Adams: Manning's final drive Brady-esque

He was the high school quarterback that every college wanted, and that the University of Tennessee signed. He was good enough to start as a college freshman and good enough to be an All-American as a junior.

And he was good enough to foster the greatest expectations.

He was a favorite to win the Heisman Trophy as a senior. His team was a favorite to win the national championship.

He went from college to the NFL and quickly established himself as a favorite again. Nine years into his pro career, he already has Hall of Fame statistics.

But in the biggest game of his career, this longtime favorite proved himself as an underdog in the Indianapolis Colts' 38-34 victory over the New England Patriots on Sunday.

Never mind that the Colts were a three-point favorite to win the AFC championship. When they fell behind 21-3 in the first half, the favorite's role was long-gone.

Coming back from an 18-point deficit is tough enough. Coming back against the playoff-proven Patriots, who have won three of the last five Super Bowls, is as tough as it gets.

Manning didn't just lead the comeback. He bounced back from a disastrous start, which included an interception he threw for New England's third touchdown.

He didn't just win the game. He forever changed his image.

Can't win the big game? He not only won it. He won it with an historic comeback, capped by an 80-yard touchdown drive in the last two minutes.

He didn't win a national title or the Heisman Trophy in college. He didn't beat Florida.

But look whom he beat Sunday. And look how he beat them.

The Patriots have been the NFL equivalent of Florida for Manning. They have been the team he couldn't beat when it mattered most.

Not anymore. This was Manning's day, not Tom Brady's.

Brady's clutch quarterbacking in the playoffs has overshadowed all of Manning's dazzling statistics in the last six years. But on this Sunday, Manning's last possession put the Colts in the Super Bowl, and Brady's last possession ended in an interception, not a game-winning field goal.

While Manning was overcoming one nemesis, UT fans probably remembered an old one. In his sophomore and junior seasons, the Manning-led Vols totaled 66 points against Florida, but the Gators won both games. In this high-scoring game, Manning's team scored the highest. How fitting that an ex-Gator figured in the outcome.

New England wide receiver Reche Caldwell had a great shot at a touchdown on his team's final scoring drive. The former Gator dropped the easiest of passes from Brady with a blocker and a defender between him and the goal line. The Patriots settled for a field goal.

And when they settled, they set up the greatest drive of Manning's career and carried the Colts all the way to Miami for Super Bowl XLI.

He couldn't bear to watch as the Patriots tried to counter in the last minute. But when he finally looked up, the Colts had the ball and he had a career-altering victory.

In two weeks, the Colts will play the Chicago Bears for the Super Bowl championship. That's the Bears and ex-Florida quarterback Rex Grossman.

How perfect.

Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knews.com.