Gator Tales Podcast

The Gators closed out 2018 in style, pummeling Michigan 41-15 in the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl. The fifth time proved to be the charm for the Gators in the all-time series against the Wolverines, and it was also the first time the Orange & Blue tasted victory in the game named for Georgia's most famous fruit. On today's show, host Adam Schick recaps the incredible performance (1:14), assesses where the Gators are entering the offseason (9:52) and discusses a massive revenge win for men's basketball (17:58) with FloridaGators.com senior writers Scott Carter and Chris Harry. Then, Adam catches up with women's basketball head coach Cam Newbauer as his team prepares to open conference play (27:28). Please leave a review if you like what you hear and for more information, visit FloridaGators.com/GatorTales.

Given that the Gators were 4-7 and hanging out at home with their families at this time a year ago, it's a testament to the job that Dan Mullen has done that they are in Atlanta getting ready to play in one of the six most prestigious bowls in college football. The Gators will cap off the turnaround season by making their first appearance in the New Year's Six, taking on familiar bowl foe Michigan in the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl on Saturday. On today's show, host Adam Schick chats with linebackers coach Christian Robinson about being the youngest member of the coaching staff and how his Atlanta roots make this game particularly special (1:12). Then, Adam talks about the key matchups in the Peach Bowl, the one-sided history between Florida and Michigan and the best holiday movies with FloridaGators.com senior writers Scott Carter and Chris Harry (23:44). Please leave a review if you like what you hear and for more information, visit FloridaGators.com/GatorTales.

While we used to have to wait until February to see the top high school football players in the nation pick that critical hat up off the table, this week brought Year 2 of the early signing period. By the time the dust settled around the fax machine on Wednesday afternoon, Dan Mullen and his staff welcomed 20 new members to Gator Nation. On today's show, host Adam Schick learns more about the recruiting process and the highlights of this class from Director of Recruiting Operations Lee Begley (1:19). Then, Adam talks to junior linebacker David Reese about the strides made this season, his biggest influences and his Michigan roots (15:38). Please leave a review if you like what you hear and for more information, visit FloridaGators.com/GatorTales.

With finals putting a pause on the action and 2018 counting down its final days, host Adam Schick takes a macro view of the entire athletic program in a conversation with athletic director Scott Stricklin. Among other topics, Scott discusses the first year success of Dan Mullen (1:18), his visit to Starkville in September (7:18) his experience on the CFP selection committee (9:08), the status of a Florida/UCF football match-up (16:30), the latest updates on the new baseball stadium (22:12), the impending completion of softball's renovations (24:17) and his recent pop culture picks (27:08). Please leave a review if you like what you hear and for more information, visit FloridaGators.com/GatorTales.

There's nothing quite like playing in Madison Square Garden, and multiple Gators got their first exposure to “The World's Most Famous Arena” on Tuesday night in a win over West Virginia. It was a necessary shot in the arm for Mike White's team as they look to find their footing before a massive visit from Michigan State. On today's show, we'll recap the latest basketball news (1:15), discuss early storylines for the Peach Bowl (9:39), ponder what's next for Urban Meyer (15:01) and debate whether the CFP committee got it right (19:22) with FloridaGators.com senior writers Chris Harry and Scott Carter. Plus, Rachael Kramer talks volleyball's underdog run to the Sweet 16 and reveals the remarkable depths of her obsession with Disney World (24:00). Please leave a review if you like what you hear and for more information, visit FloridaGators.com/GatorTales.

Thanksgiving proved to be quite a feast for the Gators, as they went to Tallahassee and earned their first win over the Seminoles since 2012 in dominant fashion. That put a resounding bow on a 9-3 regular season and has the Gators awaiting a likely trip to a New Year's Six bowl. But in college sports, one season ending usually means another is just beginning, which is the case for the Florida men's basketball squad. On today's show, host Adam Schick gets the lowdown on this year's team and their early returns from head coach Mike White (1:17). Then, Adam takes a macro look at the 2018 football season (14:43), including the plays of the year (23:50), the players expected to leave early and what it means for the future (32:00) with FloridaGators.com senior writers Scott Carter and Chris Harry. Please leave a review if you like what you hear and for more information, visit FloridaGators.com/GatorTales.

It was a breezy Senior Day for the Orange & Blue, with Chauncey Gardner-Johnson's six second pick-six setting the tone as Florida overwhelmed Idaho 63-10. Now everyone's attention is squarely on the final game of the regular season, with the Gators hoping they can be thankful for a streak-snapping victory in Tallahassee. On today's show, host Adam Schick welcomes FloridaGators.com senior writers Scott Carter and Chris Harry to discuss Senior Day stars (1:10), the looming matchup with the Seminoles (7:50), basketball's trip to The Bahamas (15:44) and memorable Florida/Florida State games from the past (19:45) with FloridaGators.com senior writers Scott Carter and Chris Harry. Plus, Tommy Townsend shares stories about finally living his dream and how his family unexpectedly became a punter factory (26:20). Please leave a review if you like what you hear and for more information, visit FloridaGators.com/GatorTales.

The Gators proved themselves to the naysayers while Feleipe Franks literally shushed his critics in a 17-point comeback over South Carolina last Saturday. The late stage revival made Florida just the 4th SEC team to have multiple comebacks of 17 points or more in the last 15 years. Now as they turn the page to Senior Day in The Swamp, the Gators are hoping for a strong performance out of the gates against Idaho. On today's show, host Adam Schick welcomes FloridaGators.com senior writers Scott Carter and Chris Harry to discuss the remarkable comeback (1:22), the shush heard 'round the world (5:13), the battle-tested senior class (14:02) and the degree to which former players should criticize their old teammates in the PAT (17:07). Plus, senior Fred Johnson reflects on the comeback kids, his career at Florida and his bizarre food rituals (25:25). Please leave a review if you like what you hear and for more information, visit FloridaGators.com/GatorTales.

If Rome wasn't built in a day, it's tough to expect a major college football program to reach its full potential in a similar timeframe. The Gators were reminded that there are bound to be bumps in the road during a transition year in a 38-17 loss to Missouri. On today's show, we'll discuss the fallout from Homecoming (1:14), the start of basketball season (13:46) and the dominance of Alabama in the PAT (17:34) with FloridaGators.com senior writers Scott Carter and Chris Harry. Then, we'll talk to defensive lineman Marlon Dunlap Jr. and find out what brought the former Tar Heel and North Carolina lifer to Gainesville (23:42). Please leave a review if you like what you hear and for more information, visit FloridaGators.com/GatorTales.

The Gators found a few more tricks than treats in Jacksonville, as critical turnovers led to Florida's first loss since September 8th. After the tough defeat to Georgia, the destination has likely changed but the goal of continued growth and improvement under Dan Mullen remain the same as the Gator Nation comes together for homecoming. On today's show, we'll recap Florida/Georgia (1:38), preview the meeting with Missouri (11:22), get first impressions on Gator basketball's exhibition debut (13:48) and discuss the best Tom Hanks films in our PAT (16:11) with FloridaGators.com senior writers Scott Carter and Chris Harry. Plus, defensive tackle Kyree Campbell shares how the Gators stood strong on one of the most remarkable goal line stands in school history and why he resisted playing football until much later in life (22:26). Please leave a review if you like what you hear and for more information, visit FloridaGators.com/GatorTales.

It's always one of the most unique rivalry games in college football, and this year it's a top-10 showdown for the first time in a decade. The stakes are sky high for Florida/Georgia, with this year's version serving as an eliminator of sorts for both the SEC East and the College Football Playoff. On today's show, we'll hand out midseason superlatives and dive into this week's matchups with FloridaGators.com senior writers Scott Carter and Chris Harry (1:10). Plus, senior Tyler Jordan goes in-depth on the growth of the offensive line and what it means for a Jacksonville native to play in the Florida/Georgia game (26:22). Please leave a review if you like what you hear and for more information, visit FloridaGators.com/GatorTales.

Sometimes you win even when you don't follow the plan to win- and discover more about yourself in the process. The Gators fell behind early in Nashville but stayed the course to collect their biggest road comeback in school history, rallying from 18 down to claim a 37-27 victory. On today's show, we'll recap the Gators 5th straight win as they hit the bye (1:17) and get an update on basketball's preparation for tip-off (16:02) in our roundtable discussion with FloridaGators.com senior writers Scott Carter and Chris Harry. Plus, senior Ryan Farr shares how a Las Vegas native ended up following the less than glamorous route of becoming a long snapper and the stories behind the viral videos that have made the specialists the court jesters of the team (24:28). Please leave a review if you like what you hear and for more information, visit FloridaGators.com/GatorTales.

As the saying goes, in The Swamp, only Gators get out alive. LSU learned that the hard way last weekend as Florida reestablished their home-field advantage with a 27-19 win in front of a raucous sell-out crowd. Now their challenge is to keep the momentum alive as they hit the road for the third time in the last four weeks. On today's show, we'll discuss the rebirth of The Swamp and look ahead to Vanderbilt with FloridaGators.com senior writers Scott Carter and Chris Harry (1:14). Plus, fresh off his role in Florida's latest game-changing trick play, TE Lucas Krull shares his unique journey from JUCO pitcher to major college football player (26:28). Please leave a review if you like what you hear and for more information, visit FloridaGators.com/GatorTales.

While the cowbells were deafening at times throughout the night, the sound that most will remember from Florida's gritty win over Mississippi State is the thud generated when Donovan Stiner exploded through the line to sack Nick Fitzgerald on 4th down. On today's show, host Adam Schick discusses the keys to the upset and looks ahead to a massive game against LSU with FloridaGators.com senior writers Scott Carter and Chris Harry (1:15). Plus, Adam talks to sophomore Kadarius Toney about his versatile role on the squad and which teammate he would surprisingly fear in a foot race (24:14). Please leave a review if you like what you hear and for more information, visit FloridaGators.com/GatorTales.

It was a rocky night for Tennessee last Saturday, as the Gators went to Knoxville and crushed the Vols 47-21. Now comes a huge test with lots of hype, as Dan Mullen takes his new team to Starkville to take on his old team. On today's show, host Adam Schick covers all things football (1:16) and touches on the news from basketball media day (13:05) with FloridaGators.com senior writers Scott Carter and Chris Harry. Plus, defensive end Elijah Conliffe shares stories ranging from his viral signing day stunt to his love of Marvel comics (22:08). Please leave a review if you like what you hear and for more information, visit FloridaGators.com/GatorTales.

The Gators bounced back big against Colorado State last week, proving that sometimes it pays to be “special” in a 48-10 victory. The often forgotten third phase of the game took center stage last Saturday, as Florida used two blocked kicks and an electric punt return to further ignite the Swamp on a day that the thermometer displayed a record 96 degrees at kickoff. On today's show, host Adam Schick recaps that performance and looks toward the upcoming challenge on Rocky Top with FloridaGators.com senior writers Scott Carter and Chris Harry (1:11). Then, Adam chats with WR Van Jefferson about being the son of an NFL coach and his long road to becoming a Gator (27:50). Please leave a review if you like what you hear and for more information, visit FloridaGators.com/GatorTales.

Dan Mullen himself said that “The Streak” was bound to end eventually, but few expected it to reach its conclusion this past weekend in The Swamp. Kentucky overwhelmed the Gators with a relentless rushing attack that kept the defense on the field and exposed many of the challenges that the new staff has in turning around the program. On today's show, host Adam Schick breaks down what went wrong against the Wildcats and how the Gators plan to bounce back with FloridaGators.com senior writers Scott Carter and Chris Harry (1:10). Then, Adam chats with redshirt-senior Moral Stephens about his first career touchdown and the keys to thriving under three different coaching staffs (26:23). Please leave a review if you like what you hear and for more information, visit FloridaGators.com/GatorTales.

There were plenty of fireworks in the highly-anticipated season opener for the Orange and Blue, as the Dan Mullen era got off to a rousing start in a 53-6 pummeling of Charleston Southern. The Gators are hoping that the energy and momentum generated in The Swamp keep rolling for another week, as Florida is preparing to put its astonishing 31-game winning streak on the line against Kentucky. On top of that, the 1993 SEC Championship squad will be honored on the 25th anniversary of their wild season that started a remarkable run of four straight conference crowns. On today's show, host Adam Schick reminisces about the record-breaking 1993 team and “Doering's Got A Touchdown” with Hall of Fame WR Chris Doering (1:18). Then, Adam breaks down the opener and the Kentucky matchup with FloridaGators.com senior writers Scott Carter and Chris Harry (17:00). Finally, RB Malik Davis shares why his family inspired him to play football and how he battled adversity to return to the field ahead of schedule after last yea

Any new season brings a sense of great promise and possibility, especially when it's the beginning of a new regime. Dan Mullen will lead the Gators out of the tunnel for the first time as a head coach on Saturday night, hoping to create something fresh while also capturing the magic of yesteryear. On our season premiere, host Adam Schick assesses the 2018 squad from every angle with FloridaGators.com senior writers Scott Carter and Chris Harry (1:12). Then, redshirt-senior tight end R.J. Raymond shares how he used a staggering multi-generational connection to UF and relentless hard work to make his football dreams come true (24:44). Please leave a review if you like what you hear and for more information, visit FloridaGators.com/GatorTales.

It's been a phenomenal athletic year filled with incredible moments on and off the field, from walk-offs and Hail Mary's to inspiring stories like those of Randy Russell and Lauren Evans that we have told on this very podcast. But with baseball's exit from Omaha, we officially closed the book on the 2017-2018 athletic year, and now it's time to reflect. As we found out last summer, the best way to do that is by sitting down with athletic director Scott Stricklin to review it all in our season finale. Now wrapping up his first complete season at the helm, host Adam Schick spoke to Scott about his experience in Omaha and the uniqueness of the CWS (1:47), the remarkable success of the overall program (5:35), major coaching developments from this year (7:04), the latest updates on the various facility projects (15:34), Dan Mullen's first 7 months on the job (19:27), the addition of Jay Jacobs to his executive staff (21:02), his favorite moments from this season (23:14), how he filters through his Twitter mention