First call-in show of the 2008 season, following #1 Georgia’s 45-21 win over Georgia Southern [4]. Next up is Central Michigan [5] and standout QB Dan LeFevour, Saturday at 3:30 in Sanford Stadium. TV on FSN South with UGA feature programming starting at 12 noon, leading up to pregame show at 2:30, then kickoff.

Good to hear Munson back on Bulldog Hotline (even if he referred to the sponsor by its old name, Cingular). UGA has looked sharp at times but has now lost its best tackles, one on offense and one on defense. UK forced 5 turnovers and down went Louisville [6]. Also, Clemson [7] did not have a single yard rushing.

CMU will bring more and bigger kids than what Ga. Southern showed us.

I think LeFevour will be enough of a challenge to get our defense excited and our fans ready to get involved in the game, regardless of what the weather is on Saturday. Richt agrees and thinks LeFevour is a legit Heisman candidate based on his stats. If people get to watch him enough he could be in contention and CMU views this game as very big in that regard. He’s very much like Tebow in size, runs the ball with power, has good agility and has great power. We played a spread last week but GSU was breaking in two new QBs. This week CMU will put it all on LeFevour.

Scott in Grayson wonders about the mental psyche of the team after Owens’ injury. When a guy like Owens gets hurt everyone is concerned. Same when Sturdivant got hurt – it was like a morgue for awhile. As time goes on, Jeff keeps his wonderful spirit and everyone figures things will be OK. Owens didn’t redshirt and so it could be a blessing in the long run. For now, guys know others will step up. Irwin (who replaced Owens) has been voted a captain for this game.

David in Grayson congratulated CMR on the opening win and thinks there was no doubt in the kicking game with Blair Walsh drilling the 52 yarder. Will Drew Butler have to wait on playing time. Why did the refs throw a flag on substitution then pick it up? CMR said Walsh did a great job with kickoffs and especially hitting the 52 yarder. As for Butler, right now he’s in line to be our pooch punter. He’s done a nice job with those in camp. Mimbs will continue to punt otherwise. On the sub thing, we brought an extra lineman in and the ref thought we were at the line. Richt said he hoped TV didn’t catch him arguing because he may have let out a “discouraging” word.

Richard in Evans relayed a story about Owens from Picture Day a few years ago. Richard’s son had severed his hand in an accident and Owens had a kind word. And this year Owens remembered the kid from a few years ago – and his hand had healed.

Grant said he worked over in SC with Clem & SC fans, and said their fans agree we have a head coach who does a great job and with class and integrity.

Doug in Cumming asked about the injury situation. CMR first noted Sturdivant, Charles White and Chris Little were already out for the year, and now Owens. Q. Banks and Southerland will hopefully be back in a few weeks. K. Harris sprained his ankle but will hopefully be ready. As for the cramping, Richt said he knew it was coming because we had practiced in cool weather, then on gameday it got hot and humid. Richt said he felt like a team from up north coming south for the first time. Richt hopes we have hot weather – just enough so the players get used to it again.

Nate in Pensacola, FL wanted to second the earlier caller about the example Richt sets. (Nate also coaches.) We all want to win, but knowing only a small percentage will play pro ball it is good to know the others will be in good shape down the road. Richt says all we can do is the best we can where God has us.

Pete in Athens thinks Bobo is doing an excellent job as offensive coordinator. CMR says a big thing is Bobo has only that to focus on. Richt knows he did a better job with the offense when he was coordinator than trying to run the offense and be head coach as well. Richt knew Bobo was growing quickly as a coach and made the move when he thought Bobo was ready.

Marty in Athens asked who the #2 TB is now. Richt says that hasn’t been decided yet. He has just watched the GSU tape again. One thing that jumped out was Caleb King running well and making people miss, about as good as Moreno did. Richard Samuel ran hard with power. CMR wants to see them do more pass protecting.

Robin in Lawrenceville asked about other coaches who run up the score, as opposed to what he told his friends about us getting our reserves in. Richt said we don’t care to humiliate anyone. We want to whip an opponent thoroughly but not embarrass. CMR said he’d rather score a lot of points at the end with the younger guys. If someone gets hurt, you want reserves with some experience. We’re just trying to win games, not worried about putting up an extra 7 just to get another vote.

Rich in Social Circle wants to know if CMR thinks Blair Walsh could kick a 65 yard FG. Richt said that 52 yarder might have been good from 62 or so.

Trey in Waycross wonders if its too early to wonder if we’re going to play in the big dance this year. Richt said its too early and there are a lot of good teams. But we have a lot things going for us and just need to keep making plays.

Halsey in Athens asked about DTs. Richt – Atkins and Irvin are ready to be primetime players. Weston should be ready SC. Brandon Wood and Ricardo Crawford are playing as backups and now also DeAngelo Tyson.

Jessie in Athens wonders if Moreno will get enough touches to win the Heisman. Richt noted he had over 100 yards total offense (rushing and receiving). With our schedule, we won’t be pulling Moreno out in the 3rd quarter of too many games.

Mitchell in Athens asked about Moreno and Gray returning punts, and is afraid having Moreno back there too much could risk injury. Richt said we put Logan Gray back there once but they kicked it out of bounds.

Fred in Calhoun asked about Moreno pulling his hamstring Saturday. What about the OT rules? Richt – teams could be in OT and tack on an extra 28 points or so. You can get worked up over defensive stats because of that. Plus you add an extra game and count bowls and stats get skewed over the years. Moreno’s injury was just a cramp and he’s fine.

Greg in Tifton wanted to know about Bama’s performance. Richt spent most of the time looking for his son to see he was wearing his cap frontwards or backwards. It was a great night for Bama on both sides of the ball. Clemson looked about how we did last year at Tennessee [8].

Storm in Jefferson asked who was responsible for recruiting Chris Davis as a lineman Richt said all the coaches thought he’d be a good lineman.

Clint in Gainesville asked Richt about dealing with #1, and asked about Owens. (Clint was on vacation in Fla. and did not see the game or a report.) CMR said when the new poll comes out tomorrow we might not even be number one, since USC had such a great game. Owens was jumping over blockers while pursuing a play, his cleat planted in the ground and momentum caused his knee to give. He tore the ACL in his right knee.

Tass in Baxley asked about Tripp Chandler, and who might be the next Marcus Howard? CMR – Chandler has done a great job, is a great blocker and runs great routes. Sometimes he gets snatched by opponents but just have to fight through it and make a play. CMR thinks Corvey Irvin is really stepping up. DE is still DE by committee. We started out slow last year but ended up leading the league in sacks.

Preston in Kennesaw (had his radio on)…

Kevin in Athens asked how CMR enjoyed bowling. Richt said he had a great time – 137 and 177. (Kevin is the mechanic at the bowling alley.) Also, what about Southerland? CMR said Southerland will start running Friday.

Ellie in Monroe asked if we were going to celebrate against Florida [9] when we score? Richt said we have too many games before that. Richt said he hopes we’re both playing well enough so that the game means a lot.

Munson reminded Richt the injuries were one on each side. Richt said he thinks both guys will come back fine next year. As for the OL, Clint Boling comes back this week and will work at RT, along with Justin Anderson.