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
Better to Receive
We know football season is around the corner when we get Media Day assignments. I’ve written about these phenomena before, but yesterday, pictures that our staff photographers took during media days several weeks ago, were finally used in the newspaper.
Oklahoma State's Hubert Anyiam poses for a photo in Stillwater, Okla., Sunday, August 10, 2010. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
Staff photographers Bryan Terry and Chris Landsberger hauled lights, backgrounds and cameras out to Oklahoma State and University of Oklahoma campuses earlier this month to get portraits of some of the star players. Here’s a couple of images from the events, but for more sports coverage related to the recently released college football sections, click here.
University of Oklahoma's Jaz Reynolds on Friday, Aug 6, 2010, in Norman, Okla. Photo by Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman
We photographed the media days on different days, in different towns and under different conditions. Chris and Bryan tried to get the light as consistent as possible, even though Bryan was indoors at Gallagher-Iba Arena and Chris was outdoors at Memorial Stadium in Norman. They used the same grey backdrop and put one light on each side of the backdrop, slightly behind the players and then one directly behind and slightly above the photographer. The covers of the special sections looked fantastic. Seeing those sections in the paper means that football season is no longer around the corner. It’s here.
Wide receiver Ryan Broyles catches a ball thrown by Oklahoman Sports Editor Mike Sherman while photographer Chris Landsberger makes an image during media day events on Friday, August 6, 2010, in Norman, Okla. Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman
-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
Pictures I Like
Rebecca Tyberg, a junior at Piedmont High School, puts on her blindfold as she enters a ballroom for Dining in the dark at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond on Monday, Sept. 28, 2009. By John Clanton, The Oklahoman
Boone Pickens, center, holds court for a group of past and present Holdenville, Okla. residents during game day of the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the Grambling State University Tigers at Boone Pickens Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009, in Stillwater, Okla. By Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman
The Oklahoman Photo Department has been busy in the last seven days. Henry Bellmon’s funeral, OU vs. Miami football, a feature story about T. Boone Pickens and, of course, high school football are a few of the assignments we’ve photographed. Here are a few images that stand out over the last week.
Gov. Brad Henry and his wife Kim pay their respects at the casket of former governor Henry Bellmon as they remove it from the State Capitol on Friday, Oct. 1, 2009, in Oklahoma City, Okla. By Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman.
Miami's Thearon Collier (28) just misses catching a pass in front of OU's Quinton Carter (20) during the college football game between the University of Oklahoma (OU) Sooners and the University of Miami (UM) Hurricanes at Land Shark Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, Saturday, October 3, 2009. Miami won, 21-20. By Nate Billings, The Oklahoman
-John Clanton
32 years and counting…
Recently I covered the ribbon cutting ceremony at the new Boone Pickens Stadium at OSU before the Georgia game. Not one to normally be nostalgic, I none-the-less started thinking back about the 32 years I’ve been covering football at OSU and OU too. Maybe it was wearing the 1970′s denim photo vest that staffer John Clanton and his wife Julie had dared me to wear. I accepted and then went full retro (except using digital cameras instead of film). See photo. I somehow convinced Epperson’s Photo of how smart it would be for them to give me the vest, since I was such an important photographer! LOL
Doug Hoke with his denim 1970's photo vest and retro look.
OSU coach Mike Gundy and OSU president Burns Hargis watch as Boone Pickens cuts the ribbon to officially open the new stadium before the college football game between OSU and the University of Georgia at Boone Pickens Stadium on the campus of Oklahoma State University in Stillwater Saturday, Sept. 5, 2009. Photo by Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman.
When I started coming to Stillwater for The Oklahoman the stadium was not much more than rusty bleachers and now it is one of the finest facilities in the Big 12 if not the country. As I made my way through the press box and worked the sidelines there were only 5 faces I saw that had been around as long. Mike Holder who was golf coach back then is now the Athletic Director. Pat Quinn was the SID when I started, but long since retired. Dr. Cooper is still patrolling the sidelines as is Steve Ingram, an OSU campus police officer who I have seen just about every season. And John Biever with Sports Illustrated was at the game too.
Not many working peers left, but lots of athletes in front of the lens. A few stand out. The best receiver I ever covered was Hart Lee Dykes. The guy could catch anything thrown his direction. Speaking of throwing, another OSU player named Mike Gundy stands out. Don’t know if he’s the best, but I have covered him at MWC high school, OSU as a player and now a coach. That’s history.
Hart Lee Dykes is congratulated by teammates after a touchdown in 1988 against Texas A&M. Photo by Doug Hoke.
OSU head coach Pat Jones, left, talks with an assistant coach as quarterback Mike Gundy looks on Saturday. Photo by Doug Hoke
oach Mike Gundy talks with an official during the college football game between OSU and the University of Georgia at Boone Pickens Stadium on the campus of Oklahoma State University in Stillwater Saturday, Sept. 5, 2009. Photo by Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman.
Thurman Thomas and a guy named Barry Sanders are near the top of the running back list. But my favorite all time running back to photograph was Billy Sims. I just like the way he glided around the field. Add two other Heisman winners, Jason White and Sam Bradford and that’s four Heisman players I’ve covered.
A couple of others who stand out are Brian Bosworth and Adrian Peterson. Bosworth played with passion and Peterson is, well, AD. I’m horrible with names, so I’m sure there are others I should mention, especially members of OSU’s swarming defenses over the years that I made iconic images of.
Barry Sanders 89 yard TD, outruns the Miami of Ohio defense. Staff Photo by Doug Hoke
1/2/79. Orange Bowl. OU-Nebraska. Oklahoma halfback Billy Sims outruns Nebraska's Jim Pillen on his way to his first Orange Bowl touchdown as the Sooners downed the Huskers 31-24 in Miami. Staff photo by Doug Hoke
University of Oklahoma vs Baylor University in Norman, Okla. on Saturday October 20, 2001. OU quarterback Jason White scrambles looking for a receiver late in the game. Staff photo by Doug Hoke.
Sam Bradford, Putnam City North, high school football. Staff photo by Doug Hoke.
Sam Bradford throws a pass during the first half of the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and Oklahoma State University Cowboys (OSU) at Boone Pickens Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2008, in Stillwater, Okla.
After a week off for a wedding, I’m back in Stillwater today covering the game with Rice. Please, no rain! I’m starting to feel old.
-Doug Hoke
