This is the first in a four-part series looking back at the biggest sports stories to happen in Jacksonville in 2023.
When the Jaguars advance to the district playoffs, the buzz in the stadium becomes the next step, effectively shaking up the golf world.
You can’t expect record catches in the ocean, gold medals in the pool, and Jacksonville jumbo shrimp on land.
The annual Georgia-Florida matchup brings another shake-up to the First Coast soccer scene as the Bulldogs make a splash and the UFC returns.
While it’s perfect for Florida State football, there are some frustrations.
These are just some of the notable stories in Northeast Florida sports in 2023, a year to remember from the gridiron to the green and beyond.
The Times Union looks back at some of the region’s biggest stories from the past year.
January 4th: Calvin Muhammad, former Ribault High School receiver and Super Bowl champion with the Los Angeles Raiders, has died at the age of 65.
January 7th: The Jaguars came back from a 2-6 deficit to win the AFC South title, defeating the Tennessee Titans and making the playoffs for the first time in five years.
January 14th: In a record-breaking rally televised nationally, Riley Patterson’s game-winning field goal helped the Jaguars fight back from a 27-point hole to defeat the Los Angeles Chargers 31-30 at TIAA Bank Field. .
January 21st: The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Jaguars 27-20 at Arrowhead Stadium, ending the Jaguars’ playoff run.
February 5th: Travis Lucas and Caroline Moore won their first marathon at the Donna Marathon at the Beaches.
February 18th: The University of North Florida men’s basketball game against Austin Peay ended in a brawl from the bench after the buzzer sounded for the Ospreys’ 73-71 loss. Three UNF players, Jonathan Eibar and Austin Peay, were subsequently suspended by the ASUN conference.
February 24th: Bertram Trail defeated Boca Raton 3-0 in the FHSAA Class 7A girls soccer championship, ending the season undefeated and giving the Bears their third title in four years.
March 2: The University of North Florida has fired women’s basketball coach Darick Gibbs after he compiled an overall record of 95-138 in eight seasons.
March 4th: On a rainy morning, Hilary Beau won the Gate River Run men’s race and Emily Sisson took her third consecutive women’s title in the annual 15-kilometre competition.
March 11: Tom Hoge shot a 10-under 62 in the third round of The Players Championship, setting a course record at The Players Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass.
March 12th: Scottie Scheffler posted a 17-under 271, taking the lead by five strokes, winning The Players Championship and moving into first place in the World Golf Rankings.
March 15th: Jacksonville University and women’s basketball coach Darnell Haney have parted ways after five seasons, by mutual agreement of the schools. Mr. Haney coached for five seasons and compiled a record of 64 wins and 75 losses.
March 18th: The Bob Hayes Invitational Track Meet will be held for the first time at UNF’s Hodges Stadium after moving from Raines.
March 26th: Jacksonville University’s Chris Armstrong hit three home runs for the second consecutive day in the Dolphins baseball game against the University of Central Arkansas.
March 28th: St. John’s Country Day senior guard Talia Scott will compete in the McDonald’s All-American Game for women’s basketball in Houston, becoming the fourth Northeast Florida player ever selected for the game.
March 28th: Newly acquired Jaguars receiver Calvin Ridley announced he will wear No. 0, becoming the first player to select the number since it was approved by the NFL.