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Perrilloux goes from backup to MVP
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ATLANTA - The game was over and done with and LSU quarterback Ryan Perrilloux was headed onto the podium to accept the Most Valuable Player award.
But Les Miles wasn’t going to let one more chance to coach fall by the wayside.
Before the enigmatic and unquestionably talented Perrilloux could reach for the proof of his shining moment, Miles grabbed him in a bear hug and whispered in his ear for several seconds.
“I told him that it’s doing things right that makes the difference,” Miles said of the moment he shared with Perrilloux after LSU secured a 21-14 triumph against Tennessee in the SEC championship game. “It’s competing and going to class and doing things right that will keep him in this position. Nothing else.”
Nothing else. On this night, that’s all that mattered for Perrilloux.
Not the off-the-field trouble or the cocky brashness that preceded his arrival or the questions about if he was really good enough to be an SEC quarterback.
Perrilloux wasn’t perfect, but he was close enough. He threw for 243 yards on 20-of-30 passing and provided enough of a threat with his legs to keep the Vols’ defense on its heels.
His one major gaffe — an interception near midfield when Perrilloux seemed to be heav-ing the ball out of desperation — didn’t hurt LSU and he shrugged it off. In fact, the throw was affected when he cut a finger on his throwing hand that required a few stitches.
When the Tigers coaches were conservative in the first half and played things close to the vest, he stayed patient and didn’t try to improvise.
“The adrenaline definitely was flowing, but the coaches, they just stayed calm, we prepared well, I felt like I prepared well, and we just came out and just executed,” Perrilloux said. “I just did whatever Coach asked me to do.”
At halftime, offensive coordinator Gary Crowton loosened the reins a little, and Perrilloux responded. He uncorked a 48-yard pass to Brandon LaFell on a play when he juked an oncoming rusher and slid into a crevice of open space just long enough to reestablish eye contact with LaFell, who was loping down the middle of the field on a deep post pattern.
With that play provided a jolt of momentum, Perrilloux pumped a right-on-the-money 27-yard touchdown pass to Demetrius Byrd three plays later to put LSU ahead 13-7.
“When he breaks the pocket like that, he always keeps his head up and that’s why I kept running hard because he’s always got a chance to make a big play happen,” LaFell said.
“I told him before the game, either we’re going to win and you’ll be the MVP or we’ll lose and you’ll still be the MVP. He was rushing things a lot early on and we had to slow him down and get him to calm down.”
It likely helped that Perrilloux didn’t have to wonder what his role was in the title game.
Fifth-year senior and regular starter Matt Flynn suffered a shoulder injury on Nov. 23 in a 50-48 triple-overtime loss to Arkansas and took very few snaps all week.
Crowton set the stage for Perrilloux on Sunday and the Tigers prepared all week with him as the starter. Miles was steadfast that Flynn would play if he could, but when he wasn’t able to throw with much zip in pregame workouts Saturday, the final decision was made.
“Coach always prepares each player like they’re going to play,” Perrilloux said. “We just tried to execute the game plan that was at hand and get the victory, and basically it was a team effort as far as us just coming out and executing on all three phases.”
Team effort indeed. But it took a special effort from a maligned quarterback to make the offense click to the tune of 464 total yards. Perrilloux completed passes to nine different receivers.
“Ryan was a great quarterback (Saturday) and everybody got a chance to see it,” said Byrd, who led the Tigers with 72 receiving yards. “I’m happy he got a chance to show what he can do, and he picked the biggest stage to show the world.”
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Posted by DCSOvol on December 1, 2007 at 11:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
UT-Making stars out of opposing QBs since 2001.
Posted by rglynnkelly on December 1, 2007 at 11:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If LSU would have played us with a healthy team and their first string QB they would have beaten us 40-0. A healthy LSU team would be National Champions hands down.
Posted by govols57 on December 1, 2007 at 11:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
another back up QB from LSU to beat us and look like a Heisman Candidate. Our Defense played great though only allowing 14 points. I am glad Ainge is gone with his God aweful decision making and his 3 yard out pattern passes. He is scared to death to throw over the middle. Can't wait for Crompton!!!!
Posted by rpoll1095 on December 1, 2007 at 11:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Ill timed interceptions. "Shouldn't have thrown it." My goodness. This Atlanta is like a bad version of Groundhog day! Although the Vols put forward a very gutty effort, I think we are all really disappointed. PARTICULARLY since we gave the game away on a turnover deep in our own territory. We can still win 10......BUT, we will need to get over this one. Lets hope its not in Atlanta.
Posted by charlesbates1 on December 1, 2007 at 11:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am glad Ainge is gone. Hopefully we can get a quarterback that can pass under pressure and run like Tee Martin use to be. We have good talent but the QB position has changed so much in college. It requires you to be more mobile. Time to give all of the attention to the basketball teams.
Posted by ONUV on December 1, 2007 at 11:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
pathetic
Posted by Rok_Etop on December 2, 2007 at 12:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Was at the game and am heart broken like most of the Big Orange Nation. One thing was very evident. The coaches did their job, the players did their jobs too. If we could just get those 2 passes back, we had the championship. Congrats on zero penalties, and for having a fantastic run. Of course we are excited about the future and expect to hoist the trophy next year! I love you Big Orange!! Thanks for your heart!!
Posted by slabhand on December 2, 2007 at 12:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It was an exciting,controversial and gut wrenching season. Whatta ride!
Les Miles is a jerk!
Posted by hiresanders on December 2, 2007 at 12:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
LSU backup QBs have beaten us in 2 Championship games. Another 5 loss season...Stay the course.
Posted by Irish_Volunt33r on December 2, 2007 at 12:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
So how about that extention and a raise for Fulmer? Yea, yea Ainge throw two HUGE picks, one giving LSU the winning touchdown, but the game plan was terrible. No trick plays, no play action long toss, basically no balls. Another Tennessee performance under Fulmer, say what you want but we were out played and out coached. With all the chances we have to go and win the SEC, with all the distraction on LSU's side, with all of the Vols saying they wanted people not to give them a chance what happens? Tennessee football happens. I am discusted with the performance over the past decade, bring in Spurrier, bring in Tupperville, bring in someone. Someone prove me wrong, come on I know i sound ignorant, i know i sound upset but i am ready to be Tennessee if not we might as well join the acc
Posted by moes1 on December 2, 2007 at 1:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Two missed field goals were the key. Had we made those kicks the score would have been 20 to 13. After the interception LSU would have had to go for one to tie rather than the two to get to 21. Ainge would no longer have had to throw the ball. The last interception never happens. We kick the FG and win, 23 to 20. The defense played a great game. Well coached. Excellent job, thank you all! In fact the only two positions that cost us the game were quarterback and kicker.
Posted by Irish_Volunt33r on December 2, 2007 at 1:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wether we made the two field goals it might be tied 20-20 but Les Miles has big nuts and goes for things no one expects. Anywaya we only had 97 yards on the ground, which a good hunk of that was due to having Gerald Jones at QB, our running game was shut down so we would have to throw the ball eventually. We didnt deserve the win.
Posted by GoVol on December 3, 2007 at 9:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I guess it would be interesting to see how the players 'chart' this one. They played hard, but obviously Ainge had his worst game. Cutcliff really never let him go all season and Ainge is scared to death to take a hit.
Fulmer - chart yourself and see how really poor of coach you really are - please leave! Yesterday will not be soon enough!
Posted by bigbluevol on December 3, 2007 at 10:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is ridiculous. A lot of people on here gave up on this team after Cal. Many more after Florida and the rest after Alabama. This team did what it had to do to get to Atlanta. All year LSU has been pegged as one of the best teams in the country. I have spoken to several LSU fans who think Perilloux is better than Flynn. We showed vast improvement on defense (a result of coaching and experience) and we had the lead in the fourth quarter. Many people have been clamoring for the deep ball to O'Neal. We tried that. Somebody said no trick plays. Well, LSU didn't seem ready at all for the G-Gun (which a lot of UT fans had called worthless). Our senior qb made two bad decisions. Our reliable kicker didn't have his best game. LSU beat us by 7 points. They'll win the national championship and we'll have the opportunity to have several good seasons with the youth on our team. So, for those of you like hiresanders, shut up. This team doesn't owe you anything and they've improved. That's all you can ask. For others of you who can't spell disgusted or Tubberville, you've got more important things to worry about, obviously. Instead of griping, how about you be positive and enjoy it.
Posted by kkebean on December 3, 2007 at 1:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
EVERYONE WANTS TO POINT THE FINGER AT SOMEONE!!! AINGE DID'NT COST US THE GAME AND THE COACHES HAVE DONE A FINE JOB OF COACHING!!! (EXAMPLE: LOOK AT HOW MANY PENALTIES WE HAD SATURDAY) THAT IS THE PROOF OUR TEAM IS WELL COACHED!!!!!
Posted by volnsc on December 3, 2007 at 6:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Agreed bigblue. The receivers also dropped a few very crucial passes. I was there and the Vols could have won by beating a better team. They didn't. I have no problem with the team play, coaching, or fan support. We were there and Georgia and Florida were sitting in front of their T.V.'s. Who would have thought back in early October that our win over Georgia would have cost them a shot at the national championship. I like this team and look for some good things next year. Eric, you've been a great VOL. Get us, and you, one the Outback.
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