Nov. 7, 2006

FORT WORTH, Texas -- The Davey O'Brien Foundation announced Tuesday 18 semifinalists for the 2006 Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award, presented annually to the nation's best college quarterback, and Tennessee's Erik Ainge was among those selected.

The O'Brien Selection Committee, made up of a nationwide panel of sportswriters, commentators and former O'Brien Award winners, will vote later this month to narrow the field again. The three finalists will be announced Nov. 21 by the National College Football Awards Association in a joint effort among college football award programs.

The 18 semifinalists, in alphabetical order, are: Erik Ainge, Tennessee, Jr., SEC; John Beck, BYU, Sr., MWC; John David Booty, USC, Jr., PAC-10; Colt Brennan, Hawaii, Jr., WAC; Brian Brohm, Louisville, Jr., Big East; Chad Henne, Michigan, Jr., Big Ten; Kevin Kolb, Houston, Sr., C-USA; Chris Leak, Florida, Sr., SEC; Nate Longshore, California, So., PAC-10; Colt McCoy, Texas, Fr., Big 12; Tyler Palko, Pittsburgh, Sr., Big East; Brady Quinn, Notre Dame, Sr., Ind.; Bobby Reid, Oklahoma State, So., Big 12; JaMarcus Russell, LSU, Jr., SEC; Troy Smith, Ohio State, Sr., Big Ten; John Stocco, Wisconsin, Sr., Big Ten; Pat White, West Virginia, So., Big East; Jared Zabransky, Boise State, Sr., WAC.

The winner of the 2006 Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award will be announced on ESPN's Home Depot College Football Awards Show scheduled for Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. Eastern time. The show will air live from the Atlantic Dance Hall on The Boardwalk at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla. The winner will then be honored on Feb. 19 at the 30th annual Davey O'Brien Awards Dinner at The Fort Worth Club in downtown Fort Worth, Texas, along with Paul Hornung, recipient of the 2006 Davey O'Brien Legends Award, and the O'Brien High School Scholarship Award winner.

Late last month, Ainge was named a Maxwell Award semifinalist. The junior from Hillsboro, Ore., has 66.7 percent of his passes this season, hitting 168-of-252 for 2,216 yards and 16 touchdowns. Despite limited action Saturday against LSU, Ainge still leads the Southeastern Conference in passing yards per game.

For more information on the Davey O.Brien Award, please visit www.daveyobrien.com.

"BIG ORANGE TAILGATE TOUR" ROLLS INTO FAYETTEVILLE

The 2006 "Big Orange Tailgate Tour" continues this weekend in Fayetteville, Ark., and all Vol fans, friends and alumni of the University of Tennessee are invited.

The Tennessee National Alumni Association hosts its fourth stop of the season prior to Saturday's UT-Arkansas matchup, and the two-hour pregame event begins at 3 p.m. The location is the Randal Tyson Indoor Track Center, 1380 South Beechwood, with free parking and shuttle service from the event to Razorback Stadium.

There will be a tailgate-style buffet, along with a big screen television with Vol highlights and other football games being shown.

In addition to food, fun and "Rocky Top," participants can look forward to listening to the UT Pride of the Southland Band, cheerleaders and a special appearance by Smokey. There will be game-specific spirit buttons and beads available, too. Door prizes will be awarded every 15 minutes.

All participants who pre-register for a tailgate tour stop will be automatically entered into a drawing for an autographed football. The drawing will occur at the end of the event.

Cost to eat is just $15 for adults and $8 for children (3-12).

To pre-register or for more information, go to www.utalumni.utk.edu (click on Tailgate Tour logo), or call the National Alumni Association office at 865-974-3011 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern time.

ON SITE CONTACT: Kris Phillips (865-974-3011 or 865-599-5898)