On Saturday I made my return to Sanford Stadium in Athens, the first time I’d been inside the stadium since the 2008 edition of Clean, Old-fashioned Hate when the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets broke their losing streak to the Georgia Bulldogs.  This year was seemingly less important as the annual rivalry game could just as easily been called the Mediocre Bowl.  Entering the game, Georgia Tech stood at 6-6 while Georgia held a 5-6 record.  To reach bowl eligibility, Georgia would have to defeat the Jackets which seemed more daunting a few weeks ago before starting quarterback for Georgia Tech, Joshua Nesbitt, broke his arm during the Virginia Tech game.

After an ugly game filled with fumbles, Georgia escaped to continue into the post-season for the fourteenth consecutive year.

Shooting the game this year was a bit of a novelty for me since both The Macon Telegraph and US Presswire were both sending other photographers as well.  Normally, I’m the only shooter for both at Tech games so I have to play it safe and stay on the field.  This time, however, I was able to go up into the stands for a bit and try some things out.  The main idea was to shoot the Red Coat who performs the opening notes of “Battle Hymn of the Republic” at the top of the stadium.  I wanted to shoot from the TV deck too, but UGA changed their rules and wouldn’t allow sideline photo passes into the press box which was a major disappointment.  After halftime I went up to the top of the stadium from the back of the U and shot from there as well.

Since I don’t get to shoot in Sanford often anymore, I wanted to make sure I took advantage of it.

University of Georgia Redcoat Marching Band member Jessie Matthews performs the Battle Hymn of the Republic during the pre-game show.

Fans wait outside Sanford Stadium before Saturday’s game.

Sanford Stadium waits for fans to enter.

Students begin to enter.

Brought my tilt-shift along to see if I could do anything fun with it.

(L) Georgia Players stretch. (R) Georgia head coach mark Richt paces the field.

The annual pre-game almost skirmish at midfield.

Georgia Tech a-back Embry Peeples (24) gets shoved out of bounds by Georgia safety Bacari Rambo (18).

A Georgia superfan wears red body paint.

(L) Georgia Tech mascot Buzz plays around on the sideline. (R) Georgia wide receiver A.J. Green jumps into the air to escape a tackle by Georgia Tech defensive back Mario Edwards (8).

Georgia wide receiver Kris Durham (16) scores a touchdown.

Uga VIII sticks out his tongue for the camera.

Georgia cornerback Branden Smith (1) carries the ball during an offensive play for Georgia.

(L) Georgia fullback Shaun Chapas (49) gets tackled by Georgia Tech defensive end Jason Peters (92). (R) Georgia Tech a-back Roddy Jones runs the ball.

(L) Georgia Tech wide receiver Kevin Cone (82) and head coach Paul Johnson confer. (R) Georgia Tech b-back Anthony Allen (18) powers through a tackle.

Georgia Tech quarterback Tevin Washington (13) dives in for a touchdown.

Georgia wide receiver A.J. Green (8) dives for a catch after being interfered with by Georgia Tech cornerback Mario Butler (2)

Georgia tight end Orson Charles (7) works his way around Georgia Tech defensive back Dominique Reese (26)

Georgia Tech head coach Paul Johnson watches his team.

Georgia Tech quarterback Tevin Washington, left, gets knocked down by Georgia linebacker Christian Robinson (45) after optioning the ball.

Georgia Tech mascot Buzz fights with a cheerleader.

Georgia Tech a-back Roddy Jones (20) scores a touchdown while getting hit by Georgia safety Alec Ogletree (9).

Georgia runningback Washaun Ealey (3) maneuvers through the Georgia Tech defense.

A sold out Sanford Stadium watches the 2010 edition of Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate.

Georgia runningback Caleb King (4) carrries the ball past the 20 yard line.

Georgia mascot Harry Dog stares down the camera.

(L) Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray (11) drops back to pass. (R) Georgia Tech quarterback Tevin Washington (13) runs the ball.

Georgia huddles near the goal line.

Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray (11) calls a time-out.

Georgia runningback Washaun Ealey (3) celebrates a touchdown with offensive guard Cordy Glenn (71).

Georgia safety Alec Ogletree (9) breaks up a pass intended for Georgia Tech wide receiver Stephen Hill (5) as Georgia’s Bacari Rambo (18) watches.

Georgia cornerback Jordan Love (10) tries to amp up the crowd.

Georgia Tech quarterback Tevin Washington (13) takes the snap from center Sean Bedford (79)

Georgia Tech a-back Orwin Smith (17) looks to run the ball past Georgia safety Alec Ogletree (9).

Georgia runningback Washaun Ealey (3) tries to get around Georgia Tech cornerback Mario Butler (2).

(L) Georgia head coach Mark Richt paces the sideline. (R) Georgia Tech defenders team up to take down Georgia wide receiver A.J. Green (8).

The body language says it all, you don’t need to see his face.

Georgia runningback Washaun Ealey (3) celebrates a late touchdown to put Georgia up by 8.

Georgia inside linebacker Marcus Dowtin (38) waves the Georgia flag after defeating Georgia Tech.

Apparently so.

Georgia players celebrate with fans.

Georgia players celebrate with fans.

Related posts:

1. Football: Georgia vs. Georgia Tech (NCAA)
2. Football: Noth Carolina vs. Georgia Tech (NCAA)
3. Football: Miami vs. Georgia Tech (NCAA)
4. Football: Georgia Tech T-Day (2011)
5. Football: Georgia Tech vs. Middle Tennessee [NCAAFB]