Tennessee made a great run, and we were only a couple mistakes from completing it. We had LSU right where we wanted them, which says a lot about this football team. We just made a couple big mistakes that cost us the game. I could probably sit here and name off about ten plays that could have went a little different and Tennessee would be playing in the Sugar Bowl, but things went LSU’s way and there is nothing anyone can do about it.
I’m proud of this football team. Some Tennessee fans may not be, but this team came along way throughout the course of the season. We overcame a lot of obstacles, the biggest being the loss of five defensive backs, and we still were in the position to beat the future National Champions in the SEC Championship game. I think thats pretty impressive.
For all the people that doubted this football team, its kind of hard to doubt them now. They went up against one of the best teams in the country, the best in my opinion, and stood their ground. All that I expect them to do is give it everything they’ve got, and they did that in the Georgia Dome Saturday night and throughout the year, and for that I’m proud to be a Tennessee Vol.
Erik Ainge
I know Erik Ainge is going to get killed by the media and fans for throwing those two interceptions. There is no doubt about it his fourth quarter mistakes had a huge impact on the outcome of the game, but we never would have been there without him. Ainge never makes throws like that, he’s even so careful with the ball that it irritates me at times. Maybe the pressure got to him, but he does not receive all the blame for this loss. His receivers couldn’t get open the majority of the game causing him to have to squeeze his throws in some pretty tight spots, and Cutcliffe even admitted he didn’t help out his quarterback very much. Not to mention, if Daniel Lincoln makes one of his two missed field goals we don’t have to score in our two trips to the end zone. So the only thing to say is this was a team loss, and Ainge should be remembered for what he was, a good, at times great Tennessee quarterback.
A Trip to Remember
The trip down to Atlanta this weekend didn’t turn out like I wanted it to, but it was a great experience. We got down there about noon that way we could go to fanfare and enjoy the atmosphere. The coolest thing about Fanfare was seeing Vol great Willie Gault, who still looks like he could suit for the Vols today. As for the stadium atmosphere, one thing that we noticed not too long after we got there was Vol nation had come out in full force. For every LSU fan, there were at least three fans in orange. Because of this the stadium atmosphere was awesome. It was just a cool experience, and even though the game didn’t turn out like I hoped it would, it was great one to watch.
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We must have posted at about the same time. I’m still not over the game, but I forced myself to write something.
I was very, very proud to be a Vol down there. Our fans probably outnumbered them 3-to-1 (honestly) and our team played with a lot of heart.
You’re right about Ainge not deserving ALL the blame, but, much like Peyton as a collegian, when the game absolutely had to be on his shoulders, he dropped the ball. Both those picks were all on him, and they cost us the game.
And the LSU punter was an unsung hero, too.
Just a tough loss all the way around. Being there with you and Dad helped though, because we were able to break it all down, analyze and come away feeling like we lost to a better team even though we were a smarter team — sans one quarterback who makes two or three “Holy S!!!, WHAT ARE YOU DOING??” plays a game.
I know I’m not over it yet either. This is as positive as I can be, but its not going to accomplish anything by throwing this team under the bus. They overachieved.
I feel much better about it now than I did after the game. I’ve never been so in shock after a football game. Everybody was, we just let them off the hook. I never would have guessed we would have lost like that.
Tennessee played a nearly perfect game for three quarters. Zero penalties, zero turnovers - pretty impressive. They certainly brought their A-game. And the orange in the stadium was impressive - the noise difference when the Vols were rolling was very obvious. LSU normally travels very well, but I have to admit our fan base didn’t bear the Arkansas loss very well. Not proud of that. I’ve always liked (most) Tennessee fans and your traditions (except for Rocky Top - imagine if we sang “Jambalaya”, blechh!). Your defense played inspired ball, especially in the second half. I’ll be wearing some Orange on New Year’s Day as you take it all out on Wisconsin. Dogs eat badger, do they not?
Yea I will be rooting hard for LSU against Ohio State as well. I was impressed with the LSU fans. I’ve heard some bad things about them, but the fans around us were pretty cool.
I was proud of our defense. They really stepped up. I’m pretty excited about the future, but we had every chance in the world, and it sucks for the seniors we couldn’t pull it out.
In ‘01, the fans were the worst I’ve ever seen. EVER. They spit on us walking out of the Dome, and they tried to tip our car over.
This year, they were pure class. I have no idea what the difference was. But the whole situation earned some respect from me.
Go Vols! Geaux Tigers!
I have to say, hats off to the Tigers. I wouldn’t have been so disappointed if we hadn’t been in the game when Erik started pitching interceptions. Doesn’t make him a bad guy, or a bad player — just had a bad night. Still, I’m proud of the Vols and what they accomplished this season.
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