ESPN2 late to join game

From Staff Reports

    STARKVILLE, Miss. - ESPN2 didn't make Georgia fans happy Saturday night. The network stayed with a NASCAR truck race until its conclusion, meaning that the first 14:25 of the football game was not broadcast. ESPN2 joined the game with Georgia leading Mississippi State 14-7.
    The ESPN2 broadcast of Saturday's game marked the 10th straight time Georgia has been on the tube. That streak will go to 11 next week when ESPN televises the game with Tennessee. The streak could be in jeopardy the next week when Vanderbilt visits Athens.
    Because of all the TV games, the Bulldogs have kicked off at 4 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m., this season. This week's game with the Volunteers also will kick off at 7 p.m.
    KIRTSEY STARTS: With Robert Edwards nursing a sprained foot the last couple of weeks, Torin Kirtsey has gotten his share of snaps at practice with the No. 1 offense.
    On Saturday, Kirtsey got something else - the start at tailback against Mississippi State.
    Kirtsey, a sophomore from Jacksonville, Fla., had spelled Edwards in each of the Bulldogs' first three games. Kirtsey came in with 20 carries for 132 yards. On the Bulldogs' first play from scrimmage, Kirtsey ripped off a 29-yard run to put Georgia at midfield. The Bulldogs scored on the next play as Mike Bobo connected with Juan Daniels.
    Edwards had started each game in which he had played as a Bulldog, totalling 11 at defensive back and five at running back.
    BYRD DOG: The Bulldogs also started Derrick Byrd at Bandit end on Saturday. Georgia has now used three different starters there - Gene Toodle for two games, Chris Terry for one and now Byrd.
    Byrd, who has had an injury-plagued career, entered the game with six tackles.
    INSIDE THE NUMBERS: Georgia scored 14 points in the first quarter against Mississippi State. In their first three games, the Bulldogs had zero points in the first quarter.
    Mike Bobo's 65-yard touchdown pass to Hines Ward in the third quarter was the longest pass in Bobo's career and the longest reception in Ward's career.
    Toodle got his first career sack in the third quarter.
    IN THE CROWD: SEC Commissioner Roy Kramer watched Saturday's game from the press box, as did a couple of representatives from the Poulan Weed-Eater Independence Bowl.
    Also spotted was Franklin County quarterback Biff Parson, who was making an unofficial visit to Mississippi State. Parson is one of Northeast Georgia's top prospects at quarterback.
    HAS IT BEEN THAT LONG? The last time Georgia faced a team coached by Jackie Sherrill was 1981,when his Dan Marino-led Pitt Panthers beat the Bulldogs 24-20 in the Sugar Bowl.
    WELCOME TO THE CLUB: Ward no longer qualifies as Georgia's only triple threat player (remember a year ago when he had 100-yard efforts rushing, passing and receiving?).
    Dax Langley put his name on the list on Saturday. Not only can Langley kick and punt, but he can also pass. The Bulldogs faked a punt in the second quarter and Langley completed a pass, appropriately, to Ward.
    Langley recently lost his job as the Bulldogs' place-kicker to freshman Hap Hines, who drilled his first field goal of the season in the first half on Saturday.

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