@SOURaiders @SOU_Football @Jrucker10

The play of the day, and ESPN’s SportsCenter agreed, was the Julius Rucker return of an interception for a touchdown on Marian’s first possession. The play set the tone for the rest of the game.

The pick 6 would not have happened without the assistance of Dustin Fretwell, pictured above. I actually took the above photo of Dustin a split second before the ball was snapped on this very play.

After Fretwell’s tip, Rucker came down with the ball, dodged, weaved, and broke tackles before hitting the open field.

Julius Rucker Sr. could not have been happier

If you are in the Rogue Valley, don’t forget about today’s parade.

Posted on December 21st, 2014 under people. Tags: AF-S Teleconverter TC-17E 1.7X II for Nikon, dustin fretwell, football, julius rucker, NAIA National Championship Game Daytona Florida, Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G VR II, Nikon D750, Raider Athletics, Southern Oregon University, sports photography. Comments Off on Pick 6 sequence

Austin Dodge, Dustin Fretwell, and Sean McShane as SOU wins the National Championship

@SOURaiders @SOU_Football

The parade is Sunday (12/21/14) beginning at noon.

The team will go from the ice rink in Lithia Park to near Safeway. Bring your red umbrella.

Posted on December 20th, 2014 under only in ashland. Tags: austin dodge, dustin fretwell, football, NAIA National Championship Game Daytona Florida, Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G VR II, Nikon D750, parade, Raider Athletics, sean mcshane, Southern Oregon University, sports photography. Comments Off on National Championship Parade

Gannon Schroder, Drew Gibson, Coach Berk Brown, and Daniel Breaux take the field for the second half

@SOURaiders @SOU_Football @racetodaytona #NAIAfootball

Wow! What a week! What a season!

I just returned from Florida where the SOU Raider Football Team won the NAIA National Championship.

Many of you have asked where you can find my photos. There are some here, here, here, and here. I took over 2,000 photos and haven’t looked at most of them yet so give me some time.

I will post Florida related photos here and NAIA National Championship related football photos here.

Conner Dodge holds up some support for his brother Austin

Melvin Mason scores one of his three touchdowns

Matt Retzlaff and Bobby Heiken doing the “Mo”

Alex Stork recovers a fumble

Max Proudfit and Tylor King protecting Austin Dodge

Raider fans

Karrington Jones celebrates his interception with Jaylenn Hart and Kalan Hoedl

Dylan Young battles for the ball

Coach Howard riding on bus after game with trophy by his side

Posted on December 20th, 2014 under people. Tags: berk brown, Coach Craig Howard, drew gibson, dylan young, football, gannon schroder, Jaylenn Hart, kalan hoedl, Matt Retzlaff, NAIA National Championship Game Daytona Florida, Nikon D750, Raider Athletics, Southern Oregon University, sports photography, tylor king. Comments Off on 10 photos of the champions

SOU football – Melvin Mason

@SOURaiders @SOU_Football @racetodaytona #NAIAfootball

The race to Daytona will finish today. If you aren’t in Daytona already, you can watch the game on ESPNU. If you don’t have ESPNU, head to somewhere that does. If you are in Ashland you can watch the game with others at places like RedZone, Northwest Pizza, Club 66, or Omars. Additional places to watch can be found here. Game time is noon PST.

Posted on December 19th, 2014 under people. Tags: football, melvin mason, Nikon D750, Raider Athletics, Southern Oregon University, sports photography, Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD Lens for Nikon, video. Comments Off on Today is the day

SOU football – Heston Altenbach and Daniel Breaux

SOU football – Austin Dodge receiving offensive player of the game award in 2014 NAIA semifinal playoff game (Chicago, Illinois)

@SOURaiders @SOU_Football @racetodaytona #NAIAfootball

Congratulations to these three for being named 2014 NAIA Scholar Athletes in football earlier today.

Posted on December 18th, 2014 under people. Tags: austin dodge, Daniel Breaux, football, Nikon D750, Raider Athletics, Southern Oregon University, sports photography. Comments Off on 2014 NAIA Scholar Athletes

SOU football – Sean Tow

@SOURaiders @SOU_Football @racetodaytona @JP_Daytona #NAIAfootball @Seantow17

The goal line is close and getting closer.

Posted on December 18th, 2014 under outside of ashland, people. Tags: football, Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G VR II, Nikon D750, Raider Athletics, sean tow, Southern Oregon University, sports photography. Comments Off on 1 day to Daytona

SOU football – Ryan Retzlaff about to catch a 46-yard TD pass

@SOURaiders @SOU_Football @ryretz

Today’s agenda in Daytona: Press conference, go 135 MPH, eat lunch first based on the strength and accuracy of Austin Dodge‘s arm, practice, pep rally, fireworks.

Posted on December 17th, 2014 under people. Tags: football, Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G VR II, Nikon D750, Raider Athletics, Ryan Retzlaff, Southern Oregon University, sports photography. Comments Off on 2 days to Daytona

Brandon Kamerman of KDRV 12 interviews SOU head football coach Craig Howard after the Raiders defeated St. Xavier University

@b_kamerman @SOURaiders @SOU_Football

We are now in Daytona, but we have three more days until the game. Today’s agenda includes Champions of Character activities in the morning, awards in the early afternoon, and football practice after that.

Posted on December 16th, 2014 under outside of ashland, people. Tags: AF-S Nikkor 20mm f/1.8G ED lens, football, Nikon D750, Raider Athletics, Southern Oregon University. Comments Off on 3 days to Daytona

@SOURaiders @SOU_Football

Today is the big travel day. To Daytona we go with a practice once we get there. Today’s photo is of the plane last weekend that took us to Chicago. I took this during our fuel stop in South Dakota.

Posted on December 15th, 2014 under places. Tags: AF-S Nikkor 20mm f/1.8G ED lens, football, Nikon D750, Raider Athletics, sunset. Comments Off on 4 days to Daytona