ATLANTA (AP) - Coach Mark Richt says his confidence in his players and assistants remains firm after a lopsided loss to South Carolina left Georgia in a hole in the SEC East.

Georgia has an open week before it plays at Kentucky on Oct. 20. The No. 14 Bulldogs (5-1, 3-1 Southeastern Conference) trail two undefeated teams, No. 3 South Carolina and No. 4 Florida, in the Eastern Division after their 35-7 loss to the Gamecocks on Saturday night.

Georgia scored more than 40 points in five straight wins before being shut down by South Carolina. The Bulldogs' defense couldn't stop Connor Shaw, who passed for two touchdowns, or Marcus Lattimore, who ran for 109 yards and a touchdown.

Richt says the Bulldogs must ``stay firm'' and not panic.