Life's lessons have been an omnipresent part of Rick Clausen's senior football season.

Ups. Downs. Great comebacks. Great letdowns.

"There were a lot of good times, some not-so-good times, but that's part of football," Tennessee's quarterback said Wednesday. "That's part of life.

"Everything's not going to happen the way you always want it to happen, but I've enjoyed the time I've had here."

Thrilled with the way the 2005 season has unfolded -- no. Happy, he took the ride -- yes.

First, Clausen felt he deserved a crack at the starting job coming out of August drills.

It didn't happen as sophomore Erik Ainge was named the starter.

Second, the glaring fact Tennessee's record is 4-5 in mid-November is enough to make any Volunteer cringe.

"It's been a rough year," he said. "If you ask anyone in this football program and everyone around town, it has been a difficult year."

But it's not over.

Tennessee plays Vanderbilt (4-6) at 12:30 p.m. Saturday (TV: WVLT) at Neyland Stadium -- still dreaming of a winning season and a post-season bowl.

"We need to take care of ourselves," Clausen said. "We need to do what we've been taught to do and take care of what we can take care of on the football field.

"We need to set the foundation for next year's team. It's not the best year we had hoped for, but you've kind of got to deal with whatever unfolds."

Clausen is becoming an expert at dealing with whatever unfolds.

There was a time this season when the senior captain admitted he considered leaving the team.

Family, friends, coaches and teammates convinced him to stay the course.

Had he not, there wouldn't have been the dramatic second-half comeback he directed at LSU.

He wouldn't have had a chance to start against Ole Miss, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina or Vanderbilt.

Good times. Bad times.

That's the kind of ride it has been since day one in Knoxville for Clausen.

The former LSU transfer got a chance to watch his brother Casey direct the Vols at quarterback in 2003.

He watched the freshmen tandem of Ainge and Brent Schaeffer get the starting jobs ahead of him in 2004.

Injuries to Ainge and Schaeffer a year ago then opened the door for Clausen's coming-out party and eventual Cotton Bowl MVP award.

"Even the year I had to sit out (after the LSU transfer), I was with Casey, so that was fun," he said.

"I've made a lot of good friends, learned a lot of good lessons and I'm happy with the decision I made (to attend UT)."

Now, here he is again. Reborn and given the reins to an offense hoping to catch some semblance of fire in its final two regular-season games.

"Basically, we've got a two-game series left," Clausen said. "We've got two games where we've got to take care of business to be bowl eligible and that's a goal we set for us at the beginning of the season.

"We've still got a lot to play for."

UT coach Phillip Fulmer calls it "pride."

For Clausen, it's enjoying the ride.

After coming off the bench to direct another comeback victory last week against Memphis, Clausen's teammates raved about the quarterback's knack for keeping everyone loose in the huddle.

"I've been around football my whole life, and I think the one thing people tend to forget is football is still a game," he said. "In my own personal opinion, I think people play better when they're having fun.

"When people are really uptight and tense, that's when mistakes happen. I just try to loosen guys up the best I can and I just go out there and have fun with them."

And everyone knows it's a lot more fun when you win.

Losing -- especially the way Tennessee has lost with its offensive struggles -- has been trying.

But Clausen remains adamant he doesn't reflect on opinions of the general public.

"If you talk to certain people, I think the jury is still out on whether I can be a successful quarterback," he said. "I knew I could do it. I think the people around me who know me, and my personality; I think they knew I could do it.

"I don't need people's approval. If they think I'm a good quarterback, I appreciate it, and if they don't, that's fine by them.

"I was just happy making the friendships and being a part of this football team the past few years."

Now Clausen prepares to make his way through the 'T' for the final time on Saturday, one of 26 players to be honored on "Senior Day." Each will make the walk with a personal collection of memories.

"It was a fun ride," Clausen said. "It was good times."