Tennessee quarterback Erik Ainge had to fight through pain to start the season opener against Cal. Then, he had to fight again just to stay in the game.
The senior was nearly pulled from last Saturday’s 45-31 loss to Cal after taking a hard hit on the sideline in the fourth quarter, offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe said on Tuesday.
“My intention was to take him out,” Cutcliffe said, “then he waved us off.”
In retrospect, Cutcliffe said he should have taken Ainge out for sophomore Jonathan Crompton.
Ainge almost pulled after hit : Football : GoVolsXtra.com