(Photo by Ric Tapia / Icon SMI)

USC quarterback Matt Barkley #7 is hit by Virginia linebacker Darnell Carter #57 and Virginia defensive end Matt Conrath #94 during the NCAA football game between the Virginia Cavaliers and the USC Trojans at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA.

(Photo by Ric Tapia / Icon SMI)

Fresno State Bulldogs cornerback J.B. Dock #29 Cincinnati Bearcats cornerback Pat Lambert #13 celebrates during the NCAA football game between the Cincinnati Bearcat and the Fresno State Bulldogs at Bulldog Stadium in Fresno, CA.

(Photo by Ric Tapia / TapiaPhoto)

Nevada Wolf Pack tight end Virgil Green #85 during the NCAA football game between the Eastern Washington Eagles and the Nevada Wolfpack at Mackay Stadium in Reno, NV.

3 Games in 3 Cities, CLICK ON THE LINK FOR MORE PHOTOS!

(Photo by Ric Tapia / Icon SMI)

USC tight end David Ausberry #9 and Virginia cornerback Devin Wallace #28

(Photo by Ric Tapia / Icon SMI)

USC wide receiver Brandon Carswell #80

(Photo by Ric Tapia / Icon SMI)

Cincinnati Bearcats cornerback Pat Lambert #13 celebrates

(Photo by Ric Tapia / Icon SMI)

Cincinnati Bearcats head coach Butch Jones

(Photo by Ric Tapia / TapiaPhoto)

Nevada Wolf Pack defensive end Dontay Moch #55 and Eastern Washington Eagles quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell #9

(Photo by Ric Tapia / TapiaPhoto)

Nevada Wolf Pack running back Mike Ball #5

(Photo by Ric Tapia / Icon SMI)

Quarterback, Matt Barkley of USC poses for a portrait during the NCAA Pac-10 Football Media day at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA.

(Photo by Ric Tapia / Icon SMI)

Jorge Gutierrez (2) goes for a layup during the NCAA Men’s Basketball regular season game between the Cal Golden Bears and the USC Trojans at the Galen Center in Los Angeles, CA.

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(Photo by Ric Tapia / Icon SMI)

Cals Max Zhang (14) is blocked by USCs Marcus Johnson (0).

(Photo by Ric Tapia / Icon SMI)

Marcus Simmons (20) makes a pass on the ground.

(Photo by Ric Tapia / Icon SMI)

Cals Theo Robertson (24) charges USCs Mike Gerrity (44).

(Photo by Ric Tapia / Icon SMI)

USC Cheerleader

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(Photo by Ric Tapia / Icon SMI)

23 December 2009: Kyle Whittingham the head coach of the the Utah Utes gets a “Gatorade” bath during the Poinsettia Bowl NCAA football game between the Utah Utes and the Cal Golden Bears at the Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, CA.

(Ric Tapia / Icon SMI)

22 December 2009: Max Hall (15) and BYU’s head coach Bronco Mendenhall celebrate their win during the Las Vegas Bowl NCAA game between the Oregon State Beavers and the BYU Cougars at the Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, NV.

3 bowl games in 5 days. My trip lasted a little longer than that starting December 20th as I traveled to Las Vegas for the first bowl game of the year. I stayed with my Aunt Teri and Uncle Michael and also spent some times at the Craps Tables at varies Casinos. After my short vacation it was off to photograph the MAACO Las Vegas Bowl. It was very cold and windy with the winds between 25-35 MPH and gusting over 55 MPH. The above photo is from the celebration after BYU beat Oregon 44-20.

The next morning I left for San Diego to photograph the Poinsettia Bowl. A little warmer and a lot less windy. Great game as Utah beat Cal 37-27. I went on the Utah’s bench with less than 2 minutes left in the game and was able to photograph the coach getting drenched with “Gatorade” (Its Powerade in Utah’s case). After the game I drove up to LA to shower and sleep in my own bed. I spent less than 12hrs there because I needed to catch my flight to Sacramento.

It was Christmas Eve and my Grandmother’s Birthday. I was excited to see all of my family there in Sac Town. Christmas was spent with family as it should be. The next day was the Emerald Bowl in San Fransisco. I drove to SF and it was pouring, cold and did I mention RAINING. Time to bring out the rain gear. It’s only the 3rd time I have had to done so since I live in Sunny Southern California. The Emerald Bowl featured Boston College and USC. I have photographed USC about a half dozen times so I focused a little more on Boston College. I made the Raining and at times snowing drive back to Reno as I got in around 2am. I am going to be back in LA tomorrow and working on New Years Day again.

All in all I travel over 2000 miles and had a great time doing it. Thanks to all my family and friends for a great 2009 and I cant wait to see what 2010 has in store for me.

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(Photo by Ric Tapia / Icon SMI)

USC’s Damian Williams (18) during the Emerald Bowl NCAA football game between the Boston College Eagles and the USC Trojans at the AT&T Park in San Francisco, CA.

(Photo by Ric Tapia / Icon SMI)

Stevenson Sylvester (10) during the Poinsettia Bowl NCAA football game between the Utah Utes and the Cal Golden Bears at the Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, CA.

(Photo by Ric Tapia / Icon SMI)

Oregon State’s Gabe Miller (99) during the Las Vegas Bowl NCAA game between the Oregon State Beavers and the BYU Cougars at the Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, NV.

(Photo by Ric Tapia / Icon SMI)

Kevin Thomas (15) during the Emerald Bowl NCAA football game between the Boston College Eagles and the USC Trojans at the AT&T Park in San Francisco, CA.

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(Photo by Ric Tapia / Icon SMI)

Allen Bradford (21) dives for the endzone during the NCAA game between the Oregon State Beavers and the USC Trojans at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA.

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(Photo by Ric Tapia / Icon SMI)

A General View of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

(Photo by Ric Tapia / Icon SMI)

James Rodgers (8) gets tackled by Chris Galippo (54)

(Photo by Ric Tapia / Icon SMI)

Ronald Johnson (8) stiff arms Oregon player (21)

(Photo by Ric Tapia / Icon SMI)

Kevan Walker (10) celebrates

(Photo by Ric Tapia / Icon SMI)

Dr. Bartner, director of the USC Trojan Marching Band

(Photo by Ric Tapia / Icon SMI)

USC QB Matt Barkey (7) finishes a hand-off during the NCAA game between the Washington State Cougars and the USC Trojans at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA.

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(Photo by Ric Tapia / Icon SMI)

USC Trojans fans cheer as Damian Williams (18) scores a touchdown.

(Photo by Ric Tapia / Icon SMI)

Cougars QB Jeff Tuel (10) is grab by USC Wes Horton (96).

(Photo by Ric Tapia / Icon SMI)

USC Everson Griffen (93) celebrates after a tackle.

USC Fans Scream and Shout.

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(Photo by Ric Tapia / Icon SMI)

Trojan’s QB Matt Barkley (7) celebrates after beat San Jose State 56-3 during the NCAA game between the San Jose State Spartans and the USC Trojans at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA.

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I Love College Football! The action, fans, cheerleaders and emotion is amazing. Here are some more of my photos from my first game of the season as USC rolls over SJSU 56-3.

(Photo by Ric Tapia / Icon SMI)

Trojan’s QB Matt Barkley (7) rolls out looking to pass.

(Photo by Ric Tapia / Icon SMI)

Trojan’s Stafon Johnson (13) celebrates after scoring a touchdown.

(Photo by Ric Tapia / Icon SMI)

Trojan’s Jurrell Casey (91) tackles Spartan Patrick Perry (21).

(Photo by Ric Tapia / Icon SMI)

Taylor Mays (2) yells.

(Photo by Ric Tapia / Icon SMI)

USC’s Anthony McCoy (86) fumbles the ball.

(Photo by Ric Tapia / Icon SMI)

USC’s Damian Williams (18) does his best Reggie Bush impression.

(Photo by Ric Tapia / Icon SMI)

USC’s Ryan McMahon (49) gets held up at the line of scrimmage.

(Photo by Ric Tapia / Icon SMI)

USC’s offense huddles up during the NCAA game between the San Jose State Spartans and the USC Trojans at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA.

(Photo by Dustin Snipes)

ME and Shawn Cullen smile at the USC game as Dustin Snipes takes our photo.

(Photo by Dustin Snipes)

Can you spot the photographer who got the best shot of Matt Barkley?

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(Photo by Ric Tapia / Icon SMI)

Jahvid Best Running back for California poses for a portrait during the Pac-10 Football Media Day held at the Sheraton Gateway LAX Hotel in Los Angeles, CA.

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This is my 1st time photographing the PAC-10 Football Media Day. I usually shoot the Basketball media day. It is basically the something but it’s football players instead of basketball players. no big deal, they are all built and play for the PAC-10. I had 2-5 minutes with each person to make some cool photographs. A couple of players I had for 5-10 minutes. I photographed Pete Carroll head coach of USC in under 30 seconds, 2 photos.

(Photo by Ric Tapia / Icon SMI)

Taylor Mays of USC. This is my favorite photo because Taylor is smiling. I was able to get him comfortable with me and he let his guard down for a couple of shots.

(Photo by Ric Tapia / Icon SMI)

Toby Gerhart Tailback for Stanford.

(Photo by Ric Tapia / Icon SMI)

Rick Neuheisel head coach of UCLA. By far my favorite coach to photograph, he smiles!

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(Photo by Ric Tapia / NFL.com)

After the draft I checked out NFL.com’s sister websites NFLatino.com and NFL Mexico. Since Mark Sanchez was drafted 4th overall to the New York Jets his popularity in the Latino and Hispanic community has sky rocketed. Here are some screen shots of my photo on the sites.

(Photo by Ric Tapia / NFL.com)

(Photo by Ric Tapia / NFL.com)

(Photo by Ric Tapia / NFL.com)

USC’s Clay Matthews runs a drill while NFL scouts abserve during the USC Pro day on the USC campus in Los Angeles, CA.

(Photo by Ric Tapia / NFL.com)

Family and Friends of the USC players watch from the stands during USC Pro Day.

(Photo by Ric Tapia / NFL.com)

Mark Sanchez Throws for Scouts during USC’s Pro Day.

(Photo by Ric Tapia / NFL.com)

Pro Days are a chance for scouts and NFL coaches to look at potencial draft picks one last time to evaluate them.

Here are some screen shots of my photos from NFL.com:

(Photo by Ric Tapia / NFL.com)

(Photo by Ric Tapia / NFL.com)

(Photo by Ric Tapia / NFL.com)

(Photo by Ric Tapia / NFL.com)

(Photo by Ric Tapia / NFL.com)