Florida quarterback Jeff Driskel was efficient, completing 17-of-22 passes for 153 yards and a score before giving way to backup Tyler Murphy late in the fourth quarter. Driskel lost a fumble in the first half but completed 10-of-11 passes before halftime.

The Gators shut down Toledo's ballyhooed offense, holding quarterback Terrance Owens to 155 yards on 17-of-38 passing as the Rockets were 1-for-13 on third-down conversions. Star running back David Fluellen rushed for 46 yards on nine carries and caught three passes for 42 yards.

Brown, who had 167 career rushing yards entering the game, ended a pair of long first-half drives with scoring runs. He punched it in from the 1 to cap an 11-play, 84-yard drive on Florida's first possession and broke a 14-yard touchdown run to cap a 10-play, 83-yard drive for a 17-3 halftime lead.

Highly touted freshman Vernon Hargreaves III helped the Gators put it away with his first career interception, setting up Driskel's 4-yard touchdown pass to fullback Gideon Ajagbe for a 24-6 lead with 55 seconds left in the third quarter.

GAME NOTEBOOK: The Gators improved to 80-27 all-time in season openers and have won 24 consecutive openers. … Toledo K Jeremiah Detmer connected from 44 and 23 yards and has made 19 consecutive field goal attempts. … The Gators' touchdown to start the game was their first on the opening drive of the season since 2009.