ATHENS, Ga. - The play was easily lost in a game that better resembled a Pac-10 highlight video than an SEC battle. But amidst all the plays that ended up in the end zone Saturday night at Sanford Stadium, a play that began in the end zone was worth remembering.

In a game of fast-break offenses, Tennessee was still playing catch-up against Georgia with six minutes remaining in the third quarter. The Vols faced a third-and-13 from their own 5-yard line when offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe called a play that showed no concern for field position and little respect for the Georgia defense.

But it spoke volumes for the confidence he has in quarterback Erik Ainge.

Ainge promptly showed why he has earned that confidence. He dropped into the end zone, maintained his poise in the face of three onrushing Georgia defenders and threw a strike to wide receiver Robert Meachem for a 17-yard gain and a crucial first down.

Just like that, the Vols were off and winging on another scoring drive in a 37-point second half that flattened the 10th-ranked Bulldogs 51-33.

There were plenty of reasons for UT's second-half charge, which proved that the unbeaten Bulldogs were as overrated as many critics suspected after a 5-0 start against a weak schedule.

The Vols forced four second-half turnovers. They blocked a punt for a touchdown. Running back Arian Foster rushed for 50 of his 63 yards and scored two of his three touchdowns in the second half. Their offensive line repeatedly knocked Georgia off the line and didn't allow a second-half sack.

But you don't win this kind of game without a big-time quarterback. UT had one; Georgia didn't.

Ainge completed 25-of-38 passes for 268 yards and two touchdowns. He's had better stats but he has never played better in a game that mattered as much as this one.

The Vols trailed 24-7 late in the first half. They were on the verge of being 0-2 in the SEC. They were starting to remind you of the 5-6 team of 2005.

But the flashbacks quickly gave away to one of the best halves of the Phillip Fulmer era. It's one thing to score 41 points against Memphis, as the Vols did the week before. It's another thing to score almost at will on a team that was leading the nation in fewest points allowed.

Georgia gave up 34 points in its first five games. It gave up 37 in the second half to UT.

And it looked utterly helpless against the Ainge-led offense.

It wasn't just what Ainge did. It's also what he didn't do.

He didn't get antsy in the pass pocket. He didn't throw an interception. He didn't do anything to remind you of Georgia's quarterback.

Georgia senior Joe Tereshinksi played the game of his life for half a game. He completed seven-of-nine passes for 127 yards and one touchdown without an interception. He played better than anyone could have imagined.

Then he played a second half that reminded you why Georgia has started three different quarterbacks this season. He completed five-of-11 passes for 37 yards and threw two game-altering interceptions before he finally was replaced by true-freshman Matthew Stafford.

UT fans know the feeling. They experienced it throughout the 2005 season when the Vols alternated Ainge and Rick Clausen, often with dreadful results.

Those days are easier to forget now. The Vols are averaging 35 points per game, and Ainge is playing better than any other quarterback in the SEC.

And Cutcliffe can call plays accordingly.