ATHENS — Georgia players found out the news about Mark Richt just a few minutes before the rest of the world did.

It came via a mass text message from a team staffer, who was passing it along from Richt, according to a player. It said that the bowl game would be Richt’s last game.

“Then a few minutes later I saw the news blowing up on Twitter,” said the player, who did not wish to be quoted.

A team meeting is planned for Sunday night, but that was already scheduled. The team’s bowl destination is unknown at this point, and won’t be official until next week.

It will be a chance to send Richt off with a second straight 10-win season.

“He has all of our love and respect,” the player said. “We’re gonna play hard for him.”

 

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