With the New Year in full swing, and the National Championship set to kick off tonight, I decided to finally get some sports photos up on my blog. I really have been slacking on this, since I have been busier than ever. Well, now is a good time to get something going again, and I will definitely retroactively post some major events in this blog so stay tuned!

I am fortunate enough to have the opportunity to shoot the Rose Bowl this year, to kick off the newly minted College Football Playoffs. I was excited to hear that I would be a sideline roamer for this game, and this was going to be my first and last of the season. I really didn’t know what to expect, since I was a little rusty with only two football shoots under my belt in the past year and a half. I shot overhead at the National Championships last year at the Rose Bowl, but that is a completely different feel. I really had to shake all that off and just go out banging, because these teams were relentless and were known to be high action. I got the the fields really early, to avoid traffic and because of the 2pm kickoff time.  This gave me some time to go around and get a few shots of fans and overview of the stadium.

I got a few detail shots, like these scarves left for the students.

And a little bit of time to catch some warm ups before the game started, here is one of Oregon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota warming up his arm.

Like I said, there wasn’t really much time to waste, Oregon and Florida State both had a three and out, and then this play. Florida State Seminoles defensive back Nate Andrews (29) attempts to tackle a flying Oregon Ducks wide receiver Charles Nelson (6).  This was definitely THE image of the game, not much action despite the lopsided score.

And the aftermath, with Oregon Ducks wide receiver Charles Nelson landing just shy of the end zone as Florida State Seminoles safety Tyler Hunter runs by.

Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Kermit Whitfield is unable to handle a kick off.

Florida State Seminoles head coach Jimbo Fisher, yells after a play.

Florida State Seminoles running back Dalvin Cook (4) dives for extra yards.

Florida State Seminoles quarterback Jameis Winston jogs back to the sidelines.

Oregon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota (right) fakes a handoff to running back Thomas Tyner (left).

Oregon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota (right) jumps up for a pass.

Oregon Ducks running back Thomas Tyner (24) eludes a tackle by Florida State Seminoles defensive back Nate Andrews (29)

Oregon Ducks running back Royce Freeman (left) takes a handoff from quarterback Marcus Mariota (right)

Florida State Seminoles quarterback Jameis Winston (left) looks for a pass as he scrambles.

Oregon Ducks running back Thomas Tyner (24) breaks free from a diving Florida State Seminoles safety Tyler Hunter (1)

Oregon Ducks running back Thomas Tyner (left) is held onto by Florida State Seminoles linebacker Matthew Thomas (right)

Florida State Seminoles running back Karlos Willaims attempts to avoid a tackle.

Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Ermon Lane (right) moves past Oregon Ducks defensive back Chris Seisay (left).

Florida State Seminoles running back Karlos Willaims runs through Oregon Ducks’ defenders.

Oregon DUcks linebacker Derrick Malone (right) celebrates after recovering a fumble.

Florida State Seminoles defensive back Trey Marshall (20) attempts to tackle Oregon Ducks tight end Evan Baylis (right)

Oregon Ducks tight end Evan Baylis (right) attempts to avoid a tackle by Florida State Seminoles cornerback Ronald Darby (back) as he jumps over Florida State Seminoles defensive back Trey Marshall

Oregon Ducks running back Royce Freeman (front) runs for a touchdown defended by Florida State Seminoles defensive tackle Eddie Goldman (back).

Oregon Ducks running back Royce Freeman celebrates a touchdown with offensive lineman Tyrell Crosby.

Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Rashad Greene (80) pushes away Oregon Ducks defensive back Chris Seisay (12).

Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Rashad Greene (80) is gang tackled by the Oregon Ducks defense.

Oregon Ducks wide receiver Darren Carrington runs free for a touchdown.

Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Ermn Lane (left) avoids a tackle by Oregon Ducks linebacker Tony Washington (91)

Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Ermn Lane (left) is tackled by the Oregon Ducks linebacker Danny Mattingly (top) and Oregon Ducks defensive back Ifo Ekpre-Olomu (bottom).

Oregon Ducks wide receiver Darren Carrington (right) dives in for another touchdown as Florida State Seminoles defensive back Trey Marshall (20) attempts to stop him.

Oregon Ducks linebacker Tony Washington (91) celebrates with linebacker Derrick Malone (22) after picking up a fumble for a touchdown by Florida State Seminoles quarterback Jameis Winston (not pictured).

Oregon DUcks quarterback Marcus Mariota runs in for a open touchdown.

Oregon Ducks running back Thomas Tyner avoids a tackle

and then runs in for a score.

And after the game, I attempted to chase down the major players and people of the game.  Here is Oregon Ducks head coach Mark Helfrich with the media.

As well as quarterback Marcus Mariota.

And lastly some celebration shots, or Jubes.  Oregon Ducks offensive Lineman Hamani Stevens (54) throws confetti to celebrate with the crowd.

And the Mascot is celebrating as well with the team.

Here is a big thank you to Craig Tabita, seen here on the ground with a floor covered in confetti.

I am proud to say that Sports Illustrated chose one of my photos, out of possibly thousands as the Cover Photo for the January 12th issue. I’m very grateful to have this opportunity, and thanks to Craig, my photo runner, and all of the USA Today Sports Images staff.