ATHENS, Ga. -- Joe Tereshinski threw for 90 yards and a touchdown and two other Georgia quarterbacks saw playing time as the 15th-ranked Bulldogs opened the season with a 48-12 victory over Western Kentucky on Saturday.
Tereshinski, who won a four-way battle for the starter's job, finished 7-of-17, including a 17-yard touchdown pass to Mario Raley for a 14-0 lead.
Joe Cox entered the game in the second quarter with Georgia (1-0) leading 24-0 and completed 2-of-3 passes for 29 yards with an interception.
Tereshinski returned in the third quarter before Matthew Stafford, the Bulldogs' top recruit, directed two touchdown drives in the fourth quarter.
Tereshinski had several passes dropped, including a possible TD pass to tight end Martrez Milner early in the third quarter. Tereshinski, a senior, made his first start last season in a loss to Florida
Stafford's first pass was tipped by a defender and dropped by Demiko Goodman, but on the next play Danny Ware ran 40 yards for a touchdown and a 41-7 lead. Ware had five carries for 63 yards.
Stafford's second possession began at the Georgia 2, and on first down guard Seth Watts was called for holding in the end zone, giving the Hilltoppers (0-1) a safety.
Stafford then directed a 65-yard touchdown drive, completing three straight passes, including a 13-yard scoring pass to tight end Coleman Watson with one minute left. Stafford finished 3-of-5 for 40 yards and one touchdown.
The quarterback situation likely will be a hot topic again as Georgia prepares for its Southeastern Conference opener at South Carolina next Saturday.
Georgia's Mikey Henderson fumbled to turn a sure touchdown on a 64-yard punt return into a touchback less than 5 minutes into the game.
Henderson held the ball high in his left hand as he neared the goal line, but lost control near the 2 and then scrambled for the ball in the end zone. After a long review by officials, the play was ruled a touchback, giving Western Kentucky possession at the 20.
Just over a minute later, Western Kentucky's Tanner Siewert had to punt to Henderson again, and this time Henderson held the ball in both hands at the end of his 67-yard touchdown return for a 7-0 lead. Henderson injured his hamstring on the run and missed the rest of the game.
After Tereshinski's TD pass, Brandon Coutu kicked a 37-yard field goal for a 17-0 lead.
Kregg Lumpkin and Thomas Brown each had 2-yard scoring runs for the Bulldogs in the second quarter for a 31-0 lead.
Western Kentucky's Justin Haddix completed a 17-yard scoring pass to Curtis Hamilton with less than a minute left in the half.
Haddix was 12-for-27 for 126 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Tyrell Hayden led the Hilltoppers with 10 carries for 45 yards. Lerron Moore was held to 29 yards on 13 carries.
