Clausen earns back starting spot at Tennessee

The Tennessee senior saved the No. 6 Volunteers’ season a year ago when he played in place of the two injured freshmen ahead of him on the depth chart.

Then he was passed over again for last week’s starting job against UAB, but Clausen outplayed sophomore Erik Ainge and has won back the job — at least for the next two weeks.

Clausen’s joking around in the huddle may have made the difference.

In a close 17-10 win over UAB, Clausen’s demeanor helped calm the offense.

“I don’t try to make it too serious in the huddle. I try to go out there and enjoy it because ultimately it is a football game and you should enjoy the game as much as possible,” Clausen said Wednesday. “When you have fun, you probably play better.”

In Clausen’s case, experience helps, too.

This is his last year of college football. He was a freshman at LSU in 2001 and transferred to Tennessee after two seasons. Clausen, 23, then sat out a year and finally got his big chance last season.

Ainge, a sophomore, turned 19 this summer. He started six games in the middle of last season, leading the Vols (1-0) to wins over Georgia and Alabama. Clausen started the final four games of last season after Ainge and Brent Schaeffer were hurt.

Ainge had two interceptions in last Saturday’s game and didn’t play much in the second half.

Clausen finished 17-of-24 for 217 yards and one interception that was caused by the fullback bobbling the ball. Ainge went 5-of-14 for 57 yards. Each threw a touchdown pass.

Ainge said he couldn’t keep a rhythm after he went to the sidelines while Clausen played and then got back into the game.

“That’s what I’m going to have to learn fast to be successful this season,” Ainge said.

Clausen said Wednesday he had not been told officially he was going to start in Tennessee’s next game on Sept. 17 at Florida. Coach Phillip Fulmer said Clausen was the starter but both would play.

“Rick did a good job for us last year,” Fulmer said. “I’m seeing that same confidence, the same ability to get the ball to where he wants to get it to. I think he’s done very well. He’s really surpassed everyone’s expectations.”

Clausen, the middle of three brothers with the oldest being former Vols QB Casey Clausen, has said all along he would be fine whether he started or not. Fulmer praised Clausen for being a team player.

“He’s one of the most incredible persons that I’ve had a chance to coach,” Fulmer said.

Clausen was disappointed he was not named the starter for the opener, but he felt good about the way he played in preseason practice.

“I pretty much left everything on the field and let the chips fall where they may. Coach Fulmer made a decision in the best interest of the football team,” he said.

As opposed to last year when he was demoted behind Ainge and Schaeffer, Clausen knew this season he would get to play whether he started or not.

“I had the respect of the football team, the respect of the coaching staff. They knew that if they called on me that I could get the job done,” Clausen said.

Essentially, Clausen doesn’t think there is too much difference starting or being the backup.

“I think the biggest thing is you just have to do what you know how to do. One of my big assets is understanding the offense and getting the ball to the playmakers,” he said. “Whether I come off the bench or start the game that’s still my job as the quarterback.”

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