Posted by Basketball_Jones on December 1, 2007 at 8:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I am as pi%%ed about Ainge as anyone but I'll tell you what I am most aggravated about, Heffney. He is terrible. He can't tackle, can't cover, is a senior who lost his return job to 2 freshmen. The Jones Package worked really good and LSU had a hard time with it, but of course we decided not to use it late in the game, cowardly play calling by the staff. Ainge killed this team today BUT.....he saved our butts the last 2 weeks vs Vandy and Kentucky. I have no idea how some of the receivers ever get on the field, it's an embarassment the way this ended. Lincoln had his worst game of the year by far, but he had a great season. The defense was lead by Berry (even though he got burned once) and Mayo, they both had really good games. Overall though this team wasn't very good most of the year and won alot more than I ever thought they would. I guess its good we didn't win todayand end up getting smoked by Colt Brennan and Hawaii in New Orleans

Posted by volfaningamecockland on December 1, 2007 at 8:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Could have won. Should have won. But the wrong Ainge showed up. What a shame. I feel for the defense. Great game by Chavis. Cutcliff and Fulmer were looking for luck to win apparently, and stuck with No. 10 a quarter too long.

Posted by BIGEJ on December 1, 2007 at 8:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

AINGE-"throws" the game away...

Posted by asleep on December 1, 2007 at 8:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Wow! Who would have thought Ainge could throw 2 interceptions in the 4th quarter to cost us the game. Of all the scenarios I imagined for us to come up short, that wasn't one of them. We had it all set up until: Lincoln misses 2 FG's, Ainge throws two picks (one for TD), Moore drops 4th down pass in the 4th. Hats off to the D - giving up only 14 points. I don't think anyone else this year held LSU that low. Too bad the offense let us down. Looks good for next year though, especially the improved D. Go Vols - on to Tampa!!!

Posted by jmatt62 on December 1, 2007 at 8:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Heels Fan, Couldn't agree with you more. I've been saying that all year. Hefney was by far and away the biggest disappointment of all seniors. Good riddance, Hef.

Posted by BIGEJ on December 1, 2007 at 8:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Good season;look forward to a different QB that can run, option and take a hit

Posted by rockytopfrog on December 1, 2007 at 8:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Our guys played their hearts out. We just came up short. It appeared that the offensive play calling was suspect at best during the first half and especially on first down in the second half.

Our guys have a lot to be proud of. Bright days are certainly ahead of this team, especially if our Defense continues hitting the way they did in the third and fourth quarters.

Go Vols!

Posted by JohnyLobo34 on December 1, 2007 at 8:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

There's another reason we didn't throw down field all year and it doesn't have anything to do with young receivers. Eric Ainge is erracic and a poor decision. When we had to turn him loose he failed as much as he succeeded. We should've lost the Kentucky game; and probably Vandy too. The guy obviously has some phyisical talent; but he Cuticliff could only put so much "lipstick" on this pig.

Posted by maples on December 1, 2007 at 8:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If Forest Gump was watching this game, he may have this to say. "Tennessee lost a close game in the fourth quarter, again, made a critical turnover, again, could not get the offense going when it really counted, again."

Good try boys, can't fualt the effort. Just can't figure out how the defense can rise to the occasion and the offense can not. I mean, isn't this the same guys that the Razorbacks ran all over. 9 and 4 sounds okay to Fulmer now that he got his raise for being a bit over mediocre, but personally, this game really sticks in my craw. We had a chance to make a statment to the nation that we were back, and we faltered in the fourth quarter again. I won't be so mad tomorrow, but for right now, this is a really sucky way to end a season. Does this make me a bad loser? You bet your ass it does!

Posted by billwall on December 1, 2007 at 8:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

We are getting smoked in recruiting. I am not sure that next year will be better.

Posted by spudvol on December 1, 2007 at 8:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

He might get drafted but Ainge lost a TON of money with his performance today. Most qbs dont get a second chance to win (tie) a game. But he did and he blew it.

Posted by asleep on December 1, 2007 at 8:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Heels-fan,

Right on! He is the most pitiful excuse for a senior safety I have ever seen. He got beat deep more than once, missed multiple tackles, and generally wasted a starting spot in the defensive secondary. I agree we would match up better against Wisconsin in the Outback than Hawaii in the Sugar - but boy, did I want that win for the team. It's not that we lost but how we lost. Our skill players did not make the plays at crunch time and LSU's did. Simple repetitive story in several games this year. Maybe we'll do better in Tampa. Go Vols!!!

Posted by lnbadger320 on December 1, 2007 at 8:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

well, who do we play in the chick fil'e bowl now, i'm sure we'll show up for that one. great game plan CUT. if chavis and slade aren't screwing us it's ainge and Cut. well there is alwasy next year, oh wait, i'm sure we'll be mediocre next year.

Posted by acevol on December 1, 2007 at 8:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Heffney may not of played great or be great, but Eric Angie aingle handily lsot that game. LSU DID NOT WIN, Eric Anige lost it. Not the defense, not the offense, Eric Anige lost that game. I can't wait for the bowl game so we can "bye" to Eric Anige. Sure, he has a 60+% completion ratio but so could any of us if were put in an offense to throw 5-10 crossing routes, screens, dumps, swings, or hand the football off. I love the VOLS and thats why I'm so pissed.

Posted by orangebass on December 1, 2007 at 8:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

this tops the 01 championship game in being a bitter loss, fulmer coached teams will never improve on any finishes higher than this and as long as the administration rewards this type of season with raise and contract extension it is not very encouraging...

Posted by utfpmd on December 1, 2007 at 8:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Can't blame this one on Fulmer. He can't help it if his kicker can't make field goals and his quarterback gives the game away.
I am excited about the season next year. Let's get more freshman in like Eric Berry and Gerald Jones. Come to Tennessee -- if you have the talent you WILL be allowed to make a difference early in your career.

Posted by volhooch on December 1, 2007 at 8:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

My hat goes off to Coach Fulmer. He & the rest of the staff had a damn good game plan, & even though we lost, I'm proud of the job these guys did to get to Atlanta.
Eric Berry...You are THE man.
You guys played your hearts out...
Look forward ot 08'

GO VOLS!

Posted by TopperVol75 on December 1, 2007 at 8:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Bend but don't break defense was acceptable. We gave up a lot of yardage, but not points. Proud of our defensive efforts...much better than expected. We absolutely slobernockered them quite a few times.
Offensively, great start, but downhill from there. Ainge had some great moments in his career, but he probably never wants to see an LSU uniform again in his life!!!! The worst plays of his career have come against LSU.
Proud of our Vols. Trooper, spend more time teaching your receivers how to catch than "bumpin" them (just an observation over the last few weeks.) PROUD OF YOU VOLS!!!

Posted by fasteddy41 on December 1, 2007 at 8:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Ainge couldn t deliver with the chips down today---and the orange couldn handle a beat up LSU bunch with a second string QB---so lets move on to next year and a new QB. The VOls luck ran out with the 2
interceptions.

Posted by lnbadger320 on December 1, 2007 at 8:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

BIGEJ you are so correct, ainge was so afraid to run this year. any thought of pressure, he threw it away. i know we have a bowl game, i guess we'll play BC and the peach bowl. that will be an exciting fun filled game.

Posted by mbradshaw1 on December 1, 2007 at 8:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You can't blame Coach Fulmer for this one. This is the one that got away. Before you start blaming people for the loss, just think about Eric feels. We all make mistakes and there were some dropped balls. So we win as a team and loose as a team. We got to the dance and stepped on our own toes. The future looks very bright.

GO VOLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by volsfaninBoca on December 1, 2007 at 8:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I am not a big Fulmer fan but he may have done one of his best jobs coaching this year. it is obvious we do not have the talent that most SEC teams have. Players that tackle poorly, players in the secondary that consistently get beat, receivers that game after game drop balls that hit them in the hands, and yes, at the end of the day, a QB that pressed too hard and made some poor choices. Given all that, we still played for the SEC championship. It is remarkable that a medicore Tennessee team won in a conference as strong as the SEC and played for the championship. I hate losing and hate even more to see the VOLS lose but at the end of the day, I think the coverages we were in on defense were more of a mark of the lack of talent than what the coaches would have preferred. Detractors can point to the fact that coaches do the recruiting and selection of players but at the end of the day, it is sometimes difficult to truly measure how could a high school star will perform at the college level. Neither West Virginia nor Missouri have had recent windfalls in the recruiting wars and may very well play for the National Championship. So I say hats off to a season that hopefully will result in a good bowl victory and lets get ready for a better season next year.

Posted by eb502us on December 1, 2007 at 8:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Well, I won't blame Ainge for losing the game (though I'm glad he's a senior) as much as I blame our lame OC David Cutcliffe. If he isn't the worst OC in the nation, he's in the top five. He is HORRIBLE!!!! I've seen enough DINK and DUNK to last a lifetime, along with more wasted plays than I've ever seen as well. Add that to his lack of halftime adjustments all season long and he'll be the major reason Fulmer eventually gets fired. Mark it down!!!

Posted by sms1313 on December 1, 2007 at 8:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Erick Ainge THANK GOODNESS HE IS GONE !!!!!!
Throw 2 right into the hands of the defenders and BLOW THE GAME!!!! Was HE ON THE TAKE??? This game really sucks !!!!!!

Posted by james on December 1, 2007 at 8:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I have said all year that Ainge simply is not that good. He won't take a hit and "3 and out" should be the way he is remembered. A senior shouldn't make the mistakes he made today.

On the other hand, if we had made our field goals, we could have won on the next to last trip down with a field goal.

The bottom line is that Chavis did his regular good job of getting the defense up to par. After a couple games, who would have thought that could happen. Unfortunately, the offense expects the defense to win all the games, just like years passed. Good game and good season based on the way it started. Hopefully Crompton or Jones can come through next year.

Posted by calvolfromkingsport on December 1, 2007 at 8:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Tough loss. I look forward to seeing J Crompton returning next year with the potential threat of running and passing. We were outmatched talent wise today. Glad to see Miles staying at LSU. No doubt his teams will slide. The guy screwed up the best fb team in America this year.

Posted by bock on December 1, 2007 at 8:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Football's a team sport, but this time ONE PLAYER - MR. AINGE cost us this game. Dude was given 2 opportunities for redemption, and he blewn both.

Posted by fasteddy41 on December 1, 2007 at 8:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I failed to mention Lincoln missing 6 points which may well have made a difference in the 4th quarter.
You cant have both QB and kicker choking and hope to win.

Posted by asleep on December 1, 2007 at 8:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I wouldn't put too much emphasis on the recruiting issue yet. Those services rank on total points and we have only signed 12, vs. 20+ for most of the top 10 ranked teams. Fulmer usually closes well and this year should be no different.

Agree maples,
This one really chaps my butt! Everything was laid out and we couldn't seal the deal. Would've been a great way to announce to the rest of the conference and the country that we're back. Instead, it devolved into another 4th quarter blow-up loss. I did like the physicality and intensity of the D - if that carries over to next year, things are definitely looking up. Agree Ainge is over-rated and has been all year. He appears indecisive and tentative and has made several poor decisions throwing the ball, especially in the big games at crunch time. I'm ready for a change. Go Vols!!!

Posted by makard on December 1, 2007 at 8:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thank goodness! ONLY ONE MORE AINGONIZING GAME LEFT! Will the latest blooper QB to be the "Heisman" candidate at UT also go UNDRAFTED like those stellar statistical "soooooperstahs" before them Andy "Mamaw" "Captain Turnover" Kelley and Casey "just make plays" Clausen? Having the perfect pro-type physique and all the mechanical skills in the world makes VERY little difference if these bozos keep forcing into double and triple coverage rather than finding an OPEN receiver! At least Clausen and Kelley had the excuse that the O-line couldn't provide them with protection...but this latest blooper only got sacked THREE times all season long! That equates to having ALL DAY to find the open guys rather than throwing bone-headed passes to the other team. Oh, those all-showing stats will still look good with all those 2 yard completions enhancing the completion percentage and the multitude of drops by opposing defensive players not making it into the INT column...but make no mistake real VOL fans SHOULD be glad to see this guy go too! He was well above average before the big hit in the ND game Freshman year, but since then... like the CBS announcers said.."He's an average college quarterback".

Posted by chrisw2967 on December 1, 2007 at 8:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

we never got into any kind of flow on off. Ainge got away with the first TD that should of been intercepted and I thought he would settle down but the play calling was pathetic and Ainge and cut gave the game away.
I still think next year will be more like this year and I dont see nothing changing , it hasnt in the last 6 years. we got beaat by an LSU team with the coaching staff falling apart , a back up QB and injuries all over the field and they still beat us. this game Tn had the chance to make a statement to the SEC and nation and we fell apart. I know were going to be stuck with Fulmer and cut and I know know if thats more painful to realize or this lost.I for one am glad Ainge is on his way out but then again we have Crompton , we cant use G. Jones cause it worked out with him at QB.
what bowl game do we get now ?

Posted by bobbyutvol on December 1, 2007 at 8:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

GREAT GAME VOLS GREAT COACHING POOR QUARTERBACK THANK GOD AINGE IS GONE VERY OVERATED THIS GUY IS A SENIOR POOR POOR POOR HE PLAYED LIKE A FRESHMAN SORRY VOLS YOU DESERVE BETTER GREAT DEFENSE GO VOLS

Posted by seaplane on December 1, 2007 at 8:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Don't get mad at this team. They came out and tried as hard as they could to win this game. LSU was (across the board) a superior team. I am the first to criticise for the lack of effort. I will not today. This team did not embarrass us; they made this season exciting with the talent they had.

Posted by nashvolfan on December 1, 2007 at 8:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I believe the coaching staff had the "team" ready to play. I'm disappointed that our O could not produce when we desperately needed it. I'm disappointed that our D could not create shorter LSU drives in the first half--but those guys played their hearts out. Hats off to LSU. They did what they had to do and they were there to make the plays. Best of luck to the Tigers in NO.

Posted by volfanjustin on December 1, 2007 at 8:22 p.m.

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by WLE1 on December 1, 2007 at 8:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Phillip Fulmer should realize that our football program, our football fans and most of all our football team deserve more than what he has to offer as a head coach. Please retire so we can get this program to where we belong "winning SEC Championship games"
On the other hand I really liked how John Chavis had our defense ready to play. Your a good coach John and deserve better than to have your squad carry a team with as poor leadership at quarterback (Eric "the flop" Ainge) than there has ever been.

Posted by TnVolFaninSmyrna on December 1, 2007 at 8:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm about as mad as anyone right now, but the better team won. LSU outplayed us when it counted. They made plays when it counted, we didn't. And it didn't help matters when our senior QB played like a sophomore. Some of those throws...my goodness. Hats off to our D, though. Congrats, men you played like champions...SEC Champions. Shoddy offensive play-calling in the first half that continued into the second half handcuffed this team more than it helped. What's up with Kenny O'Neal getting a token play in the SEC Championship when he hasn't seen the fild much at all? I'm sorry but the SEC Championship is not the place to give a JUCO All-American a chance to make a play when he hasn't made one all year.

On another note, Berry will be incredible over the next few years. I hope for our sake, he stays all four years. If not he'll be playin on Sunday.

So, our senior/sophomore QB blew the game. Our D played their @$$'s off. Our kicker missed two FGs that he's hit all year (at least he wasn't "liquored up"). Ou OC let this team down. For once, I don't think Fulmer got outcoached. Hats off to LSU. Nice win, even if it was an early Christmas present.

Posted by makard on December 1, 2007 at 8:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I can handle average. What I can't stand is all the HYPE about how great the kid supposedly is. If he was HALF as good as our own press says...we win them all! If we promote the TEAM rather than always putting our "soooooooper stah" qb on the cover of every program always saying the current guy is the best we've ever seen play the game and other absurdities...STOP COMPARING THEM TO PEYTON MANNING or our NATIONAL CHAMPION QB TEE MARTIN until they've actually accomplished something! Otherwise, they're just average college quarterbacks playing on a team that is consistently loaded with the top 10 recruiting classes in the nation. Let's take the names off those jerseys until the bowl game. Take the green jerseys off the average college quarterbacks until AFTER they've achieved stardom associated with a CHAMPIONSHIP...or at least a bowl win in the lower tier bowls we've been going to!

Bottom line... If we have an no-name average college quarterback that will play smart rather than another "soooooooper stah", we win the game today because everyone else on the team came to play the game for the CHAMPIONSHIP.

Think about it. Everyone around k-town was touting Casey for all the big awards. He was always being compared to Peyton. They compared stats and every possible sort of hype. Yet he went UNDRAFTED. Compare that to Pat Ryan who had absolutely ZERO hype at UT and went on to play in the NFL. When folks talk about all the show-boating and dancing that some of the running backs and defensive players display when they make a good play saying "act like you done it before and go on"...well, why not stop all the hype of UTs qbs until AFTER they've actually won the big games speaks for itself making the hype a moot point?

How bout the hits the BIG UT D put on those tigers! I don't remember when I've seen so many serious hits in one game. WOW! Those guys were making major kill shots time and time again! Way to go D. Maybe someday we'll have an Offense and a Defense actually playing in the same game rather than one carrying the other so many times.

GO VOLS....WIN THAT BOWL GAME FOR A CHANGE!!!!!

Posted by scottc on December 1, 2007 at 8:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I am not going to hate on Ainge...but he never has been great. Maybe the next QB will be, maybe not...Crompton sure doesnt look like a Tebow to me...

Posted by bobbyutvol on December 1, 2007 at 8:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

PLEASE LETS GET A QUATERBACK WHO CAN THROW AND RUN MAYBE LIKE A TEBO PAT WHITE DROP BACK PASSERS ARE OUT OF STYLE JUST LOOK AT AINGE

Posted by TopperVol75 on December 1, 2007 at 8:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Not to blame it on one player, but do not forget that our first touchdown pass went right through the hands of an LSU defender and it could have been a 21-7 game. Just thinking...

Posted by govols98 on December 1, 2007 at 8:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I feel as sick as everyone else. It is not everyday we get a chance to win a title, and with GA and FL reloading, it will be a while before we are back in the championship game... I do look forward to Crompton playing and the ability to scramble at all!!! I guarantee it, we will lose the bowl game...

Posted by Volfan1 on December 1, 2007 at 8:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Heartbroken to see such a valiant effort fail. Ainge might have never had the second pick "if" his receiver catches the ball on the previous series on fourth down.
Can't believe Lincoln missed BOTH FGs., especially the first one.
IF he makes them both, IF Ainge makes a better decision on the first FG, no need to press for a td late. We kick another FG and it's good night. 23-13 win. But "IFs" don't count, except realizing how close we came to being SEC Champs.

Hey, WAS ANYONE ELSE SICK OF LISTENING TO THE LSU (CBS) ANNOUNCERS??????

Posted by CRFVols on December 1, 2007 at 8:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The team played a hard fought game....I agree Hefney's play was weak....but Ainge game them the lead...and gave them the game clencher....it really sucks that freshman stepped up...a defense stepped up...and ONE man...a SENIOR quarterback gives the game away....and it sucks I had to sit next to a guy on my team...huge LSU fan..and watch my boys play their hearts out only to have Erik Ainge be the LSU MVP

Posted by volsfaninBoca on December 1, 2007 at 8:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

WAS ANYONE ELSE SICK OF LISTENING TO THE LSU (CBS) ANNOUNCERS??????

YES>>>>>>>Starting mid way through the third quarter, I turned the sound off for the rest of the game.

Posted by olozbal on December 1, 2007 at 8:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

What do you guys see in Crompton that I don't? He has done zero this year. Zero. That Jones looks hot (but is he too short or is it just me?)

Tough loss. Coaches put us in position to play against a more talented but wounded team and we (ok Ainge) gave it away. Stinks but hopeful for next year.

Posted by jobrando on December 1, 2007 at 8:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Will it ever change. I'm sure coach will get a raise and extension for a good year created in large part by luck.

Posted by acevol on December 1, 2007 at 8:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

TnVolFaninSmyrna

Did you watch the same game as the rest of us? LSU DID NOT "out play us." You have got to be out of your mind. Eric Anige practically threw it right to the LSU DB which turned into a TD. We were up 14-13 at that point. Sure, LSU did put together drives, but our defense bowed when it had to. In the second half, our "d" stepped up and started knocking heads. Lsu DID NOT WIN that game, Eric "dink and dunk" Anige lost it.

Posted by asleep on December 1, 2007 at 8:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Right on fasteddy41. However, their guy missed a chippie too at the end of the half. With all FG's considered good, Fulmer would have kicked the FG with about 6 minutes left instead of going on 4th. That would have made the score 24-23 and that last drive (with the critical interception) would have been 3 runs and a kick to take the lead. We would still have kicked off with about 1 1/2 minutes to go and leaving them 2 TO's but I wanted Perriloux to have to win the game. I don't think he could have. Oh well, thanks to several missed opportunities by our offense, he didn't have to. I think it's pretty well set that we go to Tampa. I don't think the Peach wants us back in 4 weeks and will take Auburn. Go Vols!!!

Posted by volunteers4life on December 1, 2007 at 8:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Ainge has been so irratic, what a let-down. The defense finally shows up and is knocking LSU players out if the entire game left and right and Ainge chokes!!! I would never have seen this coming after watching this entire season. Yeah, I knew we'd give up yards and expected our d to hold to maybe 28 points, but I really thought Ainge would step up considering he is the player likely to go in the draft early next year. I would have thought this was his chance to prove to the nfl that he belongs there. Looks like he may be lucky after tonight to walk on at Miami and be hired on to the parctice squad. What a choke!!! Oh yeah, TN ALWAYS chokes in the most important games!!!!!!!! Our running game sucked a%% too but that was expected considering LSU's defense but what a blown bubble by Ainge and Heffney's pathetic cover play!!! Who will be playing free safety next year???????

Posted by britt on December 1, 2007 at 8:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

2005 all over again D playing good and an offense that cant take advantage This is the most disappointing loss since the 01 CG

Posted by amyslins on December 1, 2007 at 8:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

you all can go ahead and hate on ainge...ainge has given us four amazing years. and, you all are idiots for trying to blame it on lincoln, b/c no matter what we are still down one. so no matter what, do not blame lincoln. move forward gentlemen and look forward to a solid bowl game. and think about next year...we do not lose much next year. trust me, i am as heartbroken as you all

Posted by jobrando on December 1, 2007 at 8:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It's obvious who lost it and it was not Ainge. If coach gets even one point ahead the tempo changes to the old pound the rock until the lead is lost and it's back to lets catch up.

Posted by BigManVolFan on December 1, 2007 at 8:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

ITS NOT VERY OFTEN WE CAN SAY WE OUT COACHED THE OPOSITION, OUT PLAYED THEM, AND PLAYED SMART FOOTBALL.....WE COULD HAVE SAID IT TONIGHT IF AINGE AND CUTCLIFF DIDNT HAVE THEIR HEADS UP EACH OTHERS A$$....NO WONDER NO OTHER TEAMS WANT CUTCLIFF....WHO WANTS TO SEE 10+
PLAYS DRIVES THAT RARELY END IN A TD....WE CANT MOVE THE BALL EFFECTIVELY....THIS IS GAME 13.....HOW MANY TEAMS KNOW THAT WE ARE GONNA THROW 10 YARD DINK AND DUNK PASSES.

Posted by Volalumnus on December 1, 2007 at 8:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

An injured backup beat UT and way outplayed Ainge.
Many of their star players were either out or playing hurt.
Most of their coaching staff is in flux, yet they called the right plays at the right time and THEY kept the game close and waited for us and not their injured or backups to make a mistake.

If this season isn't Fulmers responsibility then what is he going to do about it.

I would have much more respect for someone who sees a problem and takes action rather than acting like its great.

Time for actions not words or talk or raises.

Posted by volfanjustin on December 1, 2007 at 8:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

We out played LSU today. But because our "best" safety Hefney is terrible and our QB could not play for any other team in the SEC we lost as usual under Fulmer. Fire him now and I am glad to see Ainge and Hefney only one more time. We will lose the bowl game and we will not see Atl for a long time unless it is the Peach Bowl.

Posted by maples on December 1, 2007 at 8:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I wonder what coach in America has been beaten the most by a second team QB????? I would have to bet on Fulmer being the leader of that list.

Ainge, terrible way to conclude your SEC career. As Sean Connery said in League of Extraordinary Gentlemen "I am waiting to be impressed." You get one more chance in a bowl game, but to be honest, I would just as soon see Crompton out there. Prepare for next season now would be just fine with me.

Posted by bobbyutvol on December 1, 2007 at 8:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

HOW BOUT GERALD JONES FOR QB THATS WHAT WE NEED A THREAT..... HOW BOUT THE 2 PASS INTERFERENCES THE REFS BLEW WOW COME ON COACH WE NEED A THREAT AT QUARTERBACK A SCRAMBLER... GREAT JOB VOLS NICE JOB COACH FULMER AND STAFF

Posted by mbradshaw1 on December 1, 2007 at 8:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Now one player lost this game. That is the SEC.
Ainge had some catch-able balls droped.Thats the way the ball bounces. Let's move on

GO VOLS!!!!!!!

Posted by WLE1 on December 1, 2007 at 8:35 p.m.

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by Volalumnus on December 1, 2007 at 8:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Ainge and the rest of the seniors will get hopefully only one quarter in a meaningless bowl and then hopefully we can see what possibilities some of the other guys might offer next year.

Posted by gillblog on December 1, 2007 at 8:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

LSU has so many injuries, Vols lost to what amounted to their second string team and a qb whose finger wouldn't stop bleeding (why is it that in NCAA bb a player who is bleeding must come out of the game, but in football they can play as long as they can stand up?). Ainge can be blamed for a couple of big mistakes, but its like ESPN said earlier this week, "LSU has NFL players at almost every position and UT has none and that will be the difference." And when Miles annouced he was staying this became almost an inevitability for LSU. For about the third year in a row UT fans all look forward and see that the future does not look bright for the Vols. Ainge wasn't great but where is the qb better than he next year?

Posted by Pullingguard on December 1, 2007 at 8:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Ainge was just terrible tonight.. Receivers dropped some balls they should have caught... Heffney should not be on the field, he is not good this year..(LSU touchdown was a pass Heffney should have broken up)

Posted by amyslins on December 1, 2007 at 8:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

get over it fellas....seriously...we are going to a legit bowl

Posted by IdahoVol on December 1, 2007 at 8:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Kudos to the D, and to most of the players on the team. Berry is a stud. But I am certainly glad Ainge and Heffney are almost done. Too bad the coaches won't just start Crompton or Stephens in the bowl so we can get started on next year.

Posted by LAVol on December 1, 2007 at 8:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I am proud of the Vols! Fulmer had a great game plan against one of the best teams in the nation! What I cant get is that a sophomore quarterback outplays our senior quarterback. Our defense played a helluva game to only give up 2 touchdowns. How does a senior quarterback throw two interceptions in the fourth quarter of the biggest game of his life? It is sad that we cannot rely on our senior quarterback when it counts! Go Vols you played a great game, and you should have won despite the poor play of our senior quarterback!!!

Posted by volfanjustin on December 1, 2007 at 8:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Move on? The game just ended. I think some of you people just dont get it. We rarely beat good teams and always as of late lose in the CG. I am sick of it. Fire Fulmer and if Hamilton wants to give him a raise fire him to.

Posted by BigManVolFan on December 1, 2007 at 8:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

WE NEED TO START A FRESHMAN NEXT YEAR SO HE GROW INTO A TRUE QB.... B.J. COLEMAN FOR QB IN 2008.

Posted by donald24 on December 1, 2007 at 8:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm sooooo glad that Ainge is gone after one more game!!! He is by far the worst QB, we have had at UT!!! It is not the coaches fault, it falls on Ainge's shoulders!!! He cost us a SEC championship this year!!! He almost cost us the SC, Vandy, and UK game this yr as well!!!!

Posted by TNWOLFPUP on December 1, 2007 at 8:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Three and a half quarters go by...zero penalties and zero INTERCEPTIONS. Another post season blown to hell, only this time there is one more act to go in this stupid drama YOU ALL CALL TENNESSEE FOOTBALL. The University gives the coach an extension and a raise just for showing up to the game - who cares if he coaches to win the stupid thing. You've got an Offensive and Defensive Coordinator that most certainly deserve either a College or NFL team to Head Coach themselves but their so darn loyal to the Phat man, they can't see what their missing. Finally, don't anyone of you talk down to me any longer concerning me jumping off the band bandwagon - I am not a Tennessean, I did not graduate from the University, and I surely don't plan to loose any sleep over the fact that UT screwed another Post Season after barely winning their last three games by 4 or less points. I have no ties and I don't quite care who's blood relative shared in the ground breaking of the original campus either. I bided my time listen to the crap - that I'm one of the head nay sayers of this team......Well guess what guys, it still stands true after 15 some odd years - You can't have the Citrus Bowl without UT, but since there is no Citrus Bowl any longer - where the hek do they belong....

Posted by amyslins on December 1, 2007 at 8:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

hey volfanjustin...how many college football games have you won? that is what i thought....get over it!

Posted by Basketball_Jones on December 1, 2007 at 8:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

One more thing, how can we get such good field position 3 times and go 3 and out. We had the ball between the 40-50 yard line to start drives and went 3 and out. If I remember correctly all 3 series were run - run - pass - punt...WTF????? We need to get our speedsters on the field next year on offense like Oneil and Berry. It seems like against teams such as LSU, Cal, and Florida that we have no breakaway ability....Damn a tough loss just eats at me

Posted by Volalumnus on December 1, 2007 at 8:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Kool-Aid rehab anyone.
It doesn't come with the cost of a raise.

Posted by bbowlin22 on December 1, 2007 at 8:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

our strengths failed us tonight, ainge, lincoln, and berry... and they failed us on just a few plays, but it cost us the game

Posted by mikeinknoxville on December 1, 2007 at 8:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I thought the defense that took a lot of heat all year played a tough physical game. Before the game I said I would be happy with a competitive effort. We did get that and when you can taste victory and let it slip away its tough to swallow. I want to thank the whole team for showing up like they did. The efforts of the underclassmen leave me to think we will be competitive for years to come

Posted by Voldemort on December 1, 2007 at 8:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hard one to take . SEC championships are so hard to come by these days. You have to take care of business when you are handed opportunities.

Posted by tennisvol on December 1, 2007 at 8:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Defense was ready and Chavis did a good job. LSU had Ainge covered. Stop the out pattern and put pressure on him and he will eventually make a mistake just like he did at LSU a couple of years ago. I believe Ainge could have a hole up the middle for 50 yards and he would throw the ball out of bounds rather than run the ball and get tackled. Ole CUT didn't seem to have any answers to the LSU defense.

Posted by ReedMoney on December 1, 2007 at 8:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

In championship games, the seniors need to step up and play the game of their lives. Without a doubt, Ainge played horrible and made some terrible decisions. Hefney, hadn't played at all this year. Our defense played good enough to win and bottom line. Mistakes and special teams got us beat along with Ainge's meltdown.

So much for an Ainge legacy...

Posted by BigManVolFan on December 1, 2007 at 8:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

HEY AMYSLINS-

VANDY'S COACH COULD EASILY WIN 10 GAMES WITH THE TALENT WE HAVE.....LOOK WHAT HE DOES WITH THE KIDS HE GETS...HE WINS LIKE 5 GAMES A YEAR AND ALMOST BEATS US AND GEORGIA EVERY YEAR NOW.

ANY HALF-WIT, JOE BLOW WITH COMMON KNOWLEDGE OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL COULD COACH AT UT. THE ONLY TEAM IN THE SEC WITH TALENT LIKE UT IS PROBABLY FLORIDA. I ONLT GOT TO PLAY 4 YEARS OF HS FOOTBALL, BUT HELL, I COULD AVERAGE 34 POINTS A GAME WITH A TEAM LIKE UT.

Posted by DenmarkVol_aka_Mbumburu on December 1, 2007 at 8:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Certainly not for the first time, I was very wrong, folks. I had said that this game would be won or lost by Chavis's defense, especially the haltfime adjustments he made.

Wrong.

John Chavis, you fielded a CHAMPIONSHIP defense today. Oustanding job.

We love you, Chief, and wish you and your family the best. You will always be a Volunteer.

Posted by bbowlin22 on December 1, 2007 at 8:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

yeah it hurts to lose one you shoulda won. it eats at you more. the blowouts-- ua, cal, and uf are a different story but a digress

Posted by dtaylor0730 on December 1, 2007 at 8:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I wonder if Hamilton has already given Fulmer the raise and extension on his contract? If there were stipulations in the contract for SEC champions every so often, isn't Fulmer in breech of his contract by now?

Chief had a pretty good D-scheme. The D overall played well enough to win. I still believe we need a new secondary coach.

Posted by amyslins on December 1, 2007 at 8:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

see that is the thing, you couldn't bigmanvolfan...you were sitting on your couch as well as anyone else. get over it....seriously! we did blow some plays, but considering how bad we got out asses kicked by florida alabama, i am confident in our staff and our boys.

Posted by amyslins on December 1, 2007 at 8:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

see that is the thing, you couldn't bigmanvolfan...you were sitting on your couch as well as anyone else. get over it....seriously! we did blow some plays, but considering how bad we got out asses kicked by florida alabama, i am confident in our staff and our boys.

Posted by stevepuckett on December 1, 2007 at 8:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

LSU beat us with their second string quarterback,
but we could have beat LSU with our second or third string QB.
Do you think Ainge would have played the second half of this game under Spurrier, or even any of the game?
I have honestly never been an Ainge fan, he always scared me, but I realized two tears ago he was the "chosen one."
Now, please coach Fullmer tell Ainge thank you son but we are going to play Crompton and Jones in the bowl game to give them playing time and see who The Future Vol Nation QB should be. Start rebuiding next year now and show recruits you must perform but you have a fair and equal chance.

Posted by TnVolFaninSmyrna on December 1, 2007 at 8:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

acevol-
Concerning the pick six, Ainge threw the ball in the receivers direction, but Zenon "made a play" on the ball and took it to the house. If the LSU defense weren't into making plays, the receiver would have caught the ball (maybe) and then gotten tackled. Now the late pick that sealed the game was all on Ainge.

I don't want to insult your intelligence and I'm sure you realize that football is about making plays, both on offense and defense. LSU made plays, we didn't. How many three and outs did this offense have in the first half after the opening touchdown (that was almost a pick)? LSU was able to make more plays than we did, plain and simple. So by your definition, the TD pass from Perilloux to Byrd wasn't LSU "making a play"? Dude, they took advantage of a freshman safety and he got burned. And that throw, not many SEC QB's could've made that throw. That is an example of LSU making a play.

To your take on our defense stepping up, you're absolutely right. If they hadn't stiffened when it counted this game could have gotten out of hand.

Posted by goeltzd on December 1, 2007 at 8:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

hi

Posted by firefulmer on December 1, 2007 at 8:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

How many times have I posted that Ainge is horrible? Ainge isn't nothing but a below, below average quarterback that has done nothing. Absolutely nothing---except lose big games. TN doesn't know how to win the type of game that was played tonight. I can't believe that we got beat by a backup q/back with a hurt leg and a possble broken finger. It sickens me to know that we have a senior quarterback that makes those kinds of passes. Our offensive performance will carry over to the bowl game, so it doesn't matter who we play---TN WILL LOSE! So, I would love to see them sit Ainge on his ass and let Crompton and Jones run/pass wild. Maybe at least get a glimpse of what we can expect for next year. Thanks again Ainge---you are horrible!!

Posted by jaxvol75 on December 1, 2007 at 8:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Let's all be honest about this. "We backed into this game and we stumbled out." If you watched the same thing I did this afternoon there is no way you can pin this one on Coach Fulmer. He is probably the best things this program has going for it right now. I live right in the middle of Gator Country and would have loved nothing more than to have pulled this one out today. Was it me or did anyone else notice CBS talked about L.S.U. 80% of the broadcast? I hate this has happened to our program. Next season should be very telling. Thank you Mr.Ainge for creating a new memory I'd really like to forget. We'll always have 98'. Fight Vols Fight with all Your Might!!

Posted by volunteers4life on December 1, 2007 at 8:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

That is what I am saying heels_fan_23. Ainge lost this game. NOt only did he throw the 2 INT's but he was making poor decisions all game long. Look at the 1st TD (interception d**n near). We had such good field position so many times squandered by Ainge. Special teams, defense, and the offensive line showed up today, Ainge and the receivers didn't (neither did heffney)...

Posted by budd on December 1, 2007 at 8:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

We lost because Cut is an idiot. Throw the ball down the field. Defense played their hearts out. we should have won this game and Cutcliff does not realize that you need to run the ball and attack with the pass. Get an OC that can win . Really poor offensive performance.

Posted by james on December 1, 2007 at 8:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I would agree with the comments about playing Crompton in the bowl game to prepare for next year. What does it matter if we lose another game? Get Crompton some reps and maybe he can be ready next year. At the very least, let him play second half.

Posted by maples on December 1, 2007 at 8:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I don't really care where this team goes for its bowl game. There is simply nothing about this team or this coaching staff that resembles the word "Champion." I am just so sick and tired of playing in irrelevant bowl games. I mean, we had a chance to prove something this evening and we blew it. What did we prove? That we belong in a bowl game that simply does not matter.

Posted by WLE1 on December 1, 2007 at 8:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Ainge should probably start thinking about becoming a grad assistant somewhere, becuase he sure as heck will not make an NFL quarterback. Maybe its not to late for uncle Danny to get him into the NBA.

Posted by ONUV on December 1, 2007 at 8:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

it was all laid on the table for us to win and we couldn't do it.

what about that raise and contract extension? 3282 days since our last SEC title.

Posted by volunteers4life on December 1, 2007 at 8:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

James it is that line of thinking that leads us to have our butts handed to us every year in our bowl games because we NEVER make a bcs bowl so everyone figures forget it we'll just play the back-ups and see what they can do for ue next year and then we lose a million to 0.

Posted by BigManVolFan on December 1, 2007 at 8:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

yOUR RIGHT AMYSLINS.....I COULDNT COACH AT UT...I CANT SMACK A KID ON THE REAR WHEN HE SCREWS UP AND TELL HIM IT'S OK....WHAT DOES THAT DO FOR HIM....YEAH FULMER PULLED SOME WINS OUT OF HIS A$$ THIS YEAR, BUT EVEN GOING BACK TO WHEN MANNING WAS QB....HOW MANY TIMES HAVE YOU EVER SEEN HIM GET PISSED OF LET HIS QB KNOW THAT HE WAS MAD ABOUT THE PLAY OF HIS QB....I CANT THINK OF ANY...AND IF I WERE COACH, WE'D SCORE MORE THAN 14 POINTS IN THE MOST IMPORTANT GAME OF THE YEAR....GOTTA PULL OUT SOME TRICKS SOME TIME OR ANOTHER.

Posted by DenmarkVol_aka_Mbumburu on December 1, 2007 at 8:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Judging from all this Ainge-bashing, my guess is the average IQ on this board is about room temperature.

Do you bozos have any idea where we would be without Erik Ainge these past two years? Yes, he had a bad day. Yes, he threw two picks that probably cost us the game. It happens.

He also threw two TDs. And his receivers dropped some extremely critical passes at some extremely opportune times.

Have a clue people: we wouldn't even have been in Atlanta today without Erik Ainge.

Posted by VolnFlorida on December 1, 2007 at 8:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

jaxvol75,
I picked on the same thing. You would have thought LSU's backup qb was in the running for the heisman.
They showed LSU's sidelines most of the time.
Ainge would have been on the scout team in 1998. That shows how far TN has fallen. A senior qb runs a play and the rest of the offense runs a different play. There you go. Just go away Ainge.

Posted by DenverVol on December 1, 2007 at 8:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I totally agree with the Hefney comments. He was out of position all game and couldn't make a tackle when he was involved. Definitely overrated. I also agree that Ainge lost the game for us. As a senior who has won a lot of games, you can't make those stupid throws. For the most part he had plenty of time in the pocket. The O-line played great once again (run blocking could have been better though). That tells me the WRs weren't getting open. Where was Taylor today? Did I miss something? Was he in the game? The Defense played awesome in the 2nd half. Nice job on their part. And yes Eric Berry is the MAN! Tough, tough lost but unfortunately it has become all too common for big games in the recent past.

Posted by WLE1 on December 1, 2007 at 8:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I still cant figure out why we were throwing the dang ball with nearly three minutes to go on the LSU 20 yard line. Run the ball, eat the clock, score for the tie and play for overtime. Pitiful , Pitiful, Pitiful

Posted by bobbyutvol on December 1, 2007 at 8:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

DID ANYONE SEE THE TWO BLOWN PASS INTERFERENCE PLAYS HARD TO BELIEVE WE NEED A QB LIKE GERALD JONES A REAL THREAT VOLS MUST CHANGE GEARS TIMES CHANGE SO DO THE VOLS CANT LIVE OF 6 YARD PASSES WITH NO THREAT TO SCRAMBLEEEEEEE GO VOLS

Posted by amyslins on December 1, 2007 at 8:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

see that is the thing bigmanvolfan...you are not the coach. and i am sorry, i have always stuck up for fulmer, and will continue to do so. he turned clausen into a fine quarterback...no matter how many ducks he thew, he turned ainge into a solid reader of the defense. i will answer many questions that you all have asked. what would have happened without ainge? well, we would have schaffer and would end up like ole miss...so think about that. ainge made two bad passes...get off his back already

Posted by knoxvol865 on December 1, 2007 at 9 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This is all Ainge's fault. I am so glad that he is gone next year. I am not excited about Crompton. If he was as good as advertised by the local media, surely he could beat out Ainge. I would go "balls to the walls" in search for a running QB with a cannon for an arm. G. Jones does not have a strong enough arm to succeed in the SEC. But that is not what will happen. We will go with another drop back "screen" passer who looks like a duck out of water when he runs the ball.

You think Ainge is the reason we are where we are at. Polini knew to take away the short throws and he beats Tennessee. A 50% completion percentage tells the story. Ainge just didnt have a Swain or Meachum to throw to this year to hide his inadequacies. He sucks!

It was not a great play by the LSU db on the pick for a TD. He never got out of his stance. He just waited a watched Ainge. It was a terribel mistake usually made average or freshman QB's.

Posted by volunteers4life on December 1, 2007 at 9:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Contract extension---what a joke!!! He'd be lucky to get a handshake if I were Hamilton I'd be so pissed right now. This was no season to hang your hat on. I was excited up to now. But without the championship it was all for nmothing. IF YOU MAKE IT TO THE SECCG AND YOU DONT WIN YOU WASTED THE WHOLE SEASON!! No one will ever remember that TN made it to the seccg, they will only remember that lsu won it. We just miss opportunities left and right this program wears me out some times..... When do we finally win a game like this?? When will it be our turn again???? Everyone talks about the lack of talent on this tema but I remember that this team has been ranked very high in recruiting for the past few years so how did we go from having 5 star recruits to a lack of talent on the team which everyone everywhere seems to know....

Posted by Volfan1 on December 1, 2007 at 9:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

JaxVol, I said the same thing earlier about LSU...er, CBS announcers.
I'm in Jax, too, and hate to hear any gator garbage.

Posted by twin942 on December 1, 2007 at 9:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Let's be reasonable here. Ainge has done a great job this year, but he still lacks some tools to be an outstanding QB. And the characterization of Perrilloux as merely a "second string QB" is inaccurate. He was the #1 rated QB coming out of HS. The guy has great tools. We blew it all right, but LSU is an excellent team.

Posted by goeltzd on December 1, 2007 at 9:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Way to go Anige!!! You need a good ass kicking from your teamates, who at least played like they wanted to win. One would think a senior QB would want to win a SEC Championship and try for the NFL. Forget that !!!! You lost the game, your respect, and your chance of ever playing football again !! Goodbye and good riddance, OH, and HAVE A NICE DAY!!!!!!

Posted by maples on December 1, 2007 at 9:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Remember Ainge his sophomore season versus LSU, crying "momma" then throwing that terrible interception in the end zone? That game, we had a backup QB to bail us out and lead us to one of the more improbable wins of the past ten years. Remember? Things have not changed all that much since then, huh? Could have used some back up QB magic this evening.

Posted by WLE1 on December 1, 2007 at 9:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Our players and several coaches deserve our support in the toilet bowl we end up in, but Fat Phil and More of the Same Cutcliffed dont.

Posted by james on December 1, 2007 at 9:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

What bowl game we play in doesn't matter. Only one game is for the national championship and we will not be going there.
Bowl games are money for the program and vacations for the fans. Good luck to the VOLS and to all the other teams not playing in the national championship game. Losing or winning the bowl doesn't make champions but winning today would have made us SEC champions. Still a good year overall.

Posted by firefulmer on December 1, 2007 at 9:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

maples, our program is so far gone that we are years away from being a serious threat to anyone. I guarantee you any top 5 team would have put 30 plus points on the board tonight. All we have to look forward to is many, many more years of our great coaching staff and 8-4 seasons. But hey, let's give our coaches great big raises just because they won against mighty Vandy and had to pull a win out of their asses against KY. Let's give them raises because FLA messsed up and lost three conference games--that will not happen for 10 more years.

Posted by bigtimevol on December 1, 2007 at 9:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Great effort for the team. Congrats on that. Should be sitting SEC Champs now. Can't make foolish mistakes. I really hope we go w/ Gerald next year for qb. Gives us an option most of the winning programs have...to run the qb. What was the option Crompton ran? Why not a speedier Gerald? Our offense is so predictable many times.

Posted by stevepuckett on December 1, 2007 at 9:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Re: mbumburu
Don't insult my "average IQ" or call me a "bozo."
I may in fact be both, but I sure as hell know football, and it does not take a high IQ to know Ainge should not have been our QB.
And I am entitled to my opinion, I respect yours so please respect mine, just don't persoanly slander me.
ps: also don't reply back and tell me I misspelled words--I can't help it, I only got my Masters Degree at Georgia Tech with this little ole IQ

Posted by tennesseekilt on December 1, 2007 at 9:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Ainge and Hefney - glad to see you both go... couldn't agree more with the posts here. Despite the criticism, the coaches did a great job this game and the latter part of this season. I for one am glad Fulmer will stay.

Posted by cltvol on December 1, 2007 at 9:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Lsu too good. Turnovers equaled and bookies were right 7 points. I thought we would win the turnover battle. Only way to beat superior talent. Next year our year if we get some offense consistency. Went to game and had fun. Team left all on field. Proud to be a vol fan and we should be respected. Can't wait till next year. Let's get 10th win in jan and roll into 08!!

Posted by ETownVol on December 1, 2007 at 9:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hats off to our Defense (except for Heffney). This team was ready and the coaches did a good job but their senior leader, Erik Ainge, lost this game... no, wait, he didn't lose it... he GAVE it to LSU. He may as well have had a Santa suit on and said "Ho Ho Ho!" when he presented the trophy. He's done a few good things this year and set a few school records but all in all he has been a huge disappointment in big games. Thanks for choking under pressure, Mr. Ainge. You're definitely not NFL talent, that's for sure. Maybe our coaches will sit him for the bowl game and allow Crompton an opportunity to prepare for next year and show what he can do. Next year.... I'm so damn sick and tired of saying "next year."

Posted by nostradamus on December 1, 2007 at 9:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I have been tough on Fulmer all year. But I have to say he had UT ready to play. The defense made huge hits. I really feel for them though. The offense didn't help them at all. The only defensive problem was Heffney. As for the offense, Ainge was really bad. I'm ready for a new look next year. Maybe we will get a Shuler type quarterback or a Tee Martin type. In college these days, you need a quarterback that can run at least part of the time. Oh well. Maybe next year.

Posted by VolFanDC on December 1, 2007 at 9:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This is just a tough one. The way I look at this season is this:

Over the course of the year we proved that the young guys can play. They will mature and we have "potential".

At the same time I don't believe we managed the game well at all. We were, for the most part, outcoached most games. I realize the team stuck in there and was resilient -- but that's not coaching. One game (this game) does not a coach make. Our talent is underrated and our coaching is overrated. I truly believe we'd be a more solid, consistent team under a more capable staff.

As for Ainge, his major weakness was exploited on national TV - his lack of mental toughness. Ainge possess all the physical skills and smarts to be an NFL QB -- but he lacks the "winner" attitude and mentality.

I believe our talent will carry us to an above average record next year again -- just enough to keep Fulmer here and just enough to mask the fact that he is not getting it done.

Posted by volfan8 on December 1, 2007 at 9:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

An embarassing lost today. LSU's offense in the first half was so predictable, they had three plays: Option, iso with hester, screen play. And we still couldnt stop it. Luckily LSU was terrible today in the red zone.

Incredibly surprised to see Ainge throw a game away. It just seems like all day LSU was running man to man and our recievers couldnt get open. Pathetic gampeplan by Cut, the worst performance ive seen out of the vols all year. Cant wait to go to a mediocre bowl game again and probably get beat by a really bad ACC or Big XII team.

Im starting it now, GO TO SPREAD OFFENSE NEXT YEAR. JONES NEEDS TO START NEXT YEAR!!! he looked great for the three plays he was back there.

Posted by DenmarkVol_aka_Mbumburu on December 1, 2007 at 9:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Great, StevePuckett. Send your resume to Cut. I'm sure he could use your football IQ and/or your Masters from GA Tech.

Or, better yet, I hear Sanders might be leaving KY so there's an opening for your prowess.

And thanks for proving my point...

Posted by asand211 on December 1, 2007 at 9:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Ainge folded like a wallet under pressure and threw the game away with two of several terrible throws. The fourth and four should have been a first down but he threw behind the reciever. The officiating was less than stellar but we should have won the game. Maybe it saved us from an embarrassment in the Sugar Bowl. I was at the game and I was impressed with LSU fans as all but a select few were cordial and not obnoxious and were gracious after the game. Well, we have four losses and might end up with five and Hamilton says Fulmer needs a raise. I think a slight pay cut would be more fitting. A three loss season with a league championship would be the minimum I feel is necessary for a raise or extension.

Posted by volunteers4life on December 1, 2007 at 9:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I am so tired of saying "maybe next year." D***it, it should have been this year!~

Posted by Volalumnus on December 1, 2007 at 9:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Perrilloux is merely a second string QB unless you can overrule Miles.
An injured backup beat UT and way outplayed Ainge.
Many of their star players were either out or playing hurt.
Most of their coaching staff is in flux, yet they called the right plays at the right time.

I guess we should be thankful that we only got blown out by AL, FL, and CA. Had to steal or luck up to win SC, Vandy, and KY games and shouldn't ever really expect to beat an LSU team no matter how many of their players are injured, out, or that their backup should have stitches on his throwing hand or the coaching staff is in flux.

Posted by firefulmer on December 1, 2007 at 9:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

nostradamus, until the idiots in Knoxville (coaches) change our type of offense and gets a running q/back, we will be stuck with 8-4 seasons. Ainge has been horrible for the last two years. Good riddance to all the seniors!!

Posted by DenmarkVol_aka_Mbumburu on December 1, 2007 at 9:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Watch the news for an announcement regarding Chavis these next few weeks.

Posted by amyslins on December 1, 2007 at 9:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

we had a running quarterback not too long ago you idiots, his name was schaffer....he turned out great didn't he?

Posted by LazhilUT on December 1, 2007 at 9:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

UT just crushes our hearts time after time...it's so sad! Our seniors did not want this as bad as the banged up LSU and our young kids did. Our seniors just didn't care and had a piss poor attitude. I'm a Fulmer hater and admit I don't like the guy but he did not cost us the game. Ainge did. He called the game well. Should have gotten on Ainge's face the entire game and yell at him becaue it's the big one and Ainge was not into it, unacceptable!!!

Posted by MillisaAnn on December 1, 2007 at 9:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I agree with you WLE. God bless our defense they played their hearts out.

Posted by BigVolinCarolina on December 1, 2007 at 9:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Though LSU had more yards, I really thought our defense played with heart and left it on the field. I'm not sure what our problem is with safeties, but I hope we can find someone who can cover, hit and tackle--especially, tackle!

Offensively, we were just way too conservative. We started moving the ball late in the 3rd quarter when we started taking what LSU was giving us. Trying to run Foster up the middle and to the outside was a waste for nearly 3 quarters. We never threw deep to stretch the field and keep LSU honest.

Ainge made some throws that I'm sure he could take back. That's part of the game, though. Overall, I'm glad at how our team fought back this year and improved. I still believe Coach Fulmer should resign. Even if he doesn't, I'm still a Vol and will always be.

I loved the All-Orange. It's about time we found some pants that matched the orange jersey.

Posted by volunteers4life on December 1, 2007 at 9:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

that's because shaeffer was an idiot!! What announcement regarding Chavis? Is he going to run McDonald's Menu Selection Committee?

Posted by skyhawk836 on December 1, 2007 at 9:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Winning mindset today. Players really seemed to be playing with the expectation of winning a championship.
2 throws and we lose.
A dagger to the heart.
Question; how do they stuff the guts/heart back into this team to have any focus for a bowl game?

Just a killer of a loss.

Posted by lempga on December 1, 2007 at 9:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Bring on BJ Coleman. Vinson, Kemp, Berry, Mayo, McCoy,& Mitchell played their butts off. The defense is outstanding with the exception of Heffney. #24 is not very good but young.

Posted by tenuscvol on December 1, 2007 at 9:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Bitter Pill....the defense played (for the most part) very well. I also noticed and became tired of the network announcers love fest with LSU and Miles.....kept dissen' UT every chance they got.....our opportunities were there and we did not execute....that's worse than getting your a$$ kicked....oh well remember there's alway next year....and if you're a Bama Fan then remember there's always YYYY (where YYYY is 1972, 1978, etc... fill in as required.)...GoVols..let's play some roundball....

Posted by rockytopron on December 1, 2007 at 9:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Like all Vol fans I am very disappointed in the loss especially since we should have won this game.

Kudos to the defense for playing so well all game. Except for one busted play LSU didn't score thats amazing!

Eric Berry will be the next defensive player to win the Heisman.

Instead of being so angry at Ainge and the other mistakes lets look at the positives. Without Erik Ainge the Vols don't win 6 games this season. I know he messed up tonight, but he did throw 2 TD's. It happens, get over it.

Next season will be very good. With the freshman getting a lot of playing time and most of our starters will be back. I predict UT will be back in Atlanta next season.

Go Vols!

Posted by asand211 on December 1, 2007 at 9:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Schaeffer was a great running quarterback, however, he was thug. It's hard to be both and I'm glad Tennessee did the right thing and told him to hit the road.

Posted by skyhawk836 on December 1, 2007 at 9:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Posted by VolFanDC on December 1, 2007 at 9:09 p.m
As for Ainge, his major weakness was exploited on national TV - his lack of mental toughness. Ainge possess all the physical skills and smarts to be an NFL QB -- but he lacks the "winner" attitude and mentality.

And that's that.

Posted by 02champs on December 1, 2007 at 9:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

well...we knocked the crap out of them....then gave em the game....great effort, though. Couldn't ask for more hard hitting from our defense...our defensive line improved so much and let our LB's tackle.

Posted by TNWOLFPUP on December 1, 2007 at 9:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

tenuscvol

Correct me if I'm wrong but I thought that's what helps Tennessee win. They relish the underdog role and love to prove they deserve the respect - I guess the offense wasn't listening to the announcers while they were on the sidelines and the Defense was doing all the work.

Posted by stevepuckett on December 1, 2007 at 9:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Re: mbumburu
Cool down, I just asked for your respect, not your slander.
So let me try again. Please accept my apology, I am sorry for taking it personally which I should not have done just because I am so frustrated right now at our football performance.
No room on public board for this, I apologize so let"s get back to reality.

Posted by volunteers4life on December 1, 2007 at 9:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

We need to be able to run the spread offense with more of the option. Our style is out of date at this point.

Posted by volfaninchattanooga on December 1, 2007 at 9:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thank God Hefney and Ainge are gone. They are terrible.

Posted by jandjhome on December 1, 2007 at 9:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Arena is about all Ainge can hope for. Defense you did great, I hate that the O let you down.

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