Athens — In Knowshon Moreno and Matthew Stafford, Georgia coach Mark Richt knows he has a couple of star players of the first order. In fact, he said, they might have surpassed the two Davids, Greene and Pollack, in across-the-board popularity.

But if either one is to become a serious Heisman Trophy candidate this season it won’t be because of any publicity machine Georgia cranks up.

“We never try to create a star,” Richt said. “That was our philosophy at Florida State. We had two guys win the Heisman and one guy finish second, but we never went off the chain trying to promote somebody. We let his numbers and his performance dictate it. We felt like, ‘if you win [games] and you play well, you have a chance to win it, son.’ We’re not going to throw up a bunch of billboards all over the place.”

Considering the attention Georgia’s gotten from its No. 1 preseason ranking, it probably wouldn’t be necessary. Moreno already has graced the covers of ESPN The Magazine and Sporting News, and Stafford and linebacker Dannell Ellerbe joined Moreno on a regional cover for Sports Illustrated. On Wednesday, Moreno and Stafford were interviewed live on ESPN television.

“There’s your promotions,” UGA sports communications director Claude Felton said.

And Richt noted that Moreno in particular has the “flair” and “personality” that naturally attracts attention and adulation.

“That’s one thing about him, his energy, his style, it’s just different,” Richt said. “With Tim Tebow winning, he certainly was so unique to college football. [FSU’s] Charlie Ward was kind of unique. Now when [Chris] Weinke won it he was more of a stat guy, being undefeated and playing for the national championship. …

“Knowshon has a little different flair than most everybody else with his energy and the way he’ll pop back up and run back to the huddle. People just get attracted to that type of personality.”

Ready to tee off

Asked Thursday if there’s one thing about his team that will particularly have his attention in Saturday’s opener, Richt reeled off a list:

“I’m really curious to see who the punt returner is going to be.

“I’m really curious to see how that [offensive] line plays together.

“I’m curious to see how [freshman kicker] Blair Walsh will handle his responsibility.

“And I’m curious to see the redshirt and true freshmen, just see how they react to their first opportunity.”

Saturday can’t come soon enough for Richt now.

“I’m glad it’s almost here,” he said. “I have heard the same question [about being ranked No. 1] over and over. And over and over. And over and over and over. It can about wear you out. I’m about worn out with the No. 1 stuff. Now, we’ll see.”

Heading to the Dome

Time and circumstances permitting, Richt said he will go to the Georgia Dome to see his son Jon, a freshman quarterback at Clemson, when the Tigers play watch Alabama there Saturday night.

Jon Richt told his father that, even though he will redshirt this season, all the scholarship players were being allowed to travel and dress out for the game. Mark Richt was waiting to be sure.

“I don’t trust true freshmen,” he said.

Richt needs to be sure because it will be quite the undertaking. The game begins at 8 p.m. Georgia’s game against Georgia Southern in Athens should be over about 3:40 p.m. Afterward Richt will have to meet his media obligations, change clothes and tape his weekly coaches show.

Then he has to get to Atlanta.

“Depending on what time it is, I’ll go with [his wife] Katharyn,” Richt said. “If I go too long, she might leave without me. She’ll be there no matter what.”

Richt said he spoke with Alabama coach Nick Saban and told him he planned to attend.

“He said he didn’t have a problem with it and would call the league office if I wanted,” Richt said.

But, Richt added, he plans a low-key visit. “I’m going to try to be as incognito as possible.”

Etc.

It’s a “dead heat” between freshmen Walsh and walk-on Jamie Lindley of Savannah to handle kickoff duties, Richt said. … Cornerback Asher Allen won’t likely handle punt returns but will return kickoffs. … The Bulldogs’ radio broadcast of Saturday’s game will air nationwide on XM channel 199. … Mark Richt was asked if his wife would continue to serve as Georgia’s “water girl” if his son eventually earns playing time at Clemson. “I don’t want to speak for her but I think there’s a good chance she’ll skip out on us if Jon is playing, as it should be,” Richt said.