No matter how long I’ve been doing this, I’m always disorganized on game days. You’d think one might have a rhythm and process in place after shooting games at Husky Stadium for nearly two decades, but each Saturday is a flurry of haphazard activity.
This morning was no different. Soon after realizing my “Game Day Pants” (they have built in kneepads, a must for a grizzled veteran of the sidelines) were still buried at the bottom of the stinky laundry basket, I was busy trying to pry my special Logo W-shaped brownie out of its pan… ultimately watching it tumble out in pieces. I wondered how much powdered sugar I could sprinkle on top to hide the seams. Two inches probably would’ve been sufficient.
The brownie is for tailgating, of course. I don’t drink, so I’m allowed to prefunc on game days. The walk around the stadium and along the water to our distant tailgate lot is pretty nice on a day like today.
The tailgate gives me an added excuse to get to the stadium early, which is necessary so I can claim one of the few free seats in the press box. You won’t find me stuffed into the tiny, crowded photo work room (the size of which was one of the biggest disappointments of the stadium remodel), as I cede that territory to the working press who are tackling more stringent deadlines. Instead, I’m able to find real estate at the end of press row, where you’ll find me (and a few of the guys from Dawgman.com, the last ones up here on game days) camped out long after the game’s final whistle.
When there’s a big matchup with more press attention, more seats are assigned to scouts and national media, making it harder for me to claim my own territory. Sometimes I’m resigned to sitting in what I call the Mark Jones Memorial Press Box Seat.
Luckily, with the young and struggling Oregon State Beavers in town, it wasn’t too difficult to find a better spot.
Washington was a heavy favorite coming into this game and ended up winning somewhat comfortably, 42-23. It marked the final home game for the Husky seniors, including the program’s all-time leading passer and all-time leading rusher.
See the full game day gallery here. Most of the photos are below:

Ty Jones looks for a flag before the ball even hits the ground out of his reach. The refs did throw a hankie.

The Husky Band’s halftime holiday show meant that for once, the sousaphones didn’t need to wear those silly berets.

Washington’s all-time leading rusher and all-time leading passer celebrate a win following their final game at Husky Stadium.
See a few more photos in the photo archive gallery here.
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