Don’t let the margin of victory fool you. Florida was in a dogfight.

The Gators overcame two early turnovers, sloppy play and a surprisingly spirited Miami (OH) team to win their season opener, 34-12. Miami won only one game last season, but the RedHawks stayed right with the No. 4 Gators until early in the fourth quarter when Jonathan Demps ‘ 72-yard touchdown run gave them a 27-12 lead.

The Gators entered the fourth quarter with fewer than 50 yards of total offense. Quarterback John Brantley  was unspectacular in his first start in the post-Tim Tebow era. He completed 17 of 25 passes for 113 yards, much of it late in the fourth quarter when the game was decided.

Miami actually led 3-0 at the start of the second period, but the RedHawks were undone by turnovers. Janoris Jenkins took the second of four Zac Dysert interceptions and raced 67 yards for a touchdown to give the Gators their first lead, 7-3.

Florida’s Omarius Hines scored on a 10-yard pass from Brantley, helping the Gators to a 21-6 halftime lead. After Demps’ gallop, Florida scored a late touchdown on a 25-yard pass from Brantley to Chris Rainey. The pass bounced off another Gator, and Rainey made the fortuituous grab.

The Gators were more lucky than good on Saturday. If they play the same way next week against South Florida, the outcome could be different