GAMEDAY: BACKS of the FUTURE!

Last week I shot the final Gameday cover of the year for the Independence Bowl between Georgia and Texas A&M in Shreveport, La. The cover featured running backs Caleb King and Washaun Ealey in a story about the future of the Bulldogs running game. My first thought was a Back to the Future themed cover with a Backs of the Future logo. I found an image from the movie I could base the cover on and after shooting the guys in their team meeting room and toiling in photoshop for 5 hours had finished my last Gameday.




Georgia running backs Caleb King, left, and Washaun Ealey

UGA vs. UK: the worst

It happens every season. At some point I have to have my worst game shooting-wise and it happened two weeks ago when the Kentucky Wildcats came to town. It was one of those games where most of the major plays happened on the opposite side of the field from me and the ones that came my way I screwed up or got blocked. The game was also the Bulldogs' worse loss of the season considering they gift wrapped the win for the Wildcats with multiple interceptions and fumbles. They seemed to have the game in the bag until the second half turnovers opened the door for a Kentucky comeback.

It was a disappointing game to wrap up the regular season of shooting college football. I missed the exciting win over Georgia Tech the next week because I dared to take a few days off for a vacation home to Alabama. I have to put my terrible shoot behind me as I look ahead to the biggest game I will shoot this year, and probably the most important one I've ever shot in the SEC Championship this Saturday. The #1 Florida Gators and the #2 Alabama Crimson Tide have an epic rematch in another battle for a spot in the BCS title game. This is an exact duplicate of what happened last year only this time bama is no underdog. I expect a nail-biter that comes down to the wire. I hope my Alma Mater can take down the Gators this round although I must admit after such a weak shoot my last time on the sidelines I'm much more concerned with capturing the important moments of the game.


Georgia senior Kade Weston hugs coach Rodney Garner on senior night before the Bulldogs' 34-27 loss to the Kentucky Wildcats Saturday Nov. 21, 2009, at Stanford Stadium.


Georgia QB Joe Cox


Georgia's Brandon Boykin returns a kickoff in the second half of the Bulldogs' 34-27 loss to the Kentucky Wildcats Saturday Nov. 21, 2009, at Stanford Stadium.


The Kentucky Wildcats offense huddles.


Georgia's Rantavious Wooten is lifted by teammate Orson Charles after catching a touchdown pass in the 2nd quarter.


A Georgia fan goes wild for the Bulldogs.


Kentucky QB Morgan Newton passes with pressure from Georgia's Justin Houston.


Kentucky QB Morgan Newton evades Georgia's Justin Houston in the 4th quarter.


Georgia's Rennie Curran tackles Kentucky's Derrick Locke in the first half.


Kentucky's Derrick Locke breaks away for a touchdown in the first half.


Kentucky's Derrick Locke celebrates his touchdown in the first half.


Georgia's Michael Moore runs through a tackle by Kentucky's Paul Warford.


Georgia's Prince Miller leaps over Kentucky's Mikhail Mabry.


Georgia's Jeff Owens charges Kentucky QB Morgan Newton.


Georgia's Joe Cox releases a pass under pressure.


Georgia's Caleb King misses a pass off the tips of his fingers in the second half.


Kentucky's Derrick Locke breaks away for a touchdown in the second half.


Georgia's Rantavious Wooten celebrates with teammate Tavarres King after scoring a touchdown in the 3rd quarter.


Painted Georgia fans cheer on the Bulldogs.


Georgia's Tavarres King is brought down after catching a Joe Cox pass.


Kentucky's Derrick Locke misses a pass with coverage by Georgia's Rennie Curran in the 2nd half.


Georgia's Marcus Dowtin tackles Kentucky's John Conner in the 4th quarter.


Kentucky's Morgan Newton pulls back a pass in the 2nd half.


Kentucky's La-Rod King hauls in a catch for a touchdown in the 3rd quarter.


Kentucky's La-Rod King cruises into the endzone for a touchdown in the 3rd quarter.


Kentucky's La-Rod King celebrates his touchdown in the 3rd quarter.


Georgia's Washuan Ealey is bumped out of bounds short of the goal line by Kentucky's Paul Warford late in the 4th quarter.


Georgia's Washaun Ealey fumbles the handoff on the 1-yard line in the 4th quarter.


Georgia's Washaun Ealey sits on the sidelines after his fumble on the 1-yard line in the 4th quarter.


Georgia's Tavarres King reflects on the Bulldogs' loss.


Georgia's Vince Vance reacts after the Bulldogs' 34-27 loss to the Kentucky Wildcats.


Georgia's Israel Troupe hangs his head as he exits the field after the Bulldogs' 34-27 loss to the Kentucky Wildcats Saturday Nov. 21, 2009, at Stanford Stadium.

All Ugas go to Heaven

Bulldog nation was shocked this week when news spread that beloved mascot Loran's Best (Uga VII) only 4 years old passed away of heart failure Thursday morning. He was about to wrap up his second season after being introduced at the Bulldog's first home game last year. His predecessor and father Uga VI died of congestive heart failure the summer before. His absence was greatly felt Saturday at the Bulldogs' last home game of the season against the Kentucky Wildcats. Who knows maybe if he was around they wouldn't have suffered the shocking loss.
I can't believe in my brief time covering Georgia I've gotten to know two Ugas and been there to document the death of both. Being a huge dog person and having had a love for Bulldogs since childhood I found myself attached to the drooly mascots. During the Kentucky game a man asked me about a play that had just happened and I looked to find Sonny Seiler, the owner of all of the Ugas, standing next to me on the sidelines. Behind us was Uga's empty doghouse adorned with a wreath. It hit me that this man had just lost a beloved family pet and how strange it must be to have a whole stadium worth of people share that loss.

Look back at Uga VI's memorial service and Uga VII's introduction here.

Check out the Athens Banner-Herald's slideshow of Uga VII's memorial ceremony here.


Georgia fans honor the late Uga VII (Loran's Best) with "RIP Loran's Best" painted on their backs before the Bulldogs' 34-27 loss to the Kentucky Wildcats Saturday Nov. 21, 2009, at Stanford Stadium.


A wreath was placed on the doghouse of the late Georgia mascot Uga VII who died suddenly Thursday morning at his home in Savannah.


A picture of the late Uga VII and a wreath adorn his doghouse during the Bulldogs' game against the Kentucky Wildcats Saturday Nov. 21, 2009, at Stanford Stadium.




A Georgia Cheerleader takes photos of Uga VII before the Bulldogs' 45-19 loss to the Tennessee Volunteers Saturday Oct. 10, 2009, at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn.


Uga VII, Loran's Best, chills on the sidelines after being introduced as Georgia's new mascot at Sanford Stadium before the Georgia Bulldogs played Georgia Southern in 2008.


Georgia mascots Uga VII and Hairy Dawg lounge on the field before the Bulldogs SEC matchup with LSU Saturday at Sanford Stadium.




Uga VII looks on during the runout before the Bulldogs beat the Auburn Tigers 17-13 Saturday November 15, 2008, at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, AL.

UGA vs. AUBURN: Bittersweet

This Saturday the Tigers came to town for the 113th edition of the Deep South's Oldest Rivalry. The series started in 1892 and has been played almost every year since with Auburn having a slight edge 53-52-8. Now that's a rivalry! This was my third time photographing the match-up and this one was the most thrilling yet with a 31-24 Georgia victory that came down to the last drive. However, it was also bittersweet.

Georgia linebacker Rennie Curran high-fives fans during the "Dogwalk" before the Bulldogs' SEC match-up with the Auburn Tigers Saturday Nov. 14, 2009, at Sanford Stadium.


Georgia majorettes wave flags during a performance before the start of the game.


Georgia punter Drew Butler and the Bulldogs stretch pre-game.


Georgia players head off the field after pre-game warm-ups.


Georgia fans cheer before the Bulldogs take the field.


Auburn cheerleaders lead as the Tigers take the field.

Although I went to Alabama and love my Tide, I was raised by my dad to be a fan of his Alma Mater Auburn. Ever since I was a baby that A over the U symbol has been burned into my heart, the orange and navy a glorious sight. I can't help but feel like a kid on Christmas when I'm standing on those sidelines with the Tigers. As much as I love Alabama only Auburn can ignite such a nostalgic pride. When I'm shooting, however, I'm not in fan mode. My priority is getting good pictures and any loyalties take a backseat, but it still sucks to see them lose.

Auburn QB Chris Todd releases a pass in the 1st half.


Auburn's Terrell Zachery comes down with a touchdown pass with coverage by Georgia's Bacarri Rambo during the first quarter.


Auburn's Kodi Burns is lifted by teammate Andrew McCain after scoring a first quarter touchdown during the Auburn Tigers' 14-7 halftime lead.


Georgia's A.J. Green stiff-arms Demond Washington during the 2nd quarter.


Georgia's A.J. Green runs through a tackle by Auburn's Walter McFadden
during the 2nd quarter.


Georgia's Washaun Ealey catches himself and gets extra yardage in the 3rd quarter.


Georgia's Washaun Ealey bursts into the endzone for a touchdown in the 3rd quarter.


Auburn's Darvin Adams bobbles a pass in the endzone with coverage by Georgia's Reshad Jones.

The game was tied as late as the 4th quarter but the Bulldogs pulled ahead with two Caleb King TDs versus one Tiger kickoff return for a TD. Down by a touchdown with just over a minute left Auburn's QB Chris Todd sent one to Mario Fannin near the endzone but Georgia safety Bacarri Rambo slammed into him popping the ball loose. The play was phenomenal, but Rambo hit the turf and didn't move for the next 15 minutes as trainers strapped him down and hauled him off the field in a cart. It was eerily silent in the stadium. Distressed Bulldogs watched nearby forgetting that they still had to stop two more Tiger downs. When the game got back underway their was no stopping the crazed Bulldogs who wanted with passion to win this one for Rambo. A sack and a knocked away pass later they had their victory. I chased them around to get celebration shots as stray Tigers walked by heads hung.

Georgia's Kade Weston pressures Auburn's QB Chris Todd which resulted in a Reshad Jones interception in the 4th quarter.


Auburn's Tommy Trott tries to bring down Georgia's Reshad Jones after Jones' interception in the 4th quarter.


Georgia defensive coordinator Willie Martinez reacts after Brandon Boykin's interception in the first half.


Georgia QB Joe Cox is sacked by Auburn's Nick Fairley during the first half.


Auburn's Josh Bynes takes down Georgia's Branden Smith in the 2nd half.


Georgia's Rantavious Wooten maneuvers through Auburn defenders.


Auburn's Josh Bynes tips a Joe Cox pass that is then caught by Georgia's Orson Charles (#7) in the 3rd quarter.


Georgia's Orson Charles is brought down by Auburn's T'Sharvan Bell, left, and Daren Bates in the 3rd quarter.


Georgia's Tavarres King catches a pass setting up the Bulldogs for a touchdown in the 4th quarter.


Georgia's Caleb King breaks loose for a touchdown early in the 4th quarter.


Georiga's Caleb King and Fred Munzenmaier celebrate the first of King's two 4th quarter touchdowns.


Georgia's Darryl Gamble tackles Auburn's Tommy Trott in the 3rd quarter.


Georgia's Washaun Ealey runs the ball up the middle in the 4th quarter.


Georiga's Branden Smith is brought down by Auburn's Craig Stevens in the 3rd quarter.


Georgia's Joe Cox hands the ball off to Caleb King.


Georgia's Caleb King bursts past Auburn defenders into the endzone for the go-ahead touchdown in the 4th quarter of the Bulldogs' 31-24 win over the Tigers Saturday Nov. 14, 2009, at Sanford Stadium.

The Auburn offense huddles.


Auburn's Onterio McCalebb bobbles and catches the ball after breaking tackles
in the 4th quarter.


Georgia's Bacarri Rambo's mouth piece flies out as he hits Auburn's Mario Fannin popping the ball loose in the 4th quarter. Rambo was injured on the play.


Georgia's Bacarri Rambo hits the ground after the play he was injured on in the 4th quarter.


Georiga players took on as injured teammate Bacarri Rambo is being strapped down to be carted off the field in the 4th quarter.


Georgia safety Bacarri Rambo is carted off the field after an injury late in the 4th quarter.


Georgia cornerback Brandon Boykin pumps up the crowd.


Georgia's Cornelius Washington celebrates after sacking Auburn QB Chris Todd bringing up 4th and 18 in the final minute of the 4th quarter.


Auburn's Darvin Adams just misses a pass with coverage by Georgia's Bryan Evans, left, and Brandon Boykin on the last play of the Bulldogs' 31-24 win over the Tigers Saturday Nov. 14, 2009, at Sanford Stadium.


Georgia's Brandon Boykin is lifted by center Ben Jones after Auburn's final play in the Bulldogs' 31-24 win over the Tigers Saturday Nov. 14, 2009, at Sanford Stadium.


Auburn running back Ben Tate


Georgia's Marcus Dowtin celebrates after the Georgia Bulldogs' 31-24 win over the Auburn Tigers Saturday Nov. 14, 2009, at Sanford Stadium.


Georgia's Israel Troupe, Brandon Boykin, and Ricardo Crawford dance after the Bulldogs' 31-24 win over the Tigers Saturday Nov. 14, 2009, at Sanford Stadium.

This win was huge for the Bulldogs who are now bowl eligible after securing their 6th win. It was also bittersweet because not only was Bacarri Rambo knocked unconscious with a possible concussion, star wide receiver A.J. Green suffered a sprained joint in his left shoulder and linebacker Darious Dewberry injured his elbow. It is more fun to shoot a winning team and maybe I'll get to go to a bowl game, but it was also bittersweet for me as I had to walk the field with hurting Tigers.