ATHENS – Mark Richt was talking with CBS analyst Gary Danielson before the game, and Danielson asked him what one thing he would change about the game of college football.

The targeting rules, Richt answered.

“I said I just think defenders are having a difficult time learning how to tackle somebody nowadays, because of these types of fouls,” Richt said.

Richt’s answer may have been influenced by what happened the last time his team had been at Vanderbilt, when two controversial targeting penalties had a big effect on the outcome. And as it turns out another targeting call was on the way.

Lorenzo Carter was tossed in the first quarter for targeting, which was upheld on replay review. It seemed like a close call, and speaking on Monday night it was clear Richt didn’t agree with it.

“He didn’t launch. His eyes were up,” Richt said during his weekly radio show. “He did exactly what we coached him to do.”

The only good news for Georgia is Carter will be able to return for Saturday’s game at South Carolina. But if the rules had been in effect earlier Richt thinks a couple of his former hard-hitting safeties would have been affected.

“I think it’s changed the game in a huge way. I think Thomas Davis and Greg Blue would probably play every other game in their career,” Richt said.