MIAMI -- The final game of Peyton Manning's college career was a bummer.

Not only did he play on a bum knee, but he spent the final minutes of the Tennessee's 42-17 loss to Nebraska on the Orange Bowl sidelines wondering what went wrong.

It was turnovers. The Vols killed their chances with three of them on consecutive possessions in the first half at a time the Tennessee defense still had Nebraska somewhat under control.

"That killed us," Manning said. "You can't turn over the ball against a great team like Nebraska and expect to win.

"We just hurt ourselves. If you give them anything easy their offense is going to make you pay."

That Nebraska did, and all Manning could do at the end was stand in the gloom near the Tennessee bench at Pro Player Stadium as the Cornhuskers staked their claim to being the nation's best team.

Manning's father, former All-Pro quarterback Archie Manning, said on the sidelines the family was proud of his son's decision to return to college for his senior year, and the way he handled the season.

"I think he had an impact on others, and I'm glad it worked out for him," Archie Manning said. "He stayed healthy, won a (Southeastern Conference) championship, and we're glad he stayed. We're proud of him."

Manning wanted more than an SEC title, but it was not to be. The Vols were their own worst enemy in the first half, and the Cornhuskers were their worst nightmare in the second.

Manning completed 21 of 31 passes, but for only 134 yards as Tennessee went to its quick passing game to negate the strong Nebraska defensive rush. Manning's sore right knee, which put him in the hospital for five days before Christmas, did not appear to be much of a factor.

But it was the second-lowest passing total of Manning's senior season.

Manning threw little but short outs, hooks and screens, seldom throwing downfield more than seven or eight yards. His last pass was an incompletion midway through the fourth quarter. Tee Martin replaced him for Tennessee's final series.

At halftime, the Cornhuskers adjusted beautifully and ripped the Vol defense to shreds, leaving Manning standing on the sidelines watching most of the second half.

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