Cotton Bowl 2014

I had the opportunity to cover the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. It was an especially exciting game for me because my alma mater, the University of Missouri, was playing against Oklahoma State. I'm not usually a huge sports fan but I believe being familiar with a team and it's players can help you better anticipate the action, reaction and traditions.

Missouri fans cheer at kickoff during the Cotton Bowl game between Oklahoma State and Missouri on January 3, 2014 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Sarah Hoffman/The Dallas Morning News)

Oklahoma State Cowboys defensive tackle Calvin Barnett (99) defends against Missouri Tigers offensive linesman Mitch Morse (65) during the first half of the Cotton Bowl game between Oklahoma State and Missouri on January 3, 2014 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Sarah Hoffman/The Dallas Morning News)

I covered the game with Staff Photographers Tom Fox and Vernon Bryant. Before the game we delegated tailgating locations and then discussed a plan for game coverage. I ended up spending most of the first quarter and halftime shooting above in the upper concourse. With a big game like this it's great to be part of a team so you can get multiple perspectives simultaneously without worrying about missing a play.

Sam Roth of Marching Mizzou, center, plays at the University of Missouri tailgate party on January 3, 2014 outside AT&T Stadium in Arlington. (Sarah Hoffman/The Dallas Morning News)

Fans gather at the University of Missouri tailgate party on January 3, 2014 outside AT&T Stadium in Arlington. (Sarah Hoffman/The Dallas Morning News)

Karen Moore, left, and Larry Moore, right, watch their grandson ride a mechanical bull at the University of Missouri tailgate party on January 3, 2014 outside AT&T Stadium in Arlington. (Sarah Hoffman/The Dallas Morning News)

Missouri Tigers running back Henry Josey (20) dives for a touchdown during the second half of play in the Cotton Bowl game between Oklahoma State and Missouri on January 3, 2014 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Sarah Hoffman/The Dallas Morning News)

Missouri quarterback James Franklin is tackled during the Cotton Bowl game between Oklahoma State and Missouri on January 3, 2014 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Sarah Hoffman/The Dallas Morning News)

Missouri Tigers running back Marcus Murphy (6) pushes past Oklahoma State Cowboys cornerback Tyler Patmon during the first half of the Cotton Bowl game between Oklahoma State and Missouri on January 3, 2014 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Sarah Hoffman/The Dallas Morning News)

Missouri Tigers running back Henry Josey (20) runs the ball during the second half of play in the Cotton Bowl game between Oklahoma State and Missouri on January 3, 2014 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Sarah Hoffman/The Dallas Morning News)

The Kilgore  Rangerettes perform during the Cotton Bowl game between Oklahoma State and Missouri on January 3, 2014 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Sarah Hoffman/The Dallas Morning News)

Missouri Tigers running back Henry Josey (20) runs the ball in for the first touchdown of the game during the Cotton Bowl game between Oklahoma State and Missouri on January 3, 2014 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Sarah Hoffman/The Dallas Morning News)

I really enjoyed trying to capture the atmosphere of the Cotton Bowl and getting to shoot from above. As the game got close and deadline was near, Vernon began to edit and we made a plan for Tom to shoot the winner and for me to shoot dejection. Oklahoma State didn't show a lot of emotion in their reaction so after they left the field I joined the scrum around the trophy.

Oklahoma State Cowboys fans boo after a pass interference negated a touchdown during the second half of play in the Cotton Bowl game between Oklahoma State and Missouri on January 3, 2014 atAT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Sarah Hoffman/The Dallas Morning News)

Oklahoma State Cowboys watch the clock run out on the bench in the last thirty seconds of the Cotton Bowl during the second fourth quarter of the Cotton Bowl game between Oklahoma State and Missouri on January 3, 2014 outside AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Sarah Hoffman/The Dallas Morning News)

Marvin Foster, center, and Missouri players celebrate after winning the Cotton Bowl game between Oklahoma State and Missouri on January 3, 2014 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Sarah Hoffman/The Dallas Morning News)

Missouri Tigers offensive linesman Evan Boehm (77) celebrates after Missouri wins the Cotton Bowl game between Oklahoma State and Missouri on January 3, 2014 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Sarah Hoffman/The Dallas Morning News)

Missouri Tigers offensive linesman Max Copeland (61), right, screams while celebrating Missouri's win during the Cotton Bowl game between Oklahoma State and Missouri on January 3, 2014 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Sarah Hoffman/The Dallas Morning News)

Missouri players hold up the trophy and celebrate after winning the Cotton Bowl game between Oklahoma State and Missouri on January 3, 2014 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Sarah Hoffman/The Dallas Morning News)