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.
