Gameday Info
Vol Report
Event Details
- What: Tennessee vs. Southern Mississippi
- When: Saturday, Sept. 8, 2007, 7 p.m.
- Where: Neyland Stadium
- Cost: Not available
- Age limit: All ages
Tennessee Stat Book
Tennessee quarterback Erik Ainge has plenty of reasons to be patting himself on the back heading into tonight’s game against Southern Miss.
The senior connected on 32-of-47 passes (68 percent) for 271 yards and three touchdowns in the Vols’ 31-point outburst at Cal. The only problem was the the Golden Bears scored 45.
Ainge, however, has clearly learned that the only numbers that truly count at Tennessee are in the won-loss column.
“Everyone is saying how good we did on offense, but third-down conversions and in the orange area, in my opinion, is what determines whether you played good or not,’’ Ainge said. “There were about five plays … and if you miss three third-and-shorts and a goal line, you didn’t play good.
“The way we were moving the football, if any one of those stopped drives is a first down, you never know. If you score a touchdown … it’s a different game.’’
Ainge took another step forward in his maturation by showing a different level of toughness. Already playing with a broken finger, Ainge sustained a hard blind-side hit in the middle of his back on the Vols’ opening drive, but came back to lead UT on a seven-play, 70-yard touchdown drive.
“Any time you get hit like that it’s going to hurt,’’ said Ainge, who was drilled after he and tailback Arian Foster had a miscue on the protection call. “You’d be lying if you said it didn’t hurt. But you don’t have a choice; you can’t say, `Oh, my back hurts.’
“The best way to make something stop hurting is to go throw a touchdown pass. That’s the best way I know to get rid of pain.’’
Ainge suggested the offense needs to develop a tougher mindset, particularly in short-yardage situations.
“Third-and-1, unless you get some crazy play-action play where a guy is wide open … usually both sides of the ball know you’re going to run the football,’’ Ainge said. “It’s just a mindset, low-man is going to win, does the O-line get enough push, and is the running back determined to get a first down.
“It’s mental, and I think we need to take the approach and say we’re not going to be denied. We’ve had that approach in the past, and I think we got away from it a little bit in that game.’’
UT was 0-for-3 on third-down conversions of 3 yards or shorter in the second half of the loss to Cal, including a goal-line stand from the 3 after the Vols had first-and-goal.
Ainge threw incomplete twice on the goal-line series, including an incompletion on fourth down.
“Cal was well-disciplined and played good football, (but) I think we’ll play defenses that are better than they were this year,’’ Ainge said. “We kind of shot ourselves in the foot four or five times and that’s what got us beat in my opinion, from an offensive standpoint.
“It (Southern Miss) literally has every blitz, every stunt and every coverage. From a mental standpoint, we have our work cut out for us this week.”
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Comments » 39
Ironcity writes:
Good to hear Ainge recognize what we all saw. Games are won when you capitalize on your opportunities. UT did not against Cal.
ncvol17 writes:
Short yardage was pitiful and cost us swing points
threesdown#452226 writes:
Ainge is a beast! J.C. is great LEARN EVERYTHING MR. Crompton...EVERYTHING
I want a no-huddle that confuses the defense...Instead of me...Can't we run four set plays in succession?
Let Eric Berry have punt return or return kicks please! Please PLEASE! Doesn't everyone else want to see him in the open field? I can't wait for him to get his first interception...
He is dangerously fast [and incredibly smart]
Can anyone say combo?
RangerForSix writes:
Ainge is 'taking a hit' for the team; for not playing a 'perfect game'. Although he 'didn't call most of the plays'. Just a 'few audibles' for this 'four year starter'? He has a 'clever sense' of what needs to be run...let the 4 year starter audible into a better play, based of what 'he's seeing', 'hearing' or 'feeling', down on the 'actual field of battle'. Also by communicating with his receivers and backs, on how they are being defended. "31 points should beat everyone we play" the rest of the season...It was enough against CAL if special teams and the defense 'show up to win', not just play hard...
Way to 'lean into the fast ball' for the team Ainge, it's a smart thing to do for this crew. Also, 'heal as fast as God will allow'! Get back to 100% as soon as you can. Your a 'tough young man' with several painful injuries, and still... you were 'clearly the best QB on the field vs CAL'. Hopefully you'll 'stay hot' and get some help from the defense and special teams on Saturday! Go VOLS: Oh, and maybe Coker and Foster will GO OFF... "destroy southern mississippi VOLS 'for 60 minutes' gentlemen!!!..."
DennisVols writes:
Saying all the right things this week, Ainge, Fulmer & the rest, is encouraging. Now we will get to see if the words have sunk into the heads and hearts of the team. S.Miss will not be a team to take lightly. This is the week for UT to make a statement. This kind of game, following the tough loss to Cal, can be a measuring stick for this program.
andy112382#209793 writes:
Impressive how far Ainge has come since two seasons ago. Heres hoping he stays healthy and helps lead us to an SEC title. Tennessee is way overdue on sending another QB to the NFL to stay. GO VOLS!!!
andy112382#209793 writes:
Oh, by the way, thanks to those who told me where to listen to the game online, but I bit the bullet and ordered the game on tv, I had made a deal with myself that if I found a new job this week I would do that in celebration! =)
VolFan4ever writes:
hey saban,they must not have computers in alabama,otherwise you wouldn't be on a rivals website talkin bulls__it...ainge did great in my opinion,but cutcliffe didn't throw it deep many times,at least throw it deep to keep cals D honest..listen why do you even get JC transfers if your not gonna play them??aka mckenzie & willingham???berry is gonna be a stud...and why the hell does fulmer over recruit one position and try to convert them to another posistion????I use to stick up for fulmer but if he doesn't become "hip" to today's college football i will withdrawal my endorsment for him....GO VOLS!!!!!!!!!!!!
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
Should be a good game. I think UT will come out on top... Saban, go get another hobby... we have more than one tooth up here, but that's as high as you can count... I understand.
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
Anyone know how much the game is on PPV?
VolFan4ever writes:
i heard you can watch it for free on your computer,visit utsports.com and go to mulimedia tab,i don't know but i'm gonna try it..i live in florida so i don't know if i can even get it on ppv here.
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
volfan4ever,
How is it down there in enemy territory... I used to live in Orlando back in '97.
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
Kingsport,
Sorry... not taking that one... don't want to sit on Jerry Springer with all of Saban's kin to find out who the Daddy is...
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
I did hear that Travis Henry was down in Tuscalooser this week.
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
What's the matter, Saban... Mom after you for child support?
VolFan4ever writes:
i live in pompano bch,but you know florida fans they root for wichever teams are doing good ;aka fl state.miami,florida...but i wear my tennesse hat everywere,i don't care i'm proud of wear i'm from!!!!i'm not a fairweather fan.i do get frustrated sometimes,but one universal truth i've found is that you can't win em all...
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
I'd like to see us put more pressure on the QB this week.
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
volfan4ever...
truer words were never spoken... Been able to wear the orange and white all over the country...
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
Seeing everybody jumping on the "Fire Fulmer" bandwagon after one game was getting old.
VolFan4ever writes:
thanx usnavyvolaninva,i was hooked when i saw tennessee beat miami in 85 sugar bowl,i've watched every game since,the one thing i can't figure out is how these guys get into trouble??i would give anything to put those pads on and run through that T...i would probably seperate my shoulder trin to hit somebody but thats just me...it's about state pride,always has been,yea i'm a redneck,but i'm a sophisticated redneck!!!!GO VOLSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!
VolFan4ever writes:
yo saban,ignorance has to be bliss,also if your gonna be dumb,you better be tough...or hard headed.....
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
Can't wait to see Ainge light up the pink elephants the same way Peyton did in '95
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
Me, too, VF4ever,
I'm a sophisticated redneck and I've been trying to teach those Europeans how to say "y'uns."
VolFan4ever writes:
i think 2 of the following will have a good game,o'neal,vinson,jones or paige...
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
How does it feel to be the fan of the 5th best team in AL, Saban? (after Auburn, UAB, South Alabama, Alabama A&M)
agentorange writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
rockytop#413695 writes:
The game is on ESPN Gameplan. You can only listen to the audio on the ut sports site.
Saban, you can start talking smack when your elephants actually beat a real team. I hope you guys are better with Saban. I really do. I remember when UT vs Bama was really a game! Let's see, when was that? It's been so long I can't remember.
VolFan4ever writes:
dude why are you even on this this site???you should be banned...i'm gonna check
rockytop#413695 writes:
Saban, that comment was about as lame as I have ever heard. A win is a win even though you beat the girls school for the blind? Get real! I don't think I saw your team in anybodies top 25 and hey, you guys won! Wow! What does that tell you about who you beat. Come on, get of the hard stuff and at least wait until you actually beat a decent team before coming on here and talking junk.
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
Hey, guess what? FSU is 0-1! Guess Bama would wipe the field with the 'Noles!! LOL
BigUn writes:
Saban is just typical of the most classless cheating program in the nation. All Bama fans are just like him. No class and it shows.
But if you leave him alone he will go away. After all, he has to help get those envelopes of cash out to all the Tahd players for the Tuscaloosa slave and sheep auction that goes on every recruiting season down there.
Saban, if you really want to talk trash, try something that Jeff Foxworthy hasn't told a thousand times. Something like "If you shoot your son because your favorite college team lost a football game...you might be a Bama fan"
gohawks1 writes:
Hey Saban, I heard that 5 flunkies from UT enrolled at Alabama. The average GPA of both schools went up.
Southland writes:
Keep it up Saban. It warms my heart for Bama fans to show how stupid they are. If you are one of those pitiful souls that cheer for Bama that lives in Tennessee, then you are one of those people no one likes. Do you live in your mom's basement? Does she know you are using her computer? I feel sorry for you man I really do. No friends and you choose a team that insures that no one will like you. Hey go see if the real Bama fans will have anything to do with you. From what i know of them even they would be embarrased at you and your retarded attemps at humor.
shane6#638715 writes:
I've been thinking about what the Vols need all week and I've concluded that what they need and what they lack is a true, no kidding, for real LEADER. Not someone who is a leader due to position or class but a true blue, AL WILSON, KING MANNING, LENORD LITTLE, leader. That is what makes the recent teams so different from the teams of the mid-lat 90's. I remember seeing Al Wilson get into the faces of his teammates when he didn't think they were "giving their all for Tennessee today". I remember seeing Manning encouraging when encouragement was needed. LL lead by example. Never saw him take a play off. Leadership shouldn't start in the huddle or on the line of scrimmage. Leadership starts off the field and on the sidelines. Fulmer didn't have to say anything...Wilson, Manning, and LL did it for him. Look on the sidelines. Do you see a TEAM leader there? Ainge ain't running up and down the sidelines...Foster ain't running up and down the sidelines....Ryan/Mayo/X aren't doing it either. They need a 100%, all the time, pat you on the butt, get in your face leader who is intense and dominating. Someone who demands respect. Someone who shows respect, and someone who isn't afraid to call a spade a spade. If Al Wilson is out of the NFL maybe Tennessee should hire him as a LB coach or as a consultant on REAL leadership. Go Vols.
andy112382#209793 writes:
usnavyvolfaninva, what cable company do you have? I payed $21.95 or something like that for 12 games this weekend. I think the Tennessee game is the only one I care about, though, the Florida/Troy game may be one I check in on just to scout out the gators and see what we have to look forward to next week. GO VOLS!!!
vol4jesus writes:
AUDIO feed only on utsports.com is free. Don't believe video is available except pay per view.Time for some ROCKY TOP KNOCKIN on the Eagles!!!
gohawks1 writes:
Hey Shane, I agree. That kind of leadership is what can motivate the other players around him to pick it up and go. Al Wilson played high school ball here in my home county, and since I have been in public education now for over 20 years, I had a chance to see him play HS ball against my team. He was a powerhouse then, too. The Vols need another player with that kind of enthusiasm. Jabari Greer was another player from this area (my school, actually). That guy had some serious speed.
orangebloodgmc writes:
Will try the audio feed on utsports.com, but my plan B is AM radio, 1510 WLAC out of Nashville; being a high-wattage "clear channel" station, it can be picked up a couple states away after dark, and I can usually get it here in Baton Rouge. Geaux Vawls!
cwisenhower#637741 writes:
I never had any doubt about Ainge's game smarts. It always had to do with who was coaching him. Sanders is now a memory, and the seasoned Cutcliffe is back in the fold.
In life, it all goes back to your mentors. Good thing Ainge wound up with Cutcliffe before Ainge departs for the NFL.
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