Ainge is limited in practice

Injured Tennessee quarterback Erik Ainge practiced more on Thursday, but Coach Phillip Fulmer was vague about how much his starter would be able to play Saturday against No. 13 Louisiana State at Knoxville, Tenn.

Ainge sprained his right ankle in last week’s game at South Carolina and has been limited in practice. His backup, Jonathan Crompton, a redshirt freshman, has played sparingly so far this season for No. 8 Tennessee but has been preparing to play.

“Erik did everything today, practically everything,” Fulmer said. “That’s a real plus. That’s much improved from yesterday. Still don’t have any solid say on exactly what we’re going to do, but I’d say it looks like he’s going to be able to play.”

When asked to explain whether the decision is about Ainge starting or how much he will play, Fulmer said, “Just how we’re going to do it. That’s just kind of where we are.... That’s all I need to say about it.”

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Western Kentucky’s board of regents approved a move from NCAA Division I-AA to I-A football. The board voted, 7-2, in favor of the switch, with one regent abstaining.

Western Kentucky is to submit paperwork to the NCAA office before June 1 and will be considered a reclassifying school for the 2007 and ’08 seasons. The first year the Hilltoppers, the 2002 Division I-AA champion, will be eligible to participate for a Sun Belt Conference championship and a berth in a bowl game is 2009.

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Adam Matthews, a former star running back at Northern Colorado and the son of ex-NFL running back Bo Matthews, died at his home. He was 25. Thornton died of a seizure, school spokesman Eric Scott said. He said he had no other details.

Adam Matthews tied an NCAA record in 2003 with 11 consecutive 100-yard rushing games.

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Air Force (3-4) will try to gain revenge for a 27-24 loss last season to Army (3-6) when the teams meet tonight in West Point, N.Y.