I got to the stadium two hours prior to the game where I enjoyed some good media food in the extremely packed press box. After I was done eating I asked around to see if they had a field level work room for photographers, but I was shit out of luck! I was going to setup in the pressbox but I really didn’t feel like running up and down the stairs to transmit photos I took my laptop in my book bag transmitted from the field which saves a lot of time and allows you to beat the other photographers.

Once all set up I walking around the stadium and I saw ESPN personality Kirk Herbstreit reporting from the sidelines.

Nikon D3, 400mm, 1/640th, f2.8, 4000 ISO

U Conn heading onto the field to warm up and I was looking for something kind of artsy of starting quarterback Zach Frazer was stretching and I got low and shot between a couple of other players.

Nikon D3, 400mm, 1/800th, f2.8, 5000 ISO

As I was walking around the stadium to get into position to shoot player introductions I noticed a Cincinnati fan holding a #6 sign showing respect to Jasper Howard.

Nikon D700, 10mm, 1/640th f2.8, 4000 ISO

Then another fan was holding a sign saying the Bearcats were going to Pasadena for the Rose Bowl.

Nikon D700, 10mm, 1/640th f2.8, 4000 ISO

A goal of mine is to start getting overall view of all the stadiums I shoot at. So I trucked it up some stairs and the upper level of the stadium.

Nikon D700, 10mm, 1/640th f2.8, 4000 ISO

I had to hustle all the way to the other side of the stadium where Cincinnati would come out of the locker room and run out of a tunnel. I was fighting people and I spilled a guys beer all over the place because he was spinning around like a idiot. That is what you get when you spend $7 for a beer at a football game.

Here is how far I had to run in about a minute.

Finally in position.

Nikon D700, 10mm, 1/640th f2.8, 4000 ISO

Game was finally underway and it was offense for both teams. Cincinnati would score then U Conn would answer right back.

I am cut shot on time so I am going to go a head and post my post my favorite images from the game. If you have any questions about them let me know.

That wraps up a solid game for me. Next game is Toledo at Central Michigan.

Wednesday of last week I was trying to decide what game to cover. I had the following games to choose from: Cincinnati at Syracuse, Penn State at Northwestern or Michigan at Illinois. I choose Michigan Illinois because both of the teams have been struggling this year and when two struggling teams play one another its usually a decent game and I am right.

As soon as I got confirmed for my credential I was looking for some one to make the 5 1/2 hour drive with me but I had no takers since it was halloween. Here is a map of the drive. It was so boring but thankfully I had my Sirius radio and I was able to listen to 3 full episodes of Howard Stern which made the drive decent.

Once I got to the stadium I picked up my credentials at the basketball arena found the media parking and heading up to the press box to get some food. I was surprised the food was really good. I had a couple of pieces of meat loaf, mash potatoes and gravy and some awesome cookies and ice cream.

I chatted with the Toledo Blade’s beat writer for Michigan Football Ryan Autullo. Then I head to head down to the media work room and get all set up and find some feature to transmit.

As soon as I get set up, I heard the Illinois drum line making a lot of noise so I headed out to see what I could get.

Nikon D700, 24-70, 1/200, f2.8, 3200 ISO

I headed out to the field and Michigan was doing some warm ups and close to me preseason All American punter Zoltan Mesko (41) and long snapper Tom Pomarcio (91) were doing some calisthenics.

Nikon D700, 24-70, 1/1250, f3.5, 250ISO

Then on the other side of the field Illinois players were heading back into the locker room.

Nikon D700, 24-70, 1/1600, f3.5, 250ISO

I headed back to the media tent grabbed some water transmitted a few photos then I was back out to figure out how I was going to shoot Illinois coming onto the field.

They come down this cool tunnel I was trying to get up in this one area and shoot directly below, but I couldn’t get around all of the students. So I settled for getting right in front of them as Sean Anderson (14) and Walter Aikens (15) lead the team onto the field. The rest of the team followed.

Nikon D700, 24-70, 1/1600, f3.5, 250ISO

Nikon D700, 24-70, 1/1600, f3.5, 250ISO

Time for the game to start and kick some ass! Illinois started with the ball and wasted no time scoring first.

Juice Williams lines up in shot gun formation and did what he does best run! He ran all over the Michigan defense during the game.

Nikon D3, 400mm, 1/3200th, f2.8, 400 ISO

Illinois going into the read zone Juice did a sweep with running back Arrelious Benn who jumped into the endzone.

Nikon D700, 80-200, 1/2000, f2.8, 250ISO

Nikon D700, 80-200, 1/2000, f2.8, 250ISO

Nikon D700, 80-200, 1/2000, f2.8, 250ISO

Then he celebrated with his tightend Zach Becker (41) after the first score of the game.

Michigan got the ball and answered Illinois right away by marching right down the field and scoring as well. It took a little bit of effort from Tate Forcier by scrambling but he got it done.

Nikon D3, 400mm, 1/3200th, f2.8, 400 ISO

After scoring Forcier pumped his fist… he won’t be pumping it later in the game.

Nikon D3, 400mm, 1/3200th, f2.8, 400 ISO
I had to hustle back to the media room to transmit some more photos to beat the rest of the photographers to make more sales. As I walking back I noticed a bunch of Michigan players huddled around the heater which made for a funny picture.

Nikon D700, 80-200, 1/2000, f2.8, 250ISO

After coming back from transmitting some photos I had to make sure I got a photo of both of the head coaches.

Rich Rodriguez

Nikon D3, 400mm, 1/1250th, f2.8, 320 ISO

Nikon D3, 400mm, 1/800th, f2.8, 500 ISO

I finished up the first half then transmitted some photos during half time, ate some hot dogs and cookies then I was back in the field to start the second half. I wanted to make sure I got a nice overall of the stadium so I heading up to the nearest corner endzone and had a nice blue sky to work with.

Nikon D700, 14-24, 1/2500th, f2.8 250 ISO

The second half is when Michigan really started feeling the heat. They were able to sack Juice Williams but didn’t stop him.

Nikon D3, 400mm, 1/1600th, f2.8, 400 ISO

Michigan’s Tate Forcier fumbles the snap from center and was able to hold onto the ball.

Nikon D3, 400mm, 1/640th f2.8, 500 ISO

Nikon D3, 400mm, 1/640th f2.8, 500 ISO

Once Illinois got late into the third quarter is when there was no chance for Michigan. Illinois stopped Michigan on the one yard line and then drove 99 yards for at touchdown.

Juice Williams takes a snap from under center for once and hands the ball off to running back Mikel Leshoure (5) who broke multiple defenders for an Illinois touchdown.

Nikon D3, 400mm, 1/1000th f2.8, 500 ISO

Nikon D3, 400mm, 1/1000th f2.8, 500 ISO
Fourth quarter, Michigan had the ball and was driving which was looking promising but Tate Forcier was sacked and fumbled the ball and was hurt on the play. He was helped by teammates and need assistance getting off the field.

Nikon D3, 400mm, 1/1000th f2.8, 1000 ISO

Nikon D3, 400mm, 1/1000th f2.8, 1000 ISO

Nikon D3, 400mm, 1/1000th f2.8, 1000 ISO

After the fumble recovering by Illinois, every one thought they would just run the ball to run down the clock but Juice Williams ran the ball made some people miss and the next play handed it off to the running back for a 72 yard touchdown run.

Nikon D3, 400mm, 1/1000th f2.8, 1000 ISO

Nikon D3, 400mm, 1/1000th f2.8, 1000 ISO

He did a little prayer pointed to the sky and pumped his fist which made for some nice shots since they are winning.

Nikon D3, 400mm, 1/1000th f2.8, 1000 ISO

Nikon D3, 400mm, 1/1000th f2.8, 1000 ISO

Nikon D3, 400mm, 1/1000th f2.8, 1000 ISO

Nikon D3, 400mm, 1/1000th f2.8, 1000 ISO

As I was walking to stand behind the Illinois bench to follow head coach Ron Zook to shake hands with Rich Rodriguez, Juice Williams came with a towel waving it around pumping up the crowd and I was seemed to be the other person around at the time except for the TV crew.

Nikon D700, 24-70mm, 1/640th, f2.8 640 ISO

Nikon D700, 24-70mm, 1/640th, f2.8 640 ISO

Then I ran my ass of to find the head coach celebrating with players.

Nikon D700, 24-70mm, 1/320th, f2.8 1000 ISO

If you watched the game on TV you can see me run around a bunch of players to get the photo.

I found Juice Williams waiving his helmet in the air after the game.

Nikon D700, 24-70mm, 1/320th, f2.8 1000 ISO

Nikon D700, 24-70mm, 1/320th, f2.8 1000 ISO

Nikon D700, 24-70mm, 1/320th, f2.8 1000 ISO

That finished up a good game for me and a long drive back to Ohio. I didn’t shoot the NFL on Sunday so the next game I will be shooting is U Conn vs. #5 Cincinatti on Saturday @ 8pm on ABC.

Last weekend I was back in Cleveland covering the horrible Browns. For some reason I find joy in shooting losing teams, not sure why I just do! Between the Lions and the Browns I got it covered in the NFL this year.

It was a pretty good game as far as action and a good variety of photos. Here are the 24  of my favorite images from the game. If you would like to know anything about the photos please leave a comment and I will be sure to get back to you. I have a lot going on right now and I don’t have as much time to have long detailed posts like I have done in the past.

Last weekend was crazy busy for me, but I was able to survive. On Saturday I had to shoot two news assignments of Wild Life Appreciation day before the Central Michigan vs. Bowling Green at 1 pm. I got to the stadium about 20 minutes before the game started and wasn’t able to get many stock photos.

Since Central Michigan is the one of the best teams in the Mid American Conference I got a picture of head coach Butch Jones leading his players Bryan Anderson (7) and Nick Bellore (43) onto the field prior to the game.

Nikon D700, 24-70mm, 1/1600th, f3.2, 1000 ISO

Also star quarterback Dan LeFevour leads his team onto the field

Nikon D700, 24-70mm, 1/3200th, f3.2, 1000 ISO

The game got under way and Central Michigan got the ball first.

Dan LeFevour drops back to pass looking for an open receiver.

Nikon D3, 400mm, 1/2000th, f2.8, 320 ISO

Central Michigan was the first to score as Antonio Brown escapes a Bowling Green defender.

Nikon D700, 80-200mm, 1/2000th, f3.2, 500 ISO

Bowling Greens chance to see what they can do against the number one defense in the MAC.

Tyler Sheehan threw the ball to wide receiver Adrian Hodges who was immediately tackled by Central Michigan Larry Knight.

Nikon D3, 400mm, 1/2000th, f2.8, 320 ISO

After that things weren’t looking to promising as the next play a short pass to the tightend who was shit hard by two Central Michigan defenders and dropped the ball.

Nikon D3, 400mm, 1/2000th, f2.8, 320 ISO

Thankfully the ran game by Willie Geter was the only thing BG had going for them, since the wind was so bad no chance to kick a field goal and the punting was horrible!

Nikon D3, 400mm, 1/2000th, f2.8, 320 ISO

But some one wide receiver Freddie Barnes had 13 or 14 catches for 172 or something crazy. It didn’t seem like it since he had a lot of dropped passes.

Nikon D3, 400mm, 1/2000th, f2.8, 320 ISO

It was half time and I headed up to the media room to transmit photos and get warmed up. Since I play football at Toledo I had to be at the Glass Bowl in Toledo at 4:30 and I was kind of on a time constraint and was always checking the time and making sure I allowed my self enough time to finish the game beat the traffic and get to the stadium in time.

I really don’t have much else to say except Central Michigan put an ass kicking on BG so I am going to save my self the time of explaining it and just post the photos.

That wraps up the blog, sorry for it being so boring. I am going to be working on the Green Bay Packers vs. the Cleveland Browns next. I can’t guarantee that one to be any better because the Browns suck so bad!

Here is a link to the photos I moved live during the game.

http://uspresswire.com/sets/69603