W. Kentucky Week: Tuesday News and Notes

ATHENS - Josh Kendall's news and notes from Georiga's Tuesday practice before the Western Kentucky game.

DEFENSIVE TACKLE SHAKEUP: If the season started today, redshirt freshman Kade Weston would start at defensive tackle, defensive line coach Rodney Garner said Tuesday.

“He’s just been very resilient,” Garner said. “Right now, on merit, he deserves it.”

Weston, 6-f oot-5, 310 pounds, was ranked the nation’s No. 3 defensive tackle coming out ofhigh school in 2005, but he redshirted last season. Sophomore Jeff Owens is the other starter at defensive tackle.

Senior Ray Gant will play but won’t start because he missed more than two weeks of practice due to a shoulder injury.

"He was legitimately hurt, but it’s still not fair to the other kids who have been out here working," Garner said.

LIMITED ROTATION?: Richt hinted twice Tuesday that backup quarterback Joe Cox may not see extensive action Saturday. Asked first about playing more than one quarterback, he replied, “We hope to. … Right now, I want to make sure Joe T gets off to a good start.”

Later, when asked to clarify if he still is committed to playing Cox against Western Kentucky, Richt said, “I think he’ll play. Yeah, he’ll play. I just don’t know when.”

ON SECOND THOUGHT: In retrospect, Richt thinks he may have emphasized blocking too much to his wide receivers the last several seasons. That has stopped this fall, as Richt and wide receivers coach John Eason have put more ball drills into their practices.

“I do want them to block, but dang it they’ve got to catch the ball,” Richt said. “I told (Eason), any little extras drills you’ve got, make sure they’re catching the ball.”

As a result, the Bulldog receivers are having their best camp under Richt catching the football, he said.

THIS AND THAT: Either Asher Allen or Prince Miller will start at the nickel back position, defensive coordinator Willie Martinez said. … Second-team fullback Jason Johnson suffered a setback with his ankle injury and may not play Saturday. … The Hilltoppers are not ranked in Division I-AA, but they are sixth in the “other receiving votes” category.