Vols drop title game; Ainge says 'It's on me'

ATLANTA, Ga. -- Erik Ainge was set up perfectly to etch his name into the Tennessee record book as the first Volunteer quarterback to win a Southeastern Conference championship since Tee Martin in 1998.

Instead, the senior unwittingly joined a long list of disappointments in Tennessee's quest to return to the top Ainge's two costly interceptions in the fourth quarter -- the first of which resulted in the deciding score -- allowed LSU to escape the Georgia Dome with a hard-fought 21-14 win over the 14th-ranked Volunteers. It was Tennessee's third consecutive loss in the SEC title game, including setbacks in 2001 and 2004.

Tennessee quarterback Erik Ainge (10) tries to find an open receiver before LSU's Tyson Jackson arrives. (T-G Photo by Danny Parker) [Click to enlarge]

"That turnover will get you beat every time," Ainge said of his first interception, an errant pass that was picked off by LSU's Jonathan Zenon and returned 18 yards for the game-winning score at the 9:54 mark of the fourth period.

"SEC Championship, second game of the year, it doesn't matter. Practice, scrimmage -- if you throw a pass or a turnover like that for points, you put yourself in a bad situation," Ainge said.

Tennessee was certainly in command prior to Ainge's pick.

A 6-yard scoring strike from Ainge to Josh Briscoe had put Tennessee on top 14-13 with 3:09 left in the third quarter. That alone was surprising given the fact the Vols had garnered only 93 yards in the first half. And most of that came on their 62-yard scoring drive to open the game.

The Volunteer defense had also rallied in the second half. After surrendering 271 yards and surviving 46 plays in the first half, freshman safety Eric Berry's fumble recovery and interception led a second-half charge that kept LSU in check until Ainge gave UT the lead with his touchdown toss to Briscoe late in the third quarter.

Ainge was attempting to maintain that momentum when he attempted a post route to the right side deep in Tennessee territory in the fourth period. Instead, Zenon stepped in front of the intended receiver, intercepted the wayward throw and scampered untouched into the end zone.

The ensuing two-point conversion gave the Tigers' their final seven-point margin.

"Basically, I had seen those type of routes maybe four or five times throughout the week," Zenon said. "When I saw the formation, I knew exactly what they was going to run, and I had an opportunity to jump in front of the ball exactly when I did.

Receiver Josh Briscoe crosses the goal line to put the Vols up late in the third quarter. (T-G Photo by Danny Parker) [Click to enlarge]

"I shouldn't have thrown the ball out there. I mean, just as much as he made a good play, I made a bad decision," Ainge said. "The guys played hard. I throw an interception for seven points … it's going to get you beat. It's on me."

Ainge had two opportunities for redemption.

Tennessee twice drove into LSU territory in the final five minutes. The first drive stalled when two accurate passes were dropped by freshman receiver Denarius Moore on third and fourth down.

Ainge completed a 47-yard pass to tailback Arian Foster to get the Vols to the LSU 14 with under three minutes remaining. However, his next throw into double coverage was intercepted by the Tigers' Darry Beckwith with 2:42 left.

LSU converted a pair of first downs to ice the game and claim their 10th SEC title and a spot in the Bowl Championship Series.

Tennessee was left to ponder one they let slip away.

"Erik Ainge is the reason we are here, or one of the reasons we're here," Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer said of his quarterback, who finished 20-of-40 for 249 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.

"We could have darn sure played better in a lot of places, and you win as a team and lose as a team," Fulmer continued. "There's enough blame to go around for the staff and the coaches and the players."

Tennessee finished with 343 yards total offense. Briscoe led all receivers with eight catches for 79 yards and a touchdown. Tight end Chris Brown had the Vols' other score via an 11-yard touchdown pass from Ainge in the first quarter.