Florida Gators vs Tennessee Volunteers Box Score on Sep 18, 2010

SportsDirect Inc. staff
Sep 18, 2010
Florida’s offense may not be hitting on all cylinders just yet, but it’s still plenty good enough.

The No. 7 Gators overcame another sluggish start with 17 third-quarter points en route to a 31-17 win over Tennessee in both teams’ SEC opener.

Tied at 10-10 in the third quarter, Florida coach Urban Meyer resorted to trick play to jumpstart the Gators. Facing a fourth-and-six at the Florida 39-yard line, Omarius Hines rumbled 36 yards on a fake punt. Meyer’s gamble paid off when John Brantley connected with Frankie Hammond on a seven-yard touchdown pass.

A five-yard touchdown run by Mike Gillislee increased the Gator lead to 24-10, but Tennessee narrowed the gap to 24-17 when Matt Simms found Justin Hunter all alone in the end zone for a 35-yard score. But Florida answered with a two-yard touchdown run Trey Burton midway through the fourth quarter to seal the deal.

Florida, which came into the game leading Division 1 with eight interceptions, picked off Simms twice. The Gator defense also had six sacks and held a strong Tennessee running game to only 29 yards. Simms threw for a career-high 256 yards and two touchdowns.

Meyer has not lost to Tennessee (1-2) as the Gators have won six consecutive games over the Volunteers for the first time.