ATLANTA, Dec. 9 (UPI) -- Backup quarterback Matt Mauck, a 22-year-old freshman who spent four years playing minor league baseball, carried No. 20 LSU to a 31-20 win over second-ranked Tennessee in the SEC championship game Saturday night and created another wild turn to the college football season.
Mauck guided LSU on five scoring drives in the second half in place of the injured Rohan Davey to end the Volunteers' bid for the NCAA title.
For the fifth time in the last three weekends, a team that controlled its own national championship destiny fell victim to an upset.
Tennessee's loss likely gave Nebraska a berth in the Rose Bowl against unbeaten Miami, a matchup that will become official when the final Bowl Championship Series ranknigs are released Monday.
A Nebraska appearance in the national championship contest will again touch off howls of protest at the BCS rankings since in their final regular-season game of the year, the Cornhuskers surrendered 62 points in a thrashing at the hands of Colorado.
Nebraska was unable to even play in its own conference's title game, but was ranked third in the BCS behind Miami and Tennessee before the Volunteers stumbled Saturday night.
After Nebraska lost to Colorado, Oklahoma, Florida and Texas all moved into position to play for the NAAA crown only to become upset victims. Oklahoma lost to Oklahoma State, Florida fell to Tennessee and Texas was beaten by Colorado.
Colorado is currently fourth in the BCS rankings and Oregon is fifth.
Making its first appearance in the SEC title game, LSU (9-3) likely is headed to the Sugar Bowl to play Big Ten Conference champion Illinois.
Mauck, who was recruited by LSU coach Nick Saban when he was at Michigan State, replaced the injured Davey in the third quarter. Mauck led LSU to three field goals before scoring on a 13-yard quarterback draw 40 seconds into the final period.
Mauck hit Josh Reed for the coversion pass to give the Tigers a 24-17 lead.
Casey Clausen tried to rally the Volunteers, marching them to a first and goal at the four. But he threw three incompletions and Tennessee had to settle for Alex Walls' 21-yard field goal with 9:55 left.
The Volunteers forced LSU to punt, but Donte' Stallworth fumbled after a first-down reception and safety Ryan Clark recovered for LSU at the Tigers' 35.
LSU put away the contest with a six-minute drive, opening a 31-20 lead on Domanick Davis' one-yard plunge on fourth down with 2:16 remaining.
Stallworth's fumble was the second of two critical turnovers for Tennessee in the second half.
After John Corbello kicked field goals of 47 and 45 yards in the third quarter to get the Tigers within 17-16, Travis Stephens fumbled at the Tennessee 39. LSU needed five plays to take the lead for good.
