Monday is 'D-Day' for UGA QBs

ATHENS - Ever since D.J. Shockley wrapped up his college career in the Sugar Bowl, Georgia fans have been wondering who the next starting quarterback would be.

Joe Tereshinski? Matthew Stafford? Joe Cox? Blake Barnes?

They'll get their answer Monday.

Coach Mark Richt plans to announce his starter for No. 15 Georgia's Sept. 2 opener against Western Kentucky after giving all four contenders an equal chance at winning the job during spring practice and the first two weeks of preseason practice.

Tereshinski, a senior and the most experienced player in the bunch, appears to be the clear-cut favorite, especially after his two-touchdown, no-interception performance in a crucial scrimmage Friday.

Stafford, a highly touted freshman, was picked off three times in the scrimmage and might have dealt a killing blow to his chances of going straight from high school to starting for the Bulldogs. Cox, a redshirt freshman, and Barnes, a sophomore, have been considered the long-shot candidates all along.

"I feel I do have a little edge," Tereshinski said. "If you go to a test and haven't studied, then you would be worried. I prepared for this the best I could."

While everyone will be paying attention to Richt's No. 1 choice at quarterback, he'll also make some intriguing revelations about the rest of the depth chart.

The coach plans to use at least two quarterbacks in the games _ bringing back memories of the job-sharing arrangement between David Greene and Shockley _ so the choice at No. 2 figures to get playing time. Or Richt could put two players at No. 2, providing two more weeks of practice to decide on a backup.

Greene was a four-year starter, winning more games than any other major-college quarterback, but Shockley got substantial playing time for three seasons in a backup role. After Greene moved on to the NFL, Shockley moved up to No. 1 last season and led the Bulldogs to the Sugar Bowl. He's now with the Atlanta Falcons.

"Back then, I was playing D.J. because D.J. deserved to play, but everyone knew David was still the starter," Richt said. "Whatever the decision is now, it's not necessarily the final word. The third and fourth guys aren't necessarily going to be out of the deal. They're just on hold until we sort things out."

Stafford said he's willing to be redshirted, which would give him a year to develop and learn the system before he moved up to replace Tereshinski in 2007. Barnes has also said he'll stay at Georgia no matter how things shake out.

Then there's Cox, who set a North Carolina record with 66 touchdown passes as high school senior. He might get antsy and consider a transfer if it doesn't look like he'll get a chance to start anytime soon.

"I feel really good about it, from learning things in the film room to how I've done on the field," Cox said. "We'll see what happens. It's so close, anything could happen."

Stafford, a Texas native, was rated as one of the top two or three quarterbacks in the country coming out of high school. But he was clearly disappointed at the way he played in Friday's scrimmage.

"All four of us want it bad," he said. "We're all competitors. We all want to play."

Tereshinski probably wants it a little more, considering this is his last chance. The third-generation Georgia player spent most of his first three seasons on special teams, finally getting to start at quarterback last year _ against Florida, no less _ after Shockley went down with a knee injury.

The Bulldogs lost to the Gators 14-10, ruining hopes of a perfect season. Shockley returned for the next game and led Georgia to its second Southeastern Conference title in four seasons.

Tereshinski desperately wants another shot.

"It would be disappointing if I didn't get to start," he said. "But you've got to persevere. You've got to remember it's a team game."