Nearly a month had passed since I last photographed a Miami Hurricanes home game. It felt like eternity, but luckily it only felt like eternity. Even though the Miami Hurricanes were coming off two straight road losses, I was hoping for a better showing at home against their ACC Coastal foes, the Virginia Tech Hokies. Miami Hurricanes vs. Virginia Tech Hokies, ACC football at it’s best.
As I mentioned prior, with 2 straight losses the Miami fan base were less than enthusiastic with showing up to the game to support their team. Empty seats always find their way into photographs no matter what angle I try to take. That is just how all Miami fans are, they’re fickle when their team is losing.
I have a little routine when I photograph the Miami Hurricanes games. I get to the stadium early then I go up to the pressbox and get the roster sheets along with other marketing material laying around that talks about the teams. I always like to read up on the other team’s top performing players so I know who to look for on the field. After that I walk around the field and just soak in the quietness of an empty stadium. Once that walk is done, it’s time to start shooting as the teams arrive to the stadium and begin to warm up.
The game itself was a bit frustrating photography wise as the sidelines were filled with sponsors and they aren’t used to being on the field and they were walking into shots etc. The same could be said for the referees. This game I countless shots of a referee’s backside. It’s just the way it goes some times. On the Virginia Tech sideline there was this one guy who was standing way outside where he was allowed and as I was walking to approach him to ask him to move back because he was blocking my shot, he turned around and it ended up being All-Pro and NFL legend, Bruce Smith. I snapped a few pics of him and was like, he’s ok; I’ll move instead.
The Hurricanes won the game, even though it wasn’t a really well played game on either team’s part. Next Saturday the #6 Clemson Tigers come to town and I’m expecting a high scoring game and I can’t wait.
