Dad insists Ainge can win for UT

"I think it was a surprise, for sure, that it wasn't him," Erik Ainge's father said of his son not being UT's starting quarterback. "He felt, just like any athlete, that he was 8-1 when he went down with an injury. He felt like it should have been him.

"It's tough."

Ainge, a sophomore, has slipped to second string twice this season. Senior Rick Clausen was named the starter for UT's second game versus Florida after the Vols played Alabama-Birmingham.

Clausen was again the starter after Ainge struggled against LSU and Clausen led UT back from a 21-0 halftime deficit to beat the Tigers 30-27 in overtime.

Doug Ainge doesn't think Clausen was the only quarterback that could have led UT to an improbable come-from-behind victory in Baton Rouge.

"He could have done exactly what Rick did," Doug Ainge said. "Absolutely, he would have had success.

Doug Ainge insists that the Tigers abandoned their zone blitz scheme for most of the second half and didn't match their emotional first-half high.

"With what LSU did emotionally and what they did strategically," he said, "of course, Erik could have been successful."

As it turned out, Ainge's first-half performance cost him his starting job as Clausen started UT's last two games, against Ole Miss and Georgia.

In order for UT to be successful for the remainder of 2005, they need to score more points no matter who the quarterback is. UT is 98th in the nation in scoring offense.

Doug Ainge believes his son is the man for the job.

"Erik's skill is getting the ball in the end zone," Doug Ainge said.

Erik Ainge is set to get his opportunity Saturday when UT plays at Alabama. UT coach Phillip Fulmer and offensive coordinator Randy Sanders haven't specified exactly how he will be used but have said Ainge will play.

"Phillip and Randy said Erik's going to get his shot," Doug Ainge said. "I hope he does."