Tennessee Stat Book
Sitting on an equipment crate near the 50-yard line late in the third quarter of Saturday's game, Erik Ainge picked up the phone.
From his perch in the press box, Tennessee offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe delivered a simple message to his senior quarterback on senior day.
"I said, 'We're going to win this football game. You just take a deep breath and play like you're capable of playing,'" Cutcliffe said.
When Cutcliffe picked up the phone, the Vols had scored just nine points and Ainge's final game in Neyland Stadium had provided little in the way of highlights.
But with 15 minutes left to play, Ainge rose to the occasion by guiding the 19th-ranked Vols to 16 unanswered points and a 25-24 come-from-behind victory over Vanderbilt.
Entering Saturday's game, Ainge had thrown for just 253 yards and completed 28 of 48 passes in UT's last two games combined.
In the first quarter, Ainge completed 11 of 15 passes for 89 yards.
But Vanderbilt's zone-blitz defense, which ranked third in the SEC in total defense entering the game, kept Ainge and the Vols' offense off balance for much of the second and third quarters.
"I can bounce back," Ainge said afterward. "I wasn't worried. I think other people get more worried that I'm going to let how I play early affect me, how I play later."
And Vanderbilt couldn't keep the senior from writing a near-perfect final chapter in his final home game.
The Vols trailed 24-9, thanks in part to a botched pass - ruled a lateral by officials - that set up a Vanderbilt field goal just before halftime.
After Cutcliffe's phone call, the Vols went three-and-out, only to be saved by a roughing-the-kicker penalty that gave the them a first down and new life.
"We sprinted on the field after that," said right tackle Ramon Foster, who played the entire game with a broken thumb on his right hand. "We just took advantage of it."
Or simply turned on the lights, as wide receivers coach Trooper Taylor put it.
"It was amazing to see those guys turn that switch back on," Taylor said.
Ainge was the one who flipped it.
After Arian Foster rushed for 11 yards on the first two plays, Ainge hit Foster for a 19-yard gain to the Vanderbilt 7-yard line.
On the next play, he found receiver Josh Briscoe for a touchdown that gave Tennessee's championship hopes a pulse again.
"We didn't have to do anything crazy," Ainge said. "We just had to make the plays we're supposed to make."
After one last three-and-out, Ainge became the accurate passer fans and teammates are used to seeing.
The Oregon native connected on eight of nine passes on a 10-play, 83-yard drive that brought the Vols within two points at 24-22 with 7:14 remaining.
"One thing about Erik is he's going to step up when he needs to," says Briscoe. "He does a great job of handling our two-minute and our no-huddle offense. He made great passes to our receivers. We just took it to the end zone."
The Vols didn't find the end zone on their final possession, but they did find a way to win.
Foster, who moved into 10th place on UT's all-time rushing list with his 106 yards rushing against Vandy, helped move the Vols into field goal range with runs of 9, 7 and 3 yards.
On third-down, Ainge hit Austin Rogers for 4 yards to set up Lincoln's game-winning field goal.
All told, Ainge finished 29-of-43 for 245 yards and three touchdowns.
But what mattered most to Cutcliffe was the senior's line from the fourth quarter.
With the Vols' backs to the wall, Ainge was 12-of-15 for 107 yards and two touchdowns.
And for all the steps Cutcliffe has seen Ainge take in their two years together, he saw one more Saturday afternoon.
"I told him afterwards, that's the next step," Cutcliffe said. "If he's going to have aspirations of playing in the NFL, play championship-type football, you've got to be good when the situation's at its worst,
"(After the game) I said, 'You were good when our situation was at its worst.'"
Drew Edwards covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.
© 2007, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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Comments » 43
DennisVols writes:
ESPN awarded Ainge the game ball for his 4th qtr performance in this game. He was rattled and on serval occassions seemed to be on a different page than his receivers.
In the end his clutch throws and not making the mistake of and interception or a sack lead to this win.
ESPN: "Erik Ainge. Tennessee's senior quarterback completed 67 percent of his passes, totaling 245 yards and four touchdowns in the hard-fought victory"
In the end not a bad day after all.
FWBVol writes:
As I said in another post, I was hoping CPF and David Cutcliffe would pull Erik when he was doing so poorly in the middle of the game. I'm happy to say I was wrong, and he got the job done. Great comeback Erik. Way to leave Neyland Stadium for the last time with the W.
TommyJack writes:
Again, Ainge is most overraed qb we've ever had.
Slovog: If you stepped in orange guano, you'd think it was jello. YOU, pal, are the idiot.
1974Vol writes:
Didn't get out coached, didn't get out husseled, almost got out executed. Vandy's offense was executing lights out for about 30 minutes in the middle of the game. The throws and catches on that opening drive of the 2nd half were highlight reel stuff. And it wasn't becuase our defense wasn't playing well it was because Vandy was playing way over their heads. Then Bobby Lamb sat on the lead thinking his D could hold a 15 point lead for a quarter and a half. He was wrong. For the 15 minutes that mattered most the Vol players and coaching staff out coached and played the commode doors. SC & Spurrier the great couldn't do it, but our dough boy, staff and team did. Go Vols finish the deal - Beat the Cats!
1974Vol writes:
TommyJack what does "overraed" mean? If you mean a kid who keeps his cool after playing poorly for a half, makes big throw after big throw and wills his team to a huge win that keeps them in the title hunt, I agree with you. If you're just another bitter Bama fan who posts on the Vols website go look at your $4 mil coach and tell me who's "overrated".
Colliervol writes:
Again, my favorite cliche--they don't ask how you did it, just whether you got it done or not. One point better is all that matters. Anything else is just quibbling or sour grapes. Maybe you'd rather be Alabama tonight and looking at the backside of Louisiana-Monroe.
One more to go. Get it done and all this debate ceases (for this year anyway).
creepykev#228270 writes:
Way to go Vols. I think he means over rated by how if anyone gets within five yards of him he panics and back pedals leading to inaccurate passes. He is afraid to take a hit which he showed when he sprinted for the sidelines instead of getting us a few more yards.
Oenoboy writes:
Hmmm, who to trust about Ainge's abilities. Cutcliffe or TommyJack, Cutcliffe or TommyJack...it's tough...I don't know...yeah, I think I'll go with Cutcliffe.
TommyJack don't know Jack!
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
Great heart. Could have folded but showed character proving the detractors wrong once again.
Go vols... and keep going to ATL!!!
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Lets get real. Ainge has two good quarters, two poor quarters (with the patter of little Vandy feet coming). Great win, had 'em all the way. Want fun, go to AJC.com/UGA ck out Dawgs wailing under - Dogs do what they have to do! Smart coaching saved us by calling for Stewart to rough Colquitt! we'll beat the Cats vy two TDs! The Lord is with us!
AF_CE_VOL writes:
Check out KY's run-defense stats....they can't stop it. VOLS have proven over and over that they can run the ball well this second half of the year...and they've also proven over and over that immediately following a successful run/pass mix drive that they will try to get fancy with a dizzying array of 2 yard screens when they need 14 yards and 44 yard attempted bombs when they need 3 yards. So can we just run the ball down the cats' throats and then go line up against LSU?
james#216392 writes:
Some Vols fans wanted Sabien to replace Fulmer. Didn't I see where Bama got beat by UL-Monroe? Spurrier lost to Vandy and UT. I think the coaching staff has done a lot with what they have. The defense was hurt with injury (and lack of grades). The offense is lead by a statue who can't or won't move around. Yet, UT is playing KY for a chance at the SEC Championship. Great coaching job this year. Put one more up and you can go to Atlanta. Beat the Cats.
DennisVols writes:
1974Vol
TommyJack Is a legion in his own mind. He could lose a bet in a one horse race but he finds that if he puts others down enough it will make him feel good about himself.
DSaVol writes:
James - "I think the coaching staff has done a lot with what they have." Uhhh...didn't the coaching staff PICK these guys to play here???? Isn't it the coaching staff's JOB to develop them along the way???? Oh that's right, coaching is why we basically have NO junior/senior class that can line up with experience and talent and wipe out sub .500 teams. Perhaps we should be saying THESE PLAYERS HAVE DONE ALOT WITH WHAT THEY HAVE HAD TO ENDURE FROM SUPPOSED LEADERS!
DSaVol writes:
skaggs...you are such a pro! What exactly is a "legion in his own mind"?
DSaVolismyidiot_half_brother writes:
Well, well, well. I'm gone for a year and I finally find my idiot half brother, DSaVol, still bitter and twisted. And now that the site is free, he's joined by his other idiot unemployed friends bashing all things Orange. DilbertS, you better call Ma and pay her back that money you stole, or she swears she will kick your skinny pimply butt from Morristown to Knoxville. Later dude. Go Vols. P.S. DS, I know you can't afford a ticket to the SEC Champ, so may be able to hook you up. BubbaJ
volbeck writes:
dsavol i think what james meant was on defense. the defense has made tremendous strides since the bama game and that is with a secondary that has been devastated by injuries and is starting two true freshman.
utvolz#637682 writes:
Way to come back Vols! We'll need to feed Kentucky a steady diet of smash mouth, run the ball football much like the Arkansas game plan to keep their QB and offense off the field! IT'S ALWAYS GREAT TO BE A TENNESSEE VOL! Lady Vols hoisting championship banner #7 this afternoon too!
TommyJack writes:
Slovog: childish, but cute.
1974vol: Overrated means overrated. No tide fan.. was a TN supporter while you were riding the short bus.
yeavols#228407 writes:
Show KENTUCKY the DORES...VOLS will need to bring their "A" game if there ever was such a thing. The expression is trite, but VOLS and coaches better have a plan or it's the Peach Bowl again. P.S. NOT GOING TO THE PEACH BOWL!
TommyJack writes:
Skaggs: Maybe, but I learned to spell by the 2nd grade.
DennisVols writes:
TommyJack
Then if your spelling is so good what word is "overraed" excatly?
Because rated had a T in it and I looked in Webster's and could not find "overraed" in there.
Must have missed that day in the second grade were you would have learned to spell overated huh?
DenmarkVol_aka_Mbumburu writes:
Congrats, Erik. Thanks for wearing the orange and for being such a warrior for us. You'll always be a Vol and one of the greats.
Good luck playing on Sundays...
TommyJack writes:
SKAGGS..It's called a typo, dipstick
DennisVols writes:
And for those who chose to use the word overrated when in reference to the Vols read that stats:
Is UT in the decline? Are we no longer one of the elite? I compared UT to the 5 coaches everyone thinks is out coaching Fulmer. Meyers, Richt, Saban, Miles and Spurrier
Over the last 7 games how has UT compared to other SEC EAST, Bama and LSU
DEFENSE
(1) UT Average Points Per Game Allowed: 21
(2) LSU Average Points Per Game Allowed: 22.85
(3) UA Average Points Per Game Allowed:24.28
(4) UGA Average Points Per Game Allowed: 25.14
(5) USC Average Points Per Game Allowed: 28.86
(6) UF Average Points Per Game Allowed: 29.14
OFFENSE
(1)LSU Average Points Per Game Scored: 36.57
(2) UT Average Points Per Game Scored: 36.14
(3) UF Average Points Per Game Scored: 35.14
(4) UGA Average Points Per Game Scored: 33.74
(5) USC Average Points Per Game Scored: 27.71
(6) UA Average Points Per Game Scored: 25.86
Record:
UT, UGA & LSU: 6-1
UF: 4-3
USC& UA:3-4
UT has the lowest scoring defense over those 7 game, the 2nd highest scoring offense and tie for the best record.
This reflect what is ture going into the Vandy game this past weekend.
I believe I remember seeing Bama lost to ULM so that stat changes to 3-5 now.
Over rated all the coaches you praise are doing no better than UT's and in most cases their teams are not performing as well.
How do you belittle a team that came bacl fram a 16 point deficit to win one of the most improtant games of the year. Vandy's defense was rated #2 in the conference going into Sat.s game.
Overrated is a word used by losers who won't get their Christmas wish this year with a Fulmer firing.
If you whine because we lose then shut the heck up when we win. It does not matter how you win, only that you win.
If scoes mattered, other than a win or loss, then that would be part of the tiebreaker system.
Grow up for heavens sake. How many UF fans would be complaining about their season if they were in charge of their own destiny instead of wanting someone else to lose so they could go on?
DennisVols writes:
back from
My Bad
TommyJack writes:
was that a typo???
DennisVols writes:
naw a honest mistake from being a poor typist, typing too fast and not reviewing it before sending it.
wkjq#213863 writes:
tommyjack, are you by any chance the moron who almost got his ass kicked in the restroom at Neyland during halftime of the Ark game? Just wondering because you and that idiot are saying a lot of the same things.
TommyJack writes:
wkjq; Nope. Wasn't there. Doubtful I would have my ass kicked if I had been there. Curious...what did I say that was moronic?
wkjq#213863 writes:
just all the griping, kind of like a woman on the rag.
TommyJack writes:
Oh. nice post, child
wkjq#213863 writes:
just the truth!
DennisVols writes:
It is amazing. 8 weeks ago UT is 1-2 and all I could see on here is how UT would be 5-7 at best. Predictions of no bowl game, 2 losing seasons in the last 3. Fulmer would be fired was the cry. “Why is Fulmer is still the coach?”
Now 8 weeks later, a 7-1 run, a shot at the east title and a shot at the SEC Championship game and here we go complaining about how they win.
“Overrated” is a word being used to describe a team that in the last 8 games has the best record in the conference over that span. They have the best scoring defense (PPG allowed) over that span and the 2nd highest scoring offense. This is measured up against the Gators, the Dawgs, the Tide, Gamecocks and the LSU Tigers.
What else do you want? I was upset with UT’s program after the UF and Tide games, but even I am man enough to see this team is on the way up. The record and the stats prove it. Should they get better? Dang right they should, satisfied with how good they are? No I am not and neither are the players or the coaches. Anybody watch #2 Oregon get beat by their Vanderbilt Thursday? How about the Sooners getting waxed by their Vanderbilt last night? Quit believing that anyone is a easy victory. You may get one but don’t count on it. This same Vandy team had GA on the ropes. Had they not fumbled late in the game GA loses.
budd#207344 writes:
No touchdown you haven't missed Al Wilson. He wasn't on your NC team rememeber?
londonvol writes:
A win is all we want, guys, this means we outscored them however we did it.
jcherrie#219531 writes:
How soon we forget?
Manning looked very bad at times in his last game versus Vanderbilt. I think he's been 'okay' since then - maybe even slightly above average.
I had some Florida colleagues indicating that Danny Wuerffel was a much better QB. My own brother got in a vehement argument with me about how superior Ryan Leaf was to Manning. Uh-huh.
westtnvol#518878 writes:
TouchdownTN,
Promise me this is all true, and I gain respect. Not that we align in prospective, but I will respect your opinion a little more.
threehundredbowler writes:
TDTN,most likely you and I have met somewhere.I have not done all you say you have but I have done a lot of what you claim.I know a few of the past greats as well as current and past coaches.One thing that you and I do not have in common though is I will not call coaches and players names wheather I like them or not.The only way to have respect is to give respect.Most of us give you and some others a hard time but I do respect what you have to say,just not the way you say it.As Red Skelton use to say "good night and may God bless".
gavolfan writes:
I was there and it was an awesome game!!! Yeah, I was kind of worried that we weren't going to pull it out, but hey we did!!! All I can say is way to go guys!!! I think we need to nickname this team the Heart Attack Team. To the team-- Way to GO!!!! And remember all that counts is the W in the win column, no matter how you get it. Now, let's all concentrate on the Kentucky game coming up! Let's be loud and proud and stay behind this team. They need us. GO VOLS BEAT KENTUCKY!!!!!
volcop writes:
Ainge's grade D+
VOLinDAWGland writes:
Touchdown,
Given all that you say is true, and I don't have reason to doubt, why all the coninual disrespect to the coach with the 'FOOLmer' silliness? I understand you're not happy with his management of the program and there is plenty of room for criticism...but the silly ad hominems take away from your argument and reflects somewhat negatively on your character.
Keep up the informed and critical posts, just drop the silly insults.
phi0129 writes:
Props to TN for making that fourth quarter run.
I was losing faith and then that roughing the punter call made me feel like we were going to pull it out. It was incredible to watch that comeback in a sea of orange at the bar.
I was kind of upset Fulmer didn't even try to get a TD on our last possession. It would've given us a bigger cushion and prevented the near made field goal by Vanderbilt from crushing us in the end. We were driving like it was nothing and then were just perfectly happy with the FG. Way too safe and conservative, it almost bit us in the leg.
And lastly, props to Foster! He played hard and ran his butt off the entire game. He showed alot of heart and I feel is a huge part of why we won this game!
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