Richt wears black, has sly reply

Athens — He might not admit it, but Georgia coach Mark Richt responded Wednesday to the video leaked Tuesday from Alabama’s practice in which a strength coach tells the team the Bulldogs are wearing black because they’re attending their own funeral.

Richt walked into the team-meeting room for his post-practice briefing Wednesday wearing a black hat, black shirt and black shorts. “I’m going to a funeral,” he said with a mischievous grin.

Naturally, a reporter asked if he was responding to the Alabama video.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he quipped.

O-line stays put

Against Arizona State, Georgia had new starters (for this season) at all five positions — LT Vince Vance, LG Chris Davis, C Ben Jones, RG Clint Boling, RT Justin Anderson. Richt said the Dogs will stick with that Saturday.

“I think we’ll start that way,” he said. “I’m almost certain we will.”

Etc.

Richt said senior fullback Brannan Southerland has looked good in practice and will start as personal protector for the punter Saturday. … Fans will be permitted onto the grounds of the ESPN “College GameDay” set at the Myers Hall Quad at 7 a.m. Saturday. Here’s some for showing up: Chick-fil-A will have associates there passing out free food.