Sports

Florida head coach Dan Mullen pumps up the crowd prior to the start of the Capital One Orange Bowl against Virginia at Hard Rock Stadium last December. (MICHAEL REAVES/Getty Images/TNS)

Florida head coach Dan Mullen pumps up the crowd prior to the start of the Capital One Orange Bowl against Virginia at Hard Rock Stadium last December. (MICHAEL REAVES/Getty Images/TNS)

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Florida No. 8 in preseason AP poll with Clemson coming in at No. 1

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Monday, August 24, 2020
Florida is No.8 in the preseason Associated Press Top 25 poll, which features nine Big Ten and Pac-12 teams that gives a glimpse at what has already been taken by the pandemic from an uncertain college football season.
Columbia point guard Darrien Jones looks to shoot against Daytona Beach Mainland during this past season ‘s regional final. Jones helped lead the Tigers to their first Final Four since 1968. (FILE)

Columbia point guard Darrien Jones looks to shoot against Daytona Beach Mainland during this past season ‘s regional final. Jones helped lead the Tigers to their first Final Four since 1968. (FILE)

BOYS BASKETBALL: Columbia point guard Darrien Jones to walk on at Santa Fe College

JORDAN KROEGER
Friday, August 21, 2020
After leading Columbia to the school’s first Final Four since 1968, Darrien Jones was hoping to earn a scholarship and play collegiately.  Instead, the point guard was left without one as the coronavirus pandemic ravaged the country and recruiting along with it.
Florida Gators head coach Dan Mullen leads his team onto the field at the Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on Dec. 30, 2019, in Miami Gardens. (ALLEN EYESTONE/The Palm Beach Post/TNS)

Florida Gators head coach Dan Mullen leads his team onto the field at the Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on Dec. 30, 2019, in Miami Gardens. (ALLEN EYESTONE/The Palm Beach Post/TNS)

CORONAVIRUS: NCAA eligibility ruling solves some problems, creates others

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Friday, August 21, 2020
For the college athletes who are heading into a season of uncertainty brought on by covid-19, the NCAA’s decision to not charge them a year of eligibility — no matter how much they play — brings peace of mind. And happy parents.
Florida State plans to allow fans to tailgate before the start of 2020 home football games with restrictions in place due to the coronavirus pandemic. (TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE)

Florida State plans to allow fans to tailgate before the start of 2020 home football games with restrictions in place due to the coronavirus pandemic. (TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE)

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: FSU will allow tailgating before football games

TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE
Thursday, August 20, 2020
Florida State will offer tailgating options for all of its home football games during the 2020 season, but it is asking Seminoles fans to follow safety protocol due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Jacksonville Jaguars placed tight end Josh Oliver on injured reserve with a broken foot. (TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE)

The Jacksonville Jaguars placed tight end Josh Oliver on injured reserve with a broken foot. (TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE)

NFL: Jags place Oliver on IR, ending his season prematurely again

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Thursday, August 20, 2020
JACKSONVILLE — The Jacksonville Jaguars placed tight end Josh Oliver on injured reserve Thursday, prematurely ending his season for the second consecutive year. Oliver broke his left foot while running during a non-contract drill Sunday and had surgery two days later.
Florida quarterback Kyle Trask throws a pass over Tennessee defensive lineman Matthew Butler last season. (AP FILE PHOTO)

Florida quarterback Kyle Trask throws a pass over Tennessee defensive lineman Matthew Butler last season. (AP FILE PHOTO)

CORONAVIRUS: NCAA recommends free year of eligibility for fall

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Wednesday, August 19, 2020
College athletes who play fall sports, including football, will be given a free year of eligibility no matter how much they compete over the next 10 months if an NCAA recommendation is approved later this week.
Columbia quarterback Kade Jackson throws during conditioning last summer. (FILE)

Columbia quarterback Kade Jackson throws during conditioning last summer. (FILE)

CORONAVIRUS: Columbia County will start fall practices Aug. 24, but football will have to wait

JORDAN KROEGER
Tuesday, August 18, 2020
Fall sports will begin in Columbia County on Aug. 24 — except for football. Columbia superintendent Lex Carswell announced Tuesday that while practices for volleyball, cross country, golf, swimming and girls bowling are allowed to start next Monday, football won’t be able to until Sept. 7.