Locos nip the Tuskers in overtime thriller to win UFL Championship

About eight months ago had someone asked me about the UFL I most likely would have responded with UF huh? But after covering the new league from nearly the beginning of their inaugural season I can now say I know nearly everything about the league. The mini first season came to a close last week in Las Vegas for the UFL Championship game.

Before we get to the championship game lets rewind a few days earlier where I was called upon to shoot a few team photos for the league.

Back in my military days I would frequently have to do large group photos (which I hated and usually pawned off on the junior photographers). This time though I was motivated to go out there and do as best of a job as I could with less than desired accommodations.

First up would be the California Redwoods team photo at their training facility in Casa Grande, AZ.

I was hoping to do it at a grandstand where it would be easier to set up the shot which included about 70 players, coaches and trainers.

When Jennifer and I arrived at the facility we were greeted with some benches as the only thing we had to set up the players.

With the help of some trainers we moved the benches to the below setup.

Nikon D700, 24-70mm, 100iso, f11, 1/250th, Manual with (2) Alien Bee 1600 Watt Strobes

The lighting set up was two Alien Bee 1600 watt strobes places on each end of the bench facing forward.

Jennifer took charge (below) and barked out orders to the players as we got them all lined up for the photo as I shot from a scissor lift.

Nikon D700, 24-70mm, 125iso, f11, 1/250th, Manual with (2) Alien Bee 1600 Watt Strobes

While not a perfect set up shot the final product (below) came out pretty good considering what we had to work with.

Nikon D700, 24-70mm, 125iso, f11, 1/250th, Manual with (2) Alien Bee 1600 Watt Strobes

After the shot as the players disbursed quarterback Mike McMahon pushed over some of his teammates as they hammed it up for the camera, below.

Nikon D700, 24-70mm, 125iso, f11, 1/250th, Manual with (2) Alien Bee 1600 Watt Strobes

Fast forward a few days later to Las Vegas where I was to shoot the team photos of the two teams that were squaring off in the championship game.

For these group shots I would have the grandstand that I wanted for the photo. All I can say is be careful what you wish for!

In a perfect world I would have lined them up in the first row and go from there but at Sam Boyd Stadium there were two rows of annoying bars that messed with my idea and forced me to start the lineup about five rows up in the stands. The bad thing about that was the 12 foot ladder I was on still wasn’t tall enough to get me above the players so I would be below them looking up at them which I didn’t like. The other issue was even with my strobes as high up as the stands would allow, they were still well below the players which would create bad shadows.

To help combat the issue I had two of the girls from the UFL PR department assist me by holding the lights up on two tables, below.

Photo by Jennifer Stewart

With the help of my super assistant Jennifer we got the players all lined up and shot the below team photos.

Las Vegas Locomotives:

Nikon D700, 24-70mm, 200iso, f11, 1/250th, Manual with (2) Alien Bee 1600 Watt Strobes

Florida Tuskers:

Nikon D700, 24-70mm, 320iso, f11, 1/250th, Manual with (2) Alien Bee 1600 Watt Strobes

The Tuskers players requested to do a fun photo after the serious shot, below.

Nikon D700, 24-70mm, 320iso, f11, 1/250th, Manual with (2) Alien Bee 1600 Watt Strobes

Two days later was the actual game so right after the team photos it was a fun five hour drive back to Phoenix so I could do the Thanksgiving thing.

With a full belly from a great Thanksgiving dinner it was a quick flight up to Vegas the following day for the championship game.

Heres a few random photos from the flight to Vegas.

Canon G10, 100iso, f3.5, 1/640th, Aperture Priority

Canon G10, 100iso, f4.5, 1/320th, Aperture Priority

Once at the stadium it was time to shoot some pre game feature photos.

Below is a close up view of the William Hambrecht Championship Trophy.

Nikon D700, 80-200mm, 250iso, f5.6, 1/2500th, Aperture Priority

As I have mentioned in all my blogs from UFL events, the best thing about the small league is the awesome access.

Below, Florida Tuskers quarterback Brooks Bollinger stretches with his teammates on the field prior to the game.

Nikon D700, 24-70mm, 200iso, f2.8, 1/1250th, Manual

Following the National Anthem former Super Bowl MVP Michael Pittman points to the sky (below).

Nikon D700, 80-200mm, 250iso, f5, 1/500th, Manual

Below, Las Vegas Locomotives and Florida Tuskers team captains look on as head referee Dave Cutaia conducts the coin toss prior to the UFL championship game.

Nikon D700, 24-70mm, 200iso, f2.8, 1/1000th, Manual

Early on in the game Florida Tuskers quarterback Brooks Bollinger had a pass attempt blocked and the  ball flew behind him, giving the appearance of a backwards throw, below.

Nikon D700, 400mm, 400iso, f4, 1/1000th, Manual

The first touchdown of the game occurred when Florida Tuskers wide receiver (11) Marcus Maxwell caught a short pass and plowed past the Locomotives defense into the end zone, below.

Nikon D700, 400mm, 400iso, f4, 1/1600th, Manual

Maxwell celebrated the touchdown with a goal post dunk.

Nikon D700, 400mm, 400iso, f4, 1/1600th, Manual

The below fan is seemingly unimpressed.

Nikon D700, 80-200mm, 250iso, f2.8, 1/1600th, Manual

My plan was to go shoot some of the game from the roof of the stadium to get some cool shots with nice shadows but of course the day ended up being overcast with a few minutes here and there of periodic sunshine.

Below, Las Vegas Locomotives quarterback J.P. Losman is bathed in sunlight as he throws a pass.

Nikon D700, 400mm, 100iso, f3.2, 1/2000th, Manual

Below, Las Vegas Locomotives running back (27) DeDe Dorsey runs the ball as Florida Tuskers linebacker (52) Odell Thurman reaches for him.

Nikon D700, 400mm with 1.4 convertor (550mm), 400iso, f4, 1/1600th, Manual

Towards the end of the second quarter the home town Locomotives had a scare as Losman would get injured on a play and be on the ground for a few minutes, below. Luckily he only missed a few plays and would come back into the game in the third quarter.

Nikon D700, 400mm with 1.4 convertor (550mm), 100iso, f4, 1/1000th, Manual

Losman stands on the sidelines with his helmet on as he waits to go back into the game, below.

Nikon D700, 400mm with 1.4 convertor (550mm), 400iso, f4, 1/1000th, Manual

Below is a detailed view of the championship game logo on the uniforms of all the players.

Nikon D700, 400mm, 250iso, f2.8, 1/1600th, Manual

My biggest complaint for the UFL to address for next season is the ridiculously oversized photo vests. Below you can see what I am talking about. Its one size fits NONE.

Photo by Kyle Terada

Tuskers quarterback Brooks Bollinger (below) drops back to throw a pass.

Nikon D700, 400mm, 250iso, f2.8, 1/1600th, Manual

Off in the distance from the stadium was a nice mountain background that I was trying to find a way to incorporate into my photos.

Below was as good as I could get with Florida Tuskers punter (10) Todd Sauerbrun punting the ball away against the Las Vegas Locomotives.

Nikon D700, 80-200mm, 200iso, f2.8, 1/1250th, Manual

One of the cooler shots on the day for me was the below frame as Las Vegas Locomotives quarterback J.P. Losman throws a pass under pressure from a flying Florida Tuskers defender.

Nikon D700, 400mm, 400iso, f2.8, 1/1600th, Manual

The game had many hard hits including the below shot of Florida Tuskers running back Michael Pittman getting nailed by Las Vegas Locomotives linebacker (54) Teddy Lehman.

Nikon D700, 400mm, 500iso, f4, 1/1000th, Manual

The Tuskers held the lead for most the game until Las Vegas Locomotives running back DeDe Dorsey ran the ball for a touchdown in the fourth quarter, below.

Nikon D700, 400mm with 1.4 convertor (550mm), 800iso, f4, 1/1000th, Manual

Florida answered right back when Florida Tuskers wide receiver (82) Frank Murphy caught a pass and scored a touchdown, below.

Nikon D700, 80-200mm, 1000iso, f4, 1/1000th, Manual

Murphy briefly celebrates solo…..

Nikon D700, 80-200mm, 1000iso, f4, 1/1000th, Manual

……before being joined by offensive lineman (69) P.J. Alexander and offensive guard (77) Charles Spencer.

Nikon D700, 80-200mm, 1000iso, f4, 1/1000th, Manual

On the bench Las Vegas Locomotives head coach Jim Fassel (center) gives his players a pep talk late in the fourth quarter, below.

Nikon D700, 24-70mm, 500iso, f2.8, 1/800th, Manual

J.P. Losman prepares to take the snap in the fourth quarter, below.

Nikon D700, 80-200mm with 1.4 convertor (280mm), 1000iso, f4, 1/1000th, Manual

Below, Florida Tuskers running back (22) Michael Pittman leaps to avoid a tackle late in the fourth quarter.

Nikon D700, 400mm, 640iso, f2.8, 1/1000th, Manual

The game ended up going into overtime, a first for the UFL.

The only major difference between NFL and UFL rules is that the UFL goes by college football overtime rules where both teams get a shot at the ball.

Below, UFL commissioner Michael Huyghue is framed by players in action as he watches from the sidelines during the overtime.

Nikon D700, 400mm, 1000iso, f2.8, 1/1000th, Manual

Florida had the ball first but after an untimely turnover it set the Locomotives up with great field position and only a short field goal needed to win the championship.

Below, Las Vegas Locomotives head coach Jim Fassel yells for his kicker to head out on the field.

Nikon D700, 400mm, 1000iso, f2.8, 1/1000th, Manual

As the kicker took the field to go for the win I noticed Las Vegas Locomotives wide receiver Andrae Thurman laying on the ground looking on intently waiting for the kick.

Nikon D700, 24-70mm, 1000iso, f2.8, 1/800th, Manual

It was a moment that should have made for a great shot but the angle sucked. To try and get a better photo I got down low on the ground alongside to see if that would make a better frame, below.

Nikon D700, 24-70mm, 1000iso, f2.8, 1/800th, Manual

I still didn’t like the angle since you couldn’t see his face very well. So I decided to go all out in one more attempt at the shot by laying down on the field right in front of him to shoot the below shot. (If someone tried that at NFL game I can almost guarantee their credential would be revoked!)

Nikon D700, 24-70mm, 1000iso, f2.8, 1/800th, Manual

Below, Las Vegas Locomotives kicker Graham Gano kicks the game winning overtime field goal…..

Nikon D700, 80-200mm with 1.4 convertor (280mm), 2000iso, f4, 1/1000th, Manual

…..and the celebration begins along with holder (8) Danny Baugher.

Nikon D700, 80-200mm with 1.4 convertor (280mm), 2000iso, f4, 1/1000th, Manual

As the players on the field celebrated, over on the sidelines head coach Jim Fassel was picked up by his players and carried out to the field in a moment that made for my favorite photo of the game, below.

Nikon D700, 24-70mm, 1000iso, f2.8, 1/800th, Manual

Below, Las Vegas Locomotives head coach Jim Fassel (left) is congratulated by UFL commissioner Michael Huyghue after defeating the Florida Tuskers during the UFL championship game at Sam Boyd Stadium. The Locomotives defeated the Tuskers 20-17 in overtime.

Nikon D700, 24-70mm, 1000iso, f2.8, 1/1000th, Manual

After a few minutes of onfield celebration it was time for players to head to the stage that had been set up on the field for the trophy presentation.

Below, Locomotives defensive back Isaiah Trufant is carried by linebacker Gary Stills to the stage following the game.

Nikon D700, 24-70mm, 1000iso, f2.8, 1/1000th, Manual

Players celebrate (below) as Las Vegas Locomotives head coach Jim Fassel lifts the William Hambrecht Championship Trophy after defeating the Florida Tuskers.

Nikon D700, 80-200mm, 1250iso, f3.2, 1/800th, Manual

The championship game MVP award went to running back DeDe Dorsey (below) for his two touchdown performance.

Nikon D700, 80-200mm, 1250iso, f3.5, 1/800th, Manual

Perhaps one of the funniest things I have ever seen occurred while Las Vegas Locomotives defensive back (20) Joe Porter ran along the edge of the field celebrating with the fans, below.

Nikon D700, 24-70mm, 1000iso, f2.8, 1/800th, Manual

The funny part happened after passing me. Porter evidently didn’t realize that there was a two foot drop off at the edge of the grass and his foot went over the edge…..

Nikon D700, 24-70mm, 1000iso, f2.8, 1/800th, Manual

……and he fell flat on his face! Luckily the trophy landed safely on the turf and wasn’t damaged, nor was Porter (other than his ego I’m sure)

Nikon D700, 24-70mm, 1000iso, f2.8, 1/800th, Manual

Back in the locker room Locomotives defensive back Isaiah Trufant (below) celebrated with his teammates as he filmed himself with his iPhone.

Nikon D700, 24-70mm, 3200iso, f2.8, 1/200th, Manual

Here are a few random photos from the plane on the flight home.

Canon G10, 200iso, f3.5, 1/2000th, Aperture Priority

Canon G10, 80iso, f3.5, 1/1600th, Aperture Priority

That wraps up a great season of UFL football, to see my other UFL related blogs from the season check out these links:

http://markjrebilas.com/blog/?p=4470

http://markjrebilas.com/blog/?p=6127

http://markjrebilas.com/blog/?p=6293

http://markjrebilas.com/blog/?p=6487

To check out my archive of images from the UFL (or any other sports) Check out the search of my archive

This entry was posted on Thursday, December 3rd, 2009 at 11:36 am and is filed under Football, Las Vegas, Me, Sports, UFL and tagged with 1600, aerial photo, alien bee, Andrae Thurman, assistant, Brooks Bollinger, California Redwoods, Canon, carried off field, Casa Grande, celebration, Champion, championship game, Charles Spencer, coin toss, commissioner, Danny Baugher, Dave Cutaia, Dede Dorsey, Desert, dunk, fall, fan, Florida Tuskers, Football, Frank Murphy, funny, G10, game winning kick, Gary Stills, goal post, Graham Gano, ground, group shot, head coach, helmet, Hoover Dam, huddle, injury, Isaiah Trufant, J.P. Losman, Jim Fassel, Joe Porter, kicker, Las Vegas, linebacker, Locker room, Locomotives, logo, Marcus Maxwell, Michael Huyghue, michael pittman, Mike McMahon, mvp, Nevada, Odell Thurman, overtime, P.J. Alexander, photography, punter, quarterback, referee, running back, Sam Boyd Stadium, sidelines, sports photographer, stretching, Strobes, team photo, team portrait, Teddy Lehman, Todd Sauerbrun, touchdown, trainer, trip, trophy, Tuskers, UFL, United Football League, watt, wide receiver, William Hambrecht, William Hambrecht Championship Trophy, winner. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.