The Cowboys and Sooners fall
Oklahoma's Landry Jones (12) reacts as he walks off the field after a Mossis Madu fumble in the red zone during the first half of the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the University of Missouri Tigers (MU) on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2010, in Columbia, Mo. Photo by Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman
Oklahoman photographers were busy this weekend covering football games. Chris Landsberger covered the Sooners’ loss to the Tigers in Missouri, while Nate Billings, Sarah Phipps and Bryan Terry covered the Cowboys’ loss to the Huskers in Stillwater, Okla. Larry the Cable Guy was also in Stillwater to watch the Huskers.
See more OU photos here
See more OSU photos here
OSU's Brandon Weeden walks off the field after OSU's 51-41 loos in the college football game between the Oklahoma State Cowboys (OSU) and the Nebraska Huskers (NU) at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Oct. 23, 2010. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
Oklahoma's James Hanna (82) catches the ball for a touchdown during the second half of the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the University of Missouri Tigers (MU) on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2010, in Columbia, Mo. Oklahoma lost the game 36-27. Photo by Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman
OSU's Justin Blackmon (81) makes a catch next to Prince Amukamara (21) of Nebraska on the way to an 80-yard touchdown in the second quarter during the college football game between the Oklahoma State Cowboys (OSU) and the Nebraska Huskers (NU) at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Oct. 23, 2010. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman ORG XMIT: KOD
Nebraska fan and comedian Larry the Cable Guy waves to fans during the college football game between the Oklahoma State Cowboys (OSU) and the Nebraska Huskers (NU) at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Oct. 23, 2010. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman
Nebraska's Niles Paul slips past OSU's Quinn Sharp as he returns a kickoff for touchdown during the college football game between the Oklahoma State Cowboys (OSU) and the Nebraska Huskers (NU) at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Oct. 23, 2010. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
See more OU photos here
See more OSU photos here
— Sarah Phipps
October sports highlights
Aaron Williams (4) of Texas tries to make an interception but cannot hold on to a pass intended for OU's Ryan Broyles (85) in the second quarter of the Red River Rivalry college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the University of Texas Longhorns (UT) at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2010, in Dallas, Texas. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman
I’ve been meaning to put some sports pictures up for a few days. With staff photographers covering football, volleyball, softball, and now Thunder basketball, we’ve had some remarkable pictures to look at in Merlin. Here are some of my favorites from the last few weeks. Most of these you may not have seen because they weren’t published in the newspaper. After the games that we cover, we always post a gallery full of images, you can see all the photo galleries by clicking here.
Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant (35) is introduced before the preseason NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and CSKA Moscow in Oklahoma City, Thursday, October 14, 2010. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
Micha Hancock gets a hug from assistant principal Carrie Higdon afyer receiving her championship medal during the 6A Volleyball state championship game between Edmond Memorial and Edmond Santa Fe at Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010. Photo by Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman
OSU's Dan Bailey makes the game-winning field goal during the college football game between Texas A&M University and Oklahoma State University (OSU) at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Thursday, Sept. 30, 2010. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
OU's Jonathan Nelson (3) reacts after the Red River Rivalry college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the University of Texas Longhorns (UT) at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2010, in Dallas, Texas. OU won, 28-20. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman
OSU's Josh Cooper (25) tries to get past Cody Davis (16) of Texas Tech in the second quarter during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and Texas Tech University Red Raiders at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas, Saturday, October 16, 2010. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman
Yukon's Kendall Smith, center, celebrates Yukon's win over Jenks during the Class 6A fast-pitch softball championship at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium, Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010, in Oklahoma City. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
-John Clanton
Monday Morning Photo Editor
OSU's Michael Harrison (7) is tackled by James Roberson (4) of TU during the college football game between the University of Tulsa (TU) and Oklahoma State University (OSU) at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma, Saturday, September 18, 2010. OSU won, 65-28. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman
It’s fair to say that there were more people observing college football on Saturday night than were observing the moon. Nate Billings and Sarah Phipps covered the game in Stillwater between Oklahoma State and Tulsa, while Steve Sisney, Chris Landsberger and Bryan Terry observed the game in Norman between OU and Air Force. I always look forward to looking through the archives to see what our photographers got from each game. Maybe it’s because I haven’t photographed a college football game since 2008, but I’m always extremely impressed with the quality of the pictures and the amount of work they put into covering the games. My favorite this week is Steve Sisney’s picture of one of the OU coaches celebrating with his players. I’ve seen many reaction photos over the years, but I don’t think I’ve seen a coach reacting that far off the ground. Take a look for yourself at the images and see what you think. Photos from the OU game are here, while the OSU gallery is here.
Javon Harris (30) celebrates with a coach after the Sooners recover a fumble during the second half of the college football game where the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) defeated the Air Force Falcons 27-24 at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2010, in Norman, Okla. Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman
OU's David King, right, and Jeremy Beal force Tim Jefferson of Air Force to fumble during the second half of the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Air Force Falcons at the Gaylord Family - Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2010, in Norman, Okla. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
-John Clanton
More football action
OSU's Justin Blackmon (81) stiff arms Donnell Golden (40) of Troy in the first quarter during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys (OSU) and the Troy University Trojans at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 11, 2010. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman
Staff Photographers from The Oklahoman covered home football games in Stillwater and in Norman. To see more pictures from the OSU game, click here. For more pictures from the OU game, click here.
Oklahoma quarterback Landry Jones is sacked by the Florida State defense during the first half of the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Florida State University Seminoles (FSU) on Sat., Sept. 11, 2010, in Norman, Okla. Photo by Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman
OU's Jonathan Nelson knocks down a pass intended for Florida State's Taiwan Easterling during the second half of the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and Florida State University Seminoles (FSU) at the Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2010, in Norman, Okla. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
DeMarco Murray (7) is tackled by Greg Reid (5) as Christian Jones (7) leaps over them during the first half of the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and Florida State University Seminoles (FSU) at the Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 11 2010, in Norman, Okla. Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman
Donnell Golden (40) of Troy intercepts a tipped pass by OSU's Brandon Weeden (not pictured) in front of OSU's Bryant Ward (37), Troy's Jonathan Massaquoi (94) and Xavier Lamb (25) in the third quarter during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys (OSU) and the Troy University Trojans at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 11, 2010. OSU won, 41-38.
OSU's Kendall Hunter (24) scores a touchdown as Troy's Donnell Golden (40) tries to tackle him during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys (OSU) and the Troy University Trojans at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 11, 2010. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
-John Clanton
The Arrival of Football
There are tiny pieces of the artificial turf from Boone Pickens Stadium scattered around my house. They hitched a ride in my tennis shoes after I spent Saturday evening covering Oklahoma State football. They signify the arrival of football.
Nate Billing and I covered OSU while staff photographers Bryan Terry, Chris Landsberger and Steve Sisney covered Oklahoma.
See the OSU photo gallery here
-Sarah Phipps
OSU's David Paulsen (30), Kendall Hunter (24) and Michael Harrison (7) celebrate a touchdown during the college football game between the Washington State Cougars (WSU) and the Oklahoma State Cowboys (OSU) at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, September 4, 2010. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
OU's Ryan Broyles scores a touchdown in front of Utah State's Chris Randle during the first half of the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and Utah State University Aggies (USU) at the Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2010, in Norman, Okla. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
OSU's Kendall Hunter, left, and Justin Blackmon celebrate near Casey Locker of WSU after Hunter rushed for a touchdown in the third quarter during the college football game between the Washington State Cougars (WSU) and the Oklahoma State Cowboys (OSU) at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, September 4, 2010. OSU won, 65-17. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman
Ryan Broyles (85) is tackled by Cameron Sanders (2) after a long catch and run during the first half of the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and Utah State University Aggies (USU) at the Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2010, in Norman, Okla. Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman
Oklahoma's Cameron Kenney (6) leaps over Utah State's Braeden Loveless (32) on a kick return during the second half of the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and Utah State University Aggies (USU) at the Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2010, in Norman, Okla. Photo by Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman
Media Days
There’s plenty of behind-the-scenes work that’s done on Media Day at our local Division 1 colleges, and, of course, there’s plenty of waiting.
Tulsa World Photographer Mike Simons (left) and The Oklahoman photographer John Clanton, both UCO graduates, pose with OSU helmets that fit to varying degrees. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
On Sunday local media outlets converged at Gallagher-Iba Arena on Oklahoma State University to photograph fans getting autographs, press conferences, practices and portraits of players. At some point in the hour and a half wait for the players to arrive for the player availability part of the day, the media relations team brought in helmets that we could use for portraits (above). Staff Photographer Bryan Terry got portraits at OSU, while a few days before, Chris Landsberger photographed players at the University of Oklahoma. Meanwhile, I photographed practices and fan appreciation events at OSU and Steve Sisney photographed Fan Appreciation day in Norman. You can see photo galleries from both events by clicking here. The portraits will run in the August 29 newspaper, and we’ll talk about them on Alternate Crop as well.
-John Clanton
Long Day at the Ball Park
Oklahoma's Tyler Ogle (35) reacts with teammate Danny Black (9) after Ogle's game winning score during the bottom of the ninth inning in the Sooners' 3-2 win in the fourth game of the Big 12 Baseball Championship between Oklahoma and Kansas at the Bricktown Ballpark on Wednesday, May 26, 2010, in Oklahoma City, Okla. Photo by Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman
Yesterday I had the assignment to cover the last two evening session games of the four game set in the Big 12 Baseball Championship at Bricktown Ballpark. It looked as though it was going to be a great day to cover some baseball, but Mother Nature had other thoughts. The first game that started at 4pm between Baylor and Kansas State lasted all of an inning and a half before the rain decided to make an appearance and stay awhile. After about a three hour rain delay, and chasing around weather features, the Bears and the Wildcats went back into action to finish their game under the full moon.
The second game between OU and Kansas was to start at 7:30 now was pushed back to a start time of about 10:35 pm. Since my deadline to get photos back to the paper was 10:45 pm, I have just enough time to shoot OU’s starting pitcher at the top of the inning and their first few at bat in the bottom of the inning before I had to start sending photos back.
I went back out to the field when I was done transmitting to try and get some much needed ‘better’ photos. Which did not go so well. For a fan, the game was great KU had a no hitter going to the 5th inning, and the 1-0 lead over the Sooners, but for a photographer who is in need of some action photographs it was not what I was looking for in a late game. I kept telling myself the next inning will be better, the next inning will be better, and the next thing you know it was the bottom of the 9th inning at 1:15 am with KU holding onto a 2-1 lead. Then karma decided to pay it forward for me since I had done my time for the day when the Sooners hit a two run shot to win the game 3-2. Photos of the Sooners’ celebration made it well worth the wait to finally get to bed at 3am.
Here are a few photos from the two games. Click HERE for full gallery.
Sooners mob teammate Cody Reine, right, after his hit to drive in two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Sooners a 3-2 win over Kansas in the fourth game of the Big 12 Baseball Championship between Oklahoma and Kansas at the Bricktown Ballpark on Wednesday, May 26, 2010, in Oklahoma City, Okla. Photo by Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman
Sooner baseball fans brave the rain over the Baylor dugout in the rain delay during the third game of the Big 12 Baseball Championship between Kansas State and Baylor at the Bricktown Ballpark on Wednesday, May 26, 2010, in Oklahoma City, Okla. Photo by Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman
A baseball fan takes refuge under a small piece of paper as he tries to stay dry in the rain delay during the third game of the Big 12 Baseball Championship between Kansas State and Baylor at the Bricktown Ballpark on Wednesday, May 26, 2010, in Oklahoma City, Okla. Photo by Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman
-Chris Landsberger
Searching Merlin
In the last 30 days, we’ve turned in 3,325 pictures to Merlin.
Laneacea Smith prays during the Shadows of the Cross service at chapel at Eddie W. Warrior Correctional Center, Sunday, March 28, 2010, in Taft, Okla. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
As both of you know by now, Merlin is the name of the archive system that we use to store pictures. Not just the ones turned in by The Oklahoman staff photographers, but also from the Associated Press, reporters sometimes take pictures, families will submit archive snapshots of themselves or loved ones if they’re needed for a story, and we get pictures from local authorities. Police mug shots, framegrabs pulled from surveillance cameras, that kind of stuff. Mostly though, the pictures come from the 13 staff photographers at The Oklahoman. Here are five nice pictures that you may have missed over the last 30 days.
OU's Joanna McFarland sits in the locker room after Oklahoma's loss against Stanford in the Final Four of the NCAA women's basketball tournament at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas., on Sunday, April 4, 2010. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
Deer Creek High School players watch the game from the dugout as the Antlers play Carl Albert during a high school baseball game at Carl Albert High School on Monday, March 29, 2010, in Midwest City, Okla. Photo by Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman
KU's Xavier Henry (1) covers his face as he leaves the court between Brady Morningstar (12), right, and C.J. Henry (13) after the NCAA Men's basketball tournament second round game between the University of Kansas and the University of Northern Iowa at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City, Saturday, March 20, 2010. UNI upset KU, 69-67. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman
Wanda Dewitt sings a hymn and waves a palm branch as she participates in the Easter Drive-Thru Pageant outside Del City First Church of the Nazarene in Del City, Okla., on Wednesday, March 31, 2010. The program will run through Friday from 7-9 p.m. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
-John Clanton
Emotional basketball
OU's Danielle Robinson and Joanna McFarland, left, celebrate as Notre Dame head coach Muffet McGraw walks to half court after the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA women's basketball tournament in Kansas City, Mo., on Sunday, March 28, 2010. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
Staff Photographer Bryan Terry was on the road over the weekend, covering the University of Oklahoma’s women’s basketball team. The Sooners beat Notre Dame last night and will advance to the elite eight in the NCAA tournament. Meanwhile, back in Oklahoma City, the Thunder lost to the Portland Trail Blazers. The night made for some emotional pictures on the court. Take a look at the galleries from the OU women’s team or the Oklahoma City Thunder or go to this link to read the game stories.
Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant reacts as he misses a 3-pointer in the final second against Portland during the second half of their NBA basketball game at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City, Okla., on Sunday, March 28, 2010. The Thunder lost to the Trail Blazers. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
-John Clanton
Full-court Press
OSU's Matt Pilgrim blocks the shot of OU's Ryan Wright in the first half of the college basketball game during the men's Big 12 Championship tournament at the Sprint Center on Wednesday, March 10, 2010, in Kansas City, Mo. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
The Oklahoman’s photo staff is busy covering high school, college and professional basketball. Bryan Terry and Chris Landsberger are in Kansas City covering the Big 12 tournament, Nate Billings photographed the Thunder last night and Sarah Phipps, Steve Sisney and Nate will cover the state high school championships this weekend. Take a look at last night’s Bedlam game in Kansas City or a gallery of Nate’s pictures from the Thunder’s win over New Orleans.
Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook passes the ball in the direction of Thabo Sefolosha (left) as Darren Collison of New Orleans looks on during the NBA basketball game between the New Orleans Hornets and the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, March 10, 2010. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman
-John Clanton
