Gwinnett Daily Post

ATHENS - On a day where more touchdowns were scored on interception returns than on offense, expectations for a quarterback showdown in Georgia's G-Day spring scrimmage fell flat Saturday.

Joe Tereshinski, the backup to 2005 senior D.J. Shockley, completed only 2 of 7 passes with two interceptions.

Joe Cox, a redshirt freshman who is next in line based on experience, threw four interceptions.

Matt Stafford, a 2006 freshman signee, threw a 64-yard touchdown pass on his first snap at Sanford Stadium, but after that notable highlight he blended into the overall sloppy play at quarterback. Stafford was 5-for-10 passing for 102 yards with the touchdown and no interceptions.

The Red beat the Black team 14-10, with the Red's points coming on interception returns of 80 yards by Ramarcus Brown and 100 yards by Asher Allen. Both interceptions were thrown by Cox, who had drawn praise from quarterbacks coach Mike Bobo and others for his accuracy this spring.

''I know I didn't have a good day,'' said Cox, who completed 12 of 21 passes for 162 yards and had two impressive second-half drives end with interceptions.

''I came out and things weren't going well at first. I started getting antsy, and I think that had a lot to do with it.''

Coach Mark Richt said earlier in the week he has seen no reason to remove Tereshinski from the top spot on the depth chart.

''I'm not too worried about it now,'' said Richt when asked about the six interceptions from his quarterbacks. ''I'd much rather have it happen today than in our first ballgame. It's a learning experience for everybody. That's why I like having it close to being like a real game.''

Richt indicated the quarterbacks were trying too hard to make a big impression before the crowd of 18,530.

''As much as those guys are trying to impress us with the plays they can make, they also have to impress us with their ability to make decisions,'' Richt said.

Richt said he plans to review the film and consult with Bobo and offensive coordinator Neil Callaway, but he said he doesn't expect any changes on the depth chart at quarterback.

Richt acknowledged, however, that the G-Day ''is certainly the truest test'' of any of the spring scrimmages.

Stafford may have improved his chances of winning the starting job.

Stafford, wearing No. 7, received a big cheer when he came on the field with the second-team offense for the first time in the first quarter.

''I didn't hear that, to tell you the truth,'' Stafford said. ''I was just trying to concentrate on the first play.''

On the play, Stafford lofted a high pass on the sideline for Buford grad Mikey Henderson, a cornerback turned receiver. Henderson, open on the play, caught the pass for the easy touchdown.

''We just have a feel for each other,'' Henderson said. ''We're both like new to the experience. He's a great quarterback, a great guy.''

Said Stafford: ''It was definitely exciting.''

The only other offensive points came on a 25-yard field goal by Andy Bailey in the third quarter.

The fourth quarterback in the spring competition, sophomore Blake Barnes, was held out with a thumb injury he suffered Monday.

Receivers contributed to the poor passing statistics. Tight ends Martrez Milner and Tripp Chandler combined for four drops.

The quarterbacks also faced constant pressure from defensive ends Charles Johnson (two sacks) and Quentin Moses (one sack) and defensive tackles Kade Weston (two sacks) and Jeff Owens (one sack).

Johnson was named the best all-around defensive player of the spring by coaches.

Linebackers Tony Taylor and Jarvis Jackson, cornerback Paul Oliver and rover C.J. Byrd also had interceptions.

''We definitely have a lot of work to do, and we expect to get it done,'' Tereshinski said, adding Saturday's scrimmage had a different feel from others this spring, due to the roster and coaching staff being divided for two teams.

''It didn't run as smoothly as I would have wanted,'' he said.

''I definitely want to come out No. 1, but there's still a long way to go. There is still a lot of practice in August.''

Jason Johnson, a junior from Chicago, was the leading rusher with 13 carries for 99 yards, including a 46-yard run.

''He's going to play,'' Richt said of Johnson. ''He's a pretty talented kid and a tough son of a gun.''

Jason Johnson was named the most improved running back of the spring.

Thomas Brown, the No. 1 tailback, had only four carries for 25 yards. Kregg Lumpkin had eight carries for 44 yards.

Notes: Richt was presented the Southeastern Conference coach of the year award at halftime, as named by other conference coaches. ... The biggest surprises of spring were receiver Kris Durham and cornerback Asher Allen. Brown was named the best all-around offensive player and the most consistent running back.