Indiana State Takes On Southern Illinois On Homecoming

It is hart to believe how fast time flies. It seems like just yesterday I was standing in Memorial Stadium thinking about how it would be late October until I was back there. That was in August. Here I was on the Sycamore turf once again. This was going to be a fun game I could tell as I drove up to the stadium. It was well over two hours before the game, and the lots were full of fans. Homecoming has a way of giving you the full stands that you want. In the first half it was a tremendously fun game to photograph as well.

Warming Up With the Team

After not having shot a lot of football lately I spent some extra time warming up with the team. Warming up gives me a chance to be ready when the game starts. It is something that I don’t have to do, but it serves two purposes. The first is that I can get some shots of players in action that don’t normally play. They deserve some credit and photos as well. The second is what I have preached for a while that it gives me a chance to be ready when the clock starts. That came in handy on Saturday.

Big Play Bob Pugh

Bob Pugh has changed how I cover Indiana State football. Spending time with the team in spring ball and then in fall camp I could see the tendency to run and throw the short pass. I spent the early part of the season slightly behind the offense to capture all of this. Then Bob Pugh started busting out the big play. After getting as burned as the defensive back twice as Liberty I started shooting from a position that would still allow me to capture the runs and short passes, but also get that deep ball. On the first drive of the game I was even with Bob as he hauled in the long bomb from Isaac Harker to give the Sycamores the 7-0 lead.

Check That Leg

One of the highlights of the day was the 90 yard punt by Sycamore punter Thomas Bouldin. I posted the photo above because it is probably the last time that the ball will ever be used after the beating that it took. The punt was a school and conference record as you would expect it to be. It couldn’t happen to a nicer guy. I am glad that I was able to make a few photos of the record setting punt.

Celebrate the Good Times

Part of the fun of covering Indiana State this year are all of the great moments that I have been able to capture. This one is one of those moments after a big recovery after a fumbled punt. I love capturing emotion, and this team plays with a lot of it. The wins have not come yet, but with the current coaches in place I am sure that they will.

The Week In Photos

As I have said all week last week was a fun week to put together my weekly collection of favorite photos. A lot of work went into making the photos during the week, but the results are always worth it. You can check out my weekly Exposure page here.

4 Games, 3 Days, 2 States, 1 Photographer

This game was the final game of a busy three day stretch for me. I am not complaining. Far from it. I love being busy as I think that I make better photos when that is the case. By Saturday I kept thinking how lucky I was getting, but at some point I had my camera in the right place at the right time a lot. The photo above was the first ever interception for Sycamore corner back Anthony Tucker. I was on him pre snap, but read his eyes to know that I should stay on him as well. Back when I played sports I always felt that I played better when I was ‘lathered up.’ Having the juices flowing a few days in a row helps me I think. Part of the reason I have been a little unhappy this fall was that I have not been as busy as I would have liked to have been. Weekends like this really help recharge the batteries.