Georgia: Stafford has no-pick streak up to 108

ATHENS, Ga. — Former Georgia quarterback David Greene set a school and Southeastern Conference record in 2004 when he threw 214 consecutive passes without an interception.

Kentucky’s Andre Woodson shattered the league mark last season by attempting 325 without a pick, and Matthew Stafford is more than halfway to Greene’s school record. Stafford has thrown 108 straight passes without being intercepted, which dates back to the third quarter of last season’s Sugar Bowl.

“I’m pretty happy,” Stafford said Tuesday. “It’s good not to turn the ball over, obviously, but there is still room for improvement. I’m missing throws that I wish I could have back, but I feel like I’m playing pretty well.”

South Carolina momentarily ended Stafford’s streak two weeks ago, but the Gamecocks were flagged for pass interference.

“Other than that I don’t think I’ve been real close,” he said, “but I can’t really remember.”

Two empty closets

Alabama coach Nick Saban and Georgia’s Mark Richt make nearly $7 million a year combined, but they must not spend much cash on clothing. After Richt announced Sunday that the Bulldogs were “blacking out” this week’s game against the Crimson Tide, Saban wore a black shirt to his Monday news conference.

Asked about his color of choice, a smiling Saban responded, “Well, this is the only shirt I could find when I woke up this morning.”

At Georgia’s news conference Tuesday, the usual red backdrop had been replaced by black. Richt normally wears black against the red backdrop but wore a red shirt this week and had a retaliatory response.

“I’m big on black,” Richt said when asked about the blackout. “It’s usually my color of choice, but this is the only shirt I had in the closet today when I got up.”

Howard takes over

On Nov. 13, 1965, Auburn defeated Georgia 21-19 at Sanford Stadium.

The significance?

That was the last time Larry Munson did not broadcast a Georgia home game, a fact that will change after Munson announced his retirement Monday. Scott Howard will take over play-by-play chores, with former Bulldogs quarterback Eric Zeier providing color commentary.

“It will be different because Larry won’t be there, and there will be some additional attention focused on the radio crew and all that stuff,” Howard said. “I’m scatter-brained as we’re doing this, so hopefully all that is gone by the weekend. There may be a few nerves before the game, but hopefully they’ll subside once we kick off.”

Amusing Tide talk

Alabama players had some entertaining responses Monday when asked about some of Georgia’s players and antics.

Junior receiver Mike McCoy was asked about Georgia’s touchdown celebration last season against Florida and responded, “Whenever we get in the end zone, we act like we’ve been there before. We’re more respectable.”

When junior cornerback and punt returner Javier Arenas was asked if he had seen all the Knowshon Moreno highlights, he said, “What about it? Have you seen some of my highlights?”

Odds and ends

Bulldogs backup safety Quintin Banks, who sprained his knee in preseason camp, has been cleared to play. ... Junior defensive end Roderick Battle (neck sprain) will miss his third straight game after starting the first two. ... Richt on ESPN’s “GameDay” crew visiting Athens for the first time since a 22-3 loss to Tennessee in 1998: “It’s not going to help us win, but it’s significant that they’re here as far as generating excitement for our fans and players.” ... Freshman A.J. Harmon has moved from defensive to offensive line. ... Alabama and Middle Tennessee State are tied nationally for the fewest seniors with nine apiece.