Shots from the sideline: Daily Inter Lake photographer provides a peek behind the photos from the FCS Championship game

CASEY KREIDER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 months, 4 weeks AGO

Montana State quarterback Justin Lamson (8) and Illinois State quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse (16) shake hands after the FCS National Championship game at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Montana State defender Jhase McMillan (1) blocks a field goal attempt by Illinois State kicker Michael Cosentino in the fourth quarter during the FCS National Championship at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Montana State wide receiver Taco Dowler (14) scores a touchdown on a 22-yard run in the third quarter against Illinois State in the FCS National Championship at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Montana State defenders Ryan Krahe (42) and Paul Brott (41) celebrate after a 35-34 overtime victory over Illinois State in the FCS National Championship at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Montana State celebrates after their 35-34 overtime victory over Illinois State in the FCS National Championship at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Montana State celebrates with the FCS National Championship trophy after their 35-34 overtime victory over Illinois State at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Montana State wide receiver Dane Steel (84) avoids a tackle on a 33-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter against Illinois State in the FCS National Championship at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Illinois State tight end Javon Charles (85) is tackled by Montana State cornerback Taki Uluilakepa (2) after a reception in the third quarter in the FCS National Championship at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Jan. 5. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

I sent my wife a text at halftime.

“0 for 3,” it read.

Referring to the number of touchdowns Montana State had scored in the first two quarters of their FCS Championship game against Illinois State, 3, and the number of quality photographs I had of each play, 0.

I often feel like I have this magnetized quality when I’m shooting football games. I’m either drawing in the action, feeling very lucky and happy as a result, or repelling it to the far sideline, and feeling frustrated.

Draw your own conclusions as to how I was feeling after I was on the wrong side of the field for wide receiver Dane Steel’s 33-yard touchdown catch, run and hurdle of a defender in the second quarter at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville. It was the Cats third touchdown of the half.

I went into the media room at halftime and pouted in silence. I thought about a comment a fellow photographer made about ISU quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse overthrowing several of his receivers in the first half. I said, “That’s why they play two halves.”

What happens in the first half can often be of little consequence as to how the second half plays out. In coach-speak, I'm going to make some adjustments and take it one play at a time.

That third quarter was a bit short on action until wide receiver Taco Dowler took a handoff on the 22-yard line and began weaving through Redbirds defenders. I snapped a few quick photos with my 400mm lens before setting it down in an instant and opting for my second camera body with a 70-200mm lens. Just before crossing the goal line, he turned and vaulted himself through the air head first, almost like a high jumper trying to clear the bar.

You could feel the momentum shift in the Redbirds favor in the fourth quarter. I started shooting their offensive drives as the quarter went on and when they opted for a field goal with 57 seconds left to play, I was able to get a photo of Jhase McMillan beginning his dive for that incredible block.

Unfortunately, I again found myself back on the wrong side of the end zone for Dowler’s game-tying, fourth down touchdown catch in overtime from quarterback Justin Lamson.

After battling for photos with the horde of photographers during the ensuing celebration and trophy presentation, I made my way back to the media workroom where around 10:30 p.m. I began downloading and sifting through about 650 photos, editing, cropping and writing captions before a 12:30 a.m. Central time deadline for Tuesday’s newspaper.

I started with photos of the celebration. I so often get lost during post-game festivities. Players take off in all directions. The crowd charges onto the field, creating this chaotic element, like swimming in a churning sea full of people all shoulder to shoulder. It’s hard to capture fleeting celebratory moments as you’re being bumped and jostled around, looking for players while clutching onto your equipment.

I ran onto the field after the game-winning extra point and found two teammates, their numbers obscured, embracing with tears in their eyes. I found defensive lineman Paul Brott, he was beaming as teammates were approaching him to give him a hug, one screaming in his ear. Justin Lamson was finishing up an interview with ESPN and made his way over to the ISU sideline to shake hands with Rittenhouse.

The photos were finally falling into place. It felt like the magnet had shifted.