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.