AP: Vols football: Manning pleased that Ainge is starter

By ELIZABETH A. DAVIS

The Associated Press

KNOXVILLE - Former Tennessee quarterback Peyton Manning was pleased to hear Erik Ainge would start this season after having to compete with other players the last two years.  Coach Phillip Fulmer and offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe said Ainge, a junior, was the No. 1 quarterback coming out of spring practice.  Manning, now a two-time MVP for the Indianapolis Colts, was back at his alma mater on Thursday to award a scholarship bearing his name, participate in a fundraising golf tournament for a hospital and meet with some of the players.

Ainge and Rick Clausen were rotating starters a year ago, which became one of the problems Tennessee could not overcome in finishing a dismal 5-6. As a freshman, Ainge competed with Brent Schaeffer before both were injured and Clausen started.  Jonathan Crompton, a highly rated prospect from North Carolina, had to sit out last year to recover from shoulder surgery. He is the top backup.  "For the first time he's been named the starting quarterback. If you think about it, he really hasn't had that opportunity afforded to him yet. He's been competing whether with (Brent) Schaeffer or (Rick) Clausen," Manning said.

"Now he is the guy. It is a great opportunity and certainly there comes a lot of responsibility with that. It sounds like he's really working hard. He really threw the ball well (Wednesday). I'm looking forward to watching him play this year."    Manning, the most decorated athlete in school history and the Southeastern Conference's all-time leading passer, began the Peyton Manning Scholarship in 1998, a year after he graduated. It is funded by $165,000 in academic awards he won as a student combined with corporate matching gifts and other private donations.

The Manning Scholarship covers tuition, room and board. This year's recipient is Nora Sue Hutchison, a graduate of Anderson County High School.

"It's hard to believe it's been nine years and there's been nine award winners," Manning said after presenting a plaque to Hutchison and posing for pictures with her family.     "It's been a special relationship with me and the university to award this Peyton Manning scholarship every year. I've kept up with all the winners. They've written me letters and kept me updated on what we're doing in school and out in the business world."

Manning said he worked out with some of the Volunteers Wednesday and was planning for more on Thursday. He usually works out with the players at least once every summer before he has to report to training camp.   "It makes me feel young again. I turned 30, and I can still throw it around with these 18, 19-year-old receivers, the Robert Meachems, the (Jayson) Swains and (Lucas) Taylors. I enjoy being around the guys," he said.

And he even got in a game of golf with Fulmer.   "We tied," Manning said. "I gave him a few strokes to keep it even."