[batted balls]

Athens, Ga.--Two weeks ago the Georgia Bulldogs' hopes of winning the All-American Football League South took a severe hit with a home loss to Alabama. Afterward, head coach Vince Dooley told his players to dig deep and keep the fire alive.

Following an upset of South front-runner Florida State last weekend, Georgia outlasted Tennessee 21-17 Saturday. Then came the news that LSU had knocked off the Seminoles (details below). Thus, the Georgia Bulldogs have won the South title and advance to play the yet to be determined Midwest champion in the national semi-final Rose Bowl in two weeks.

"It's a great day for Georgia football," declared Dooley. "It's also a great lesson that you have to persevere."

While Georgia, Florida State and LSU all share 5-2 records, the Bulldogs were crowned champions by virtue of defeating both the Seminoles and Tigers.

Georgia, ranked ninth in last week's poll, had its difficulties with 1-6 Tennessee.

"They battled us hard all day," said Dooley. "It was a good ole fashioned tug 'o war."

In the end, Bulldog running back Herschel Walker ran Georgia to the victory. Walker ran 11 times for 116 yards and two touchdowns. His first score was a career-long 74-yard TD dash.

With the Tennessee defense keyed in on Walker and backfield mate Charlie Trippi, quarterback Eric Zeier passed for 147 yards and a touchdown throw to Hines Ward.

Tennessee, 1-6, got a solid game from quarterback Heath Shuler, making his second start this season for the benched Peyton Manning. Shuler completed 19-of-28 passes for 252 yards and a touchdown.

In the end, Walker iced the Georgia victory with a nine-yard run with just over five minutes to play.

LSU 35, Florida State 29

The 10th-ranked Tigers prevailed in a seasaw affair that had more lead changes than a NASCAR race.

Kevin Faulk's 21-yard touchdown burst through the Florida State line with 2:26 remaining proved to be the game-winning score.

"This was an incredible game," said LSU defender Tommy Casanova. "Too bad we can't keep playing."

Casanova's 41-yard interception return put the Tigers ahead 28-22 with nine minutes to play. That lead, however, was short lived. Florida State's Laveranues Coles returned the ensuing kickoff 100 yards to give the fifth-ranked Seminoles a 29-28 lead.

But, LSU refused to fold. Quarterback JaMarcus Russell led the Tigers on a 12-play, 80-yard drive that culminated with Faulk's TD run. Twice, LSU converted short fourth-down plays.

Florida State's final drive ended when LSU lineman Anthony McFarland sacked Charlie Ward on a fourth-and-10 play at the Tiger 35-yard line.

"It's incredible how our season went so well for so long, and then fell apart in the end," said Florida State head coach Bobby Bowden.

Ward completed 18-of-26 passes for 240 yards. He threw two touchdowns, but was intercepted twice.

Russell went 15-of-20 for 186 yards. He threw a pair of TD passes to Billy Cannon. Cannon caught four balls for 71 yards.

Both teams finished with 5-2 records. Yet, both lost games to Georgia and thus miss the bowl playoffs.

Florida 28, Miami 21

In the end, perhaps Steve Spurrier finally found some patience.

Known for pulling his quarterbacks for the slightest miscue, the Gator head coach stuck with Danny Wuerffel Saturday. The Florida quarterback rewarded Spurrier's patience with a 347-yard, two-touchdown performance that sparked the Gators past Miami.

"We all know how Coach Spurrier is," said Wuerffel. "That being said, there's nobody I'd rather play for."

Wuerffel threw touchdown strikes to Chris Collingsworth and Ike Hilliard as Florida built a 21-14 lead in the third quarter.

However, Miami quarterback Jim Kelly rallied the Hurricanes with an early fourth-quarter TD pass to Reggie Wayne. Kelly finished the day by completing 27-of-48 passes for 292 yards. He was sacked four times.

Florida scored the game-deciding touchdown on a one-yard run by Emmitt Smith with 4:33 left in the fourth quarter.

Fred Taylor led Florida with 73 yards on 17 attempts. Alonzo Highsmith was Miami's top rusher with 45 yards and two touchdowns.

Both the Gators and Hurricanes ended the season with 3-4 records.

"It's an improvement (over last year's 0-7 regular season)," said Miami head coach Jimmy Johnson. "But we've still got a lot of work to do this off-season."

Alabama 49, Auburn 14

They call it the Iron Bowl, but Auburn ran into a brick wall.

Alabama rolled up 511 yards in total offense as it routed Auburn in Tuscaloosa.

"We came to play today," said Crimson Tide head coach Paul "Bear" Bryant. 'We let it all hang out."

Alabama's running game pounded away at the Tiger defense all afternoon. Johnny Davis led the way with 88 yards on only eight carries. His 24-yard touchdown run opened the scoring for the Crimson Tide.

Shaun Alexander added 74 yards and a touchdown. Bobby Humphrey ran for two scores while Tony Nathan also rushed for a TD.

Quarterback Steve Sloan also got into the act with TD passes to David Palmer and Siran Stacy.

"We opened it up a bit and let Steve throw more this week," said Bryant.

Sloan wound up completing 6-of-7 passes for 89 yards and the two touchdowns.

Auburn actually held a brief 7-0 lead on a 14-yard pass from Pat Sullivan to Joe Cribbs. Forced to play from behind, the Tigers had to abandon their running game. Thus, Bo Jackson led Auburn with only 67 rushing yards on eight carries.

2007 Final East Standings
Georgia 5-2*
Florida State 5-2
LSU 5-2
Alabama 4-3
Florida 3-4
Miami 3-4
Auburn 2-5
Tennessee 1-6

*declared South champion on tie-breakers

South Player of the Week: Herschel Walker, Georgia