Clausen ices the Wolverines.(Knight Ridder Newspapers)

ORLANDO _ Quarterback Casey Clausen, dressed in a trendy tan suit with his cropped blond hair gelled up into a spiky style, walked into the interview room after earning the Most Valuable Player trophy in the Citrus Bowl.

He has been given the moniker of Iceman _ Hollywood actor Val Kilmer's character in the 1980s movie Top Gun _ and resembles Kilmer.

Although Clausen might not always agree with the nickname, he was the epitome of cool as he led No. 8 Tennessee to a 45-17 win over No. 17 Michigan on Tuesday at the Citrus Bowl.

Clausen completed 26 of 34 passes for 393 yards, threw three touchdowns and ran in two more touchdowns from one yard out as Tennessee (11-2) brought down the curtain on a season of unfulfilled promise. The ultimate goal of reaching the national title game had been thwarted by the Dec. 8 loss to Louisiana State in the Southeastern Conference title game.

"With the team we had, we should be in Pasadena," Clausen said after the Volunteers dominated Michigan (8-4) in the teams' first meeting. "I am not making any excuses. We had the opportunity to get it done, but we didn't."""

Still, the 20-year-old sophomore was able to bask in the limelight of Tennessee's first bowl victory in three years. "From the first day I set foot on the campus, I wanted to play in big games like this,""" he said.

Clausen efficiently directed the Volunteers, and was aided by several spectacular catches from Donte Stallworth _ eight receptions for 119 yards _ and freshman Kelley Washington's six catches for 70 yards and two touchdowns.