FOTOBALL: Dang Gators

One of the highlights of the season for me last year was getting to shoot Alabama (my Alma Mater) and Florida in the SEC Championship at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. Alabama had an undefeated season until that 31-20 loss that sent Florida into the National Championship game. I had never shot a game on that level all on my lonesome. It was a major challenge, and one of the reasons I'm very appreciative that despite financial hardships at the paper we will still be sending two photographers to Georgia's away games this season. Anyway, it was hard, but so worth it even though those dang gators won.


Alabama coach Nick Saban leads his team onto the field for the 2008 SEC Championship Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.


Florida QB Tim Tebow avades a tackle from Alabama's Brandon Fanneys.


Florida's Louis Murphy celebrates a play.


Florida's Carl Moore comes up with the ball after catching a touchdown pass in the first quarter.


Alabama QB John Parker Wilson scrambles away from Florida's Lawrence Marsh.


Alabama QB John Parker Wilson is taken down by Florida's Ahmad Black, left, and Will Hill in the 3rd quarter of the Gators 31-20 win over the Alabama Crimson Tide in the SEC Championship Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.


Florida's Major Wright soars through the air on top of Alabama's Glen Coffee after Coffee was brought down by Ahmad Black in the second half.


Alabama's Glen Coffee runs the ball as Florida's Markihe Anderson gets a piece of his jersey in the 2nd quarter.


Alabama's John Parker Wilson looks down field before throwing a pass in the first quarter.


Alabama's Julio Jones catches a pass for a first down in the fourth quarter.


Alabama QB John Parker Wilson high-fives wide receiver Julio Jones.


Florida QB Tim Tebow looks for an open receiver.


Florida QB Tim Tebow runs the ball in the second quarter.


Florida QB Tim Tebow hits the ground after being tackled by Alabama's Rashad Johnson.


Florida's Jeff Demps jumps into the endzone for a touchdown in the 4th quarter of the Gators 31-20 win over the Alabama Crimson Tide in the SEC Championship Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.




Alabama's Glen Coffee is taken down by Florida's Ahmad Black.


Alabama's John Parker Wilson throws a pass in the second quarter.


Florida's Joe Haden breaks up a pass to Alabama's Julio Jones in the 4th quarter.


Alabama QB John Parker Wilson is sacked by Florida's Jermaine Cunningham in the 4th quarter.


Florida's Ahmad Black screams to the fans in celebration in the final minute of the Gators 31-20 win over the Alabama Crimson Tide in the SEC Championship Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.


Several Florida Gators celebrate their 31-20 win over the Alabama Crimson Tide in the SEC Championship Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.




Florida QB Tim Tebow does the "gator chomp" to the fans after his team's victory in the 2008 SEC Championship.