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Tennessee senior quarterback Eric Ainge will lead the Vols against LSU on Saturday with an SEC title on the line.
Vol Report
Audio
- Podcast: Interviews with players, coaches and SEC commissioner about the SEC Championship game
- Dave Hooker interviews SEC commissioner Mike Slive.
Videos
- Players: The SEC Championship matuchup against LSU
- Does Tennessee play better when they're the underdogs?
- Coach and players on media and fan criticism
- Coach and players: Jerod Mayo as leader
- The Orange Nation celebration
Related links
Event Details
- What: SEC Championship
- When: Saturday, Dec. 1, 2007, 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- Where: Georgia Dome
- Cost: Not available
- Age limit: All ages
Tennessee Stat Book
Erik Ainge was just settling in for some early morning film study when he ran into David Cutcliffe this week.
Tennessee's senior quarterback quickly got clued into a new decree from UT's offensive coordinator.
Vol recruits should take note.
"He said, 'My new rule is if you come to Tennessee you have to get a ring before you graduate,' " Ainge said of his talk with Cutcliffe.
"He was kind of joking, but kind of not."
It's no joking matter for Ainge. He understands this is his last shot.
Ainge will try to leave a memorable legacy while leaving Tennessee with a shiny, new SEC championship ring.
"I obviously know what's at stake here and we know what's at stake," he said. "This is the senior group's last opportunity to get it done."
The No. 14-ranked Vols (9-3) get their chance when they take on No. 7-ranked LSU (10-2) at 4 p.m. Saturday in the Georgia Dome.
"When you come to Tennessee, we all know this, you come here to win a ring and be an SEC champion," Cutcliffe said. "To me, when you come here, you leave with one.
"That's what I told him. You got a ring to earn, man. Go to work."
Ainge did just that.
He knows he has some LSU demons to exorcise.
Some of his worst memories with UT can be traced back to games against the Tigers.
There was the ill-advised, spinning, no-look fling from UT's end zone in 2005 that resulted in an interception.
Ainge was flung into the goal post and had to watch from the sideline as Rick Clausen rallied the Vols from a 21-0 deficit to a dramatic 30-27 overtime victory in Baton Rouge.
Tennessee played quarterback roulette for most of the remaining season and finished a disappointing 5-6.
Ainge has had to deal with questions about that throw and that game all week.
"You wouldn't want to make it again, but I made some dumb throws last year," he said. "I made some dumb throws this year.
"That one might have looked a little worse because the guy threw me so far. But throwing a lateral in the two-minute drill against Vanderbilt was just as dumb, if not dumber than that. That stuff happens."
During last year's 28-24 loss to the Tigers, Ainge tried to play on a badly sprained ankle and was eventually relieved in the second quarter by backup Jonathan Crompton.
"Last year was tough," Ainge said. "I really honestly shouldn't have even tried to play in the game, but that was then.
"Obviously the circumstances are different, but last year, if we beat them we were thinking the same thing at that point. We were thinking East championship and SEC championship if we beat those last four teams.
"Now we're actually in it. There's nothing like this game, obviously. No matter who we were playing, I'd be anxious. But especially since it's LSU."
Ainge is anxious to get to the big stage, but not worried about his legacy or fan perception of his four years at Tennessee.
He's solidly entrenched in third place of UT's career passing yards (8,086), trailing only Peyton Manning (11,201) and Casey Clausen (9,707).
With eight more completions, he'll break Manning's single-season record of 287 set in 1997.
Last week, Ainge set career highs for passing yards (397) and touchdowns (seven) in the 52-50, four-overtime thriller against Kentucky.
It's all part of the maturation process Cutcliffe has seen from his senior leader.
It's all part of the quest for the ring.
"That's what you play for every year," Ainge said. "Obviously the national championship and all that is fine, but there's a lot involved in that you can't necessarily control, but you can control the SEC championship.
"If you win more games in the SEC and you get there and win, you're going to be the champion of the Southeastern Conference. That's our goal.
"It's what we do every day. That's why we wake up and go workout. Everything we do is to be in this game and put ourselves in the situation we're in now. We couldn't feel more blessed."
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Comments » 47
RobLCTN writes:
I wish Erik and the rest of the team the best of luck!
Play hard, discipline and Godspeed for the Vols.
Go VOLS!!!!
AllVol writes:
The best thing that could possibly happen when we win the SEC is that you idiots will shut the hell up. Or not . . .
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Good read Burgess. Can Cutcliff's offensive guidance balance out Phil's leaving Chavis's cupboard bare on Deee-feence? We're about to get the answer to that one. All the Vol ring sizes are on file with the SEC office. They've been there for NINE years with annual up-dates, sadly unused. Maybe, just maybe, who knows. I predict Ainge will have to have the game of his career. Don't get upset with him if he tosses 10-12 passes into the stands. LSU will come for him. Boy howdy, here we go. Gettum Vols.
RobLCTN writes:
why am I an IDIOT?
RobLCTN writes:
ok. back off I'm only a fan. maybe an idiot fan LOL
vol98 writes:
TouchdownTN please change your name. I can't stand reading the phooey that spews from your keyboard with that name. Why do you waste your time on this stuff if your always so angry, pissed off, and negative. John Ward is rolling over in his grave....oh wait. Just go away or change your name to do#%hbagTN
gohawks1 writes:
TDTN, you were responding so well to your therapy earlier in the week. What happened?
ksteelescvol writes:
Some fans will never be happy, no matter how many games we win. I want us to win ever game we play but in the real world of college thats never gonna happen. Unless we get Pete Carroll. Oh wait he loses to. All CPF has done is take our team to the title game 5 times in the last 10 years. Proud to be a fulltime VOL fan. Lets beat those Tigers.
And for all you grumpy old men who stay unhappy, take your wives out to dinner on Friday, get a bottle of wine, a bottle of viagra, spin her around the dance floor and wake up on Saturday with a smile. Because our team is in the SEC title game!
chrisw2967 writes:
Play 2 halves of football on off. and Tenn wins , Im not jumping back on the bandwagon , I never got off it . My opinion of CPF is my opinion but I will still stay behind our players.
Just go play football and play 4 qtrs and I think Tenn wins , if they go play 1 half of off. and our def. is on the field too long then it could be bad. I say Tenn 34 LSU 30
dfreeman writes:
TouchdownTN - It's not my blood pressure that's high now!! LOL Guys he types this stuff and sits back and laughs about it! Oh and alkhall, he's too old to be living with momma!! In reality he's probably going to be wearing his orange and white out there too come game day!! I will however, be cheering Phil and the Vols on Saturday regardless!!!
govolsfan#214750 writes:
This game is in the bag for the Vols. I've been drinking them to victory all week and I do not say that lightly. Been flying my car flags since the Bama loss and it has paid off. You should see the idiot So Cal people nearly crash their cars trying to figure out what team I support. Go Vols! I am more excited about buying TN SEC champ stuff than I am for the game itself!
waterskier3#226480 writes:
drink the kool aid... more years with fat phil and no championships but yeah he's a good guy that can talk to families.... l
dfreeman writes:
waterskier3 - maybe you should stick to the water. Maybe not... too many falls?? Think all you want to, but "fat" Phil is smarter than your whole family put together!! You go ahead and hate on someone (calling him names) that hasn't done anything to you from a personal stand point, it talks volumes about your character!!
DenmarkVol_aka_Mbumburu writes:
I hate you TouchdownTN. I'm so sick of reading an interesting article and then scrolling down only to find your bilious, miserable, sarcastic venom staring me in the face again.
I'll never again read anything your sick mind posts.
Get a life -- better yet, get some therapy. I feel sorry for your family and friends. You need help.
newtonrail writes:
Touchdown, you should really get out of you Mother's damp basement some. I believe the dampness and your meds not working are taking their toll. Signed: 60#'s lighter Phil
Chainsaw writes:
Hi, I'm TouchdownTN's stepdad. I just beat his a$$ for using momma's computer. Y'all let me know if he gets back on here, and I'll give him another thumpin'.
P.S. - Don't pay him no mind, he was dropped on his head as an infant...more than once. But that was before I was around and, well, his momma used to drink a bit back then.
tnmantravel#531151 writes:
just ignore touchdown....by responding you are giving him what he wants....ignore him/her...whomever....
also about ainge breaking manning's record...an astrick should be added to all future record breakers while playing 12 regular season games, while others only had 11 regular season games ... come on....
VOLS WILL WIN SATURDAY....
tnmantravel#531151 writes:
ALSO... GO SULLIVAN SOUTH AND WHUP UP ON MARYVILLE (4A HIGHSCHOOL FOOTBALL) MARYVILLE WILL SOON LEARN WHO CURT PHILLIPS IS
RangerForSix writes:
Ainge will beat Mannings record in 13 games! He only needs '8 completions to do it' in game #13!
Didn't Manning 'play 13 games' his Senior year?
11 regular season + SEC game + bowl game = 13...
If Manning didn't get 13 games his Senior year, others shouldn't be asteriked because he didn't earn the SEC Championship game.
154 games to 162 games, all baseball are doubled up?
"Records are made to be broken!"
It's a bummer if Peyton didn't get the 13 games his senior year, but he's definately rooting for Ainge to have a 'great game' and 'break his completions record'.
Ainge got his 'percentage record' last year and Peyton was happy. His 'Freshman touchdown record' was broken by Ainge and Peyton was a happy VOL!
Go VOLS...True VOLS like Manning!!!
tnmantravel#531151 writes:
ranger.....duuhhh....mannings senior season toward counting records was 12, "bowl" games do not count, look it up on utsports.com .....ainge will only break manning's record by a 13th regular season game....do you also believe steroid bonds is the rightful home run king (remember his buddy was just released from jail after 9 months for not testifying against him) .....keep drinking the kool-aid .....and records are made to be broken.... wow...i've never ever heard that before....how original ...meanwhile.....
GO ERIK AINGE AND VOLS ...BEAT LSU
burntorangeVOLffle writes:
"also about ainge breaking manning's record...an astrick should be added to all future record breakers while playing 12 regular season games, while others only had 11 regular season games ... come on...."
I see what your getting at but if there was an astrick next to Ainge's record it she read; "Ainge started/played in fewer games than Manning over all. He split time his fresh and soph years as well as missed a few (up to 8) games alltogether across his first three years."
lnbadger320 writes:
i think ainge is going to do well, he does to get rid of the thos lsu demons, even though last time was it's wasn't his fault, we can blame good old Chavis for that loss ( as with many others). Ainge deserves this title. Go vols.
lnbadger320 writes:
i think ainge is going to do well, he does have to get rid of some lsu demons, though the last game wasn't his fault, we can blame good old Chavis for that loss (as with many others). Ainge deserves this title. Go vols.
sorry forgot to proof read.
BigOrangeVol29 writes:
I'm just glad to hear that Coach Cut has regained his killer instinct and I like the fact that he believes every player that plays on the hallowed grounds of Neyland Stadium should get themselves an SEC championship ring. We sorely need the attitude we had in the 90's, that's all I've ever asked of our staff, play to win and don't play not to lose. Go get 'em Vols.
rockytopcowboy#645263 writes:
All I have say is, GO VOLS !!!
LSU is very beatible. They have proven that to the nation twice this season with teams the VOLS have beaten. I have all the faith, and hope in the world for VOLS. Win or loose, bottom line, they are still THE BIG ORANGE.
The only thing that could make this game even sweeter is if people like touchdown Tn. were playing. I would love to see their big mouth a$$es get pancaked by Dorsey!!
When THE VOLS win this game, you need not attempt to relish in glory. Why don't you go to a forum in Athens. That's where you belong, with the rest of the loosers!!
G O/ B I G/ O R A N G E !!!!!!!
jdcvols#230433 writes:
You posters are really funny venting at TDTN. I will sitting next to him at the game in my combat gear in case someone wants to attack him. I can assure you that he does not live in his mother's basement and chainsaw you would last about 1 second in trying to spank him.
jdcvols#230433 writes:
You posters are really funny venting at TDTN. I will sitting next to him at the game in my combat gear in case someone wants to attack him. I can assure you that he does not live in his mother's basement and chainsaw you would last about 1 second in trying to spank him.
jdcvols#230433 writes:
Sorry for the double post.
DennisVols writes:
The 13 Saturdays pf a UT Christmas
http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/Denn...
Something a little less serious for a change.
Go Vols!!!!!!!
DennisVols writes:
tngeoff
Thanks. I thought a little humor would break up all this tension. As UT fans our focus should be on supporting our team to a SEC title win Saturday. How we feel about the coaches should be put aside and our thoughts should be just on winning.
murrayvol writes:
I can hear Miles' pregame speech now. "Don't win this game for Les Miles men. Win it for yourselves, your families, your high school, your state, your girlfriends, your kids, your peace of mind, your draft posistion. Not for Les Miles even though it would dramatically improve his bargaining posistion w/Michigan. And the bowl game! Hell, win it for whomever you choose. I ain't gonna be there anyway. Now let's go get lucky one more time boys. Geaux Tigeras Geaux!!"
tnfab5#213749 writes:
tnmantravel - Sully South can't stay on the field with the Mighty Rebels - M'ville by 21!!! Go REBELS!!! - BTW, VOLS in a close one!!!
pdhuff#552644 writes:
ksteelescvol - good post -but one glitch. Phil's BEEN to 5 games in 10 years. Methinks it would have been nice to have won these games. Still we have a chance to win the SEC. It will take a Ga-type effort from the Vols with a Georgia -type effort from LSU. If those planets align, we win. If not, well....The sad thing is that those games in which we don't even compete are inexcusable. No amount of spin can erase those. Enuf said, let somehow beat the Tigers and be back on top after a long, long dry spell. Go Vols!
GoVol writes:
OneHit45 - TDTN could never get pancaked by Dorsey because TDTN doesn't really wear the orange. As everyone has noticed he always for the 'other' team.
asleep#212036 writes:
Touchdown,
You just love it, don't you?! Absolutely agree it will take a repeat of the Georgia game plus a little help from the Tigers but that certainly isn't impossible. I guess I just think we want/need it more than they do and that might be the intangible to get us over the hump. Further, no matter what Miles tells his team, nobody, and I mean nobody, believes we have a chance in this game, including LSU. Let them look past us, we like it that way. When we lost in 2001, I'm pretty sure we were bigger favorites then than LSU is now. Go Vols!!!
goeltzd#649642 writes:
Charts
Oenoboy writes:
There's nothing to debate about anymore folks. Fulmer's getting his raise and extention, we won the East crown, Georgia is overated, LSU has the most talent of any team in the SEC, and LSU with all that talent is still very beatable because it takes more than talent to be a "team". The Vols may or may not be the SEC Champions come tomorrow night and that will be debated on the field.
Everyone (lover, haters, Fulmorons, idiots, Koolaid drinkers, Eeyores, blowhards, new fans, old fans, arm-chair QBs...etc.) enjoy the game no matter the outcome. Even though it's a big game for the program we all love, it is still just a game meant to be enjoyed. Win or lose, our boys will be back next year and the next and the next...
GO VOLS!!!!!
Singaporehillbilly writes:
Hey faux vol fans, I have several questions. Which SEC in 2007 went undefeated at home? Which SEC team is representing the east in the SEC championship game? Which SEC team will be playing in the Sugar Bowl?
The answer to all the questions.. TENNESSEE.
hoskinsfive#468391 writes:
TOuchdown,
If your gonna get wild in 236 let me advize you, It is much easier to sneak back into the dome than it is Neyland stadium. At the north entrance there is a place that nobody watches.
I was thrown out in 01 for fighting an LSU fan, and was successful on my re-entry. My two brothers were tossed against Auburn for fighting each other, and were successful. I am 1-1 at Neyland however.
hoskinsfive#468391 writes:
There will be a party at Ceentenial park around 2:00. BYOB!
hoskinsfive#468391 writes:
MY bad, That's Centenial Park.
VolFanInAtl writes:
If Ainge's throws start drifting high we'll know his head isn't screwed on right. We can't blame the pinky anymore.
TommyJack writes:
Hoskins5: Your mama must be proud.
jdcvols#230433 writes:
TDTN, I believe you have enough people wanting to attack you now. I want to enjoy watching TN kill LSWHO not fight off the orange kool-aid drinkers.
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
and posted here (redundant posts, several boards)
Hey, if anyone knows Erik Ainge....
whenever he points with both hands downfield, he invarialby hands off on a draw.
I think the leagues defenses have caught on.
JMHO>
WCT59 writes:
So the luck ran out on Fat Phil and the vols. I hope they go to the Outback Bowl and Wisconsin opens up a can on them. Keep up the good work Cutcliffe and Fulmer.
sgtvols writes:
well ainge didn't get a ring, this mean we get him for another year/ or 16.
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