Chad Ryan is a professional photojournalist and videographer, based in Fort Wayne, Indiana. All material on this site is copyright protected and may not be used for any purpose without written permission. The views and opinions on this site are those of the author and do not represent those of any affiliated organization or corporation.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Favorites of 2008
Click here to check out some of
my favorite photos from 2008. I'll have them put together as a slide show with music and post it when
I can.
If you like the pics, drop me a comment. If you think I should start looking for a new line of work, well,
then you can go to ... Uhhh ... I mean you can go ahead and say so.
Stay safe and have a Happy New Year!
Sorgi shines
Jim Sorgi makes the easiest money in the NFL. His only significant playing time comes in December when the games couldn't more insignificant. But Sunday, Sorgi took his time on the field and turned it into a 23-0 win over the Tennesse Titans. The score could've been more lopsided, but the Colts' practice squad offense couldn't quite punch it in on three trips inside the Titans' 10-yard line so kicker Adam Vinatieri tacked on nine points.
Here are a few pics from the game.
Here are a few pics from the game.
Monday, December 08, 2008
Random thoughts at 505 mph
So I’m sitting here on the plane, writing this as I fly back to Indy to shoot the Colts game against Cincinnati before heading home later tonight and I’m thinking I have a much better appreciation for the conditions photographers who shoot in cold-weather climates like Green Bay face.
The weather in Sioux Falls would have been great if not for the wind. It was chilly at 17 degrees. That’s not terrible, but the wind chill was a killer. Unfortunately to shoot with good light, I had to sit facing directly into a 20-30 mph breeze all game. The wind came straight from one end zone to the other and it was miserable at some points.
It gets cold in Indiana, to be certain, but it rarely stays that cold for long stretches. One other thing about the cold is that it kills camera batteries. I missed one big play because I was fumbling around trying to change a battery with gloves on and hand warmers in them. It would have made a great photo, but that’s the way it goes, I guess.
So here’s to those photogs in places like Green Bay, Buffalo, Cleveland, Pittsburgh and other places where it gets so cold you end up with icicles hanging off your nose. I sympathize.
As I say that, now I’m off to shoot in the nice and warm indoor confines of Lucas Oil Stadium. Have a good game.
The weather in Sioux Falls would have been great if not for the wind. It was chilly at 17 degrees. That’s not terrible, but the wind chill was a killer. Unfortunately to shoot with good light, I had to sit facing directly into a 20-30 mph breeze all game. The wind came straight from one end zone to the other and it was miserable at some points.
It gets cold in Indiana, to be certain, but it rarely stays that cold for long stretches. One other thing about the cold is that it kills camera batteries. I missed one big play because I was fumbling around trying to change a battery with gloves on and hand warmers in them. It would have made a great photo, but that’s the way it goes, I guess.
So here’s to those photogs in places like Green Bay, Buffalo, Cleveland, Pittsburgh and other places where it gets so cold you end up with icicles hanging off your nose. I sympathize.
As I say that, now I’m off to shoot in the nice and warm indoor confines of Lucas Oil Stadium. Have a good game.
Didn't see that coming
I thought this was going to be their year. Covering the Saint Francis football team all year, I believed the Cougars were going to break through and finally win their first national championship. I was wrong.
I was wrong, and it wasn’t because Saint Francis didn’t do the best it could in the NAIA Football Championship Series semifinals against the University of Sioux Falls. The Cougars just ran smack into a defense that is as tough as there is in small college football.
Sioux Falls had the No. 1 defense in the NAIA while Saint Francis had the No. 1 offense. I figured surely Saint Francis would put points up on this defense that shut out 7 of it’s 12 previous opponents. Who wouldn’t? They average 48 points a game.
If not for a trick play in the fourth quarter, Saint Francis would have been shutout victim No. 8, which would have set an NAIA record for shut outs in a season.
I say trick play, but it was a halfback pass that worked to perfection as Saint Francis quarterback Jeff Wedding handed off to wide receiver Mickey Cassidy, who then tossed a 26-yard strike to receiver Jared Clodfelter with 10:24 left in the game. It looked like the Cougars would get something going, but Sioux Falls tightened the clamp.
Saint Francis tried the same play again but with Clodfelter throwing. Sioux Falls sniffed it out and sacked Clodfelter.
So another season ends with a loss. I tried to ask Donley about whether he though the travel was a factor or whether Sioux Falls’ play calls and decision to use the wind (sustained 20 mph north to south winds) to their advantage got in his players’ heads. Donley told me after the game there was no reason to get philosophical about it.
He said Sioux Falls was bigger and tougher, and his team just got whipped – plain and simple.
I was wrong, and it wasn’t because Saint Francis didn’t do the best it could in the NAIA Football Championship Series semifinals against the University of Sioux Falls. The Cougars just ran smack into a defense that is as tough as there is in small college football.
Sioux Falls had the No. 1 defense in the NAIA while Saint Francis had the No. 1 offense. I figured surely Saint Francis would put points up on this defense that shut out 7 of it’s 12 previous opponents. Who wouldn’t? They average 48 points a game.
If not for a trick play in the fourth quarter, Saint Francis would have been shutout victim No. 8, which would have set an NAIA record for shut outs in a season.
I say trick play, but it was a halfback pass that worked to perfection as Saint Francis quarterback Jeff Wedding handed off to wide receiver Mickey Cassidy, who then tossed a 26-yard strike to receiver Jared Clodfelter with 10:24 left in the game. It looked like the Cougars would get something going, but Sioux Falls tightened the clamp.
Saint Francis tried the same play again but with Clodfelter throwing. Sioux Falls sniffed it out and sacked Clodfelter.
So another season ends with a loss. I tried to ask Donley about whether he though the travel was a factor or whether Sioux Falls’ play calls and decision to use the wind (sustained 20 mph north to south winds) to their advantage got in his players’ heads. Donley told me after the game there was no reason to get philosophical about it.
He said Sioux Falls was bigger and tougher, and his team just got whipped – plain and simple.
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Colts beat Cleveland - barely
November 30, 2008: Indianapolis Colts defensive end Josh Thomas, #91, and linebacker Freddy Keiaho, #54, combine to stop Cleveland Browns running back Jamal Lewis inside the Browns' 5-yard line during the second half of the Colts' 10-6 AFC victory at Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, OH. Photo by Chad Ryan
***Update - this photo appeared in the Dec. 8 double issue of Sports Illustrated on page 140.
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November 30, 2008: Indianapolis Colts defensive end Robert Mathis, left, and defensive tackle Eric Foster, center, celebrate Mathis' fourth-quarter sack of Cleveland Browns quarterback Derek Anderson at Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, OH. Anderson left the game with an injury after the play. Photo by Chad Ryan.
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November 30, 2008: Indianapolis Colts offensive lineman Charlie Johnson, #73, lunges to tackle Cleveland Browns cornerback Eric Wright after Wright recovered a fumble on the Colt's first play from scrimmage in the first quarter at Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, OH. Photo by Chad Ryan.
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November 30, 2008: Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning calls an audible at the line of scrimmage inside the Cleveland Browns' 2-yard line in the third quarter of action at Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, OH. The Colts failed to score on the drive, but they came back to beat Cleveland 10-6. Photo by Chad Ryan.
Sunday, November 09, 2008
Wow! More than a month since ...
Things have been pretty crazy around here with everything I've been working on. One of the project has been to produce and publish video pieces on News-Sentinel.com. These are weekly stand up interviews with a couple of our sports writers about the Indianapolis Colts and the Fort Wayne Komets. They are pretty basic, as I am still learning the ins and outs of producing video on deadline, but they're there. If you get a chance, check them out here.
In the last two weeks I've been to a couple of great high school football games. Here's the story I had published in The News-Sentinel on Saturday (11-08):
Jimtown 21 - Bishop Luers 14 OT
November 7, 2008: Elkhart, Ind. - Bishop Luers quarterback Quinn Schafer, front, lies on the ground as the Jimtown Jimmies celebrate their 21-14 overtime victory in the Class 2A Sectional 27 championship game on Friday at Knepp Field in Elkhart, Ind. The Knights' reign as the defending Class 2A state champions came to a screeching halt when the Jimmies stuffed Schafer's quarterback sneak attempt on fourth and goal from the 1-foot line to seal the game.
It was Bishop Luers’ ball. It was fourth and goal from the 1-foot line. It was 22 football players jammed so tight it looked like they were trying to squeeze into an elevator. It was the ultimate smashmouth battle to prove who was the meanest, toughest kid on the block.
Turns out, it was Jimtown by an inch – maybe less by some accounts.
After Jimtown scored on its first play in overtime, Bishop Luers took its shot, and the Jimmies stuffed Quinn Schafer’s quarterback sneak to win the Class 2A Sectional 27 title, beating the defending state champion Knights 21-14 on Friday at Knepp Field in Elkhart, Ind.
“You can’t tell me he wasn’t in,” Bishop Luers coach Matt Lindsay said about Schafer’s sneak on the final play. “But you don’t want it to come down to that. I’m sure he was in. Everybody said he was in.
“(Jimtown) played well. Give them credit. They came at us, and it took us awhile to adjust. I thought we had the momentum. It’s tough to swallow.”
“I felt like I got in, but the refs saw it different,” Schafer said. “(Jimtown) made a great surge on the ball.”
Trailing 14-7 after Jimtown’s Nick Magyar capped an 87-yard drive with a 13-yard touchdown late in the third quarter, Bishop Luers started to make adjustments. Magyar, who ran for 184 yards and a score, chewed up the Knights 15 yards at a time throughout the game.
Bishop Luers got the football back on the kickoff and put together a sustained drive, their first of the night. On a key third-and long play, Schafer hit Tyquan Hammock with a dump pass and Hammock bulldozed a couple of Jimmies down the sideline to pick up the first down. The Knights had their swagger back.
Arieus Phifer put the exclamation point on the drive, scoring from four yards out. Tony Kebede’s extra point kick knotted the game at 14.
Jimtown went back to work and everybody in the stadium knew the ball was going to Magyar, including the Knights who stuffed him three straight times. Jimtown was forced to punt and the Knights took control of the ball on a short field with a little over three minutes left.
With momentum planted firmly on Bishop Luers’ sideline the Knights started their march to polish off another Class 2A opponent. Jimtown had other ideas.
The Jimmies’ defensive line had given Lindsay’s squad fits all night, but they were able to throw the ball in the fourth quarter. Lindsay later said he should have thrown it sooner. Schafer started hitting his receivers. With 1:36 to go, Schafer threw to Ronnie Williams in the left flats. Magyar was there to make contact, and the ball popped in the air and right into the hands of Jimtown safety Josh Ruben. Bishop Luers’ threat was over.
“I just made dumb mistakes throughout the game,” Schafer said. “I didn’t get the ball up high enough. It left points on the board, but you can’t look back right now. Jimtown played their game well.
Schafer completed 7-of-16 passes for 95 yards with one interception and a fumble lost.
Bishop Luers won the toss to start overtime and opted to go to their defense first. On Jimtown’s first play, Ruben, who is also the quarterback, hit Brandon Kozelka up the middle to strike first.
The Knights took the ball and ran it four straight times. When the referees signaled Schafer short, the Jimtown’s players ran off celebrating like they had won the state title.
As far as the Jimmies are concerned, beating Bishop Luers is just about that good.
In the last two weeks I've been to a couple of great high school football games. Here's the story I had published in The News-Sentinel on Saturday (11-08):
Jimtown 21 - Bishop Luers 14 OT
November 7, 2008: Elkhart, Ind. - Bishop Luers quarterback Quinn Schafer, front, lies on the ground as the Jimtown Jimmies celebrate their 21-14 overtime victory in the Class 2A Sectional 27 championship game on Friday at Knepp Field in Elkhart, Ind. The Knights' reign as the defending Class 2A state champions came to a screeching halt when the Jimmies stuffed Schafer's quarterback sneak attempt on fourth and goal from the 1-foot line to seal the game.
It was Bishop Luers’ ball. It was fourth and goal from the 1-foot line. It was 22 football players jammed so tight it looked like they were trying to squeeze into an elevator. It was the ultimate smashmouth battle to prove who was the meanest, toughest kid on the block.
Turns out, it was Jimtown by an inch – maybe less by some accounts.
After Jimtown scored on its first play in overtime, Bishop Luers took its shot, and the Jimmies stuffed Quinn Schafer’s quarterback sneak to win the Class 2A Sectional 27 title, beating the defending state champion Knights 21-14 on Friday at Knepp Field in Elkhart, Ind.
“You can’t tell me he wasn’t in,” Bishop Luers coach Matt Lindsay said about Schafer’s sneak on the final play. “But you don’t want it to come down to that. I’m sure he was in. Everybody said he was in.
“(Jimtown) played well. Give them credit. They came at us, and it took us awhile to adjust. I thought we had the momentum. It’s tough to swallow.”
“I felt like I got in, but the refs saw it different,” Schafer said. “(Jimtown) made a great surge on the ball.”
Trailing 14-7 after Jimtown’s Nick Magyar capped an 87-yard drive with a 13-yard touchdown late in the third quarter, Bishop Luers started to make adjustments. Magyar, who ran for 184 yards and a score, chewed up the Knights 15 yards at a time throughout the game.
Bishop Luers got the football back on the kickoff and put together a sustained drive, their first of the night. On a key third-and long play, Schafer hit Tyquan Hammock with a dump pass and Hammock bulldozed a couple of Jimmies down the sideline to pick up the first down. The Knights had their swagger back.
Arieus Phifer put the exclamation point on the drive, scoring from four yards out. Tony Kebede’s extra point kick knotted the game at 14.
Jimtown went back to work and everybody in the stadium knew the ball was going to Magyar, including the Knights who stuffed him three straight times. Jimtown was forced to punt and the Knights took control of the ball on a short field with a little over three minutes left.
With momentum planted firmly on Bishop Luers’ sideline the Knights started their march to polish off another Class 2A opponent. Jimtown had other ideas.
The Jimmies’ defensive line had given Lindsay’s squad fits all night, but they were able to throw the ball in the fourth quarter. Lindsay later said he should have thrown it sooner. Schafer started hitting his receivers. With 1:36 to go, Schafer threw to Ronnie Williams in the left flats. Magyar was there to make contact, and the ball popped in the air and right into the hands of Jimtown safety Josh Ruben. Bishop Luers’ threat was over.
“I just made dumb mistakes throughout the game,” Schafer said. “I didn’t get the ball up high enough. It left points on the board, but you can’t look back right now. Jimtown played their game well.
Schafer completed 7-of-16 passes for 95 yards with one interception and a fumble lost.
Bishop Luers won the toss to start overtime and opted to go to their defense first. On Jimtown’s first play, Ruben, who is also the quarterback, hit Brandon Kozelka up the middle to strike first.
The Knights took the ball and ran it four straight times. When the referees signaled Schafer short, the Jimtown’s players ran off celebrating like they had won the state title.
As far as the Jimmies are concerned, beating Bishop Luers is just about that good.
Thursday, October 02, 2008
USF running back shreds defenses
By Chad Ryan
The News-Sentinel
With his new hair cut and scruffy goatee, Daniel Carter looks like a slim version of a young Mr. T. In fact, friends call him “Mini Mr. T,” but the way Carter’s been tearing up the turf lately, they might want to start calling him Mr. TD.
For special teams coaches considering dropping a kickoff within 30 yards of Carter, one quote comes to mind, “I pity the fool.”
The University of Saint Francis junior running back, return man and designated deflator of defenses has already returned two kickoffs for touchdowns (94 and 87 yards) in three games this season.
He’d be leading the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for kickoff return yards if not for the stingy Cougars’ defense. The league minimum for number of returns per game is 1.2. Thanks to the USF defense Carter only gets one per game.
But rewards don’t matter to Carter – wins do.
“I wouldn’t blame it on (the defense),” Carter said. “I would say it’s everybody doing the right job. Of course, it would be foolish if we happen to score and (the other team) kicks it back to me. No smart coach would do that anyway, so hats off to the defense for not letting up many points.
“My primary thing is to win. If I have to touch the ball five times or 20 times, I’m willing to do whatever it takes for us to win. My job is to make sure we do that at all costs.”
Carter and the Cougars are winning. USF is 3-0 on the season, outscoring their opponents 143-7. This week’s game should provide Saint Francis with its first real test when the Fighting Bees from Saint Ambrose buzz into Bishop D’Arcy Stadium on Saturday.
Saint Ambrose is 2-1 with their only loss coming to NCAA Division 1 South Dakota. USF coach Kevin Donley said the Bees are faster than the teams the Cougars have faced this season and they play a pressure defense that could give his young offensive line fits.
If Saint Amrbose expects to make a game of it, they might want to clog the line because Carter looms large for the Bees’ defense. He leads the Mid-States Football Association in all-purpose yards, averaging 223.7 yards per game; he’s third in the NAIA, scoring seven touchdowns and averaging 65.7 yards per kick return.
Not too bad for a five-foot seven, 160 pound guy that’s been called every name in the book having to do with little guys. Donley and anybody else who’s seen his indescribable runs the last few weeks calls him something else – special.
Note: This story ran Friday, Sept. 26, in The News-sentinel. USF beat St. Ambrose 43-14 and Carter turned in another big game, scoring two rushing touchdowns.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
September photos
September 13, 2008: South Bend, Ind. - Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen raises his arms after throwing his second touchdown pass in the first quarter against Michigan on Saturday at Notre Dame. The Irish improved to 2-0 with the 35-17 win over the Wolverines.
Photo by Chad Ryan.
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September 13, 2008: South Bend, Ind. - From left, Notre Dame's George West, Gary Gray, Pat Kuntz, Golden Tate and Eric Maust celebrate in the end zone after beating Michigan 35-17 on Saturday at Notre Dame.
Photo by Chad Ryan.
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September 13, 2008: South Bend, Ind. - Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen looks for an open receiver in the first quarter of the Irish's game against Michigan on Saturday, Sept. 13 at Notre Dame. Clausen threw two touchdowns and two interceptions, but led Notre Dame to a 35-17 win over the rival Wolverines.
Photo by Chad Ryan.
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August 21, 2008 - Fort Wayne, Ind. - Snider's Ashley Ditton puts head on ball in the second half of the Panthers 6-2 loss to Bishop Dwenger on Thursday during opening-night play in the Panthers' invitational held in conjunction with the National Soccer Festival at IPFW's Hefner Fields.
Photo by Chad Ryan.
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August 22, 2008 - Monroeville, Ind. - The New Haven Bulldogs celebrate on the sidelines after shutting down Heritage on a late fourth-quarter drive to win the game 12-7 on Friday at Heritage.
Photo by Chad Ryan.
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September 10, 2008: Fort Wayne, Ind. - Snider girls cross country runner Jordyn Rogers has run only three races for the Panthers, but she had set school records in each or the three races as a freshman.
Photo by Chad Ryan.
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August 29, 2008: Fort Wayne, Ind. - Bishop Luers student Billy McManus, left, gets riled up during Friday's game at Wayne. Luers improved its record to 2-0 with a 28-0 win over the Generals.
Photo by Chad Ryan.
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August 24, 2008: Jordan Senn, #49, of the Indianapolis Colts runs onto the field during player introductions before the start of the Colts' preseason game against the Buffalo Bills at the newly-opened Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Photo by Chad Ryan.
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
Quick post
Chicago Bears safety Brandon McGowan, #36, interferes with Indianapolis Colts tight end Dallas Clark, #44, during the first quarter of action at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Photo by Chad Ryan.
An American flag cover the entire field during the pre-game ceremonies at the new Lucas Oil Stadium before the start of the Indianapolis Colts' season-opening game against the Chicago Bears in Indianapolis.
Photo by Chad Ryan.
Monday, September 08, 2008
New stuff coming
Wow, does three weeks go fast. I have been working on my new website and I'm just about ready to send it hurling at the speed of light to the world wide web. I'm not quite done, but I'm getting there. In any case, since I posted the football teaser, which I realize was nearly a month ago, I've shot a ton of football, as well as some other stuff, so look for some new content once I get an hour or two of sleep. Did I mention 8:15 kickoffs are not all they're cracked up to be? Until then, hang out in your private residence, man, and watch "The Big Lebowski." If you're privy, you'll laugh your f*&$#*' ass off, man. If not, you'll be asking youurself WTF I'm talking about.
BTW, John Goodman's character will make you laugh until you cry. Well, it did for me anyway.
Phone's ringing, Dude.
BTW, John Goodman's character will make you laugh until you cry. Well, it did for me anyway.
Phone's ringing, Dude.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
It's almost here ...
Yes, football season is almost here. I can say that I am now officially ready for the season to start. I will be on the sidelines starting this Friday for high school jamborees, then I'm off to Indy for the preseason action in the new Lucas Oil Stadium on the 24th and 28th. I've got some D1 college games on the schedule and of course, Saint Francis on NAIA fame.
Here are a just few frames from the last couple of years that I ran across while trying to gather material for our preseason football tab, so I thought I'd throw them up for a little teaser. Did I mention I am available for assignments to shoot football for your publications?
09-29-2007 - West Lafayette, Ind. - Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen drops back to pass in the first half of the Notre Dame's game at Purdue on Saturday, Sept. 29, 2007.
Photo by Chad Ryan.
09-29-2007 - West Lafayette, Ind. - Purdue defensive end Keyon Brown reacts after the Boilermakers' stopped Notre Dame short on a fourth-and-one play. Purdue beat the Fighting Irish 33-19 on Saturday at Purdue.
Photo by Chad Ryan.
Jerome Bettis erupts with emotion after diving into the end zone giving the Pittsburgh Steelers a 21-3 fourth-quarter lead over the Indianapolis Colts in Sunday's AFC Divisional Playoff game at the RCA Dome.
Photo by Chad Ryan.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, left, throws a pass to Joseph Addai in the Colts' 45-21 win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Nov. 26, 2006, at the RCA Dome.
Photo by Chad Ryan.
09-29-2007 - West Lafayette, Ind. - Purdue defensive tackle Mike Neal and defensive tackle Alex Magee celebrate after the Boilermakers beat Notre Dame 33-19 on Saturday, Sept. 29, 2007, at Purdue.
Photo by Chad Ryan.
02-04-2007 - Miami, Fla. - Chicago Bears wide receiver Bernard Berrian, right, leaps up to make a grab in front of Indianapolis Colts cornerback Nick Harper in Sunday's Super Bowl XLI in Miami. The Colts went on to beat the Bears 29-17 to win their first Super Bowl Championship.
Photo by Chad Ryan.
11-04-2007 - Indianapolis, Ind. - New England Patriots wide receiver Randy Moss, left, catches a four-yard touchdown pass over Indianapolis Colts safety Tim Jennings in the second quarter of the Patriots 24-20 comeback win over the Colts on Sunday at the RCA Dome.
Photo by Chad Ryan
Here are a just few frames from the last couple of years that I ran across while trying to gather material for our preseason football tab, so I thought I'd throw them up for a little teaser. Did I mention I am available for assignments to shoot football for your publications?
09-29-2007 - West Lafayette, Ind. - Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen drops back to pass in the first half of the Notre Dame's game at Purdue on Saturday, Sept. 29, 2007.
Photo by Chad Ryan.
09-29-2007 - West Lafayette, Ind. - Purdue defensive end Keyon Brown reacts after the Boilermakers' stopped Notre Dame short on a fourth-and-one play. Purdue beat the Fighting Irish 33-19 on Saturday at Purdue.
Photo by Chad Ryan.
Jerome Bettis erupts with emotion after diving into the end zone giving the Pittsburgh Steelers a 21-3 fourth-quarter lead over the Indianapolis Colts in Sunday's AFC Divisional Playoff game at the RCA Dome.
Photo by Chad Ryan.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, left, throws a pass to Joseph Addai in the Colts' 45-21 win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Nov. 26, 2006, at the RCA Dome.
Photo by Chad Ryan.
09-29-2007 - West Lafayette, Ind. - Purdue defensive tackle Mike Neal and defensive tackle Alex Magee celebrate after the Boilermakers beat Notre Dame 33-19 on Saturday, Sept. 29, 2007, at Purdue.
Photo by Chad Ryan.
02-04-2007 - Miami, Fla. - Chicago Bears wide receiver Bernard Berrian, right, leaps up to make a grab in front of Indianapolis Colts cornerback Nick Harper in Sunday's Super Bowl XLI in Miami. The Colts went on to beat the Bears 29-17 to win their first Super Bowl Championship.
Photo by Chad Ryan.
11-04-2007 - Indianapolis, Ind. - New England Patriots wide receiver Randy Moss, left, catches a four-yard touchdown pass over Indianapolis Colts safety Tim Jennings in the second quarter of the Patriots 24-20 comeback win over the Colts on Sunday at the RCA Dome.
Photo by Chad Ryan
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Jon Fitch loses title fight
By Chad Ryan
Jon Fitch may not have fulfilled his intention to claim the Ultimate Fighting Championships world welterweight championship on Saturday at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minn., but he proved he deserved to be there.
Fitch, a Fort Wayne native and the No. 1 welterweight contender, entered his fight against Georges St. Pierre in the premier match of Saturday’s UFC 87 pay-per-view broadcast as a heavy underdog despite not having lost a match in more than five years.
St. Pierre successfully defended his title, beating Fitch by unanimous decision (50-43, 50-44, 50-44), shutting Fitch out in five five-minute rounds. St. Pierre said on the broadcast that Fitch, whom he previously said was going to be his biggest challenge, proved his worth.
“He showed up tonight and wanted it,” St. Pierre said. “I said congratulations to him. His first title shot. He did awesome, and I told him that this loss is maybe the best thing to have happen to him. It’s going to make him stronger.”
Midway through the first round, it appeared the decidedly stronger St. Pierre would end it early. St. Pierre landed a big right hand that knocked Fitch to the canvas then proceeded to pound him to near submission, but Fitch was able to absorb the blows and keep St. Pierre in his guard long enough to survive to the second round.
Fitch came out dancing in the second round and both fighters traded blows while staying on their feet throughout the round. St. Pierre landed several sharp jabs, while Fitch worked the body and put together combinations.
St. Pierre nearly knocked Fitch out in the first minute of the third round with another huge right hand that landed flush on Fitch’s left eye. He went down hard and St. Pierre got on the mount then rained down punches and elbows battering Fitch’s badly cut and bruised face.
Once again Fitch took the beating, used his ground-fighting skills to get himself out of danger and got back to his feet to survive another round.
Fitch landed blows in the fourth round that opened up cuts to St. Pierre’s face, and the pair traded takedown attempts with each successfully blocking the other.
At the start of the fifth round, Fitch came out blazing, but failed to connect on anything solid and St. Pierre went to work taking the fight to the mat.
Although Fitch, who wrestled for Purdue, defends takedowns as well as any fighter in the UFC, St. Pierre took him down with ease in the final round, winding precious time off the clock. Fitch made a desperation attempt in the final minute, but St. Pierre’s strength proved to be too much.
Fitch’s mixed martial arts fight record dropped to 21-3, and his UFC record dropped to 8-1 with the loss.
**Disclaimer - I did not attend this event. This story was written after viewing the television broadcast.
Jon Fitch may not have fulfilled his intention to claim the Ultimate Fighting Championships world welterweight championship on Saturday at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minn., but he proved he deserved to be there.
Fitch, a Fort Wayne native and the No. 1 welterweight contender, entered his fight against Georges St. Pierre in the premier match of Saturday’s UFC 87 pay-per-view broadcast as a heavy underdog despite not having lost a match in more than five years.
St. Pierre successfully defended his title, beating Fitch by unanimous decision (50-43, 50-44, 50-44), shutting Fitch out in five five-minute rounds. St. Pierre said on the broadcast that Fitch, whom he previously said was going to be his biggest challenge, proved his worth.
“He showed up tonight and wanted it,” St. Pierre said. “I said congratulations to him. His first title shot. He did awesome, and I told him that this loss is maybe the best thing to have happen to him. It’s going to make him stronger.”
Midway through the first round, it appeared the decidedly stronger St. Pierre would end it early. St. Pierre landed a big right hand that knocked Fitch to the canvas then proceeded to pound him to near submission, but Fitch was able to absorb the blows and keep St. Pierre in his guard long enough to survive to the second round.
Fitch came out dancing in the second round and both fighters traded blows while staying on their feet throughout the round. St. Pierre landed several sharp jabs, while Fitch worked the body and put together combinations.
St. Pierre nearly knocked Fitch out in the first minute of the third round with another huge right hand that landed flush on Fitch’s left eye. He went down hard and St. Pierre got on the mount then rained down punches and elbows battering Fitch’s badly cut and bruised face.
Once again Fitch took the beating, used his ground-fighting skills to get himself out of danger and got back to his feet to survive another round.
Fitch landed blows in the fourth round that opened up cuts to St. Pierre’s face, and the pair traded takedown attempts with each successfully blocking the other.
At the start of the fifth round, Fitch came out blazing, but failed to connect on anything solid and St. Pierre went to work taking the fight to the mat.
Although Fitch, who wrestled for Purdue, defends takedowns as well as any fighter in the UFC, St. Pierre took him down with ease in the final round, winding precious time off the clock. Fitch made a desperation attempt in the final minute, but St. Pierre’s strength proved to be too much.
Fitch’s mixed martial arts fight record dropped to 21-3, and his UFC record dropped to 8-1 with the loss.
**Disclaimer - I did not attend this event. This story was written after viewing the television broadcast.
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Tuesday, August 05, 2008
HTML coding is not my stick
Yes, that's right, I'm not a coder. I can do enough to get me by, but that stuff is best left up to the experts. But, due to me not having any experts on the Indiana Phoblographer paid staff I decided to do a little tinkering to the blog template.
I've done quite a bit actually, but I had not been able to figure out how to make photos appear bigger on the site. This is a photo blog after all, so I had to figure it out because I want my photos to be seen. The writing part, well, let's just say I don't get
After finally finding a tutorial on how to do it, my photos will now be displayed in all of the grandeur. Sometimes I lean toward the edge of hyperbole, so bear with me.
So, I decided that my photo of Carl Edwards and his crew completing a pit stop at Chicagoland Speedway last month was worth a revisit. I still can't believe that sunset.
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Friday, August 01, 2008
Afternoon Tennis
It's finally a little slower around here. Although our high school football coverage is about to kick into overdrive, this week was good for a slight breather. The last two days, I shot a couple of Fort Wayne city tennis tournament matches, and on both days we had great light. It made for some photos that were a little contrasty for newsprint, but what more can we expect from using recycled TP?
A story that came out of the tournament is the womens' championship will feature the youngest player in Fort Wayne tournament history to compete for a title. Twelve-year-old Leah Barnes beat out a women 30 years her senior in the semis to advance and face three-time defending champion Amy Recht. Check out Blake Sebring's story on last night's match here.
Here are just a few photos from the last two days.
July 31, 2008 - Fort Wayne, Ind. - Leah Barnes, 12, returns a shot at the baseline during her semifinal match in the Fort Wayne City womens tennis tournament. Barnes beat Lee Dunstedter Thursday to face defending champion Amy Recht in the championship match on Monday at Swinney Tennis Center.
Photo by Chad Ryan.
July 31, 2008 - Fort Wayne, Ind. - Lee Dunstedter reaches to hit a shot down the line in her match against 12-year-old Leah Barnes in the semifinals of the Fort Wayne City womens tournament.
Photo by Chad Ryan.
July 30, 2008 - Fort Wayne, Ind. - Hunter Schouweiler keeps his eyes on the ball during his match against Weston Young in the mens' city tennis tournament on Wednesday. Schouwieler won the match 6-1, 6-1 and will face defending tournament champion and best friend Derek Carpenter in the semifinals.
Photo by Chad Ryan.
July 30, 2008 - Fort Wayne, Ind. - Derek Carpenter pumps his fist after scoring a point in the second set of his match against Renato Costa in the mens' city tennis tournament on Wednesday. Carpenter, the defending champion, lost the first set, but stormed back to take the second set 6-0 before eventually winning the match in a third set tie-breaker.
Photo by Chad Ryan.
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Monday, July 28, 2008
Worst ... race ... ever.
Maybe it wasn't as bad as my headline would suggest, but as far as big time races go, Sunday's Allstate 400 at the Brickyard had to be high on the list. Due to the tire issues I wrote about for The News Sentinel for Sunday Online NASCAR mandated competition yellows every 11 laps during the 160 lap race at Indy. As you might surmise, it was a long day. The fact that fans booed everytime the yellow flag waved proved even the die hards were less than enthused.
It made my job a little easier, if that can be said about anything at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. I had time to move around more, change equipment a couple of times and actually make a restroom break. The sound of SpongeBob Squarepants saying "Aaaamazinggg" comes to mind. Sorry, I have little ones, and we have shows we watch.
Anyway, I didn't make all the pictures I wanted. I just don't have the access I need at that track, but after talking to one of the gentlemen who works at IMS Photo, I've got a better idea how to change that for next year. The funny thing is when I go to Chicago or Michigan, those folks do everything in their power to get me what I need. I don't get everything. There is a pecking order, and the Sentinel isn't at the top of it, but they give me enough access to get what I need.
Wait, if future Brickyard races are going to be like Sunday's, I may not want more access. Check out Up To Speed for more of my commentary on the Debacle at the Brickyard.
Keep in mind that these are my opinions and are not those of the newspaper that employs me.
It made my job a little easier, if that can be said about anything at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. I had time to move around more, change equipment a couple of times and actually make a restroom break. The sound of SpongeBob Squarepants saying "Aaaamazinggg" comes to mind. Sorry, I have little ones, and we have shows we watch.
Anyway, I didn't make all the pictures I wanted. I just don't have the access I need at that track, but after talking to one of the gentlemen who works at IMS Photo, I've got a better idea how to change that for next year. The funny thing is when I go to Chicago or Michigan, those folks do everything in their power to get me what I need. I don't get everything. There is a pecking order, and the Sentinel isn't at the top of it, but they give me enough access to get what I need.
Wait, if future Brickyard races are going to be like Sunday's, I may not want more access. Check out Up To Speed for more of my commentary on the Debacle at the Brickyard.
Keep in mind that these are my opinions and are not those of the newspaper that employs me.
Labels:
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Chad Ryan,
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Photographer,
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Sunday, July 27, 2008
Saturday at the track. I think it's just the end of July.
OK. I don't know what's worse - my bad reference to the song by Chicago or the fact that I've had it going through my head for about an hour now. But that's what you get when I'm sitting in the lobby of a Fairfield Inn at 2 a.m. finishing up my Saturday track coverage with only four hours of sleep. I have to get up in another four hours to head back to the track for the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard. Unfortunately for me, I bring it on myself.
Friday night I stayed up too long trying to find a hotel room for tonight and surfing the wide world of web. But here I am in Indy, my home away from home. I actually do wish I could live here, but for now, my place is in the Fort. I'm not complaining about today either. My wife who was visiting her mother not far from Indy decided to pop over with our baby to meet me for dinner after I left the track. We hung out, and the little guy got me laughing to tears. I had a great time. So I pay for those times with late-night work sessions (thank goodness for late deadlines on Saturday). I wouldn't trade it.
Anyone brave enough to read what I wrote about Saturday's happenings at the track can be find my story on The News-Sentinel's SportSunday online edition very shortly. Accompanying photos are posted on my Up To Speed blog.
After Sunday's race, I have one more left in my season, and then it's football, girls volleyball, more football and then even more football. Oh, did I mention football. I'll be covering all of the Colts' home games this year and a few road games. Anyone out there thinking my photos of these events would look great in your publications? We should talk.
Need convincing? Check here, here and here ... oh and HERE.
Look for my new website coming soon to an LCD screen near you. Details to come.
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