TAMPA, Fla. -- It didn't take long to figure out Tennessee's game plan in the Outback Bowl Tuesday whenever University of Wisconsin senior quarterback Tyler Donovan took off running.

"We knew that Donovan liked to run the ball if he couldn't find anyone open and we wanted to bring the wood to him to say, if he was going to run he was going to pay the price for it," Tennessee defensive end Xavier Mitchell said.

Donovan has been fearless this season, while running or hanging in the pocket and it was no different in Tennessee's 21-17 victory in his final game.

UW's offensive line kept letting defenders get free shots at Donovan, especially in the first half. The Volunteers had problems all season with a pass rush that had only 21 sacks in 13 games, but managed three in this game.

"The line needs to protect better, obviously," said left tackle Gabe Carimi, who gave up a sack in the first half. "He's a tough kid, we know he can handle it. There's no reason for him to get those hits."

But the worst of it came on the end of two Donovan runs. He scored the Badgers' first touchdown on a 6-yard scramble on third down, then took what looked like a helmet-to-helmet hit from safety Eric Berry in the end zone. Replays were inconclusive.

"I wasn't able to see the replay," Donovan said. "It definitely felt head to head. It kind of rattled me a little bit."

Donovan was checked out for a concussion but stayed in the game, although admittedly groggy on the next series. He stayed on the ground for several seconds after taking a hit on a third-down pass on that series.

On the first play of the following series, Donovan tried to slide at the end of a run but caught a cleat and injured his left knee. Backup Allan Evridge replaced him for two plays, but Donovan returned the next series.

"That's just a senior mentality," Carimi said. "He wanted to finish the season out right. I love that kid. He'll always have a good place in my heart. He played hard, he ran hard and he did all he could."

Donovan had no problem with Tennessee's strategy to make him pay when he ran the ball. Volunteers defensive end Antonio Reynolds was called for personal foul with a forearm to Donovan 's head on a touchdown drive before halftime.

"Tennessee was definitely getting after me, give them credit," he said. "That's what they've got to do, with quarterbacks like me. You've got to get after them."

Donova, who completed 14 of 24 passes for 155 yards and a TD, had two chances to pull the game out at the end. After an incomplete pass on fourth-and-2 from the Tennessee 10, his final chance started from his 12, with 1:26 left and no timeouts.

"That's what it was all about at the end there, making plays and driving the ball down the field," Donovan said.

He completed four passes to the Tennessee 36, before a deep pass for Paul Hubbard was intercepted at the Tennessee 1 by Antonio Wardlow.

"I wouldn't take anything back from my career here at Wisconsin," Donovan said. "I learned so much, not only on the field competing, but off the field. It's been fun and a ride and dream come true to lead the Badgers.

"I hope they remember me as a competitor and a winner and also a leader. I would like to be remembered like that."