The last time Kirk Herbstreit came to Athens, it was, well, an embarrassment.

Herbstreit and the ESPN Gameday crew were here to witness Georgia’s matchup with Alabama, and saw the Tide roll up a 31-0 halftime lead en route to its 41-30 romp over the Bulldogs.

But ESPN will be back Saturday, as it airs the Bulldogs’ annual G-Day game, which starts at 1 p.m.

“It’s going to be like a game day, just like a regular game day when we step out there on the field,” said linebacker Rennie Curran. “We’re going to be playing for our pride, to represent our school, to represent each other.”

The format will be the traditional Red vs. Black scrimmage, with the No. 1 offense pairing up with the No. 2 defense, and vice versa.

But this time around Brad Nessler and Kirk Herbstreit will be calling the game for audiences nationwide, and at least one other change has been made for ESPN – attendance is free for everybody this year, as head coach Mark Richt looks to fill up Sanford Stadium.

“I think it will certainly be a nice family event. I think if anybody’s got Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts or a church group, little league baseball, little league football teams,” Richt said, “I think it will be a nice opportunity for [them] to grab a bunch of them and have a nice day.”

ESPN broadcast Florida’s spring game last year, and a few Bulldogs said they watched carefully, including Curran. They expect their opponents for the upcoming season to do the same.

“It really just makes it a little bit more important,” said fullback Fred Munzenmaier, who will look to get some carries at tailback for the black team Saturday. “Not only are the people who tune in and watch every Saturday going to be watching, but our opponents next year are going to be watching. It’s spring and it’s early, but with our body language and the way we play, it’s important to set a little bit of a tone.”

Said Curran: “I just think it gives them a chance to see what they’re in for when they do play us.”

Last year in Gainesville, ESPN’s overwhelming focus was on the Gators’ “team speed.” With Matthew Stafford and Knowshon Moreno gone, Georgia won’t necessarily provide the star-power that Florida did. But it’s still looking to leave an impression.

“We just want people to see a consistent team that executes on every play, doesn’t give up the big play and just plays hard-nosed football,” Curran said.

Added Munzenmaier: “Of course we’re not going to be gelling out there like we would, we’re not going to be in midseason form or anything like that. I think the most important thing for us to do is just go out and show great effort and good body language and just show that we’re going to be tough competitors.”

An injury-plagued roster has forced Richt to “piecemeal” squads together throughout the spring, and that will continue for G-Day. The Bulldogs on national television Saturday won’t be the ones you’ll see in August, and they’ll be far from midseason form.

At times it will be somewhat of a rag-tag ensemble on the field, especially on the second teams.

That said, they’ll still be on ESPN for everyone to see.

“I wouldn’t say it’s something that you get extra excited about,” safety Bryan Evans said, “but there’s a difference between Jefferson Pilot and ESPN.”