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Tennessee head coach Phillip Fulmer consoles Erik Ainge following his interception which give LSU the winning touchdown in the third quarter.
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ATLANTA - Fingers will be pointed, and most of them will be pointing in Erik Ainge's direction.
But before the first critics had their say, Tennessee's senior quarterback had his.
Standing in front of his teammates moments after LSU dashed their SEC championship hopes with a 21-14 victory, Ainge pointed the finger squarely at himself.
As LSU accepted the championship trophy, Ainge accepting the blame.
Sorry for the two fourth-quarter interceptions. Sorry he couldn't make a play when his team needed one most.
Only no one wanted to hear it. Apology not accepted.
Because, nearly to a man, the Vols didn't think Ainge had anything to apologize for.
"He didn't need to," junior tailback Arian Foster said. "That just shows his leadership. A lot of guys would tuck their tail between their legs and hide in their locker.
"He stepped up. He apologized. He took responsibility. And it's not his responsibility; it's all of our responsibilities."
Those who want to pin UT's loss on Ainge certainly have ammunition.
Leading 14-13 in the fourth quarter, Ainge looked for Quintin Hancock.
He found LSU defensive back Jonathan Zenon, who jumped the route and ran the ball in from 18 yards out for LSU's final touchdown.
On UT's final two drives of the game, the Vols couldn't make a play on third or fourth down from the Tigers' 21-yard line.
And then just 14 yards from the end zone, Ainge threw his second interception when LSU linebacker Darry Beckwith broke in front of Gerald Jones and all but ended UT's hopes with 2:42 left in the game.
"He was trying to make plays," tight end Chris Brown said. "We'd rather him try to make plays than be conservative back there and take a sack or throw the ball away. He was just making the plays."
Ainge pointed to those two interceptions as the turning point.
"That first one for points, that will get you beat any time," he said. "SEC championship, second game of the (season), it doesn't matter. Practice, scrimmage, if you throw a pass like that for points, you put yourself in a bad situation."
Until that point, Ainge had put the Vols in a good situation.
He guided the Vols on a 70-yard drive to open the game, ending with an 11-yard touchdown pass to Brown.
Those seven points were good enough for the lead at halftime.
And once LSU took the lead, he helped restart UT's offense in the second half.
On UT's second possession of the third quarter, Ainge completed five of six passes for 67 yards on a 66-yard drive.
The last pass was 6 yards to Josh Briscoe, who finished with eight catches for 79 yards.
"He's made so many plays for this team and this university in his time here," Foster said. "To put it on his shoulders, it's just not fair to him."
During the postgame press conference, UT coach Phillip Fulmer said the same thing - while his quarterback was answering a question.
"We play as a football team," Fulmer said. "(Ainge) played a heck of a football game and got us to Atlanta to play in this game, so I'm not going to sit here and let him take all the blame."
Offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe took plenty of blame afterwards, too.
"I put us in harm's way, obviously, in the second half when we needed a play," Cutcliffe said. "I don't think I put them in the right situations to be successful.
"I never punched the right buttons."
When it comes to Ainge's legacy, many will wonder what buttons could have been pushed.
On Saturday, Ainge became just the second UT quarterback to throw for more than 3,000 yards in a season.
The other, Peyton Manning, led the Vols to the SEC championship as a senior in 1997.
But Ainge's ending was much different.
"He's probably going to get crucified. Unfairly," Foster said. "Everybody's going to form an opinion.
"There's going to be some that love him, some that don't like him too much. He's in my heart. If that's the way his legacy winds up being remembered, that's ridiculous in my opinion."
Drew Edwards covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.
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Comments » 147
knoxdaniel#213742 writes:
It was a great game. We have one more game...let's win the bowl game!
JETnTN writes:
Just got in from ATL..... Defense was great, MAYO please come back next year, Ainge....go out with a big win in the bowl game..... I'd rather you force one trying to make something instead of no effort to score... Thanks for the 4 years its been a wild ride!!
DenmarkVol_aka_Mbumburu writes:
Erik, ignore the fools out here. The vast majority of us know very well what you've meant to this program during your time at UT. And we'll always be proud.
Always remember the great wins you led us to and always remember that you're a Volunteer for life.
Shake it off and move on.
bluetickhound writes:
What an attitude adjustment from this kid. I have nothing but respect for the guy considering where his head was at 2 years ago at this time. It's just tragic that he had to go out like this. If we're wanting to point fingers, how 'bout one for a conspicuously absent J. Hefney. Or maybe one towards Danny Lincoln who's early success made him a little lazy down the stretch. The point is that there's no one finger point to make.
GatorhatinUTfan writes:
Freakin ORANGE PANTS!! I blame it all on the orange pants!! We never play well in orange freakin pants!!!
volsfan327 writes:
Well, I for one am glad to see Ainge go! I blame him for this lose (although, we really don't do well in the orange pants!) Defense was great, hard hitting all they way. No penalties..it was Ainge period. He always made me nervous, nothing new. We deserved the win. Good Bye Eric...and don't tell me how he got us this far...with all the talent around the q/b position, I could have put up his numbers.
MemphisVol writes:
I loved the orange pants. put the stripes back on them though. tough, tough loss. WIN THE BOWL GAME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GatorhatinUTfan writes:
I agree 327 without screen passes and YAC yards his numbers are not impressive. He really just wasn't reading well at all tonight starting with the first TD pass.
Feared_Mustang_Package writes:
"He was trying to make plays," tight end Chris Brown said. "We'd rather him try to make plays than be conservative back there and take a sack or throw the ball away. He was just making the plays."
________________________________________________
If throwing the ball in the stands was a stat Ainge would be leading the Nation.
ColumbusVol writes:
Granted Ainge's throws lost the game...but given the fact that our team was not even supposed to be here, i would say we were successful. To think that this 21 year old whose receivers cant catch a ball that hits them in the chest, can stand up and take the blame says more about him than our critiques. There isn't anyone in this forum that would do the same. Ainge is a victim of circumstance and bad timing. He needed Cutcliff from day one and only then he could have been Manningesque. With any hope our team will win a bowl game for once and go into next year with a decent and season group.
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
Mentally, this team will be stronger next year. They are pulling together behind their QB when everyone is ready to hang him from the tree.
He made two bad decisions but they know the meaning of a team and realize there were other opportunities to win as well.
If they stay close knit like this and get better in the off season, I expect this to be a very mature and talented team.
Thanks for 4 years Erik! All the best after you light up the bowl game!!
volsfan327 writes:
ColumbusVol are you Eric's mom? Not only should we have been in Atlanta, we should have won! I for one am not satisfied with so/so season's. With the money (2nd only to Nebraska in athletic dollars), fan support (2nd to none) and talent, we should be consistantly in the Top 25 and dare I say Top 10. It has been a very long dry spell without an SEC victory. I am disappointed for the team tonight, they deserved better. Yes, hopefully we win a bowl game but I think the future looks bright for our team and I am very excited about next season. We won't have to face two opponents next season, the other team and Ainge!
chrisw2967 writes:
I dont think the color of pants has anything to do with wins or loses but I did like them.
You either com prepared to play and win or you dont and ever who makes the least mistakes wins the game. We made 2 costly mistakes that cost us the game.
The sad part of it all the def. came together and played lights out and the off. just didnt or couldnt adjust to LSUs def. and that goes on Cut.
but I dont think the color of pants or the dome ha anything to do with anything. If we had won it wouldnt of been because of the orange pants.
this is like the 5th or 6th posts I seen that says we dont play well in orange pants or the dome. we were wearing white pants when we lost 3 of our 4 games this year. Berry and Mayo are the real deal.
volsfan327 writes:
Really Chris, you don't think it't the pants?!?!? I think everyone was just joking..it's been a long, long day. Nobody really wants to diss the team, just tired..so blame it on the pants...sounds good to me :)
chrisw2967 writes:
volsfan327 I guess your right lol been a long day and I apologize to everyone .
just still mad I guess. Go Vols and dont lay down in the bowl game
volsfan327 writes:
No apology needed, all Vols understand, a quiet somber silence is really what we need. There just aren't enough words..........there is no joy in vol town :(
cwisenhower#637741 writes:
I'm just happy we made it to the SEC championship. We are actually supposed to be the #2 team in the SEC considering the facts. Ainge made some bad throws, but oh well. All QB's make bad throws. Yeah, his showed up at inopportune times, but I'd rather have him throwing than anyone else in the league. I think it was a horrible play call. I hate LSU, but it looks like they might get the National Championship bid, so I'm pulling for them. I just hope we get a New Year's Bowl. Go Vols. You've got a whole month to shake it off and impress in the bowl game. I love my Vols and Erik Ainge. Go Vols!!!
dlravol2 writes:
Another LOSS to another disappointing season and we'll probably lose the bowl game.Am I being too negative?We played like heck against a darn good team.Let's give Phil a raise and extension.
eb502us#225637 writes:
Cutcliffe is dead on, he's the main reason we lost. His dink and dunk offense could make Peyton Manning look like well......Erik Ainge. Ainge has the physical ability to be a good QB, but I'm just not sure mentally he "gets it". Part of that is on Cutcliffe who is so overated in the minds of the media, it's sickening. And yes, he rarely puts the QB in a position to be successful. While I thank Ainge for four years of trying, my advice to him is to get his degree, because unless something drastic happens, the NFL is no more than a pipe dream.
vol52 writes:
Quintin Hancock should have ran the wrong route as he did in Lexington which resulted in a TD. Our offense is limp at best.
imnotwithphil writes:
"I put us in harm's way, obviously, in the second half when we needed a play," Cutcliffe said. "I don't think I put them in the right situations to be successful. "I never punched the right buttons."
Hey Dave Hooker - here's an example of a real man. He's not hiding behind his QB. He's stepping up and taking the blame. While I don't think Cutliffe is a very good coach, he is at least a good and honorable man... which means he would never make it as a sportswriter for the KNS.
And BTW Coach "Cut" - this one *was* your fault.
imnotwithphil writes:
rodneyadms -
We pay Cutliffe the same two reasons we pay Fulmer: (1) They are good ole boys and (2) mediocre is good enough for the Philbilly Nation.
CrankE writes:
I was there and am disappointed in some of the decisions he made. The safety valve pass to Foster (7 yards behind the line). Throw it away, at least we don't lose yards. I could see the first interception coming before he threw it. The pass was slow and the reciever had to wait. The exact wrong thing to do. On the final INT, he threw into double coverage. Sigh. Again, we're talking about a senior QB. Overcoming one INT was doable for this team. Not two. I certainly can't question his heart, but I wouldn't expect those kinds of decisions from a 4 year starter.
And don't get me started on Lincoln. He's fizzled some down the stretch here. 2 FGs would have allowed UT to take the lead there at the end with an FG instead of tying with a touchdown.
fencevol writes:
Given our past Bowl record, we will quite possibly be a "5" loss team. We got HAMMERED by medioce Cal an AL teams. Vol Fans, we are a very average team, and get used to it. The elite SEC
teams are younger(yes younger,check the rosters), tougher and better coached. With the exception of Coach Taylor, I really can't even fathom raises and extensions.
4VolsnVA writes:
Erik has given UT his best. Last night was a tough loss for Vol fans, but from reading Erik's comments, I think it was far tougher for him. We still have another game to play. Go Vols.
TommyJack writes:
imnotwithphil: Totally agree. Our fanbase is in denial with respect to the coaching. I feel for the PLAYERS. Huge effort, HUGE heart. I see nothing changing. The fact that we "got there" (CG game) is NOT enough. That LSU team was limping in on one wheel and ready to be plucked. Just getting there SHOULD NOT BE GOOD ENOUGH for our fans. Mediocre? At best.
k0605#241765 writes:
Ainge can't be blamed entirely for the loss. The interception for a td was a plain ole bad pass. He couldn't see the LB on the 2nd int.
But what about the play calling on offense and the defense not being able to get off the field? They gave up several long 3rd down conversions. Seemed like alot of dropped passes too. Some poor tackling at times. Plus 2 field goals missed. There's enough blame to go around.
The game was there for the Vols, but despite LSU missing their starting qb, running back, wide receiver and defensive lineman, LSU had better talent and coaching.
The Vols were much more physical though which was great to see.
cstepesq writes:
Coaching had absolutely nothing to do with this loss. Fulmer and Company didn't drop passes and throw interceptions.
B_A_VOL writes:
I've been a Vol all of my life. I watched Carl Kremser miss a field goal in the '67 Orange Bowl and we lost by 2 to Oklahoma. I watched the miracle in South Bend and the '86 Sugar Bowl. It is just ball and as a true fan I will not rip a 21 year old kid. People who can write derogatory things about Ainge need to re-assess their own phooey. We gave it our best effort and lost. That's all there is to it. GO VOLS!!!!!
9krpms writes:
I think I know why people make fun of UT fans so much, we back up the fact that we look like idiots with comments such as "Ainge single handedly lost the game for us". GUY's YOU CAN'T BLAME IT ON TWO PLAYS!!! Granted he definitely didn't win the game for us when we needed it, but he is not the reason we lost. Field Goals, Running game, Play Calling, Route Running, And Ainge's poor decision making down the stretch... There are a ton of things we could have done to not put ourselves in that situation! At the end of the day he didn't win it for us, like he had done the past 3 out of 4 games we played (Remember those... wouldn't have been playing last night if not for him)... Any IQ over 1st grade level understands this concept.
Volfan1 writes:
B_A_VOL
Couldn't have said it better. I was a broken hearted teenager when Kremser missed that kick, and when Wright missed in '66 against Bama. 99.9% of the people on this site who say they "would have done this," "we should have done that," ad nauseum, have NEVER been in a situation as a 21 year old, or probably in their lives, like Ainge and this TEAM were last night. The critics are clueless whiners who have no life.
Thanks for the exciting roller coaster ride Vols! It was fun and got us to Atlanta, where 10 other SEC teams would have liked to have been.
tennisvol writes:
Not the only reason UT lost, but one of the big reasons. You throw an interception for a TD for the other team and you throw another when your team is driving for a TD.
jopad#212858 writes:
Did any of you ever make a mistake? Yes the interceptions did lead to the Vols losing the game but some of you are like a pack of mad dogs who all join in attacking a vunerable smaller dog. Eric Ainge probably feels worse about the interceptions than any of us. He has given his total effort in in trying to win this game and the best some of you has to give is your venemous criticism of this young man. Just remember people, football is not a matter of life and death, it's a game, no more and no less. Let up on Eric Ainge and support him and the team.
TommyJack writes:
Granted the color of the pants has no bearing on who wins, BUT...the orange on orange is AWFUL.
Looks like a JUCO team...or maybe Arena Ball.
Yuck.
movol77 writes:
"Coach blamers" are NOT with the players on the team. Don't even try to align yourselves as being their defenders. The only game you guys are experts at is the "Blame/Shame Game."
TommyJack writes:
movol: What a moronic point of view. Let me get this straight...if you question the coaching, you're not for the team...is that what you're saying?
budd#207344 writes:
Who called the plays Ainge ran? Was it him? No it was our vaunted OC coach cut. He had no game plan for a defense missing its best player and who had been trashed by KY and AR. Did he even bother to watch the films of those games? Ainge didn't lose this game cutcliff did. No game plan. 14 points on a damaged defense with a coach who was leaving. That is on coaching plain and simple. And anyone who blames Ainge does not know the first thing about college football
dfreeman writes:
it's not like Ryan P is just some chump! He IS better than Matt Flynn!! I think if Matt Flynn plays we win! Dorsey being out didn't help them, but every player on that line is going to be in the NFL. Bottom line, we played a deeply talented team and lost, but we played with heart and they know we smacked them in the mouth.
splinterdand#602266 writes:
Not just Ainge, but how about Arian Foster. Those guys have more class than everyone posting here lumped together.
licknpromise777#651578 writes:
As soon as the CBS commentator said the vols had made no turn overs and commited no penalties; Ainge threw a game breaking interception for a touchdown..it was so typically ironic I almost threw the TV in the pool!!!
powert#205805 writes:
I agree with GatorhatinUTfan. The all orange needs to be given the death penalty. Enough with the popsicle look. Please. Never again.
SewaneeVolFAn writes:
Love the team, love the team's support for Ainge, and their togetherness. Love Phil Fulmer and Cutcliffe, who are great coaches and very good men. LSU was just the better team, even with their penalties and injuries. Statistics don't tell the story, as we all know, but when you look at the box score, it's pretty amazing that it was this close, and that UT had a very good chance to win. To me, that -- plus the absence of penalties -- is coaching. Tenn has much better talent than some of the posters here acknowledge, but LSU has amazing talent. That we were this close says much about all associated with UT, including Ainge. I hate to lose, but I love to lose with class if we have to do it. Ainge and his teammates showed that. Unlike some of the people who post on this site.
volntx writes:
Sure its Ainges fault,that does not make me a Vol hater,just a fact. If he holds the ball past a count of 3 there will be no completion. He does not read the defense when he is in the pocket,he has already made his mind up pre snap before he throws the ball. That is why we have to dink and dunk because if he dropped back and read the coverage the tuba player would be the leading reciever. And heaven forbid if the D blitzes or gets to close there will not be a completion. Hey Eric it is football you are supposed to get hit,stand in the pocket step up and take the hit for a completion. I'll take Casey Clausen any day over Ainge,at least he wasn't scared. Glad Ainge and Jonathan "Toast" Hefney are seniors so I don't have to watch them play any more.
MrKiffin writes:
I would like to say thanks to our entire team for making major improvements during this season. Our future looks very bright in Rocky Top! Not to mention, a brilliant coaching scheme by Phillip and staff. Our defense whipped LSU and the offense had chances to win the game. Next year if we return everyone, I dont see why a National Title would be out of our grasp next year!
#7 J.Mayo PLEASE COMEBACK FOR 1 MORE. I see you becoming even better, something like Al Wilson or even better in your future!! Go Vols from Atoka, TN...
Canpflier writes:
HEY VOLSFAN327! You couldn't throw a football in a major college program if your life depended on it, with or without the talent surrounding Ainge. You couldn't have a 65% completion rate picking your nose! What in your life experience leads you to fantasize that you are in any way qualified to criticize any of the coaches or players on this team? Ainge has already, at the age of 21-22, accomplished more at a higher level than you will in your entire life.
Does that put your "criticism" in context for you and your idiot friends?
SpringCityVol writes:
I don't blame Ainge for the loss; I blame the coaches for leaving him in as a starter. We have endured four years of Eric's listless mediocrity. We haven't won a single game because of his ability, we have won in spite of it. He was right to apologize after the game, but not for the interceptions that cost us a win. What he should have apologized for is not demanding to be benched. For Cutcliff to flack for Ainge's ineptitude is heart warming but falls woefully short on the mea culpa scale. He basically said he couldn't dumb the offense down enough for his four year starter to make a play that could win a game against a crippled defense. Nice work coach and good luck at your next job...oh wait, I forgot you're not leaving because nobody else wants you either.
TommyJack writes:
canpflier: Are you Ainge's daddy?
Canpflier writes:
Naw, but I would say I'm YOUR daddy!
Pullingguard writes:
Regardless of what is said, fact is; Cutcliff called a game that anyone could have called, nothing new or anything that extended the defense. Ainge just had a bad game, when the pressure is on in a big game he becomes skittish and evidently scared of the assumed pressure, bad passes, bad decisions maybe resulting from Cutcliff making bad call selection but Ainge should have seen the coverage. The offense did not play a good game. Defense had lot of give but did not break and showed themselves well. Not sure about Cutcliff being good offensive coordinatior in todays world of college football.
volnmdtn writes:
He is a SENIOR quarterback and should be able to make better decision on the field with the game on the line. I would not expect that from an underclassman. So, who is to blame for this? How about trying the coaching staff!. Is it not the head coaches job to get his team prepared for all possible situations. Did that happenen in this game?
So what is the solution to this loss? Athletic Director Hamilton believes we should give Fulmer a raise and a contract extension for losing 4 and maybe 5 games this year. Did I mention that we lost 3 of these games by more than 20 points!!
I am at a loss of words for what needs to take place. I have been and will remain a Vols fan for more that 54 years. I guess it comes down to where YOUR loyality belongs. Is it to Fulmer or is it to the University?
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