Ole Miss Week: Thursday News and Notes

ATHENS - Josh Kendall's news and notes from Georgia's fall practices.

MR. MOVIE STAR: “Facing the Giants,” a Christian-themed football movie featuring a cameo appearance by Richt, is scheduled to open tonight in 441 theaters around the country, including AmStar Cinema 16 on Zebulon Road and the Rivergate Cinema on Tom Hill Sr. Blvd.

The movie was a project of Albany brothers Alex and Stephen Kendrick, who asked Richt during an Albany Bulldog Club meeting to make an appearance. The movie is in theaters from Florida to Alaska.

“They were hoping maybe a Christian TV station might show it at 2 o’clock in the morning,” Richt said.

Richt has “four or five” lines in the movie, he said. He filmed one day for the project.

BIDING THEIR TIME: Nineteen of Georgia’s 25 true freshmen are headed for redshirt seasons, unless disaster strikes.

“Let’s say a guy was a second-teamer and the first-team guy had an injury that would put him out for the year, you might still (play him), but it’s getting pretty close to that time that you try not to put them in,” Richt said.

Defensive lineman Geno Atkins, linebacker Darius Dewberry, wide receiver Kris Durham, cornerbacks Asher Allen and Prince Miller and Stafford are the only newcomers who have played this season.

“We’re thrilled that we don’t have to play a lot of these true freshmen,” Richt said. “That’s good, especially when they are as talented as they are. It’s going to help them academically. It’s going to help them as far as football. It’s going to help them grow up, too. I think we’re really blessed in that area.”

Ole Miss has played 15 true freshmen this season, the third highest total in the country.

THIS AND THAT: Richt expects senior quarterback Joe Tereshinski to practice full speed Monday, he said. Tereshinski will make the trip to Mississippi with the team but isn’t expected to dress out. … Richt doesn’t expect any problem with the nagging hamstring injuries of Mohammed Massaquoi or Mikey Henderson. “Compared to last week, I feel 10 times better about things,” Richt said. … The Bulldogs practiced Thursday afternoon in Sanford Stadium.