Ainge Starting vs. Irish

[duckman398686]

KNOXVILLE - Amidst the turmoil and controversy in the Vols’ offensive coaching staff, Tennessee is also still in the middle of a quarterback battle. And they have a game to play.

Coach Phillip Fulmer said today that sophomore Erik Ainge will start against Notre Dame on Saturday, but senior Rick Clausen will be available.




Ainge played most of the way in the 16-15 loss to South Carolina on Saturday, despite not starting or finishing the game. He was 9-of-21 for 65 yards.

“He played pretty well in the ball game,” Fulmer said. “He made some really nice throws. One corner route to Jayson Swain was just out of reach. The post-route to Chris Hannon was a really well-thrown football. There were several throws that he didn’t make, but we just have to keep him coming.”

The South Carolina game was the first significant playing time Ainge had gotten since the first half of the LSU game.

“Erik has looked much better in the past couple of weeks as far as the timing of things, and I think that was reflected in the (South Carolina) ball game,” Fulmer said.

 

[Volstorm]

Sanders no longer OC, and Ainge starts...coincidence? Me thinks not.

 

[smokeyman15]

Originally posted by Volstorm@Nov 1, 2005 9:25 PM
Sanders no longer OC, and Ainge starts...coincidence?  Me thinks not.

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agreed

 

[Jmxvol]

I say good call.

 

[OWB]

I say why not?

 

[Jmxvol]

I say what the hell... :dunno:

 

[Volstorm]

I say who?

 

[tidwell]

Not really surprising... Ainge is Fulmer's boy afterall.

 

[oldbasshead]

Why not Ainge. He did show some improvement and why play Clausen who is a senior and didn't play any better than Ainge. Clausen's younger brother is not even looking at UT now. So it only make sense to play Ainge. Forget Rick Clausen. If we are going to loose at ND and we will let's loose with Ainge and begin to look toward next year.

 

[west tn vol fan]

I say it's about time. :rock: :rock:

 

[oldbasshead]

Originally posted by tidwell@Nov 1, 2005 10:47 PM
Not really surprising... Ainge is Fulmer's boy afterall.

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In addition to playing Ainge, any senior receiver who drops catchable balls goes to the bench as well. Let's loose with freshment, not seniors.

 

[Volstorm]

Isn't it funny that Fulmer has always had the habit of annoyingly starting his Seniors, but doesn't want Clausen to even smell the field?

 

[checkerboard_charly]

i like it but Ainge proved zip in the south carolina game. he was 9 for 21.

big deal. he threw bad balls and mainly threw into triple coverage against a pourous usc defense.

i say pray every nite that these qb's can make it through the season with losing the rest of our games.

 

[volmanjr]

Originally posted by oldbasshead@Nov 1, 2005 9:25 PM
In addition to playing Ainge, any senior receiver who drops catchable balls goes to the bench as well.  Let's loose with freshment, not seniors.

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I say have open walk-on tryouts tomorrow, anyboby that catches more than 2 passes from Ainge in a row gets to start.

 

[oldbasshead]

Originally posted by Volstorm@Nov 1, 2005 11:31 PM
Isn't it funny that Fulmer has always had the habit of annoyingly starting his Seniors, but doesn't want Clausen to even smell the field?

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Ainge has the ability. He showed it last year and there have been glimpses this year. Just stay with him and he will come out of the slump he is in. This year is shot. Playing Clausen makes no sense to me now.

 

[Percival]

Sanders no longer OC, and Ainge starts...coincidence? Me thinks not.

Not really surprising... Ainge is Fulmer's boy afterall.

And Sanders sees a lot of himself in Clausen.

 

[rockydoc]

Originally posted by Percival@Nov 1, 2005 10:29 PM
Sanders no longer OC, and Ainge starts...coincidence? Me thinks not.

Not really surprising... Ainge is Fulmer's boy afterall.

And Sanders sees a lot of himself in Clausen.

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I remember when Randy Sanders was competing with Jeff Frances for starting QB job in the mid 80's. He had a lot of support from the fans, being an East Tenn native. In fall practice they were neck and neck. However in a game, he (RS) was terrible...couldn't see open receivers...threw passes in the dirt etc. To the best of my memory, he may have also like RC been a lefty.

Incidentally, Sanders had already graduated early and had gotten a job and married before the 88 season when Majors and the OC(? Walt Harris) begged him to return for his senior year to be an influence on some young QB's. So it's not like he begged for the job. Hopefully he will get a goob job somewhere.

 

[Low Country Vol]

no need to say i told you so

Posted on: Oct 11, 2005 11:57 AM

this is there way of transistioning Ainge back to a more prominent role. I am sure clausen's role will diminish as the season goes. Ainge will start at Notre Dame. I think the coaches have sent a message to ainge and he is pissed. I think he will play with more fire.
This is about playing for pride and next year. There are no rings to be won. We can at least keep the bowl streak alive.

 

[volunteer04]

Jim Bob deserves to play. Rudy! Rudy! Rudy!

 

[TennFan]

Even though both struggled against SC, I still think Casey should start. He did better against LSU and we won, especially coming off the bench. Even when Ainge came off the bench against SC, he didn't do much in the time he was in there. I also think the Vols better have a good QB protection regardless of who is in there. Gotta have time to get rid of the ball or run it! :yes:

 

[duckman398686]

Rick?

 

[gonygonygo]

ND's new defensive game plan...

1st down: BLITZ!!!

2nd down: BLITZ!!!

3rd down: BLITZ!!! fumble recovery for touchdown!!! (or interception return)

:mf_surrender:

 

[OWB]

Originally posted by TennFan@Nov 2, 2005 3:46 PM
Even though both struggled against SC, I still think Casey should start.

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:blink:

 

[vols05]

Clausen couldn't beat ND last year so why not start Ainge??? :yes:

 

[wncvolfan]

If Ainge starts, let's hope he stays with him longer than two series. If he hooks him after two and puts RC in, I'm afraidRC will press and screw up more than he normally does, which is quite a lot. Then PF sticks Ainge back in in the 4th quarter, totally cold and demoralized. Second verse, same as the first.