Dec 4, 2009; Detroit, MI, US; The Central Michigan University Chippewas celebrate midfield after defeating the Ohio University Bobcats 20-10 in the MAC Championship game at Ford Field.

After relaxing around the house Friday (thanks to a few remaining vacation days from work), I headed north for the MAC Championship football game at Ford Field in downtown Detroit. After arriving a little early and finding no one at the media will-call booth, I decided to walk to the Detroit Beer Co. a few blocks away to enjoy a pint of their Local 1529 IPA with a burger and a cup of beer cheese soup. With about an hour until kickoff, I made my way back to the stadium to pick up my credential and figure out how to get to the media area to drop off my coat and bag before heading to the field. 

Dec 4, 2009; Detroit, MI, US; CMU quarterback Dan LeFevour (13) stiff arms OU defensive back Eric Faser (12) in the second quarter at Ford Field.

I was pleasantly surprised at the number of people in the stands, with OU fans primarily on their sideline and CMU fans wrapping around the end zones and their sideline. I think the announced total was ~24,000, with more tuning in to watch the action on ESPN2 HD. The game was pretty close for all four quarters, with neither team really getting their offense in-sync. In the end, the Chippewas, led by quarterback Dan LeFevour, defeated the Bobcats 20-10. While I tried to keep an eye on the action, I also followed OU junior defensive linesman Dak Notesteine (#51) since he is also a graduate of Bellefontaine High School; he ended up with a big 12-yard sack in the losing effort.

MAC Report Online: Balanced CMU Captures Another MAC Crown
More photos are available here.

I just received confirmation that I will have a credential waiting for me at the media entrance to Ford Field in Detroit for the 2009 MAC Championship game this Friday evening. The Central Michigan University Chippewas will face the Ohio University Bobcats with kickoff scheduled for 8:00pm EST. While this will be my first time shooting at Ford Field, it will be my second NFL stadium for the season. While I'm hoping to get a lot of good shots of NFL-hopefuls like quarterback Dan LeFevour, I'm also going to keep an eye on Dak Notestine, a Junior at OU that graduated from my hometown of Bellefontaine.

The game is being televised on ESPN 2/ESPN 2 HD. I'll try to make my highlight photos available sometime Saturday before I have to leave for a Christmas party.

Nov 27, 2009; Bowling Green, OH, USA; Jim Thorpe finalist Barry Church (2) of Toledo and Biletnikoff finalist Freddie Barnes (7) of Bowling Green line up together in the first quarter at Doyt L. Perry Stadium.

The day after Thanksgiving, I drove down to Doyt L. Perry Stadium a few hours before kickoff to tailgate with some friends before one of the largest conference rivalries got underway. Bowling Green jumped out to an early 24 point lead with two blocked punts and a punt return fumble, but the Rockets were able to score 24 unanswered points to tie things up in the fourth quarter and make things interesting. 

Falcons Finish Game -- and Season -- Strong 
More photos are available here.

This next week marks the start of the basketball season for me with four games on my calendar, including the BG vs. Florida International game on Monday, with FIU head coach Isiah Thomas on the sidelines. I'm also hoping to head up to Ford Field in Detroit Friday evening for the MAC Championship game where the dominant Central Michigan Chippewas will take on the Ohio University Bobcats.

Nov 20, 2009; Toledo, OH, USA; Toledo senior running back DaJuane Collins (22) tries to keep his distance from EMU defensive back Chris May (23) in the third quarter of play.For the final home game of the season, the University of Toledo Rockets welcomed the Eastern Michigan University Eagles to the Glass Bowl. While the Rockets were victorious, 47-21, it was a bittersweet win as the night would mark the last time seniors like Barry Church (S), DaJuane Collins (RB), Aaron Opelt (QB), and Stephen Williams (WR) would wear the Rocket uniform on their home turf. 

Their season isn't over yet, however, as they travel twenty miles south on I-75 to face their conference rival, the Bowling Green State University Falcons. With kickoff just under fourteen hours away, the Rockets are looking for redemption and the chance of a bowl game. It won't be easy, as the powerful offensive combination of BG seniors Tyler Sheehan (QB) and Freddie Barnes (WR) look to keep their winning streak against the Rockets going. A lot of records (and pride) are on the line, and I'll be on the sidelines trying to capture it all.

More photos are available here.

Oct 24, 2009; Bowling Green, OH, USA; Offensive linesmen Rocky Weaver (77) and Scott Lewis (68) work to protect Falcon quarterback Tyler Sheehan (13) from defensive end Frank Zombo (98) late in the fourth quarter.

Better late than never, I've finally gotten around to posting some of my favorite photos from the October contest between Central Michigan and Bowling Green. This game was part one of my first football doubleheader, with Toledo taking on (and losing to) Temple later that night in the Glass Bowl.

Oct 24, 2009; Bowling Green, OH, USA; Central Michigan quarterback Dan LeFevour (13) looks for an open receiver early in the first quarter against Bowling Green. With sixteen completions, he would become the first MAC player to complete 1,000 career passes.

Central Michigan quarterback Dan LeFevour completed his 1,000th career pass, making him the first MAC player to do so (and possibly the 11th player in NCAA FBS history).  He was also the leading rusher, with 128 yards on 22 attempts. Falcons' wide receiver (and now finalist for the Biletnikoff Award) Freddie Barnes also became the Falcons' career receptions leader with 241, eclipsing the previous record of 232 by Charles Sharon.

Friday is the big rivalry game between Bowling Green and Toledo, with a possible bowl bid on the line for the Falcons, and a .500 season within reach for the Rockets. Hopefully the weather cooperates as I plan on heading down early to meet with some friends to tailgate before the game starts at 2:00pm.

More photos are available here.