhile, senior Kristina Moore racked up 12 points while playing off the bench.

    The Gators were able to outrebound Towson by one board but the Tigers shot effectively from beyond the arc to go 12-19. The long range attack boosted the Towson runaway.

    Game 2: No. 5 NC State 85 – Florida 52

    The downhill tumble continued on Sunday in a 33-point slaughter from the Wolfpack. 

    NC State laid down the law beyond the arc to make 11 of 18 shots and cruise their way to a victory. The Wolfpack dominated the floor all game and out-scored Florida in all four quarters.

    However, guard Kiki Smith was able to place a momentary bandage on the loss by leading Florida to a 7-0 run in the second frame of action. Smith finished the day with 16 points, three rebounds and two assists.

    There was a bump in the road for NC State when Florida made a defensive adjustment at halftime and out scored the Wolfpack 14-10 in the third. But the Wolfpack made an adjustment of their own to go on a 12-2 run to open the final quarter and burst into a win.

    Game 3: Wofford 47 – Florida 61

    The weekend didn’t end in complete sorrow for the Orange and Blue after the Gators were able to topple Wofford by 14 points. 

    The Florida defense showed out for the WNIT finale and halted Wofford to no field goals within the first five minutes of play. Florida was off to a slow start as well but eventually picked up speed thanks to performances Smith and junior guard Lavender Briggs. The two offensive stars combined their efforts to rack up 25 points. 

    The game was Florida’s most impressive defensive performance of the weekend and went on a 10-2 run in the first quarter to ignite the team’s offense. By the end of the game, Florida’s defense racked up 10 steals and five blocks. Junior Faith Dut recorded a career-high three blocks.

    Up next for the Florida Gators is a home stance against unranked Grambling State in the O’Dome at 6 p.m. on Friday.

  • #GatorMade: Jonathan India Named NL Rookie of the Year

    #GatorMade: Jonathan India Named NL Rookie of the Year

    Photo by Dylan Buell | Getty Images

    Cincinnati Reds infielder Jonathan India was named the National League Rookie of the Year, Major League Baseball announced on Monday.

    India hit .269 with 21 homers and 69 RBI. His on-base percentage was .376 and his slugging percentage was .459, both of which led eligible rookies.

    India is the eighth Cincinnati player to earn Rookie of the Year honors, but the first since RHP Scott Williamson in 1999.

    India was the No. 5 pick in the 2018 MLB Draft by the Reds, but quickly rose through the minors. The American Heritage High product spent three years with the Gators, primarily playing third base.

    Per a UF release, this marks the first time one college program was represented with two Rookie of the Year winners in a three year span.

    The New York Mets’ Pete Alonso earned the 2019 NL Rookie of the Year.

  • Florida Must Dismiss Dan Mullen

    Florida Must Dismiss Dan Mullen

    Mark McLeod

    Photo by James Gilbert | Getty Images

    It wasn’t supposed to be this difficult. 

    Dan Mullen is in his fourth year at Florida with a 2021 schedule that included seven games against programs with first or second year head coaches, struggling to get their programs heading in the right direction. An eighth program on the Gators schedule, LSU’s head coach Ed Orgeron was on the hot seat. Orgeron was immediately fired after the Bayou Bengals defeated the Gators. 

    Sure, Florida faced the top-ranked team in the country-twice. 

    And lost. 

    Through 10 games, Florida is just 5-5 with regular season games remaining against Eastern Division opponent Missouri in Columbia and against arch-rival Florida State in The Swamp. Those games shouldn’t be in doubt, but brother, look out.  

    Saturday, after surrendering the most points in a single half of football in Gators history, Florida rallied for a 70-52 win over a 4-6 Samford (FCS) squad in the stadium a few Auburn and Alabama players recently called the most difficult road environment in college football.

    Florida has to fire Dan Mullen. 

    This isn’t about Samford. No, Samford is merely the exclamation point on why Athletic Director Scott Stricklin must bring this debacle to an end. Florida’s players deserve better. The Gator Nation deserves better.  

    When was the last time the Gators played 60 minutes of football in a game? 

    How often have you questioned the Gators overall game preparation (offense, defense, and special teams) over the past two years?

    Missed tackles have plagued the Florida defense for at least two years now. 

    Repeated discipline issues that are rarely resolved or that show up again two games later. 

    Overall inconsistency.

    Look, there have been some great moments under Mullen. The program looked to be on the rise from his first year through the 2019 season. Personally, I thought the Gators were on the right track, minus recruiting issues that needed to improve and three assistant coaches who needed to be dismissed. 

    Kyle Pitts was a generational player who developed beautifully under Mullen and the assistant coaches. We saw the development of quarterback Kyle Trask, once he finally got the opportunity to play. Florida also advanced to the SEC Championship game a year ago and gave Alabama fits, but the Gators couldn’t build on that offensive performance.  

    But, Mullen and the Gators are just 5-8 over the past 13 games.  

    That’s unacceptable at a Southeastern Conference powerhouse that has laid claim to three National Championships, eight Southeastern Conference championships, and 13 Southeastern Conference Championship game appearances over the past 30 years. 

    Mullen either stubbornly ignored or has merely been too slow to act on needed assistant coaching changes to help resolve Florida’s obvious recruiting shortcomings. Unlike some of the top coaches in college football, Mullen isn’t the guy who will win over the elite recruit on the other end of the cell phone. He isn’t the guy to win over the big recruiting weekend either.  

    Oh, what could have been.

    Mullen has had the perfect opportunity to dominate college football in the state of Florida, while challenging Alabama and Georgia for SEC Supremacy. 

    Yet four years later, despite coaching changes in Tallahassee and Coral Gables, Mullen and his staff have struggled to land so many of the Sunshine State’s elite. 

    Furthermore, the coaching carousel in the SEC East with recent changes at Tennessee, South Carolina, Missouri (2nd year), and Vanderbilt figured to see the Kentucky Wildcats battling with the Gators for the runner-up spot behind top-ranked Georgia. Yes, before the 2021 season ever kicked off, we all knew how deep the divide was between Georgia and Florida. 

    It seems that he doesn’t even enjoy the opportunity to go recruit. 

    Mullen and his staff have been big winners in the transfer portal, but every die-hard college football fan knows that recruiting at the high school level had to improve under Mullen or there would be trouble. 

    Strangely, Mullen even seems tone deaf at times when given the opportunity to pump up his own Florida program. 

    Two weeks ago, Gators Breakdown’s David Waters tried to ask a question about recruiting. It wasn’t a gotcha moment. It was an opportunity to answer a question by simply stating that we’re not where we need to be and throwing out a teaser that changes are coming to improve the program. Mullen should have also wrapped Waters’ question with a 5-6 minute informercial on why Florida is precisely where elite recruits need to come and play.  

    He blew it. 

    He didn’t even let Waters finish the question. It seemed to be a microcosm on how recruiting has gone under Mullen at Florida. 

    Don’t get me wrong, Florida has many really good players. Under Mullen though, Florida has missed signing far too many elite players that have gone to Tuscaloosa, Clemson, Columbus, or Athens. And that’s the difference between the have’s and the have nots.  

    Too slow or too stubborn, Mullen is seemingly his own worst enemy.

    And now, the Dan Mullen Era at Florida must come to an end.

    Follow Mark McLeod @McLeodLive. Contact Mark at Mark@BlitzSportsRadio.com

  • MBB: Gators Topple No. 20 Florida State, 71-55

    MBB: Gators Topple No. 20 Florida State, 71-55

    Photo by Andy Lyons | Getty Images

    Mike White finally got the monkey off his back, that illusive victory over the school’s biggest rival.

    A 13-0 run midway through the second half propelled the Gators to a 71-55 win over the Seminoles. Simply put, this game was one of the better efforts seen from White’s squad over the course of his tenure.

    Forward Colin Castelton led the way with 15 points and a career high 16 rebounds, 8 on the offensive glass. Anthony Duruji added 15 and 7 boards.

    The Gators came out of the gates hot, taking an 8-2 lead into the first media timeout, but Florida State heated up and tied the game at 15 with 9:06 remaining in the first half.

    Twice the Seminoles would stretch their lead to four, but Florida closed in each time, the ‘Noles took a 30-28 lead into the halftime break.

    Play continued in the second half as both teams more or less traded baskets until a Colin Castelton layup put the Gators on top 45-44 with 10:14 to go. The 13-0 would ensue and Florida would coast to the victory from there. The Gators lead would reach as high as 19 (after a Myreon Jones layup with 2:57 to play).

    Florida forced the Seminoles into 17 turnovers and outbounded their rivals 44-33

    Jones and Brandon McKissock also scored in double figures with 12 each.

    For the Gators, this ends a futile streak of seven losses to Florida State dating back to Billy Donovan’s final season at UF.

    The Gators will continue their season opening home stand with Thursday’s matchup with Milwaukee. Tipoff is slate for 6:00 PM.

  • Staff Predictions: Florida vs Samford

    Staff Predictions: Florida vs Samford

    Following the humiliating loss in Columbia last week, the Gators return home on Saturday with a matchup against Samford.

    Both Samford and the Gators sit at 4-5 overall.

    Additionally, the Gators have (finally) made several moves with the coaching staff as defensive coordinator Todd Grantham and OL coach John Hevesy have been dismissed. What changes will be made by the interim staff?

    The following are our staff’s predictions for the Florida – Samford:

    Brian Fox:

    Samford is not a good team and will be drastically overmatched against the Gators, who are spending $525,000 to play the Bulldogs. Samford has a solid run game to go with a capable pass game. Last week against the Citadel, the Bulldogs rushed for more than 250 yards. They also spread the ball to four different receivers that have more than 30 receptions. The Samford defense is atrocious. They allow 35 points per game and Florida should find the end zone frequently. Gators, 45-20.

    Jake Hitt:

    Florida’s been reeling since the loss to Kentucky with Ls in three of the last four games, including three straight. It got so bad Dan Mullen had to can two of his friends at the beginning of the week. Now, the Gators have a get right game against FCS Samford. Chris Hatcher’s group is struggling too. Their defense is not great but the Bulldogs offense is one of the best in FCS. I expect the Gators to take full advantage of the buy game and maybe get themselves back in a groove before two important games to close out the season. This season’s already about looking ahead so hopefully it gives the Gators an opportunity to showcase some younger talent. And it allows for interim defensive coordinator Christian Robinson and interim offensive line coach Mike Sollenne to serve in their new roles in a not-very-high-stakes contest. Gators win big. Florida, 42-10.

    Rachel Slay:

    After an embarrassing loss to South Carolina, the call for change could no longer be ignored. Grantham and Hevesy are out – so what happens now? The Gators intend to cut their three-game losing streak against the Samford Bulldogs, and I think they will. Samford, despite toting an identical 4-5 record, hasn’t beat an SEC team since its 1934 win over Ole Miss. The Bulldogs are unranked in the FCS with two losses to ranked opponents, however, following a stunning 17-40 loss against the Gamecocks, Florida must enter the game humbly. Logically speaking, the Gator defense should put up better numbers against the Dogs, but any positive changes won’t be clear until after Missouri and FSU. Offensively, Anthony Richardson’s hotel-dancing injury should be healed up come Saturday and grant his return to the offensive arsenal. All in all, the Gators need to worry about minimizing turnovers, cleaning up a sloppy defense and breaking this losing streak.
    Florida, 38-13.

    …

    Florida and Samford will kick off from the Swamp at 12:00 PM on Saturday. The game will not be broadcast on national tv, but will be streamed through SEC Network + and ESPN +.

  • The Gridiron Growl Podcast: C-Rob Takes Over the Defense; Samford Preview

    The Gridiron Growl Podcast: C-Rob Takes Over the Defense; Samford Preview

    Check out the latest episode of The Gridiron Growl Podcast as Mark McLeod and Jake Hitt discuss all the latest happenings with the Florida Gators football program following the blowout loss against South Carolina.

    The guys start by discussing what Christian Robinson brings to the Gators’ defense before getting into a preview of this weekend’s game against Samford.

    Click play on the following audio player to listen to this episode of The Gridiron Growl Podcast:

    You can also follow The Gridiron Growl Podcast on the following platforms:

  • MBB: Dominant First Half Leads Gators to Victory in Opener

    MBB: Dominant First Half Leads Gators to Victory in Opener

    The Florida Gators dominated the first half of their season opener before cruising to a win over the Elon Phoenix on Tuesday. Despite leading by as many as twenty eight points, the Gators held on for the 74-61 win.

    Florida forward Colin Castleton found a groove midway through the first half as he sank 17 points in the first twnty minutes. He finished with 18 points, 5 rebounds, and four assists.

    Penn State transfer Myreon Jones caught fire in the second half, flaming the Phoenix for 15 of his 18 in the final frame behind four three-pointers.

    After a back and fourth first eight minutes that saw Elon get to within one with 13:21 to play, the Gators were able to dominate play until nearly the midpoint of the second half when they unloaded the bench.

    Perhaps the biggest takeaway from the season opening victory is that this team’s defense looked solid. The Gators seemed to be in every passing lane, getting hands on the ball with UMKC transfer Brandon McKissock showcasing terrific on ball defense.

    Florida is 1-0 on the season and will face a major test in their next game. Rival Florida State comes to Gainesville on Sunday as the nation’s No. 20 team. Mike White’s teams are 0-6 against the Seminoles.

  • WBB: Gators Down Georgia State in Regular Season Opener

    WBB: Gators Down Georgia State in Regular Season Opener

    Smith and Briggs combine for 39 points to lead the way for Florida

    Photo by Brian Fox | ChompTalk

    After a 101-56 exhibition victory over Flagler College, the Florida Gators have officially begun the 2021-22 regular season with a win over Georgia State.

    Although a few kinks in the system were found, UF was able to overcome to outrebound, score, and steal the inaugural 2021 game at the O’Dome. 

    The matchup was even in the first quarter as both teams went 5-13 from the floor but Georgia State notched two extra free throws to claim a 14-12 lead. But a huddle during intermission sparked the Florida defense to shape up in the paint to outplay the Panthers after the first frame. 

    The second quarter was dominated by Florida who conducted a 25-13 run to gain a powerful lead, which was maintained through the rest of the game. The Gators led by 20 in the third quarter and the final result was being foreshadowed. 

    Georgia State transitioned to a full-court press in the fourth quarter when the score was only separated by a 12 point Gator lead. The pressure was fruitless and the Gators were able to maintain the score separation and coast to a win.

    Florida’s first regular season win was an offensive highlight reel, especially from graduate student Kiki Smith who racked up 23 points while shooting 7-12 from the floor. The guard was able to account for six rebounds and four assists as well 

    Junior guard Lavender Briggs returned to the team in the offseason after briefly entering the transfer portal. Briggs found her comfort with the team and in the paint to gather 16 points on the day.

    Freshman Alberte Rimdal earned a spot in the Gators starting five but failed to match her success in the exhibition against Flagler College. The Denmark native mustered 2 points off her only successful shot from the field. 

    Interim head coach Kelly Rae Finley believes the team has found their roots to grow from.

    “I think if you ask any of the women on our team, they would tell you that we’re working on our consistency, Finley said. “And that goes from day-in to day-out, to offense to defense. We’ve had some lapses today, but that’s why it’s early in the season. Very pleased with our first game of the year.” 

    The team seems to have found some kind of identity in the offensive side of the game. UF worked the hardwood through Briggs and Smith while other teammates like junior guard Nina Rickards, who played off the bench, shot a perfect 2-2 from downtown.

    The Gators will take a few days to practice and prepare for the preseason WNIT classic against teams like Townson, North Carolina State and Wofford. The tip-off versus Towson is sets for Nov. 12 at 4:30 p.m. from Raleigh, North Carolina.

  • Gators Soccer Looks Forward to 2022 After Season of Growth

    Gators Soccer Looks Forward to 2022 After Season of Growth

    Photo by Brian Fox | ChompTalk

    As Tennesse scored two goals in the final five minutes to rub salt in the wound, the Florida Gators’ 2021 soccer season officially came to an end. 

    The season started slow for Florida in coach Amato’s first season, however, the team showed promise and gained traction in the later half.

    The Gators began the season winless through five matches before finally picking up their first win at Florida Gulf Coast. A tough schedule composed of matches against four ranked opponents, including a match against the number one and two seeds, held the Gators to a 1-5-2 out-of-conference record, getting outscored 6-18.

    SEC play began and Florida showed what they were capable of. After tying their first match against Vanderbilt, the Gators went on to win their next two to get their point total to seven. Sophomore and first year starter Alexa Goldberg shined in that stretch with 17 saves and two shutouts.

    Then, they came back down to earth. The Gators scored only two goals in the next four matches, dropping each of them. It was a lingering issue for the team all season that held them back: being unable to connect on that last pass and finish when opportunities were present.

    Their next match was against Georgia. At halftime Florida was down 2-0 and it looked like the match was going to be another typical Florida loss where the team was just unable to score. However, the offense exploded, scoring three goals in the second half. Although the match would result in a fifth straight Florida loss, the team gained momentum and confidence in the offense to finish.

    In a must win match against LSU on senior day, Florida went on to play their best soccer of the season. On a day where her career was being celebrated, graduate Kit Loferski stole the show with two assists and a penalty kick goal. The Gators won that match 4-0 with a season high on goals to boost their point total to ten.

    Despite a loss in their regular season finale, a Texas A&M loss would send the Gators to the SEC tournament in Orange Beach as the tenth and final seed.

    A rematch against Vanderbilt was set for the first round of the tournament. An own goal by Vanderbilt created from a Loferski cross in the 89th minute tied the match, sending them to overtime where neither team would score. Florida would then defeat Vanderbilt in penalties by a score of 4-3.

    Facing 12th ranked Tennessee in the second round of the tournament was too much for the Gators to handle. Tennessee dominated and handed the Gators a 2-5 loss to end their season.

    Coach Amato liked what he saw in his team and is excited for a strong 2022 campaign. “I think it was a lot of growth and development,” said Amato. “Early on, we were trying to figure it out. We knew that we were going to have to find different ways to score goals this year. From the beginning of the year, we worked on it and it paid off here down the stretch. I think we keep building on that in the offseason and carry that into 2022.” 

    The team will suffer the loss of key contributors such as Madison Alexander, Georgia Eaton-Collins, Shaye Seffart, Taylor Baksay, and Kit Loferski. These players were all key contributors to the team’s success, especially Loferski, the Second Team All-SEC forward, who consistently provided an offensive spark.

    However, Florida is a very young team that was in their first season under a new head coach since Becky Burleigh took over in 1995. Despite the losses, the team is on an upward trajectory and should find more success in the 2022 season.

  • Report: Gators Fire Grantham, Hevesy

    Report: Gators Fire Grantham, Hevesy

    Photo by Tim Casey | UAA via 247Sports

    The news finally broke Sunday evening. After years of the fanbase calling for the job of multiple assistant coaches, multiple reports are confirming that Florida has parted ways with defensive coordinator Todd Grantham and OL coach John Hevesy. Bruce Feldman was the first to report the story.

    The news comes on the heels of Florida dropping a 40-17 game against South Carolina and being thoroughly embarrassed on the defensive side of the ball.

    Grantham is the highest paid assistant coach in program history after receiving an extension following the 2019 season.

    The Gators defense allowed a historically bad 30.8 points per game in 2020, and are allowing 24.7 this season despite games with FAU and South Florida.

    Hevesy has worked alongside Mullen dating back to 2001 at Bowling Green when both were assistants under Urban Meyer.

    Hevesy’s line was much maligned as the offensive line never took the leap that was expected, particularly in the passing game.

    Wesley McGriff will take over playcalling for the defense and graduate assistant Michael Sollenne will coach the offensive line.