Jonathan Crompton isn’t the type to dwell on the mistake he made when he filled in for starter Erik Ainge in last Saturday’s game.

"I think all great quarterbacks have a short memory," Crompton’s high school coach and mentor Travis Noland said Thursday. "If he makes a bad mistake I think he’ll know that he can still make something happen. I think he’ll do well."

"I think that’s one of his biggest attributes. He believes that he can go in there and perform."

Crompton’s mistake came after Ainge was sidelined with an injured right ankle in UT’s 31-24 win against South Carolina. The redshirt freshman was guilty of a poorly timed audible as UT was trying to run time off the clock.

UT’s coaches hastily called a timeout and, after a brief exchange with head coach Phillip Fulmer, Crompton returned to the game, handed off and watched the defense secure victory after UT punted with little time remaining.

Crompton could play a key role when the No. 8 Vols (7-1, 3-1 SEC) host No. 13 LSU (6-2, 2-2) at 3:30 p.m. Saturday (TV: WVLT). Ainge has been sidelined for most of practice this week, still nursing the sore ankle.

"Everybody saw the play where he was getting ready to check to a pass," UT receivers coach Trooper Taylor said. "We’re trying to run the clock out, but he really said, ‘Coach, I was going to throw a touchdown.’ And he meant that.

"Don’t think he was kidding. He was serious as a heart attack. Almost gave me a heart attack, but he was serious. That’s the kind of confidence he has. Guys, when you watch him throw the football, I’m telling you, there’s a reason why he has that confidence."

Even though the attempted audible was deemed a mistake, it sent a clear message to Crompton’s teammates.

"They were a little surprised that I would go out there and have the guts to do it," Crompton said. "But that’s just being a competitor and playing football."

Crompton hasn’t played much football since he signed with UT in February 2005 after a stellar career at Tuscola High in Waynesville, N.C. Shoulder surgery sidelined Crompton before his freshman season began and he returned just in time for spring practice.

Since then, first-team snaps have been hard to come by. After all, UT’s main directive on offense has been rebuilding Ainge after his well-documented struggles last season. That meant Ainge has taken most all of the first-team snaps this season. Crompton had to make due.

"With Jon, you watch him after practice, he’ll keep those first-team guys," Taylor said. "Jon’s not your everyday backup quarterback. He demands respect just like he’s running the show.

"I’ll look up and have to say, ‘Jon, they can’t put that many reps in. They’ve already had a full practice.’ But he wants to throw and catch with those guys anyway. He has a demeanor about himself that he’s a leader already."

Being a leader means not being timid. That’s no problem for Crompton, even when it comes to dealing with one of UT’s most valued leaders: senior receiver Jayson Swain.

"He corrected Meachem yesterday (Monday) on a route," Taylor said. "Here’s a freshman talking to one of your best players out there. That tells you what you’ve got in Jonathan."

Stepping into the first team role this week was a natural transition for Crompton. Taylor said he approaches every game like a starter.

"And it didn’t start when Erik got hurt," Taylor said. "He’s been doing that the whole time, and those kids notice that. I’m telling you most backups take whatever reps you give them and they’re done. He’s up here watching as much tape and preparing like he’s going to play every game."

Said Crompton, "You got to go into every week that way, saying, ‘I’m one play away. I might be playing this week.’ Last week kind of proved. It’s about the same.

"You want to go into every game as hard as you can, playing like it’s a National Championship."

It’s obvious to Taylor why Crompton is fighting so hard to improve even as most UT fans are talking about Ainge’s ascension to superstar status.

"I don’t care if you’re playing marbles; he thinks he’s supposed to win," Taylor said of Crompton’s competitiveness.

There has been plenty of hand wringing among fans that Crompton may not be ready when UT hosts LSU and the top-ranked defense. The feel within UT’s program seems much different.

"We got to go out there and execute no matter who’s throwing us the football," Taylor said. "I don’t buy into that it’s a drop off if this one comes in there. His arm’s as strong as Erik’s, and I really feel like if he had to go, the kid could.

"I’m looking forward to seeing what’s going to unfold."

So is everyone else.

Drew Edwards contributed to this report.