The booming 23-year-old vocalist from Compton, Calif., was revealed to have received the fewest viewer votes on the Fox talent contest Thursday.
A day earlier, he had unsuccessfully attempted both parts of "No Air," the duet of Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown, and a tender rendition of "Love Hurts," the classic tune made famous by Nazareth and Roy Orbison.
"I got to share a little bit with America, and I think America's fallen in love with me," said Lusk after his elimination. "Now I can go and put out that good-feeling R&B music that reminds you of Luther (Vandross) or those great old singers."
A tearful Lauren Alaina, the soaring 16-year-old songstress of Rossville, Ga., joined Lusk as one of the bottom two vote-getters.
Despite her position, Alania impressed the "Idol" judges with her performances of Carrie Underwood's "Flat on the Floor" and The Righteous Brothers' "Unchained Melody" on Wednesday's installment of current and classic tunes.
"Jacob had a rough night last night," said "Idol" mentor and Interscope Records chief Jimmy Iovine. "I think his nerves are getting the best of him."
Besides Alaina, the other remaining finalists are over-the-top 22-year-old rocker James Durbin of Santa Cruz, Calif.; deep-voiced 17-year-old country crooner Scotty McCreery of Garner, N.C.; and bluesey 20-year-old singer Haley Reinhart, of Wheeling, Ill.
The singers will return to the stage next week with another finalist dismissed next Thursday.
The 10th season "Idol" champion is scheduled to be crowned on the May 26 finale.