ã€ŠDominate the Super Bowlã€‹


 Chapter 1: 001 I am a genius

    "Li Wei?"

    "Please wait a moment on the side, the principal is on a call and will be with you shortly."

    The African American secretary sitting behind the dark brown desk shed a businesslike smile, and without waiting for Li Wei to respond, she lowered her head and continued with her work.

    Li Wei wasn¡¯t surprised, after all, he wasn¡¯t here to receive an award¡ª

    Although it wasn¡¯t exactly a scolding, today¡¯s meeting was indeed about finding a solution.

    Ten whole days ago, Li Wei had traveled through time, from Hua Xia in 2023 to... Tuscaloosa in 2016, and despite putting in some effort, he still couldn¡¯t figure out the exact location of the city on the North American continent.

    At that moment, right after traveling through time and before he could even process what was happening or who he was and where he was, he heard cries of "robbery, robbery" at his side, and out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of a figure rushing by, instinctively reacting with his well-trained reflexes for cross-country running.

    With a push off the ground, he caught up to the thief in two or three strides¡ª

    And pounced.

    Li Wei swore, it was just a gentle pounce, like swatting a fly, without expecting the robber¡¯s arm to snap like a dry branchcking moisture in autumn¡ª

    "Crack," it broke.

    Incredibly, it broke... it just broke like that.

    Onlyter did Li Wei find out that the body he had traveled into was trained in mixed martial arts, not only was it taller and bigger in size, but the strength was entirely different too. He had just traveled through time and wasn¡¯t yet fully in control of his body. He identally used too much force, and then... that¡¯s how things ended up.

    But at the scene, standing in front of the University of bama Library, Li Wei looked at the little guy lying on the ground, wailing and rolling around, as confounded as if he had been beaten up by Hulk, resembling Loki at his worst.

    He himself was so astonished, let alone the onlookersing in and out of the library.

    Then, a bald man with a sunburned M-shaped hairline emerged, eyes shining with golden light, grabbed Li Wei, and looked at him with a face that seemed to say, "The old man sees something astonishing in your bones, a once in a century talent." The next second, he seemed ready to shove a secret martial arts manual into Li Wei¡¯s arms, issuing the invitation with emotional eyes¡ª

    He sincerely invited Li Wei to join the university¡¯s football team.

    It took Li Wei a little time to realize that the "football" referred to here was not the "ser" he was familiar with.

    This was apletely new sport, esteemed as the number one sport in North America, with the famed Super Bowl being the highest honor in professional football events.

    He declined firmly.

    Whether it was football or ser, Li Wei, who practiced cross-country running, had nothing to do with these sports, having no knowledge or interest in them whatsoever.

    Originally, Li Wei thought that would be the end of it, and he should concentrate on digesting the fact of his time travel, and seriously contemte ways to get rich¡ª

    The year 2016, not much time away from his original life in 2023, missing countless opportunities to make money. The advantages of traveling through time were only so little after all, so how should he unfold the future?

    He thought time travel was like a pie falling from the sky, but then he realized it seemed more like a test of fate.

    He never imagined that there was more toe!

    The robber sued both the University of bama and Li Wei, iming he had suffered excessive violence and injury within the jurisdiction of the University of bama. He demanded not only medicalpensation but also damages for emotional distress.

    With a swift turn, the story took another direction.

    Just as Li Wei was worried about how to deal with legal issues in a far and unfamiliar ce, the University of bama indicated their willingness to help:

    If Li Wei agreed to join the school¡¯s football team, then the school would take care of thewsuit.

    Hence, today¡¯s meeting¡ª

    To discuss the specifics.

    Moreover, another key reason prompted Li Wei to agree to the meeting.

    A system, a "Football Training System," that appeared in his brain following his time travel. Clearly, this was a benefit that came with the travel.

    Football, again football!

    Li Wei tried to open the system to test it and see what it was all about, then decide his next move; but the system had only one message:

    "Join any football team to activate the system and receive a newbie gift package."

    The thought of getting something for nothing was instantly extinguished.

    Then, Li Wei did some research online about the University of bama.

    It was a legendary institution in football, the defending champions of this year¡¯s nationwide championship, undoubtedly a dominant force in the NCAA over the past decade.

    Having caught the attention of a coach from such a prestigious football institution and with the existence of the system, Li Wei couldn¡¯t help but ponder:

    Could it be... he was truly a football prodigy?

    Perhaps the key to unlocking his life in this new world and reaching the pinnacley in football?

    After careful consideration, Li Wei decided he should give football a chance.

    And so, he found himself here.

    After a brief wait, the principal was still on the phone, and another key figure made an entrance.

    Thebination of a shirt and ckspletely failed to present a poised and dashing figure. Instead, it was evident from the crumpled clothes and the flushed, sweaty face how awkward the situation was. His round belly, much like a watermelon, strained the buttons of his shirt, which seemed to be crying out for help and ready tounch at any moment.

    It easily stole the spotlight, as if the attention were ced in all the wrong spots.

    Here, Li Wei worried over the precarious, pitiable button that seemed on the verge of giving way.

    There, Burton Burns wore a satisfied expression, giving Li Wei a serious top-to-bottom once-over again.

    This indeed was a promising prospect.

    His appearance was bookishly neat: eyebrows well-shaped, eyes bright and clear, and his overall demeanor as refreshing and spacious as the morning sunlight filtering through the leaves of a ne tree in early summer¡ªa picture of harmlessness. Loose,fortable clothingpletely hid his body; he was just a bit taller and more upright than average, nothing special really.

    But he couldn¡¯t escape Burns¡¯s seasoned gaze.

    Exact physiological data needed to be measured, but the eye test was already very satisfying:

    6.1 feet (185 centimeters), 216 pounds (98 kilograms).

    Perhaps to an onlooker, a bit too tall, a little too light, but to a professional, different.

    Just right.

    During the day he chased down the robbers, Li Wei¡¯s explosive start and sudden change of direction skills were absolutely top-notch. His body was fully prepared, ready to plug and y.

    Of course, the tackling technique still needed some work, otherwise the robber wouldn¡¯t have ended up with a broken bone. But that wasn¡¯t a problem.

    Burns was very surprised.

    This Chinese-American teenager was clearly born to y football, yet they had missed such a promising prospect. He could already visualize him sprinting across the field. After returning, he had checked the young man¡¯s background¡ª

    Born in November 1995, he was a sophomore now. He had been practicing mixed martial arts all his life and never yed football. When applying to schools, he had perfectly evaded the radar of all the football powerhouses; but his academic performance was outstanding, a straight-A student who was already interning in preparation for his future.

    Thinking about it, it wasn¡¯t surprising.

    Football¡¯s promotion and poprity among Chinesemunities was still far from adequate.

    And it wasn¡¯t just football; allpetitive sports were the same. It was a profession where talent and ability were pressed to the forefront, and thousandspeted for that one-in-a-million chance. Chinese parents still believed more in a stable 9-to-5 job, earnestly and diligently creating a life with their own hands.

    The Li Wei before him, like an unpolished jade, just needed a bit of refinement to shine brilliantly. Burns trusted his judgment, and he could hardly contain his excitement.

    Pff.

    Burns rubbed his hands together, took a seat opposite Li Wei, and one could clearly hear the groan of the chair, as though it could copse at any moment, while the soft belly fat piled up. Then he beamed a bright smile, like a creepy uncle wielding a lollipop.

    "Wei-Li?"

    However, as soon as he spoke, it was evident that this uncle had done his homework.

    Because Li Wei¡¯s name was very close to "Levi," his fellow students had always struggled to pronounce it correctly. They could manage "Lee" easily enough, but saying "Wei" seemed to ask their very lives of them; they always ended up with "Wayne" or some other strange pronunciation.

    For the Asian immigrants born after 1995, one of the distinguishing features was that schools encouraged students to use their original names. There was no need for a special English name, in an effort to preserve their cultural traditions as much as possible¡ª

    Wei, that was "Wei."

    Originally, Li Wei had an English name, but he stopped using it after elementary school. Instead, his friends gradually got used to calling him by his full name. Over time, they couldn¡¯t even distinguish between his first andst name.

    But Burns got it right.

    The pronunciation was a bit awkward, but he indeed distinguished Li Wei¡¯s first andst name clearly.

    It was a pleasant little surprise.

    After receiving a positive response from Li Wei, Burns broke into a wide grin, looking like a contented Buddha, "We may have had some misunderstandings when west met; everything was too rushed. Today, we start over."

    "Let me introduce myself first."

    "Burton Burns, assistant head coach of the University of bama¡¯s Crimson Tide Storm. I¡¯ve been working here for a full decade and believe I will continue to work here for years toe."

    "I love football!"

    As he spoke, Burns couldn¡¯t contain himself and became animated, clearly pouring all his passion into football.

    "I¡¯m serious. I believe you have extraordinary talent, absolutely born for football. Your height, weight, your instantaneous start speed, eleration, and agility would all shine on the football field,"

    "Your control over your body and your ability to predict your opponent¡¯s running routes are hidden talents. They are unseen, yet can change the game. I noticed you used to practice mixed martial arts, but clearly, martial arts can¡¯t showcase your talent, only football will allow you to perform to your fullest."

    "You are a genius."

    "Believe me, you¡¯re a natural-born running back."

    Wait a minute, that was a new term.

    If you don¡¯t understand, just ask. Li Wei looked at Burns, "Running back, what is that? Defensive backfield?"

    Burns: ... The smile gradually stiffened.

 Chapter 2: 002 Fair Trade

    Burns looked into Li Wei¡¯s clear eyes, "Not knowing is not knowing¡ªclearly, Li Wei knows nothing about football."

    So, how should he exin it?

    Before, Burns had already scared Li Wei away once, and this time, he absolutely couldn¡¯t make the same mistake.

    Absolutely!

    With that thought, Burns hit the brakes hard, showing a smile like that of Maitreya Buddha, as if gazing at a lostmb, and began with a smile, "No, a running back is an offensive yer; we¡¯re a little bit different from ser."

    While speaking, Burns pinched the air with his index finger and thumb, his entire face straining to emphasize the slight difference.

    "But believe me, it¡¯s really not difficult."

    His hands moved back and forth quickly like the fluttering ears of Dumbo.

    "I truly believe you can shine on the field. You should trust my judgment¡ªyou are a genius."

    It was clear that Burns was an honest man; even his ttery was awkward, repeating the same few lines over, clearlycking in the art of persuasion.

    But Li Wei kept hisposure, not rushing to express his views or opinions, watching quietly, and then, the office door on the right opened.

    "Coach Burns."

    As he turned to look, a kind-looking elderly man with flecks of gray hair appeared, his schrly demeanor reflecting that of an engineering professor, exuding bothpetence and charm.

    This must be the new university president who took officest July, Stuart Bell. ording to the information on the university¡¯s official website, he was fifty-nine years old and had joined the University of bama back in 1986.

    Bell appeared vigorous, his wrinkles unable to mask the brightness of his eyes. After greeting Burns, he turned and saw Li Wei.

    "So, this must be... Li?"

    Unlike Burns, Bell was less familiar with Li Wei¡¯s name, but he opted for the safe route, addressing him directly with the easily pronounced surname.

    Li Wei politely stood up, ready to shake hands.

    However, as Bell¡¯s gaze followed Li Wei¡¯s rising form,

    one moment, he seemed a diligent student with aspirations, presumably with a future in academia or broadcasting; the next, like Hulk transforming, the imposing presence brought on by his stature pressed down inyers, and before Li Wei could even speak, Bell had already expressed his awe.

    "Wow, now I finally understand why Coach Burns can¡¯t stop singing your praises."

    Then, the two shook hands, exchanged a few pleasantries, and Bell once again felt the broadness of Li Wei¡¯s palm, capable of easily gripping a football. He turned to look at Burns.

    Without saying a word, Burns understood perfectly and gave a light shrug, "I told you, he¡¯s a great prospect."

    Bell didn¡¯t say much more, gesturing them into the office and heading straight to his own desk, inviting Li Wei and Burns to take their seats.

    Bell sat down as well, "Let¡¯s get right to the point."

    "Li, I¡¯ve reviewed your record; you¡¯re an excellent student, and the University of bama is very fortunate to have such an outstanding student. The incident that urred in the library was purely idental. The school should be thanking you for your heroic actions; no one wants to see the situation as it is now."

    "I am more than willing to extend a helping hand on behalf of the school."

    "But."

    All that had been said so far was superfluous; the key point was yet toe.

    "As a public institution, clearly we can¡¯t spend as freely as private schools; we have our own difficulties and issues to deal with."

    "Therefore, Coach Burns has made a proposition: if you can y for the school¡¯s football team, then the school can intervene to resolve all your problems, including thewsuit and potentialpensation and so on."

    "How do you feel about it?"

    In fact, when it came to schrships, the whole situation became much simpler¡ª¡ª

    One must give something to get something in return, a fair trade.

    But Li Wei was not a child; he knew that there must be more to it, just as Bell had said, the financial management of public universities was not that simple.

    Li Wei did not rush to agree, "I think there¡¯s more to it than just joining the team, right?"

    Bell¡¯s smile fully bloomed, his eyes revealing a hint of appreciation, "You¡¯re indeed an all-A student, our journalism department should really feel fortunate to have you."

    "Of course, to join the team, we need to evaluate your performance. Whether the training is dedicated, whether you give your all in matches, and so on, Coach Burns will judge your performance, and you need to meet the standards."

    "Additionally, you need to y in at least seven matches in another season and achieve certain performance data, Coach Burns will likewise be in charge of scoring."

    "If you don¡¯t meet the standards, then we will need to sit down and discuss the matter of litigation fees and potential damages again, what do you think?"

    The requirements did exist, but the real power of decisiony in Burns¡¯s hands.

    Li Wei turned to look at Coach Burns, then thought about that system in his mind.

    Although he had already made a judgment, Li Wei did not rush to jump to a conclusion, instead looking at Coach Burns, "Coach, I really know nothing about football, are you sure? I don¡¯t understand football, but at least I¡¯ve seen ser and basketball, an amateur who knows nothing can¡¯t just go and y NCAA right away."

    Coach Burns nodded slightly¡ª¡ª

    Calm. Wise. Objective.

    Truly a top student, still able to analyze the situation in the face of difficulties and challenges, a rare bonus for a professional yer.

    In fact, ball sports often require game intelligence; and football not only requires it but also ces it in a very important position because football is known for its tacticalplexity, with a team possibly having over twenty thousand tactics, and yers not only need to memorize them but also need to apply them flexibly.

    The more he understood, the more satisfied he became.

    Coach Burns also looked at Li Wei.

    "Of course, if you know nothing, it will take some time."

    "If it¡¯s a position requiring particrly high skills, indeed a foundation in training is needed, and an amateur rushing in might not work out, but in reality, the barriers in football are not as exaggerated as imagined. It¡¯smon to change positions not only in college but also when entering the professional arena; the real key is still tactical coordination."

    Coach Burns did his best to downy theplexity, and it was evident that he was really trying to make things seem simple, emphasizing as much as possible that football was not difficult.

    Really!

    "I can say, without exaggeration, that football is the sport among all team events that most tests tactical cooperation. Maybe in ser or basketball, you can see one individual perform a hero deed to change the game, but in football, it¡¯s almost impossible."

    "So, for a neer like you who¡¯s taking on the running back challenge, you arepletely ready at the technical level and the physical confrontation level."

    "The only thing you need to learn is tactics."

    "I believe in your ability."

    "Not just here, but also here."

    At the front, he patted his heart.

    In the back, he pointed at his brain.

    Coach Burns seemed exceptionally excited, his eyes the size of green beans shining brightly.

 Chapter 3: 003 Personality Guarantee

    ```

    Not only Li Wei, Bell was also full of enthusiasm as he looked toward Burns, sharing the same concerns:

    Can aplete outsider really make it in football?

    Of course, in the NCAA, multi-sport athletes are not umon, including those in basketball, football, baseball, hockey, track and field, etc. More than a few excel in two, even three disciplines and receive draft invitations from more than one professional league due to their astonishing talent and outstanding performance.

    But.

    Fighting?

    Was Burns truly convinced, or was he mistaking the invitation for Li Wei to join the team in a fistfight?

    Burns could feel the gaze of Li Wei and Bell. He grew somewhat flustered and anxious, sweat beading on his forehead. Awkwardly adjusting his posture, he hastily tried to exin his thoughts, but once he entered into the professional topic, he spoke ceaselessly, unable to stop.

    "To be honest, we are currently in a positive cycle, everything is in optimal condition."

    "After reaching the pinnacle of national championships in ¡¯11 and ¡¯12, we were stopped in the semifinals in both ¡¯13 and ¡¯14, followed by reiming our thronest year."

    "The key is the running back."

    "Everyone knows that the bama Crimson Tide Storm is a traditional powerhouse for running backs¡ªright, I¡¯m the team¡¯s running back coach. Last year, Derrick Henry, after two seasons of development, finally exploded in his junior year."

    "His season tally of 2,219 rushing yards and 28 rushing touchdowns would be top-tier at any time, and he undisputedly won the highest NCAA honor, the Heisman Trophy."

    "Then."

    "After the season ended, Henry entered the draft in April and officially joined the Professional League."

    "The uing season in September without our leading running back is not good news. Without great care, we could miss the championship just like in ¡¯13 and ¡¯14."

    "If that were the only issue, then it wouldn¡¯t be so serious. This is the NCAA; every year we face students graduating or turning professional. We have been through all of this. We are aware of the difficulties we will face, and we always find a solution. But the situation is far more severe than this."

    "During this month¡¯s spring training camp, we had three running backs injured in session. Now, there are only two running backs left on the team; we can¡¯t even fill the bench."

    "Although our leading running back is still healthy and ready to y, and the second running back¡¯s injury may take about six months to heal¡ªa conservative estimate would be a mid-season return¡ªwe can¡¯t rely on chance. Not only can we not rely on it, but we also need to be fully prepared. We are in urgent need of running backs."

    "If we start the season without four running backs at the ready, I¡¯m already panicking, and now, we have only two."

    "I¡­"

    Burns was both agitated and embarrassed¡ª

    A clever wife cannot cook without rice.

    Despite the University of bama¡¯s reputation as a football powerhouse and a traditional stronghold for running backs, the fact that Burns could be the running back coach attests to his capabilities. But now, with "no rice," Burns had plenty of skill but nowhere to apply it.

    The honest man before them was almost in tears.

    "President."

    "Give me four running backs, and even if we cannot defend the title, I can still get us into a bowl game. But now, with only two running backs, what can I do?"

    "Forget about ¡¯13 and ¡¯14; we could revert overnight to pre-¡¯07."

    Bell was startled:

    That¡¯s uneptable.

    As a traditional football college, the University of bama relies on this reputation for recruitment each year. If the football team performs poorly, the consequences are beyond imagination.

    But if it were merely about recruitment, the University of bama has other strong sports programs, so there¡¯s no real worry there. The real key is the revenue from broadcasting rights.

    Those familiar with Europe¡¯s top five football leagues and the NBA would know that the broadcasting rights ofpetitive sports are where the money¡¯s at; football is no exception.

    NCAA football broadcasting is divided into two parts: North American live broadcasts and regional live broadcasts.

    Naturally, the advertising revenue from North American broadcasts is several times higher, but only strong teams and games that attract public conversation make it to the North American live broadcasts.

    ```

    That is to say, the performance of the University of bama football team would determine the school¡¯s financial ie¡ª

    It was a matter of life and death.

    Bell looked at Burns, and likewise, Burns looked at Bell, "President, we need Li Wei."

    Perhaps Li Wei was an outsider, but considering the current state of the team, Li Wei truly was the perfect choice, with both talent and abilityid out clearly before them.

    Burns believed that, given a Li Wei, regardless of whether he could groom a second Derrick Henry, there would still be hope for this season.

    Having said that, Burns looked at Li Wei, "I¡¯m serious."

    Despite the sweat on his head and the flush on his cheeks, Burns¡¯s eyes were so bright and so focused,ying out his cards sincerely and openly.

    This time, Li Wei did not refuse, "Alright."

    Perhaps, the key to changing his life and writing a brilliant story was football.

    Even after Li Wei had left the office, Bell turned to Burns with a meaningful smile, filled with anticipation yet also with some concern.

    "Burton, our goal is to defend the title. Are you telling me now that he is the missing piece in our championship puzzle, and does the head coach agree with your view?"

    Burns was the assistant head coach, and above him, there was the head coach of the team. They were an excellent partnership, this year marking their tenth season working together at the University of bama, so Burns¡¯s status within the team was extraordinary.

    But even so, Burns wasn¡¯t the head coach, the real authority over life and death of the teamid in the hands of the head coach.

    "Of course, President, the coach is aware of our meeting today."

    "I won¡¯t say that this kid is the missing piece in our championship puzzle, but if we want to defend the title, we must replenish our running back resources."

    "I know what I¡¯m doing."

    Confident, yet sincere.

    Burns was a down-to-earth character; he didn¡¯t make grandiose promises or im easy title defenses¡ªnone of that.

    But his words were very persuasive.

    Bell nodded slightly in understanding.

    "You¡¯re responsible for evaluating his performance, while we will evaluate yours. You need to know that from now on, you¡¯re his guarantor."

    "Coach, I understand that defending the title isn¡¯t just something you talk about¡ªit¡¯splicated and tough. So, I won¡¯t say what¡¯ll happen if we don¡¯t defend it, but I need our games to be nationally televised."

    "You know how important that is for the school."

    "Last season, we had ten games nationally televised; the season before that, the number was eight. I know this year we¡¯ve faced some difficulties, so I¡¯m not making an unreasonable demand¡ªseven games, at least."

    "Coach, seven games."

    "If it¡¯s less than that, then before I sit down to talk with this young man, I¡¯ll need to talk with you first. Of course, I¡¯ll confirm this matter with the head coach too; I need an answer from him."

    "Hold on, you¡¯re supposed to take him to tryouts soon, right?"

    Seven games, no simple feat¡ª

    Because in the NCAA regr season, there are only twelve games in total, and if you add yoff games, bowl games, and the national championship, that makes only fifteen.

    In other words, it¡¯s necessary to make it into the post-regr season games as well.

    Burns didn¡¯t respond rashly, but took a deep breath and nodded seriously.

    Creak.

    The door to the president¡¯s office opened again, and Burns emerged with a brilliant smile for Li Wei waiting at the doorway.

    "How about it, want toe with me to see the team? They should already be waiting."

 Chapter 4: 004 Team Trials

    "Hey, hey! Did you hear? Coach Burns dug up a gem from the school, saying he¡¯s a once-in-a-lifetime talent who¡¯s never yed football before. The coach is putting a lot of stock in him, sought him out several times."

    "That¡¯s perfect, just let me give him a proper lesson, training day shock education, to show him who¡¯s boss."

    "Hahaha."

    "Maybe that¡¯s not necessary. We¡¯re actually short on running backs; relying solely on Josh, that freshman, I think our offense might struggle to get going this year."

    "Josh is pretty good, Damian¡¯s injury isn¡¯t serious, he¡¯ll be back soon. I don¡¯t think we need any more running backs. What, do you think the coach randomly picked up a vagrant from the street and then made him out to be our Crimson Tide Storm¡¯s savior?"

    "A savior, not to that extent..."

    "I don¡¯t know what Coach Burns is thinking, when did the Crimson Tide Storm be so casual, letting any Tom, Dick, or Harry join? If my grandpa knew about this, he¡¯d probably drop dead of a heart attack."

    "I heard it¡¯s an Asian kid..."

    "Really?"

    "No way?"

    "Howe I never knew Asia yed football?"

    "Idiot, didn¡¯t you hear what was said before? The kid¡¯s never yed football before. You¡¯d better shut up, or you¡¯ll lower the average IQ of the whole field."

    It was April 2016, with just under half a year to the September kickoff of the new season, but the team was in the middle of spring training camp, thest chance to gather before the summer break.

    Rustling sounds swirled among the warming-up yers, whispering back and forth. Through the exchanges of nces, the surge of youthful hormones was palpable, each of them too restless to contain themselves, their minds disturbed by the morning¡¯s rumors.

    Not just in Tuscaloosa, but across the whole state of bama, the University of bama football team had an unparalleled poprity. With no other professional league teams, the football teams from the University of bama and Auburn University unquestionably captured the hearts of all residents. The viewership for their games even surpassed that of professional matches.

    As you can imagine, the yers¡¯ pride and euphoria were beyond imagination, every one of them thrilled to be part of the Crimson Tide Storm, especially the locals.

    But now, suddenly, an outsider¡ªa monk from elsewhere¡ª

    Subconsciously, they grew wary.

    However.

    Ahem!

    A cough came from the sidelines of the field, and the whispers instantly disappeared. No one even dared to look that way, focusing wholeheartedly on their training, knowing it was a signal from the head coach.

    Nick Saban.

    One of the greatest coaches in the history of NCAA football, widely considered unparalleled, even without the "one of." This 65-year-old coach had a career record as a college football head coach of 282 wins, 70 losses, and 1 tie up to the year 2023¡ªa staggering win rate that was unmatched by any predecessor or sessor.

    After achieving such splendor in the NCAA, Saban also tried his hand in the NFL, but his three separate attempts at different times did not yield satisfactory results, including an unhappy two-season stint starting in the 2005 season with the Miami Dolphins. Later, he returned to the college scene.

    In 2007, Saban, having returned defeated from the NFL, along with his coaching staff¡ªincluding Burns¡ªtook over the University of bama Crimson Tide Storm. They revived this long-dormant traditional football powerhouse, and within just two years, in 2009, they reached the pinnacle of the nation, returning to the throne after 17 years.

    In his nine seasons at the University of bama, Saban brought the Crimson Tide Storm three national championships, three national semifinals, and another three divisional final appearances. In other words, for the past nine years, they have invariably been bowl-eligible after the regr season, deservedly one of the best college football powerhouses in North America.

    Glorious, dazzling.

    Without question, Saban ruled with absolute authority over the University of bama football team.

    It¡¯s worth mentioning that Saban is extraordinarily talented, and for any coach to be part of his team is a matter of honor, so his coaching staff has also be a target for other teams to poach from. Over the years, team members havee and gone in waves, but the one exception is Burns.

    Burns, as a legendary running back coach, was once the running back coach for another traditional football powerhouse, Clemson University. In 2007, after Saban personally seeded in poaching him, their coboration continued to this day.

    In front of Saban, Burns¡¯s words naturally carry a different weight.

    Now, if Burns says they need Li Wei, then Saban believes they need Li Wei. Saban also looks forward with great expectation to the talented individual whom Burns has been tirelessly praising.

    Buzz.

    Buzz buzz buzz.

    Without needing to turn around, one could judge from the looks and reactions of those youngds on the field that the hero of the conversation had made an entrance.

    Saban did not turn around.

    The coach had his own style, dressed in a suit for every game, every practice, with a head of neatlybed silver hair and a pair of caterpir-like eyebrows as his signature feature.

    He stood erect and solemn, not until Burns appeared in his field of vision and gave a greeting did Saban nce over at the young man¡ª

    Height. Physique. Weight.

    More than the outward appearance, what truly caught the eye was his calm and introspective aura, naturally exuding an air of erudition. On the surface, he seemed calm, but Saban could see from the lines of the muscles on his arms and calves, they held power, ready to burst forth.

    If anyone underestimated this young man because he seemed somewhat slender or judged him by the color of his skin, they would surely stumble.

    Saban knew of Burns¡¯s capability in selecting promising yers, having a keener eye than him, not just for running backs but for other positions as well. The bond of trust he had with this assistant head coach was entirely different from that with anyone else.

    But on the surface, it was still unapparent.

    "What?" Saban withdrew his gaze and called out.

    Li Wei repeated his self-introduction, "Just call me Li Wei."

    "Li Wei, good," Saban nodded slightly in acknowledgement, avoiding any small talk, and turned to look at the field, "Why don¡¯t we get down to business right now...

    After a brief pause, Saban scanned the field and could see on those young and naive faces an array of unguarded expressions: curiosity, inquiry, contempt, amusement, provocation. Young people are always so passionate.

    Saban seriously considered that he should indeed see what this young man was made of. Only by understanding the upper and lower limits of his capability and grasping his potential could he make ns for the season¡ª

    The running back position, currently held by freshman Josh Jacobs.

    Of course, Jacobs secured the role through his performance and strength, and his potential was highly regarded by the coaching staff; but the decision to put a freshman as the main yer also revealed the difficult situation of the running back position.

    If Li Wei could be a pleasant surprise...

    Therefore, he should choose a main yer topete against to see the depth. There was no need to go all out at the start, first to assess the young man¡¯s basic physical quality. The choice of yers should be mixed and matched a bit.

    Then, Saban made his selection.

    "Foster, Humphrey, Allen, Jackson, the four of you step forward."

    Roar.

    Roar roar roar.

    Hearing their names called, the other yers immediately began to jeer, with whistles even, their excitement to see the show tantly ame.

 Chapter 5: 005 Basic Framework

    Roar!

    Awooo!

    A chorus of ghostly howls and wolfish cries erupted as a group of hormone-fueled youths began jeering, instantly turning the atmosphere of the field into a morous one.

    Burns was somewhat worried about Li Wei, concerned that he might scare him off again. He quickly turned to look at Li Wei and unexpectedly found not a trace of nervousness, but instead a spark of eagerbativeness in his eyes.

    "Coach, so how should I go about the trial?"

    Scared?

    Impossible!

    Challenging oneself, the opponent, and the limits is the essence ofpetitive sports, and Li Wei, both past and present, relished these challenges, constantly striving to surpass himself and showcase the brilliance of life.

    Moreover, officially joining the team through the trial would not only resolve the issues with thewsuit but also meant that there was a new yer¡¯s gift package awaiting to be opened.

    Watching those confident figures, Li Wei was rubbing his hands together in anticipation, wishing they would be even more arrogant, disdainful, and showy. That way, when he proved them wrong, the impact would be doubled.

    He was looking forward to it a little.

    Burns looked at Li Wei; he had been rolling in the world of football for most of his life, and everything was second nature to him. Now, suddenly having to exin the basic rules to someonepletely ignorant of the game, he wasn¡¯t sure where to begin.

    After some thought.

    "You have seen ser and basketball, right?"

    "Their goal is to move the ball across the field and then shoot it into the target, a ser goal, or a basketball hoop, and football is essentially the same."

    "Our objective is also to carry the ball across the field and get it into the end zone, oh, that¡¯s the end zone over there, as long as you carry the ball over the end zone line, that¡¯s a score, what we call a touchdown."

    The rules, of course, are not limited to that, but the core of the sport is indeed such.

    Following Burns¡¯ gesture, the entire vast expanse of the field unfolded before them¡ª

    The whole field is a hundred yards long and fifty-three yards wide (one yard is equal to 0.9144 meters).

    At each end of the field, there is an end zone, which is ten yards long and fifty-three yards wide.

    So like ser, football involves carrying the ball across the entire field and over the end zone line to score; it appears to be not veryplicated.

    But.

    Li Wei looked at the football in his hands, his eyes betraying confusion, "How should I carry the ball?"

    This deep brown ball is oval-shaped, with no way to dribble like a basketball or roll like a ser ball, so what to do?

    If you don¡¯t understand, just ask.

    Li Wei, rather than feigning knowledge, candidly voiced his confusion and then looked to Burns.

    Burns: ... "Have you really never watched a football game?"

    Li Wei, "Never."

    Burnsughed in disbelief, "You carry the ball. Football does not require dribbling like basketball or rolling like ser, you just carry it in your hands."

    "In a football game, there are two ways to advance the offense."

    "First, running the ball, which is your job. You carry the ball forward until the opposing yers stop you. The advance ends when your knee touches the ground."

    "Another very, very important thing is not to drop the ball because in football, if the balles loose, that means you¡¯ve lost possession, and whoever recovers it takes the ball."

    "Second, passing the ball, which is the quarterback¡¯s job. He can pass the football to anywhere on the field, and as long as it is caught by one of our yers before it hits the ground, you can continue to move forward. Likewise, if your knee touches the ground or there¡¯s a fumble, the advance also ends there."

    Simple and clear.

    In just a few words, Burns outlined the basic framework.

    Although Li Wei couldn¡¯t picture how a football game was yed, the basic rules weren¡¯tplicated. He had many, many questions in his mind, but there was no rush. He could learn more about it in depthter.

    Looking at Burns, Li Wei understood immediately, "So, football is a strategic game of offense and defense, with one side trying to advance with the ball while the other does everything to stop them, right?"

    Burns¡¯s eyes lit up, "Exactly! So, in ser and basketball, you have so many yers on the field, and offense and defense are constantly switching; but football is a turn-based positional battle. We are divided into Offensive group and Defensive group, plus there¡¯s a Special Duty Group for special circumstances."

    "Each group consists of eleven yers, and unlike ser and basketball, we can substitute yers anytime between each down without any limits."

    "Our Offensive group and the opposing Defensive group are on the field at the same time, until the offense ends either by scoring or being stopped; then the teams switch possession, and our Defensive groupes on with their Offensive group for a new confrontation, and so on, taking turns."

    Without paying much attention, Burns rambled on, somewhat unable to stop himself.

    But, he managed to control himself¡ª

    No rush, no need to hurry, the specific rules and details cer.

    Burns took a deep breath, showed a kind smile, "Any other questions?"

    That smile, like the Big Bad Wolf grinning at Little Red Riding Hood while trying to hide its fangs, made a smile emerge from the depths of Li Wei¡¯s eyes.

    "Yes. Just one."

    Li Wei looked at the patiently guiding Burns.

    "Whether it¡¯s passing or running the ball, it¡¯s all done with hands, so why is it called ¡¯Football¡¯?"

    Burns: ...

    Burns blinked, momentarily stumped by the question, and then Li Wei didn¡¯t linger, turning on his heels and jogging onto the field.

    Pfft.

    Burns could hear theughter, turned his head to look, and then saw Saban¡¯s smiling face. The sincere man didn¡¯t mind that he had just been yfully tricked a bit, "Coach, what do you think of him?"

    The corners of Saban¡¯s mouth curved up slightly, "I¡¯m a bit excited."

    In front of him, the field had cleared, and the other yers had all retreated to the sidelines.

    Only then did he understand why a football team was sorge. Offensive group, Defensive group, and Special Duty Group¡ªall had their distinct roles, separated. Forget basketball, evenpared to ser, the scale of the team is not on the same level¡ª

    The NFL Professional League allows a football team to have fifty-three people, while the NCAA allows eighty-five, and in some cases, the number is permitted to reach one hundred and five.

    No wonder!

    Now, the yers had dispersed, and including Li Wei, there were only five people left on the field, making the whole ce feel eerily empty, as if a chill wind blew over the calm waters.

    So.

    Since the running back is a member of the Offensive group, were the four people before him part of the Defensive group?

    Compared to basketball, the scene indeed looked more like ser, not only because of the field of view but also because the four yers werepletely spread out.

    The four men were staggered in their positions, from near to far.

    Li Wei guessed that such positioning probably represented different roles, with those in the back focusing more on pass defense and those in front more on run defense.

    And since it was clear they were testing Li Wei¡¯s running abilities, the four didn¡¯t space themselves out but watched him intently, ready for action.

    Li Wei was the picture ofposure, moving his hands and ankles slightly, as if preparing for a cross-country run, his first instinct was to scope out the space on the field and positions of the obstacles.

    The big guy in front had already approached with a nasty grin, "Hey, kid, think you¡¯ve got enough gear? Sure you don¡¯t want to put on some armor? Be careful you might not be able to take it and fall apart."

 Chapter 6: 006 First Attempt

    If one were to introduce each yer¡¯s position in detail, Li Wei might bepletely confused, not to mention recognizing those positions, the yers in front of him would mean nothing at all.

    But at least, Li Wei knew one thing, the four yers in front of him were certainly not pushovers, as could be told from the whistles and jeers of the other spectators.

    Reuben Foster, a sophomore, 2017 first-round pick.

    Marlon Humphrey, a sophomore, 2017 first-round pick, three-time Pro Bowl, one-time All-America First Team.

    Eddie Jackson, a sophomore, 2017 fourth-round pick, two-time Pro Bowl, one-time All-America First Team.

    Jonathan Allen, a sophomore, 2017 first-round pick, two-time Pro Bowl.

    Even setting aside their future professional performances, as of now, in the NCAA, they were among the top and most outstanding yers in their respective positions. In the uing September season, they were undoubtedly the main lineup for the current Crimson Tide Storm Team.

    Oh, and Jonathan Allen was the captain of the Defensive group.

    Burns had high expectations for Li Wei, and so did Saban, showing no mercy by immediately assigning his main lineup to thoroughly test him.

    Saban gave Burns another look, Burns, upon seeing these four yers, showed no worry, nor did he voice any objections; his calm demeanor further piqued Saban¡¯s curiosity. Could Li Wei really bring a surprise?

    In just a nce, Li Wei could feel the pressureing from Allen.

    Part of it was the mental suppression formed by the confidence emitted, and the other part was the physical oppression due to the difference in stature.

    Direct and fierce.

    ¡ªJonathan Allen, 6.3 feet (191 cm), 300 pounds (136 kg).

    Like a ck bear, he wobbled in front of Li Wei. Initially, Li Wei had thought the body he had crossed into was tall and strong, a stark contrast to his own cross-country running self; but standing in front of Allen, withoutparison, there was no harm, he suddenly appeared miniature.

    Allen intentionally lifted his chin slightly, adopting a condescending posture, looking at Li Wei through his nostrils, the smile on his lips exceptionally friendly.

    "Hey, kid, is this equipment enough? Are you sure you don¡¯t want to wear armor? Be careful, it might not hold up and fall apart."

    Football is a sport with very intense confrontations, and even daily training requires the wearing of armor, let alone during matches.

    In ancient times, there were cases of deaths on the football field, not just rumors but actual urrences. Although modern football has amended rules, added equipment, and limited tactics to protect yer safety, deaths have not urred for over half a century, but injuries are stillmon.

    For this reason, whether it¡¯s the NFL or the NCAA, there are strict regtions on yer equipment, not just for matches, but for daily training as well.

    Li Wei had already put on his equipment in the locker room just now, but honestly¡ª

    It felt ufortable.

    Cross-country running is a sport that requires light gear, any superfluous burden is a hindrance; mixed martial arts is the same, except for gloves, there are no other pieces of equipment.

    And now, he needed to wear "armor" ¡ª in Li Wei¡¯s view, it was indeed armor, protecting key points on the body, making him feel as if he was bound.

    Li Wei wasn¡¯t sure how he would perform, just like the day he had first crossed over, the integration of soul and body was clearly not enough, but regardless, one needed to try and challenge to know.

    Looking at Allen¡¯s short hair, which looked like bunches of steel wool, Li Wei spoke seriously, "So, have you ever fallen apart?"

    Allen: ¡­

    Momentarily stunned, Allen burst intoughter, "This kid is interesting." He turned to nce at his teammates not far behind, exchanged a few words through shouting, and then looked back at Li Wei, "So, you want me to try it out?"

    Li Wei humbly waved his hand, "No, I can¡¯t, look at this height and physiqueparison; how could I possibly make you fall apart?"

    Allenughed heartily.

    Li Wei continued, "Just making you spin around, dance a bit, and then fall down, you know, just like a circus act."

    Keeping a smile.

    Allen looked at Li Wei¡¯s slightly upturned lips, his smile momentarily froze, but after a moment, heughed even more boisterously.

    "Hmm, hmm, hmm, I am looking forward to it, please don¡¯t let me down."

    After saying that, his expression changed instantly.

    Transforming into a fierce ck-faced warrior, he red at Li Wei, his hot breath rushing towards Li Wei like a fierce tide.

    "I don¡¯t know how you managed to charm the coach, but this is the Crimson Tide Storm, not a ce where any Tom, Dick, or Harry can be a member."

    "Let me tell you, if you disappoint me, the consequences will be severe."

    Then.

    Without waiting for Li Wei to respond, Allen had already turned around, stepped back a little, and stood three steps away from Li Wei, ready to engage.

    But looking at Li Wei, Allen actually stepped back further, increasing the distance, and made a beckoning gesture with an especially bright smile:

    Giving you a step.

    This additional space was effectively giving Li Wei more room to start running.

    Li Wei was not about to hesitate, after all, beginner¡¯s luck should not be wasted.

    Phew.

    Exhaling gently, Li Wei adjusted his gear and took this break as an opportunity to look towards the field again, taking in the positions of the four defenders.

    But how to start, just attack suddenly?

    Li Wei was startled, "Coach, do we start like this?"

    Ha!

    A burst ofughter, other yersughing uproariously without any restraint.

    Burns couldn¡¯t hold back either. After theughter died down a bit, he shouted, "Attack. Just shout ¡¯Attack¡¯, and then you can start."

    Li Wei immediately understood; the initiative to start the offense was in the hands of the Offensive group, and he could imagine that surprise tactics would definitely emerge here.

    Shifting his gaze, Li Wei had calmed down, his focus sharpened, he nced at Allen and without any hesitation, loudly announced the start of the y.

    "Attack!"

    Li Wei was unclear on how exactly football was supposed to start, so his stance now was like that of a sprinter at the start of a hundred-meter dash, bursting out as soon as the word was spoken.

    Pushing off the ground.

    Starting.

    The power of his calf muscles was fully released, and he surged forward like an arrow leaving the bow.

    Though Li Wei was trained in cross-country running, not focusing on explosive starts, the instant explosive power of his body was exceptional. In just ten days, Li Wei had slowly adapted, and this trial was also a process of exploring his own body¡¯s abilities and strength¡ª

    The people before him were his touchstones.

    Push.

    Li Wei didn¡¯t hold back; the moment he released his strength, he could feel an explosive energy pushing against the ground and rebounding back at a blinding speed, propelling his body forward.

    Thump, thump, thump.

    Not just once, but continuously, rapidly executing in a high-frequency mode, the scenery on both sides of his vision turning into a streak of light shing past his peripheral vision.

    Here ites!

    His pupils captured Allen charging toward him from his front left, arms wide in a horizontal dive to intercept, the big and strong figure instantly blocking the light, his mouth wide open as he smashed down, the roaring air wildly pping at his cheeks.

    But, pushing off, sprinting, elerating¡ª

    Whoosh.

    Li Wei, like a gust of wind, forcefully elerated, effortlessly overtaking Allen in one swift move.

 Chapter 7: 007 Absolute Explosion

    Allen, as the first gate in the Defensive group, was already prepared and didn¡¯t rush forward like a naive rookie. Instead, he bent his knees to lower his center of gravity and slightly adjusted his steps to warm up his body.

    "Attack!"

    The moment Li Wei started, Allen stepped diagonally inwards, pouncing forward like a tiger descending the mountains. He felt he had the upper hand¡ª

    because in official games, the Defensive group emphasizes coordination while the Offensive group emphasizes blocking. In other words, there should have been someone covering the running back, making a coordinated y; but Li Wei had none, which meant there were no barriers between Li Wei and Allen, allowing Allen to intercept him directly.

    Allen: Sorry, rookie. Bear with me; I¡¯ve got a lot of strength.

    With one step forward and a cruel smile on his lips, he spread his arms, leaned forward, and pressed down hard as he pounced fiercely.

    However.

    In his eyes, a figure could be seen elerating, elerating, and then elerating some more.

    Whoosh.

    Turned into a streak of light and dashed out of sight.

    What happened?

    Allen hadn¡¯t even had time to react, still caught up in his joy, when he lunged at nothing. Due to the ferocity of the forward lunge, he lost his bnce and tumbled forward like a somersaulting onion.

    Missed?

    He actually missed!

    An, with a face full of perplexity.

    Li Wei continued moving forward.

    Directly ahead, about three or four steps behind Allen, were Foster to the left and Humphrey to the right. They appeared directly ahead.

    Both were ck, but unlike Allen, their heights and builds were simr to that of Li Wei, with Foster being slightly bulkier, though not noticeably so.

    From their footsteps and movements, it was evident that they were much more agile than Allen. However, they both thought that Allen¡¯s block was enough to trouble Li Wei. Even if Li Wei could change directions and dodge Allen, he would need to take a roundabout route, so they blocked the path one on either side.

    But they hadn¡¯t expected Li Wei to opt for a frontal breakthrough, forcibly speeding through.

    Not only that, but he also seeded.

    In a moment of carelessness, Foster was a half-beat slow to react. Just as he was beginning to move, the silhouette in his pupils had already elerated out of the speed zone, reaching top speed andpleting an evolution, growing bigger as it passed by the field of vision to take the lead, and then continued to erge. He stood no chance.

    Damn!

    Realizing he had been slow to react, Foster stopped in frustration and didn¡¯t pursue any further, but saw Humphrey determinedly chasing after Li Wei.

    From the positions on the field, Humphrey¡¯s explosive power and eleration were indeed superior. Although he, like Foster, had underestimated the situation and was slow to start, he didn¡¯t give up on following up.

    In his view, Li Wei elerated in a burst, shaking off Allen, then used sheer speed to break through the sandwiched defense of Foster and Humphrey.

    Everything happened in the blink of an eye.

    Jackson panicked¡ª

    Something¡¯s wrong.

    Jackson initially thought he was just there to watch the drama, metaphorically pulling up a chair and watching, the smile still lingering on his lips. The next second, his face was filled with horror. Thispletely shattered his expectations and the atmosphere instantly tensed.

    Directly ahead, Li Wei looked like a lone wolf, his eyes emitting a bloody aura as he showed his fangs and pounced directly at Jackson.

    Jackson noticed that Humphrey hadn¡¯t given up; he instantly picked up speed, trying to keep up with Li Wei. It was unclear whether it was Li Wei slowing down or Humphrey speeding up significantly, but in a blink, the gap between them had closed to half an arm¡¯s length, and Humphrey seemed about to grab Li Wei¡¯s shoulder.

    Just then.

    Li Wei elerated a second time.

    One step, two steps¡­ three steps.

    Just three steps¡ªlong and powerful¡ªwere enough to leave Humphrey behind.

    Humphrey was about to grab Li Wei, and his body leaned forward attempting to tackle. But he could only watch as Li Wei increased his speed again and widened the gap, leaving Humphrey to bite the dust with stumbling, disorganized steps.

    Teetering.

    Perilously close to falling.

    Jackson was already unable to pay attention to Humphrey, taking quick, small steps to adjust his position, getting closer and closer, priming himself for readiness.

    Nearing him.

    He was getting closer.

    Even closer.

    Jacksonpletely calmed down, movingterally in session, attempting to intercept with a swift, fluid motion. Lowering his center of gravity like a crab, he spread his arms wide, his pupils entirely locked on Li Wei¡¯s figure, ready to strike.

    He pushed off the ground, surged forward, and leaped¡ª

    And embraced.

    Jackson disyed a hundred percent professional posture.

    Li Wei sounded the rm.

    However, Li Wei remained very calm, running, adjusting, and controlling all at once. Seeing Jackson step up to block, he turned passivity into control of the game; Li Wei hit the brakes, and his full-speed sprint came to a halt.

    Lunge.

    Jackson, just like that, lunged forward from a position a step and a half in front of Li Wei, and flew past, the two figures barely missing each other in a cross.

    Staggering and stumbling, Jackson charged out, utterly unable to stop.

    Then, in the corner of Li Wei¡¯s eye, he could see Foster reappear on the left rear side; there was no time to wait.

    He started.

    elerated.

    Sprinted.

    With a light step, he shook off Jackson¡¯s desperate hands, the path ahead nowpletely clear, no longer blocked by any obstacles to Li Wei.

    All the way, he ran wild.

    Burns watched as Li Wei unreservedly unleashed his speed, Foster had just drawn close, not yet within embrace range, and then could only watch helplessly as Li Wei ran faster and faster.

    The distance widened visibly.

    A long-distance raid.

    And just like that, he entered the end zone¡ª

    Touchdown.

    Li Wei stood in the end zone, turned around, gently tossed the football into the air, then stylishly caught it again, his face bearing an expression of easy grace:

    Is that all?

    Looking ahead, Foster gave up the chase, Jackson and Allen both fell to the ground, and Humphrey floundered for a while, rolling on the ground before he managed to stand up again, scattering debris all along the way like broken metal.

    The entire field was astonished.

    All noise disappeared.

    Saban turned to Burns, "Is that what you saw just now?"

    Bursting power?

    Not just that. After the initial burst, there was also a second burst of power and, in terms of restarting after an emergency break, he delivered a top-level answer.

    Simply put, it was a domination by speed, an overtaking by sheer power.

    Of course, the underestimation by the four defensive yers was also a very important factor; they hadpletely not anticipated Li Wei¡¯s astonishing vertical speed, and one by one they copsed; despite that, Li Wei¡¯s capability was beyond question.

    But in Saban¡¯s words, amidst the surprise, there was also some disappointment¡ª

    If that was all, it wouldn¡¯t be enough to make Li Wei a top running back.

    Absolute speed is very important, crucial even, but in the sport of football, confrontation is more important, and relying solely on absolute speed cannot solve many problems.

    In the history of the NFL, there have been running backs with impressive forty-yard dash times,petitive even in the Olympics, but could those running backs be top yers?

    It¡¯s difficult.

    Even if Usain Bolt came to the football field, he wouldn¡¯t be able to be a top running back.

    That is to say, Li Wei¡¯s performance was a pleasant surprise, but still not enough.

    Burns looked at Saban, his smile at the corners of his mouth already uncontrobly curling up, then he shook his head, "No, this, I saw it for the first time today too; it¡¯s a surprise for me as well."

    Saban gently raised an eyebrow, things, it seemed, were getting more interesting.

 Chapter 8: 008 biting off more than one can chew

    Throw. Catch.

    Throw. Catch.

    The brown, oval football flipped up and down in Li Wei¡¯s hands like a yo-yo a child ys with. Without any sign of disdain for the scattered debris he passed by, Li Wei returned with a tranquil expression, his face brimming with a smile as refreshing as a spring breeze.

    He even nodded lightly in acknowledgment, much like a superstar responding to enthusiastic fans at a concert.

    That recent sprint wasn¡¯t far, starting from the midfield line to the end zone, about fifty yards. Li Wei casually tested himself.

    His explosive power and sprinting ability were indeed outstanding, but he felt there was still potential to be unearthed. Li Wei found himself tiptoeing slightly, like a boxer gearing up for a match, looking forward to the growth and transformation that woulde with professional training.

    Before long, Li Wei had reached Allen¡¯s side. Spotting Allen¡¯s slightly disheveled appearance, with his jersey dirtied in contrast to Li Wei¡¯s cleanliness, he saw Li Wei¡¯s genuinely sincere smile and felt it to be particrly earnest.

    "Sorry, I didn¡¯t keep my promise. I assure you, next time the dance will definitely happen," Li Wei said with a smile.

    Allen: ¡­

    Is it okay for him to swear?

    But Allen ended upughing, "Ha, that was just a careless mistake. This time, there won¡¯t be any rookie benefits, oh. If you want to make me dance, you might need to put in a bit more effort."

    Li Wei revealed a row of neat teeth, smiling radiantly.

    It was only now that Allen truly sized up Li Wei¡ª

    With a refreshing visage, clear-cut features, he stood apart from the typical burly brutes. Instead, he had the grace of fine calligraphy, exuding an effortless schrly air that was sunny and carefree. Wherever he stood became a highlight.

    Allen had indeed judged a book by its cover,pletely caught off guard by Li Wei; but not this time. He was ready for a strong counter, almost foreseeing the crumpled ending for Li Wei, with a smirk creeping up his lips.

    "Come on, schr. Let¡¯s see how well you can dance ballet," Allen beckoned, moving back to his position while still disying his magnanimity, giving Li Wei a step of distance¡ªalbeit slightly wider this time around.

    But now, fully on guard, his mental state was devoid of any contempt.

    Li Wei turned around, returning to the midfield line, looking ahead. The first thing he did was to habitually grasp the spatial positioning; the four yers¡¯ positions were not drastically different, just a slight tightening of the formation, hardly noticeable¡ªperhaps a step or a half-step forward at most, trivial in such a spacious field.

    But Li Wei didn¡¯t take it lightly.

    Being on his own without cover meant that a tighter formation would signify faster starts for hits and interceptions, and denser defense.

    He needed to be cautious.

    Li Wei nced at the sidelines. Now that he had decided to take on the challenge, true to his nature, he was all in. He wanted to see the limits of his abilities, so impressing coaches like Burns and Saban was the first step. Perhaps now was the time to show a different side of himself.

    The opportunity was just right.

    So, Li Wei stood on the midfield line, his right hand delicately feeling the football¡¯s leather¡ª

    He still wasn¡¯t used to it.

    Because the football was oval-shaped, holding it in one hand wasn¡¯t easy. Plus, considering Burns¡¯s emphasis on avoiding fumbles, Li Wei immediately realized that maintaining possession amidst powerful tackles must be a significant part of football, implying that ball protection skills were necessary.

    He tried it out for himself, enveloping the football¡¯s pointed front with his palm and pressing the tapered back against his forearm, using the mping force of his arm and body to form a secure hold.

    For now, he¡¯d just try it out. He could always ask the coaches or teammatester.

    Unbeknownst to Li Wei, this scene caught Saban¡¯s eye, shining with approval¡ª

    Not only was his ability to learn impressive, but his willingness to delve deeper was apparent. Most importantly, he grasped the essential nature of a running back¡¯s role in fiercely contested moments: to protect the football.

    Saban thought, "He can be taught."

    Ready to go, Li Wei looked forward, making slight adjustments.

    "Attack!"

    Without hesitation, Li Wei issued themand.

    This time, his pupils immediately caught Allen¡¯s movements, the whole process of starting, surging forward, stepping up, and applying pressure executed seamlessly.

    Allen, in his professional mode, disyed top NCAA defensive abilities, charging at Li Wei like a sudden stormy onught.

    So, what about Li Wei?

    He didn¡¯t dodge or avoid; not only did he not, but he also moved forward to meet it head-on.

    At a nce, Li Wei¡¯s running route seemed no different from the first time; a closer look revealed that while the first time Li Wei ran in a straight line without avoidance, purely relying on absolute speed to break away before colliding, this time Li Wei sprinted along a slight left diagonal, heading straight for Allen.

    Like using an egg to hit a rock.

    Gasps.

    The audience eximed in shock¡ª

    They had seen fools, but they had never seen an idiot as foolishly reckless as Li Wei; in terms of height and weight, for Li Wei to sh with Allen was downright suicidal.

    If this were a formal game, with offensive and defensive groups blocking and covering for each other, the force of the impact would inevitably be weakened and interfered, and a head-on collision might be somewhat bearable. But now, without any cover, it was a simple head-to-head duel of strength against strength.

    This...

    Was too painful to watch.

    Some yers, unable to bear it, averted their eyes, not wanting to witness the impending tragedy, yet they never expected the cries of surprise that followed right after.

    It wasn¡¯t shock or sorrow but a voice mixed with astonishment and joy.

    Those who had looked away or shut their eyes quickly opened them in disbelief:

    What just happened?

    How could Li Wei possibly think to use an egg against a rock, when even those with no knowledge of football knew he stood no chance against Allen head-on?

    During the head-on rush, Li Wei could even see the excitement in Allen¡¯s eyes, clearly such events were not rare in formal games, resembling a hawk swooping down on a chick.

    However!

    Just as the head-on collision was about to ur, Li Wei took a half step to the right¡ª

    Capturing the split-second difference in timing, he shifted his position, turning what would have been a head-on collision into a ncing touch of the left shoulder.

    Allen, still powerfully strong, but due to thest-moment misalignment before the collision, his bulk became a hindrance, entirely unable to adjust his center of force in such a small range, resulting in an inadequate charge from his left shoulder.

    Hmph.

    With a grunt, Allen felt Li Wei¡¯s charge; there was no retreat, no fear, like the horn of a rhinoceros he charged without hesitation and without diverting from Allen¡¯s intent, his left shoulder bing the pivot, the two forces offsetting one another¡ª

    One force from Li Wei¡¯s left shoulder moving upward.

    One force from Allen¡¯s own right shoulder pushing forward.

    Without any time to react, the next second Allen spun around clockwise like a top.

    Ah, ah, ah.

    Is this ballet?

    Allen felt the world spin, turning clumsily, the world rotating rapidly, he was dizzy and disoriented, iling his arms as though performing a traditional Russian dance, moving his hands and feet in an attempt to grasp bnce, but still he fell down with a crash.

    Damn it!

    Allen, utterly disheartened.

 Chapter 9: 009 Continuous Change of Direction

    Over there, Allen finally started moving.

    Here, Li Wei was also having a tough time.

    His left shoulder bore immense pressure; the burst of power and impact possessed destructive energy, concentrated ferociously at the pivot point of his left shoulder.

    Boom!

    His muscles tensed up as he forcefully endured it. At that moment, the function of his equipment became apparent¡ªthe armor on his left shoulder distributed the impact forces, allowing his entire shoulder to absorb the shock, preventing his body¡¯s bnce from beingpletely overturned.

    Li Wei had mentally prepared in advance; he knew what he was up against in this seemingly desperate situation, actually seizing the initiative himself.

    Also, his body, having practicedbat from a young age, possessed excellent resilience to strikes and pain tolerance, which helped Li Wei keep his mind cool.

    A turn.

    With premeditation facing unpreparedness, Li Wei also began to rotate as he followed the force of Allen¡¯s strike, turning counterclockwise. Unlike Allen, Li Wei¡¯s footwork and power followed the counterclockwise motion quickly,pleting a 360-degree turn and already rushing toward the right amidst the swaying center of gravity.

    Then¡ª

    Humphrey.

    In his sight, the high-flying, hands-raised Humphrey lunged at him.

    Unlike the first time, his entire reaction, initiation, and stepping up improved a notch, and with that, the sense of pressing urgency and impact force also increased.

    Danger.

    Danger danger danger!

    Every cell in Li Wei¡¯s body was sounding the rm, but he was not surprised; far from retreating in fear, his adrenaline burst forthpletely. In his excitement, he became even calmer, instantly grasping the situation.

    He saw not only Humphrey but also Fostering from the left side for a wraparound.

    In the blink of an eye, Li Wei had already sprung into action.

    His right leg pushed off, mming on the brakes urgently.

    The burst of power fiercely plunged into the ground; his muscles nearly burst as the surging reactionary force propelled his body to make an urgent change of direction toward the left.

    A sh, a retreat.

    Sudden stop and sharp turn, along a diagonal line to the forward left, he took arge stride without hesitation, the sudden change of direction briefly staggering Humphrey.

    Humphrey: ???

    A pause.

    Humphrey,pletely unprepared for this, didn¡¯t expect that Li Wei could still change direction amid such chaotic circumstances. He was not ready and then just watched as Li Wei brushed past his right arm and dashed forward.

    Damn!

    Freaking hell!

    Humphrey had missed again. Again!

    However, Li Wei didn¡¯t dwell on his self-satisfaction; no sooner had his front foot passed Humphrey than his back foot had already unwittingly crashed into Foster¡¯s embrace.

    What to do?

    Don¡¯t panic.

    Li Wei, following the direction of his change, turned counterclockwise again, dashing and spinning simultaneously like the elegant steps of a ballet dancer, turning 180 degrees to face Foster head-on.

    A full embrace crash.

    Foster grunted: Uh.

    His chest took the direct hit, his breath caught, and the head-on collision of forces stirred up roaring gusts, loosening Foster¡¯s grappling motion significantly.

    He managed to embrace, but couldn¡¯t capture¡ª

    His arms didn¡¯t close in time.

    The next second, there was no one in his arms; Foster gasped for breath, his vision darkening.

    Li Wei absorbed the full force of the head-on collision with his back and, propelled by the impact force, dashed forward, spinning counterclockwise back on his right leg as his left leg pushed off, moving like a waltz back around.

    Change of direction, a second change of direction.

    Saban¡¯s eyes went wide, and he instinctively turned to look at Burns next to him: This?

    Burns paid no attention to Saban but was transfixed on Li Wei, not only for his changes in direction but also for his movement rtive to other yers and his judgment of the space on the field, all which demonstrated Li Wei¡¯s unparalleled potential.

    This, was the point¡ª

    The hallmark of bing a top-tier running back.

    As Burns watched Li Wei, he could see Li Wei¡¯s weaknesses.

    In tough contests, his body still seemed a bit frail; after consecutive impacts and changes of direction, his steps visibly staggered, shaky and dangerously unstable.

    However, it wasn¡¯t necessary to be too demanding, after all...

    Wait a minute!

    Just as Burns thought Li Wei¡¯s carry might being to an end because Jackson was rapidly closing in, suddenly, the situation on the field dramatically changed.

    Just as Jackson was about toplete the tackle, Li Wei, in a tottering and precarious state, unexpectedly pulled off a brake, miraculously burst forth with infinite potential to execute his third change of direction, simr to Jerry teasing Tom in "Tom and Jerry," and incredibly outran Jackson on his left side.

    Jackson lunged from left to right and tried to grasp him, but Li Wei sharply cut to his own left; Jackson¡¯s grabbing motion couldn¡¯t keep up. As his body twisted counterclockwise, he was restricted and could only watch helplessly as Li Wei passed him by.

    Li Wei moved between Jackson and the sideline, staggeringly charging forward as if walking a tightrope, appearing about to fall at any moment, yet relying on the momentum of his forward movement to maintain his bnce.

    Then, all the way trembling, he incredibly burst into the end zone again.

    Astounding.

    Stunned, the whole field stunned.

    The first time was underestimating, also a fluke.

    So what about the second time?

    Incredible!

    Including Burns, no exception.

    The agility and explosive power in Li Wei¡¯s direction changes were what Burns most valued for his potential, but he didn¡¯t expect more surprises. Although the four defensive yers still underestimated Li Wei, leading to such ludicrous andical situations, Li Wei¡¯s performance breaking expectations and showcasing even more potential was undeniable.

    Heart, just stuck in the throat, uncontrobly began to soar.

    Saban also revealed a smile, "Burton, you really picked up a treasure to bring back."

    However, Saban had not finished the tryouts but began shouting loudly.

    "Allen, use your brain."

    Saban pointed to his head, his face serious¡ª

    Delighting in Li Wei¡¯s performance was one thing, but the performance of his own defensive group¡¯s four main yers was another. If this happened in a match, not to mention defending the championship, they might lose everything.

    Once might be an ident, twice could be overlooked, but not a third time.

    Saban wouldn¡¯t ept a third mistake.

    "Pull yourselves together, observe, anticipate, coordinate. Don¡¯t tell me that you four, facing a rookie, could really allow two runs of fifty yards each resulting in touchdowns, and then let a third happen?"

    "If there¡¯s a third time, today¡¯s training will consist of you runningps until you puke."

    Saban was not joking.

    An¡¯s face was full of shame as he quickly gathered the other three together, umonly starting to discuss tactics, determined not to underestimate the situation again.

    Indeed, the third time, Li Wei faced unprecedented resistance and challenges.

    On one hand, Li Wei himself, having thrice exerted high intensity in one-on-four situations, was somewhat unable to keep up with his explosive capabilities.

    On the other hand, the four defensive yers really gritted their teeth this time, showing apletely different demeanor and intensity right from the start.

    Li Wei, with all his might, darted and dodged, but this time he ultimately couldn¡¯t escape.

    After being tripped by Allen, he encountered a pincer attack from Foster and Humphrey, managed to charge forward a few steps with great effort, but was finally held back by the two burly men, unable to break through and then felt a third forceing down on him, the proverbialst straw that broke the camel¡¯s back, and fell with regret.

    Damn!

    Li Wei was somewhat frustrated with his performance, dissatisfied with himself, yet unaware that upon standing up, he would see that the whole field was in shock, not a sound to be heard, jaws and sses all over the floor.

    Li Wei didn¡¯t understand: What¡¯s happening?

 Chapter 10: 010 Position confrontation

    Strategically despise the opponent, but tactically value them.

    Li Wei¡¯s nerves werepletely tense too.

    From the start, Li Wei used a move simr to the Marseille Turn to stop abruptly and shake off Allen, actively breaking toward the left side where Foster was, but this time Allen¡¯s second reaction was outstanding. Even though he was off-bnce, he managed to trip Li Wei¡¯s lower leg with his arm, sending Li Wei¡¯s forward momentum into disarray.

    Stumbling about, he failed to shake off Foster immediately. Even though Li Wei reacted quickly, changing direction, he still got caught in the pincer between Foster and Humphrey. This was where Li Wei truly felt frustrated.

    He saw a gap. With a prompt brake to control his steps, he tried to make Foster and Humphrey collide into a heap, then he tried to circle around Humphrey¡¯s outside, knowing that even if Jackson had stepped up to intercept, there was still a chance.

    However, it was this fleeting opportunity that he couldn¡¯t control with his sudden stop, resulting in Foster and Humphrey getting a solid hold on him.

    After being surrounded, Li Wei still tried to break free and continue charging forward. Seeing that Foster and Humphrey¡¯s unsteady center of gravity didn¡¯t allow them to fully capture him, with him possibly breaking free at any moment, it was Jackson who arrived in haste that eliminated Li Wei¡¯sst struggle, and finally Li Wei fell regretfully to the ground.

    Three big guys piled on in this spot.

    Li Wei was still clenching his fist in frustration¡ª

    Even in this y, he still had a chance, just a little bit, just a tiny bit more.

    But it had to be admitted, the impacts of football, the breakthroughs, and the offense against defense were truly tough and explosive. The solid and meaty collisions made resounding thuds with each hit, and the confrontations of strength fully ignited the adrenaline.

    Quite interesting.

    Yet unexpectedly when Li Wei stood up and turned around, what he saw was a sight of people picking up their jaws all over the field, the silent scene seemed to have pressed the pause button, which made Li Wei stunned. Was he in a ¡¯sh¡¯ state because his speed was too fast that it made everyone else seem to have stopped?

    Li Wei gave an apologetic smile and shouted to Burns, "Sorry, Coach, I didn¡¯t perform too well this time."

    Allen: Cough.

    Almost choked on his spit, "Rookie, are you serious or is this trash talk?"

    Li Wei couldn¡¯t help but smile, "If this is trash talk, isn¡¯t your reaction a bit..."

    Too dumb?

    Even though Li Wei didn¡¯t speak out, Allen caught on immediately, looked to the sky sheepishly and coughed twice, then looked down at Li Wei again, "If that¡¯s you not performing well, then our defensive group has some serious reflecting to do."

    Despite the embarrassment, Allen started to exin in all seriousness, and then Li Wei began to understand.

    Burns had said that football is a turn-based game, so how should turns be defined?

    Very simple.

    Each time on offense, the offensive team has four downs to advance the ball. If they can advance ten yards within those four tries, they gain a fresh set of four downs to continue advancing the ball. The cycle repeats until reaching the end zone.

    Correspondingly, it¡¯s the job of the defensive team to stop the offense from advancing those ten yards within the four opportunities, thus ending the opponent¡¯s possession andpleting the turnover of the ball.

    If the offense fails to cover ten yards in four downs, the possession ends and the ball turns over where it lies, meaning the defensive team brings out their offensive group to start their offense from that spot.

    That¡¯s why, in order to avoid ending the four downs fruitlessly and at a disadvantageous position that puts their subsequent defense in difficulty, the offensive team often only ys three downs and switches to the Special Duty Group on the fourth down, performing a punt kick to push the opponent¡¯s next starting position as far back as possible.

    Of course, the offensive team can choose to y out all four downs, and if they fail, they simply hand over possession from where they are.

    However, there is a special case.

    After the third down, if the offense is close to the end zone, they may choose to bring out the Special Duty Group, not for a punt but for a field goal. If the football flies over the goalposts at the end of the end zone, they score.

    These rules make up the core of the football game, the turn-based offense and defense battles.

    Despite Allen¡¯s hasty and messy exnation, and Humphrey and the others¡¯ cacophony of interjections hardly helping, Li Wei still got it¡ª

    What seemedplex was actually clear.

    Actually, it¡¯s quite simple to think of a football game as an alternating turn-based offense and defense confrontation. While ser constantly switches between offense and defense, football is marked by every ten yards with a limit of four downs. If the offensive team seeds, it continues its offense; otherwise, the defensive group gains possession of the ball after a sessful down.

    All other details are further refinements based on this framework, but they don¡¯t hinder the understanding of football.

    Li Wei had a sudden realization. "So, the fork at the end of the end zone isn¡¯t just for decoration."

    Humphrey and Foster and Jackson: ...

    A fork?

    Seriously?

    Allen burst outughing. "Right, that¡¯s the goalpost."

    "In football, there are three ways to score points."

    "First, entering the end zone, touchdown, six points."

    "Second, kicking a field goal from any range, three points."

    "Third, if the offensive team is tackled in their own end zone by the opponent, not only does possession change hands, but it also results in a safety, two points."

    "Oh, right, after each touchdown, there¡¯s a chance for extra points, two options."

    "Choose to kick, ce the ball on the fifteen-yard line in front of the end zone line and then kick it; seed, and you add one point. Choose to go for a touchdown, ce the ball two yards in front of the end zone line and then score a touchdown; seed, and you add two points."

    This time, Allen¡¯s exnation was much clearer.

    Li Wei had another realization. "So, football does actually involve using the foot... wait, field goals and kicks should be done with the foot, right?"

    "Haha." Allenughed heartily. "Right, and there are also punts and kickoffs, all done with the foot."

    So that¡¯s how it is. It seems football can retain the word "foot" in its name, no need topete with handball for a title.

    Humphrey looked at Allen, then at Li Wei, and couldn¡¯t hold back. "Hey, so now you realize why we were so surprised, right?"

    Li Wei blinked, the picture of innocence.

    Humphrey clutched his head and let out a cry, "Rookie, we only need to advance ten yards on each offensive y, and the average gain for a running back is less than five yards. But you, on your first two attempts, had fifty-yard rush touchdowns, and on the third attempt, while we went all out, you actually forced out a new first down!"

    Li Wei slightly lifted his chin. "So ¡¯first down¡¯ means a new set of four offensive opportunities, right?"

    Looking at Li Wei¡¯s eager, casually inquisitive expression, Humphrey looked skyward as a wave of helplessness washed over him, then he slumped his shoulders, "Right."

    That was the reason for the astonishment in the stadium¡ª

    In that third instance, Li Wei weaved and dodged his way through heavy collisions and forcefully advanced ten yards, a disy of strength and ferocity that was decidedly impressive.

    Li Wei waived it off modestly, "Just asionally, asionally."

    Foster¡¯s face wore a mournful expression. "It better be. If it happened often, I think you¡¯d be the nightmare of every defensive lineman and linebacker."

    Before he finished speaking, Foster saw the eager look on Li Wei¡¯s face and pped his forehead, "Sorry, you don¡¯t know what a defensive line and a linebacker are, right? My bad."

    An awkward yet polite smile.

    Allenughed again, "You delivered as promised, I really danced three times in a row. Rookie, well done, wee to the Crimson Tide Storm."

    With that, Allen raised his right fist for a fist bump, facing Li Wei squarely¡ª

    Open and honest in the face of his own defeat.

 Chapter 11: The Art of War by Sun Tzu

    Casual, sincere, and straightforward.

    Without any needless chatter or crafty excuses, Allen demonstrated the magnanimity and attitude of a professional yer as he opened his arms to wee Li Wei to the team.

    Li Wei was a bit surprised, and looking at Allen¡¯s open and honest expression, he also showed a smile and raised his fist to heavily bump against Allen¡¯s.

    "Sorry for making you dance ballet this time, how about we try tango next time?"

    That confidently beaming smile caused Humphrey and Foster to shiver involuntarily, Why did Li Wei¡¯s smile give off a seemingly devilish vibe?

    Jackson looked up silently, secretly relieved that his position was in the backfield and he wouldn¡¯t have many chances to face the running back head-on.

    Allen¡¯s ambitious spirit was instantly ignited, he switched his fist to an open hand, grasped Li Wei¡¯s right hand, pulled it with a jerk, and the two men heavily bumped shoulders before bursting into heartyughter, "Then let¡¯s give it a try, you are always wee."

    Having said that, Allen turned his head to look at the other three teammates.

    "Jackson, stop looking at the sky, it¡¯s embarrassing under everyone¡¯s gaze, and looking up won¡¯t help."

    "Now that the rookie has thrown down the gauntlet, we have nothing to say, the defensive group¡¯s performance was indeed poor, we need to do extra training today."

    "Since the coach mentioned runningps, let¡¯s do that, how about we start with thirtyps?"

    Ah!

    s!

    Help!

    Amidst a chorus of groans, Allen didn¡¯t give them any time to protest, turned around, and led the run, with the other three following dejectedly, like a string of tails, amazingly they actually began runningps.

    And that wasn¡¯t all.

    Allen, leading the three tails running by the side of the field, called out powerfully, "Defensive group, follow up."

    Then, with a whoosh, arge group of yers added themselves behind Allen, each obediently joining thep-running line.

    Li Wei watched this scene with a face full of curiosity and when they reached where Li Wei was standing, cries of "Thanks, rookie" and jeers came one after another.

    Li Wei waved cheerfully just as if he were on the balcony of Buckingham Pce waving to the pilgrim masses.

    Ha!

    The team burst intoughter.

    Then, Li Wei turned and walked towards the sidelines, from afar he could see a beaming Burns approaching him, patting Li Wei on the shoulder with relief.

    "Hard work, hard work."

    "You performed very well, it¡¯s great not knowing football, it¡¯s wonderful not understanding football, it means there are no stereotypes or fixed temtes, and that¡¯s why you can use your imagination."

    While saying this, he came to the sideline and stood in front of Saban with Burns not saying a word, but crossing his arms in front of him and standing like a bodyguard next to Li Wei, looking at Saban.

    Though he didn¡¯t speak, Burns¡¯s stance couldn¡¯t have been clearer, he didn¡¯t stand next to Saban, but chose to stand on the same side as Li Wei.

    Saban knew his old pal well, everything was negotiable normally, but when it came to football, Burns was particrly obsessive and professional.

    Saban looked at Burns, "There¡¯s no need for such a posture, even if I don¡¯t trust my own judgment, don¡¯t I trust you? I¡¯ll call the principal, we need to finish the team joining formalities before reporting the big roster, but the key now is what the man himself thinks."

    "Li Wei, right?"

    "Are you willing to join the Crimson Tide Storm?"

    Li Wei could feel Saban¡¯s seriousness, and he too stood tall, looking straight into Saban¡¯s eyes, "I am ready to ept the challenge."

    Even though he had just performed exceptionally, he remained humble and calm, which Saban liked about Li Wei¡¯s choice of words, "ept the challenge," which reflected Li Wei¡¯s intelligence.

    Involuntarily, Saban¡¯s expectations stirred again, maybe it was okay to raise the expectations some more, "Wee to the Crimson Tide Storm."

    Burns shed a satisfied smile, "Come, Li Wei, follow me, I¡¯ll help youplete the enrollment process, there isn¡¯t much time left before registration closes."

    Li Wei followed Burns off the field, while Saban stayed behind, continuing the team¡¯s training. The new season was about to begin, and even though they were still a strong team, they could not take sess for granted; the spring training camp was the final preparation before the summer break.

    The NCAA and the NFL are different. Even though the new season starts in September for both, the NFL is a professional event, its offseason training camps are divided into two sessions, one in May and one in July, with pre-season games starting in August; everything revolves around the regr season; the NCAA is not so.

    The NCAA, United States college leagues, including basketball, football, tennis, gymnastics, etc., has aplete league system, which serves as a stepping stone to continuously funnel countless talents to the professional leagues; at the same time, the colleges¡¯ high regard for the leagues makes them willing to offer specialized schrships to aid students¡¯ training.

    The difference between the NCAA and professional leagues lies in their belief that not all yers can transition into the professional realm, they need to ensure these student-athletes¡¯ futures¡ª

    First a student, then an athlete.

    This also sets them apart from professional athletes.

    As such, even if they cannot transition into professional leagues after graduation, they can still obtain a diploma.

    Thus, the NCAA has minimum credit requirements for all yers; failure to meet them results in suspension from y; there are also strict regtions on training time.

    Summer is a break, and colleges cannot organize training, so spring training camp is thest chance for these student-athletes to fiercely boost theirpetitiveness.

    In Burns¡¯s view¡ª

    This is perfect.

    There¡¯s still some time before the new season starts in September, Li Wei can properly train in the basics and learn fundamental knowledge; most importantly, he must learn tactics.

    "...You¡¯re definitely more familiar with ¡¯The Art of War by Sun Tzu¡¯ than I am, right?"

    "Actually, football is like going to war. We need to apply ¡¯The Art of War by Sun Tzu¡¯ and strategize our y.

    In the NFL, there are over twenty thousand offensive and defensive tactics; of course, in college, the tactics aren¡¯t that exaggerated not because it¡¯s impossible, but because we are limited by training time, and the yers don¡¯t have as much time to learn tactics, so we keep it rtively simple."

    "Even so, you still need to learn tactics. Learning offensive tactics is understanding your job; additionally, you also need to learn defensive tactics, so you can decode the opponents¡¯ strategies."

    "We need time, a lot of it, but I believe you can do it. Perhaps, you even have some advantages, given how smart you are."

    As he spoke, Burns realized that he might have identally said too much again.

    Looking up at Li Wei, "How about we first handle the enrollment procedure, and discuss the restter?"

    Li Wei could immediately read the awkward and anxious expression on Burns¡¯s face and couldn¡¯t help but smile, "Sure."

    Burns let out a long breath, truly worried about scaring Li Wei away, as the new season in September could indeed be a disaster.

    Burns kept his mouth firmly shut, eagerly watching Li Wei fill out the enrollment form, until everything waspleted and set in ck and white; only then did he slightly rx and show a smile.

    "By the way, you need to choose a jersey number, pick any you like, the team will try to amodate your wishes. Do you have a preferred number?"

    "99." Li Wei had never chosen a personal jersey number before, but if he was to choose, it had to be unique.

    Burns showed an awkward smile, "Uh, that won¡¯t work."

 Chapter 12: 012 Newbie Gift Pack

    Burns was somewhat embarrassed, having just boasted a second ago that Li Wei could choose any number he wanted, and now he was stuck; the authority of the coach waspletely gone.

    Ahem.

    Burns cleared his throat tactically and revealed a broad smile, "You see, in football, different positions have their own duties, from offense to defense. We¡¯ve got nearly twenty different positions and seventy to eighty yers. To make it easy for referees to identify yers, there are regtions for jersey numbers."

    "For running backs, cornerbacks, and safeties, your jersey number must be between 20 and 49."

    Burns rubbed his hands together, looking cautiously towards Li Wei.

    "Li Wei, how about you pick from these?"

    No wonder.

    However, Li Wei¡¯s attention had shifted onto another matter, "Cornerbacks and safeties?"

    Burns quickly and eagerly exined, "Humphrey is a cornerback; they usually stand near the front line of the defensive group, close to the sidelines at the two corners. Jackson is a safety; they usually stand at the back near the end zone, and they are thest line of defense for the defensive group."

    Li Wei blinked¡ª

    He wasn¡¯t good at remembering names.

    It wasn¡¯t a joke, but a fact. He often couldn¡¯t match names with faces; his mind appeared to have an eraser that specifically wiped out all the names.

    Truly, a big problem.

    Just when Li Wei was about to ask who Humphrey was, Burns exined the positions, and that made it much more vivid for him.

    So Humphrey was the one who missed two tackles in a row and almost fell t on his face.

    Humphrey: ??? I didn¡¯t offend you!

    After some thought, a number popped up in Li Wei¡¯s mind, "Then, number 23."

    Not because of the basketball superstar Michael Jordan, but because Li Wei¡¯s seat number in both middle school and high school was 23.

    Burns exhaled a long breath, "No problem, 23 it is." He quickly scanned the roster and revealed a pleased smile, "Good, no other yer is using that number."

    Thus, Burns filled in the jersey number on the team application form¡ª

    Number 23.

    The moment Burns finished, a notification sound echoed in Li Wei¡¯s mind, like aputer booting up. Was this the activation signal for the system?

    So having a number also meant having a yer identity, indicating that Li Wei¡¯s admittance to the team wasplete, and he officially became a member of the Crimson Tide Storm.

    He was a bit excited¡ª

    What exactly was the system like?

    What surprises would the newbie gift pack bring?

    It was only now that the reality of starting a new life across time and space became totally clear.

    But Li Wei wasn¡¯t in a hurry. He contained his excitement and inquired carefully about some matters to watch out for and the training schedule, making sure there were no oversights, before he turned to leave the coach¡¯s office.

    With a full three weeks of spring training camp ahead, Burns asked Li Wei to return to the dormitory for today. The team still had some procedures toplete. Li Wei would officially join the team the next day and then start training.

    Burns also shared an important piece of information with Li Wei¡ª at the end of the spring training camp, the team would hold two games:

    One was an intrasquad game, first team against the reserves.

    Even though it was an intrasquad game, it was one of the University of bama¡¯s annual big events, not only open for ticket sales but also broadcast nationwide on ESPN.

    The fact that a mere intrasquad game could be broadcast nationwide showed just how popr college football was, and of course, this was also because it involved the traditional powerhouse, the University of bama; Saban¡¯s influence in the NCAA was evident.

    The other was an exhibition game.

    Although Saban was still in the process of selecting an opponent for the exhibition game, this match would also be open for ticket sales, and ESPN would broadcast it nationwide.

    Broadcasting and ticket sales meant attention, and with the name of the University of bama, every year there were plenty of schools willing to challenge Saban¡¯s team; Saban wasn¡¯t in a hurry to decide because this year, bama faced quite a few challenges and he needed to organize his thoughts.

    "We will focus our training on these two games, and I hope you¡¯ll be able to represent the Crimson Tide Storm on the field," Burns shared his current n.

    The challenge certainly existed, as there were only three weeks and many hurdles to ovee, but Burns had confidence, brimming with energy and vigor.

    Li Wei felt the same¡ª

    Challenge?

    Always wee.

    However, before setting off on his official challenge journey, Li Wei had a cross-world bonus benefit to confirm as if the eagerly awaited package had finally arrived, and next came the much-anticipated unboxing moment.

    Returning to his dormitory, empty with no one around and his mysterious roommate nowhere to be seen, Li Wei still locked the door before summoning the system in his mind.

    "Football Training System" ¡ª

    Based in deep blue, with other various shades like light blue and sky blue marking the interface, it was clean and simple, seamlessly integrated, free of any unnecessary elements, finally no longer the unclear, foggy disy of before, but clearly presented before his eyes.

    The whole interface was very simple, consisting of just three areas.

    On the left, a horizontal rectangr areabeled "Temte".

    On the right, a vertical rectangr areabeled "Card Slot".

    At the bottom, a progress bar.

    That was it, the entirety of it. It was so simple and clean that Li Wei was somewhat taken aback, filled with questions. Was this the so-called system?

    After a meticulous study, he noticed some small buttons.

    The button in the upper left was personal information.

    Name: Li Wei

    Date of Birth: November 11, 1995

    Height: 6.1 feet (185 cm)

    Weight: 216 pounds (98 kg)

    Position on Field: Running Back

    Jersey Number: 23

    Team: bama Crimson Tide Storm

    That was all.

    Differing slightly from what he envisioned, there were no personal attributes, nor were any physical or ability stats quantified. This was unlike any system Li Wei knew of.

    The button in the upper right was the message box, which reminded him that there was a rookie gift pack still unimed.

    Then... there was no more.

    Without another moment¡¯s hesitation, Li Wei clicked on the rookie gift pack. A ripple of blue light gently spread, and right in the center of the interface, three cards appeared, all covered, waiting to be revealed. Each card had a small question mark in the top right corner, with a consistent exnation upon clicking.

    "System Reward, may contain yer temtes, function cards, etc., with random probabilities."

    So, it was time to test his luck as a "chosen one."

    Li Wei leaped to his feet, heading to the bathroom to wash his face and hands. He turned on the speakers and yed Beethoven¡¯s "Symphony of Destiny". Its majestic melody swirled throughout the dorm, calming his moodpletely.

    Time to spend some money!

    Without stopping, he flipped all three cards at once. The blue light shimmered again, revealing the true form of the three cards.

    "Card: Training Effect Doubling Card (Two Times)"

    "Card: Injury Impact Reduction Card (10%)"

    "Temte: Adrian Peterson (S-ss)"

    Jackpot!

    The moment he saw the word "S-ss", Li Wei clenched his fists.

    Even a rookie like Li Wei, who rarely yed games and knew little about them, recognized that "S-ss" usually signifies high quality, possibly even the highest quality.

    Without a doubt, this was a top-quality yer temte.

    Setting aside that Li Wei didn¡¯t yet know how to use the temte or whether the other rewards were of good quality, just this one temte alone was worth it.

    But what exactly was the level of this Adrian Peterson, and was there anyone who could exin?

 Chapter 13: 013 Training System

    Adrian Peterson, widely considered one of the greatest running backs in history, is currently ying for the NFL¡¯s Minnesota Vikings.

    Born in 1985, this yer has remained active on the professional field for nine seasons in the NFL, although he was out for the 2014 season due to injury. He yed in eight seasons, surpassing one thousand rushing yards in seven of those seasons, the only exception being the 2011 season where he ran for 970 yards.

    Additionally, in 2012, he rushed for over two thousand yards and effortlessly picked up the regr-season MVP, bing the only non-quarterback in the past decade to win the MVP.

    Moreover, he¡¯s been selected to the All-America First Team four times, the All-America Second Team three times, and the Pro Bowl seven times, leading the league in rushing yards in three seasons.

    Efficient! Stable! Enduring!

    Not only is he one of the five running backs in history to rush for over three thousand yards in their first two professional seasons, but he also became the third fastest running back in history to break ten thousand rushing yards.

    Just this past season, Adrian Peterson still maintained his top form, making him the first running back over thirty to enter the All-America First Team.

    Historical, splendid, and ongoing.

    Undoubtedly, Peterson is currently one of the most elite and outstanding running backs in the League, and he remains so even when considering the lengthy history of the sport.

    Li Wei¡¯s starter package revealed a temte of such a legendary star, a truly lucky draw.

    Although Li Wei waspletely unaware of Peterson¡¯s illustrious achievements, the "S" rating didn¡¯t lie; for Li Wei, that symbol was enough.

    But how should a yer temte be used?

    His gaze returned to the interface, and he used his brain signals to direct the yer temte into the temte area on the left. The card naturally fitted into the first slot, and a figure of Peterson with the ball in a sprint lit up.

    He continued sending signals, attempting to click on the Peterson temte.

    Whoosh!

    The whole page transformed into a three-dimensional space that was more vivid than AR technology. His body was still outside, but his consciousness created a truly immersive feeling. He could genuinely feel gravity, and all other senses and perceptions felt extremely real.

    An interface floated in front of him, neatly indexing a series of thumbnails by year, crowded together.

    He randomly selected one, and immediately Li Wei found himself on the field¡ª

    "Minnesota Vikings VS Green Bay Packers."

    Real games, real feelings, real experiences.

    After some exploration, Li Wei finally understood the function of the yer temte.

    He could enter Peterson¡¯s body and experience any game in his style, including all NFL and NCAA games, feeling and experiencing how Peterson dealt with different situations.

    It wasn¡¯t just about Peterson¡¯s power and sprinting; it was also about his style of y, his field vision, his judgment, his choices, his decisions, and hisbat.

    On one hand, it allowed a full-scale experience of a yer¡¯s method of interpreting a game.

    On the other hand, it also facilitated the umtion of real game experience.

    Training system!

    An idea struck him; this was the true essence of the "Football Training System." It didn¡¯t directly add points or lead to immediate improvement but provided a temte experience that he could use to train himself.

    As for those trainings, how much strength they can convert and to what height they can develop entirely depends on the individual, specifically on Li Wei¡¯s own talent¡­ and the level of effort he puts in.

    So, now that Li Wei could fully experience Peterson¡¯s ying style, did that mean if another temte appeared next time, he could preemptively grasp entirely different yer styles, and by umting the strengths of various approaches, develop his own ying style, thus having an unlimited potential for growth?

    On the spot, Li Wei briefly experienced it.

    During today¡¯s trial, Li Wei thought he understood Football to a certain extent, but only now did he realize that Peterson was the real beast, and the intensity of the NFL professional games had significantly increased, not just by a little.

    That feeling was immersive.

    It waspletely as if he was actually in the game, although his body didn¡¯t suffer any impacts, and the system had already turned down the pain sensation, those impacts, those suffocations, those boilings, those burnings, and so on, all felt unbelievably real.

    After a detailed study, Li Wei noticed even more nuances.

    First, the temte training couldn¡¯t carry over into real-world training, meaning Li Wei couldn¡¯t maintain the state of being possessed by Peterson to participate in actual training; he could only try during times outside of regr training.

    Second, the match recording didn¡¯t have thetest season, updates only went up to two years ago, cutting off the possibility for yers to explore professional team tactics by experiencing matches, serving only as a mere training system function.

    So that¡¯s how it is!

    Exiting the yer temte training mode, Li Wei didn¡¯t forget to check the time; the system to real-time ratio was roughly "5:1," which means five minutes passed in the system while only one minute went by in reality.

    Now, with a clear idea about the yer temte, what about the other two cards?

    The first card, Training Effect Doubling Card (twice).

    After reading the card description in detail, it¡¯s a card specifically effective for real-life training results, just by wearing the card, the effect of the training could be doubled.

    Although doubling might not sound like much,bined with the yer temte, it could form aplement, one online and one offline, ensuring enhanced training effects.

    Of course, the prerequisite is that the yer is willing to train, to spend time and energy, then the system can perform its functions, otherwise, the system is just a decoration, and that¡¯s the ultimate essence of the Football Training System.

    The second card, Injury Negative Impact Reduction Card (10%).

    After carefully reading the card description, Li Wei suddenly realized, this is the real jackpot¡ª

    A passive aura, automaticallying into effect when injuries happen, mitigating the impact of injuries on the body, and with the percentage increase, fatal injuries could be reduced to serious injuries, and possibly to moderate or minor injuries.

    Inpetitive sports, injuries are the most daunting obstacles; countless geniuses and stars could not escape the impacts of injuries, but the problem is, injuries are a brutal reality inpetitive sports that no one can avoid, the difference is only in severity.

    All sports, all professional yers face trouble from injuries when they retire becausepetitive sports ultimately are about challenging the limits of physical and mental endurance.

    And in Football, with such intense confrontation, one could even say the sport is excessively brutal; injuries aremon and y a pivotal role in a professional career.

    Now, this card ys the role of a goalkeeper, armoring Li Wei with ayer of protection, although Li Wei¡¯s understanding of the running back role was superficial, he still needed to gradually deepen his understanding, but Li Wei had an intuition:

    Perhaps, this card is the trump card, the key capable ofpletely changing the game.

    So, the question arises, is a 10% effect considered high or low?

    Furthermore, more importantly, the newbie package has been used up, how should the next chance to draw cards be won?

 Chapter 14: 014 The First Step

    Thud. Thud. Thud.

    Brisk and even footsteps shattered the pale golden sunlight that pierced through the tree canopy, winding through the University of bama campus.

    ustomed to the exhaust fumes and dust of big cities, at this moment Li Wei could distinctly feel the green oxygen filling every alveolus, lightening his steps considerably.

    In the quiet campus that was just waking up in the early morning, some early birds hurriedly clutching books rushed toward their ssrooms, while others, dragging their heavy bodies unrested from the whole night, left the library. Some bathed in the sunlight in the middle of the grass to practice yoga, slowing down the otherwise busy and crowded life.

    Li Wei, jogging slowly, made his way among them.

    Around a corner, he entered a straight, shaded avenue, then sprinted at full speed.

    Sprinting, picking up speed, sprinting at full force, continuously elerating, without reservation.

    Slow jogging wasn¡¯t just slow jogging; it was the variable speed running often practiced in cross-country, focusing on sudden changes in speed, breath regtion, and rhythm to maintain a steady pace amidst the variations.

    This was a test¡ª

    It was a test of the potential of this body and also a test of the system¡¯s operation.

    ording to the system¡¯s instructions, the progress bar at the bottom is another daily function of the system, which can be filled through training andpetition. When the progress bar is full, you can win a chance to draw cards again.

    Among these, Li Wei noticed that the two sides at the top of the page were slightly different: the temte on the left seemed more spacious while the right had only three card slots.

    Therefore, it was not yet clear whether there was a limit to the number of temtes and card slots; if there were, could one gain extra through the card draw chances? And if not, would the three card slots each represent three different functions?

    The novice gift pack gave Li Wei two cards, which he had already equipped. There was still one slot empty, sparking his curiosity andpetitive spirit, making him eager to fill the progress bar quickly to win a chance to draw cards.

    So, "through training andpetition," is there an underlying pattern?

    Is it based on time?

    On quality?

    On in-game performance? Does better performance in games give extra bonuses? And what about training¡ªdo internal scrimmages and system temte training performances count?

    All of this awaited Li Wei¡¯s exploration.

    From the experiments yesterday afternoon and this morning, everything counted¡ª

    Whether it was system temte training or exercising in his free time, everything could advance the progress bar; moreover, both quantity and quality were considered, with exercise duration being an obvious way to improve, and higher quality and intensity in the same duration providing faster progress.

    Additionally, he estimated that it was still "newbie territory," and progress wasn¡¯t hard to achieve. Without any professional training yesterday and today, just some trials, the progress bar had already advanced a small fraction. But subsequent advancements would likely be more difficult, given the difference in professionalism.

    Whoosh. Whoosh.

    He sprinted at full speed, dashing to the end of the shaded avenue, slowing down, maintaining a steady pace, elerating, then slowing once more, and maintaining pace, he sprinted back the same way.

    His lungs were burning, as if he could hear the gurgling rumble, a sharp and slightly sour pain spread within his muscles. But Li Wei did not stop; instead, he adjusted his direction and ran at a steady pace toward the school¡¯s stadium, with the structure visible from afar¡ª

    A building of dark red set against ivory white rose majestically five stories high; the front was an office building, and the spiraling stands spread from both wings like a Transformer, etched with history, lying quietly in a corner of the campus like a giant beast.

    Bryant-Denny Stadium.

    The namees from two leaders of the University of bama, one being George Denny, who served as president from 1912 to 1932, and the other Paul ¡¯Bear¡¯ Bryant, who led the Crimson Tide football team to countless glories since 1975.

    The stadium, seating one hundred and two thousand people, sits within the campus of the University of bama and is undoubtedly andmark of the city of Tuscaloosa. To the locals, they might stumble home drunk without remembering the way, but they would never forget the location of the stadium.

    For Li Wei, everything was new because cross-country running was always done outdoors; he seldom had a chance to enter a sports stadium, let alone one that could amodate a hundred thousand people. The entire scale and atmosphere were utterly different.

    He had a feeling during yesterday¡¯s tryout, but today was the first chance to take a proper look around.

    Entering the field was like entering a new world¡ª

    And that wasn¡¯t wrong because football is indeed a new world.

    Just then,

    a figure burst out from behind him at an angle, moving with agile steps, like an arrow released from a bow, instantly surpassing Li Wei.

    Li Wei was still immersed in the grandeur of the stadium and didn¡¯t have time to react. His body had already reflexively started to chase.

    A push and a sprint.

    His speed exploded instantly, but Li Wei did not immediately overtake him; instead, he stuck close by and kept up, eyeing the figure ahead of him.

    Wait a minute, he knew the person. It was that guy from yesterday, who nearly face-nted twice, ying as a... cornerback, but what was his name?

    Humphrey had no idea what was going through Li Wei¡¯s mind. He purely wanted to y a prank, but when he turned his head, he saw Li Wei¡¯s face close behind him.

    Holy crap!

    Humphrey, feeling as though he¡¯d seen a ghost, sped up at once, breaking into a sprint. He hadn¡¯t expected Li Wei to stick to him like a shadow, with his own speed skyrocketing as well.

    A gust of wind, then another, the two figures entered the field one after the other.

    Ronnie rk was diligently setting up training equipment¡ª

    Football is a sport with intense collisions, recklessness, and brutal aggression, and the daily training is no exception. The yers need to go through various collision training, anti-collision exercises, and agility training for changing direction and evading.

    These are just themon basic training drills that everyone on the team must practice. After the basic drills are over, there¡¯s specialized training for different positions, which is more professional and detailed.

    Everything mentioned above is just the morning¡¯s physical training.

    Beyond this, there¡¯s also gym training and the vitally important tactical training.

    NFL professional yers train four days a week, ten hours a day, a true test of both mental and physical strength, definitely not something just anyone can endure.

    But the NCAA is different. Officially, weekly training time cannot exceed twenty hours, plus yers are required to spend no less than seven hours studying in a professional study hall.

    This is why NCAA games often focus more on physicality, and the tactics tend to be rtively simple.

    Right now, rk was moving the training equipment onto the field in preparation for the morning training.

    Then,

    rk saw two figures rush in, Humphrey and the rookie from yesterday?

    Humphrey was elerating, trying to shake off the rookie.

    After failing to shake him, Humphrey tried to change his speed to tire out the rookie through the rhythm change, but he never expected that the rookie would stick to him relentlessly.

    The two of them began runningps around the field, chasing each other with no distance growing between.

    Onep. Twops. Threeps.

    Without any warning, the rookie started to elerate, instantly creating a gap; Humphrey didn¡¯t notice for a second and failed to keep up. Then he could no longer catch up, watching helplessly as the gap widened.

    Humphrey: What¡¯s going on?

 Chapter 15: 015 Rookie Partner

    Pff!

    Humphrey stopped in his tracks, hands on his hips, sauntering as leisurely as an old man. Watching the rookie ahead picking up speed, his figure swiftly shrinking into the distance, Humphrey blinked and the gap had widened significantly. Unable to keep up, not in the slightest, Humphrey suddenly felt like shutting down.

    Originally, he only wanted to toy with the rookie, but now, he had lost even his underwear.

    He wanted to curse.

    "Rookie, where on earth did you pop up from, damn, are you some kind of monster?"

    Heading his way, Li Wei approached with a refreshing smile and bright eyes, nodding his head, "Ah, you¡¯ve caught me. Actually, I am Cthulhu. You need to always be mindful of your San points, or you might be in grave danger."

    That serious demeanor actually flustered Humphrey, leaving him unsure how to respond for a moment.

    Turning his head slowly, Humphrey looked towards rk¡ª

    rk was struggling to hold back hisughter but managed to say with an innocent face, "Cthulhu is from a science fiction myth..."

    Humphrey¡¯s head filled with a single ck line, "I know what Cthulhu is!" He paused, then looked uncertainly at Li Wei, "It¡¯s like a vampire, right?"

    Li Wei nodded earnestly, "Very close."

    Humphrey immediately straightened up, "See, I told you, I know." He raised his voice again, "Rookie, where have you been hiding all this time? The coach said you were into fighting, that confrontation is your forte, and so are burst and strength, but what¡¯s the deal with this change of pace running? I¡¯m not just anybody."

    rk bobbed his head vigorously like pounding garlic, "Marlon was a five-star high schooler, not in football but in cross-country running."

    Li Wei¡¯s eyes lit up¡ª

    A fellow professional!

    Just as the NCAA has its ownpetitions and training, high schools also have their games and practice sessions. Each year, four specialized media outlets, including ESPN, along with scouting organizations assess high school yers.

    Based on physical fitness, personal skills, and game performance, yers are rated up to five stars, with one star being the lowest. This list serves as a reference for colleges and even the Professional League.

    Unexpectedly meeting a fellow professional in the middle of the Crimson Tide Storm, it seems Li Wei wasn¡¯t the first nor thest yer to switch fields.

    rk continued, "When Marlon was applying for colleges, countless schools reached out to him¡ªour football team, baseball, basketball, cross-country running, and more. In terms of change of pace running, nobody on our team could outrun him."

    Uh.

    rk paused briefly, then nced at Li Wei: Until now.

    Li Wei caught rk¡¯s look, returned a zip-the-lip gesture, and the two silently exchanged nces before Li Wei turned to Humphrey¡ª

    Time for an information update, Cornerback Eats-Dirt is now Fellow Professional Cornerback.

    "But with so many colleges to choose from, why did you pick bama?" Li Wei was genuinely curious.

    Humphrey puffed up his chest, unabashedly proud, and dered confidently, "Because the jerseys look good."

    Li Wei, "Huh?"

    Humphrey repeated, "Because the jerseys look good, and also because the team emblems are cool. It attracts more girls¡¯ attention, haha, see, I¡¯m smart."

    After speaking, Humphrey even ced his hands on his hips and burst into roaringughter.

    Li Wei blinked.

    The uniform colors are indeed quite attractive, red tops with white pants. But then, football gear is meant to be snug, perfectly hugging the skin¡¯s contours, so...

    Fellow professional, are you sure this is going to attract girls¡¯ attention?

    Li Wei looked at rk, "He¡¯s still single, right?"

    rk blurted out, "How did you know!"

    Humphrey¡¯s face turned dark immediately, "You¡¯re the one who is single, your whole family is single. I am saving myself, preserving myself for my future wife, don¡¯t you get it? Sheesh. I am not like you racy and cheap goods; I am a man with faith and responsibility, okay?"

    "Sanhao? There¡¯s still one missing," Li Wei said with genuine concern.

    Humphrey, "What?"

    "Having faith and responsibility are two goods, but what¡¯s the third good?"

    "..."

    Looking at Humphrey, whose smile was frozen at the corners of his mouth, Li Wei nodded in approval. From now on, hisbel would be "Sanhao Companion."

    Without caring about thebel, Li Wei turned to rk. "Li Wei."

    "Ronnie rk. Just like you, I¡¯m a running back, but I¡¯m just a backup, hehe, the fifth backup," rk said shyly.

    Now he was the team¡¯s second running back.

    If it wasn¡¯t for the team losing three running backs to injuries in a row, rk wouldn¡¯t have had the chance to step up.

    To be precise, rk had not yet yed in a game during his two seasons on the team, not even a single offensive snap.

    rk loved football, and so did his entire family. They were all die-hard fans of the University of bama¡¯s Crimson Tide Storm, and he never missed a game of Crimson Tide Storm from childhood to adulthood. Despite his limited talent, he still yearned to join the Crimson Tide Storm.

    Through perseverance and hard work, rk eventually made his dreame true and became a member of the Crimson Tide Storm. Even though he hadn¡¯t yed in a game yet, he relished it. He liked his life as it was, being a part of the Crimson Tide Storm and the football team, even if just as a backup, apanying the starters in practice¡ªhe enjoyed it thoroughly.

    He was living in his dream.

    Of course, if¡ªand it was just an if¡ªone day, he could step onto the field at Bryant Denny Stadium wearing the Crimson Tide Storm jersey, that would be better than anything.

    He hoped for it, but didn¡¯t dare to expect too much.

    So, in rk¡¯s view, he was the same as Li Wei, and indeed, not evenparable to Li Wei. Judging from yesterday¡¯s tryout, Li Wei had something special.

    But Li Wei didn¡¯t mind, "Hey, you¡¯re the fifth backup, I¡¯m a rookie, not even counted as a backup, so I think you¡¯re a bit more awesome than me."

    While saying this, Li Wei pinched his thumb and forefinger together to show a tiny gap.

    rk¡¯s smile immediately blossomed. Looking at Li Wei¡¯s sincere face, he wanted to say, "If you have any issues, you can ask me anytime." But the words got stuck in his throat out of shyness; he just smiled awkwardly instead.

    Li Wei patted rk¡¯s shoulder, "Looks like you¡¯re busy, so, can I help?"

    rk nodded his head repeatedly, "Of course, let¡¯s do it together. I¡¯m just bringing out the training equipment, nothing special. Marlon, are you joining too?"

    Humphrey didn¡¯t refuse, lost in his thoughts for a long time before suddenly eximing, "Good looks!"

    Li Wei and rk didn¡¯t understand.

    Humphrey danced over to them, "Good looks, that¡¯s the third good!"

    Li Wei blinked, "Tell me again, what are the three goods?"

    Humphrey, wide-eyed and speechless, was actually at a loss for words: The first two goods, he had just made them up on the spot.

    Li Weiughed heartily, "Mr. Nice Guy, wanna help carry stuff?"

    Humphrey stood there disheveled by the wind, but in the end, he followed them and helped with the embarrassment of defeat written all over his face.

    One after another, the yers also started to arrive at the field and voluntarily joined in to help carry the equipment out.

    Li Wei thought it should be the freshmen¡¯s job ording to the college¡¯s tradition, but rk told him that the Crimson Tide Storm did things a bit differently.

    Indeed, it was the freshmen¡¯s job, but they wanted to start training as soon as possible, valuing the NCAA¡¯s regted training time. So when they arrived at the training field in the morning, basically whoever got there first would start moving the equipment; and after training ended, the freshmen would be responsible for putting it back.

    A small detail like this demonstrated why the Crimson Tide Storm had been one of the mostpetitive teams in the NCAA over the past few years.

    In fact, moving the equipment could already be considered simple strength training, as each of these big beasts looked like siege engines.

    Training hadn¡¯t even started, but Li Wei had already experienced a taste of the scale that was different in football.

 Chapter 16: 016 Practical Exercise

    Bang! Bang bang bang!

    The muffled sound of hand-to-handbat reverberated above the field, instantly reeling back to an era of cold weapons¡ªalthough without any weapons, relying solely on physicalbat.

    Two armies shed, bays stained red.

    At that moment, a seven-man drill was underway on the field¡ª

    Tactical drills.

    The morning¡¯s basic training had already ended, novelty was indeed novel, and Football, unlike other sports, encouraged physical confrontations and even emphasized them. Speed, strength, resilience, explosiveness, endurance, etc., tested in every aspect, continuously probing one¡¯s limits.

    But seen from another angle, although training methods and equipment differed,petitive sports sharedmonality among disciplines by triggering one¡¯s potential in different ways, gradually reaching and even breaking through one¡¯s ceiling, thus turning strengths into lethal weapons.

    So, Li Wei was no stranger to this, from cross-country running he personally experienced to the soul-level realism of mixed martial arts, though never personally experienced, he had undergone various training programs, ultimately converging to the same essence.

    After a brief adaptation, Li Wei had already entered the zone¡ª

    Repetitive, tedious training, immersing himself in his own world, constantly challenging his limits, was routine for Li Wei.

    After basic training, the running back group headed to the gym to pump iron for strength training, where Li Wei met another running back:

    Josh Jacobs.

    A high school senior who would only officially join the University of bama in September, not yet considered a "freshman."

    In NCAA, considering the prohibition of team training in summer before the new season starts, the only collective training time avable was the April spring training camp, which meant that freshmen entering in September could not participate in the camp, hence NCAA had a special enrollment window in February each year.

    In February, based on ESPN¡¯s high school rankings, universities could extend invitations to their favored yers to join the spring training camp¡ª

    This was also known as "National Signing Day."

    As a traditional football powerhouse, the University of bama had exceptional appeal, signing all neen high school students on lists like ESPN¡¯s, including Ben Davis who ranked second on the ESPN list and Charles Baldwin, who was jointly first on three different lists as an offensive tackle.

    Jacobs was ranked thirty-sixth on the list.

    After witnessing Derrick Henry dominate as the starting running back for the Crimson Tide Stormst season, Jacobs, amidst various surprises during the spring training camp, took over the role of premier running back, bearing the burden of the new season¡¯s ground offense for the Crimson Tide Storm.

    Which is to say, he was facing Derrick Henry as a model¡ª

    Just to spoil a bit,st month, Henry, recently drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the draft, earned the nickname "Emperor Henry" among fans due to his aggressive style of y and dominating performances.

    And now, Jacobs had to take up Henry¡¯s mantle.

    The pressure, as one can imagine, was immense.

    Throughout the morning¡¯s training, Jacobs and Li Wei had only a handful of conversations, with Jacobs fully immersed in the training, sweating profusely.

    Afterpleting basic and strength training, and without specific drills for running backs, they had to shift into the team¡¯s tactical training.

    Normally, team matchups were "eleven VS eleven" with both offensive and defensive groups consisting of eleven yers on the field; but currently, Saban was conducting tactical adjustments, thus reducing it to seven-on-seven to elerate strategic transitions and simtebat more rapidly, keeping minds running at high speed.

    In front of him, fourteen core yers from the offensive and defensive groups were present¡ªLi Wei¡¯s attention was fully on the offensive group.

    The main running back was Jacobs and the starting quarterback was Jalen Hurts.

    Hurts was a storied individual; like Jacobs, he was still a high school student and would enroll in September. Ranked thirteenth among four-star high schoolers on various major lists, he entered the Crimson Tide Storm carrying hopes and dreams and was quickly approved by Saban as a starter.

    For Hurts, a bright future was gradually unfolding.

    But what Hertz didn¡¯t know was that in the next six years, he would experience dramatic ups and downs¡ª

    from starting quarterback of the Crimson Tide Storm to underperforming and being forced to transfer, from being generally underestimated and then picked in the second round of the draft to warming the bench at the Phdelphia Eagles, from taking charge in critical situations amidst countless controversies to leading the team into the Super Bowl in the 2022 season only to suffer a heartbreaking loss at thest moment, eventually signing a record-breaking contract for five years at two hundred fifty-five million US dors.

    Hollywood¡¯s favorite kind of biographical movie should be just like this, way morepelling than the one from 2010 titled "The Blind Side."

    Of course, Li Wei didn¡¯t know any of this.

    Even though he came from 2023, he swore he had no idea, even if he had seen the news unintentionally, he still couldn¡¯t remember the names.

    At this moment, in Li Wei¡¯s eyes, Hertz was orchestrating tactics, attempting to clear a path for Jacobs, which to Li Wei was something novel.

    If one does not delve deeper, watching a football game can often feel just like watching the hustle and noise, with a group of people constantly crashing into each other.

    But once you truly understand the positions, tactics, and matchups, football bes like a chess match, filled with wisdom and intricacies. It is by no means merely about physical confrontations; it¡¯s a sport where tactics vary infinitely and can evolve continually with the dynamics of the game.

    Like now, for instance.

    "Attack!"

    Hertz announced the snap.

    The entire lineup was like two armies facing off, each forming a line at the forefront, helmets nearly colliding, gazes shing.

    Apanied by Hertz¡¯s shout, the Defensive group immediately pressed forward while the front line of the Offensive group advanced to meet them, resulting in a fierce real battle collision.

    Hertz took the football from the Center, turned around without hesitation, and reached back to pass the football to Jacobs.

    Jacobs didn¡¯t hesitate, stepped forward immediately, and,pleting the handoff with Hertz, reached out to receive the ball.

    However!

    Before the handoff wasplete, a Defensive yer had already torn through the line, cutting into the Offensive side, with arms spread wide, lunging towards Hertz.

    Danger!

    Just then, Hertz and Jacobs misdirected¡ª

    Li Wei noticed that Jacobs hadn¡¯t taken the football; the two had just made a feint handoff movement before diverting their paths.

    Jacobs advanced, heading straight for the defending yer.

    Bang!

    Helmet harshly striking against helmet, a ripple of shock from head to body.

    Hertz continued to surge forward a few steps, skillfully pivoting counterclockwise, then turned again to face the field ahead, Jacobs¡¯ block buying him precious breathing time.

    Indeed, the football was still in his possession!

    He quickly scanned, adjusted his step, and his right hand alreadyunched the football towards the forward diagonal of the field, casting a rainbow arc across the sky.

    Forward diagonal, about fifteen yards out, an Offensive yer kept changing his center of gravity with nimble small steps, bobbing to shake Humphrey but unable to get rid of him. So, he simply backed into Humphrey, pushing hard against him to stubbornly secure the position, extended his arms, and plucked the football from the air.

    Connection, sessful!

    Fifteen yards, advanced.

    Thus, first down achieved¡ª

    Beautiful!

 Chapter 17: 017 Three-dimensional Deconstruction

    Prediction,yout, setting traps.

    That¡¯s the game before each y begins.

    Blocking, interception, coordination.

    That¡¯s the confrontation after each y starts.

    Bit by bit, Li Wei savored the different charms of football, because as a turn-based game, there was time to discuss andyout anew after each offense and defense, meaning that every offensive and defensive effort needed the formtion of tactics to engage, and tactics could vary greatly depending on the situation.

    No wonder Burns said¡ª

    Football requires physicality and confrontation, but if one only has these, they will never be an excellent yer, let alone a top legend.

    So, Li Wei began to observe and deconstruct, attempting to establish a framework of football through his own understanding, amidst the series of offensive and defensive ys.

    As a running back, he naturally began with the offensive group.

    Within the offensive group, there were eleven yers that could be divided into three parts.

    The first part, the quarterback.

    The quarterback is the fieldmander of the team, with the coachmunicating through a headset built into the helmet, setting the tactics for each y, which the quarterback then rys to the teammates.

    Responsible not only for executing tactics, choosing whether to pass the ball or to give it to the running back to carry; the quarterback is also tasked with interpreting the opponent¡¯s defensive tactics. Top quarterbacks are often able to decipher the strategy of the opponents within three to five seconds and can make on-the-spot changes to the tactics,pleting the final push forward.

    The second part, the offensive line.

    This is a "defensive line"posed of five people, with the center in the middle, guards to each side¡ªleft and right guard respectively¡ªand tackles at both ends¡ªleft tackle and right tackle.

    The task of these five yers is to block the opposing team¡¯s yers, buying time for the quarterback; their capabilities determine the range of space the quarterback has for thinking and adjustments.

    The protective constructed by the offensive line is known as the "pocket," and from it, types of quarterbacks emerge:

    Pocket quarterback, which is the traditional quarterback, staying entirely within the pocket, relying on the brain to control the game, with passing as their ultimate weapon.

    Mobile quarterback, the new generation of quarterbacks, who dare to leave the pocket, seeking opportunities with their legs, be it passing or running with the ball themselves.

    The third part, wide receivers, tight ends, running backs.

    Typically, there are three wide receivers, one tight end, and one running back, but the specifics might differ, with the possibility of two tight ends or two running backs due to the different functional roles of the yers.

    The running back, responsible for carrying the ball, forms a counterpart to the passing game in the air, seeking ground advancement, hence also known as the ground offense inplement to the passing offense.

    Wide receivers and tight ends are responsible for catching passes; they are the intended recipients of the quarterback¡¯s throws. However, there¡¯s a slight difference between the two.

    Wide receivers are more agile and faster, while tight ends are more robust and heavier.

    Therefore, wide receivers often receive long passes, also known as deep strikes; tight ends often receive short passes, using their physique to push through in the short-range area.

    Of course, this is all rtive; different tacticalbinations can always bring out the unique traits of various yers.

    How to find space within rigid prototypes, as well as how to break these prototypes and create surprises by forging new paths, is also a form of gaming.

    Just like the advancement that had just urred.

    In seven-man Football, the offensive line has only three people, and there are only two receivers.

    Naturally, the pocket is rtively less stable, and the offensive line must withstand tremendous pressure.

    So, Hertz and Jacobs used a deception tactic, with Jacobs not taking on the role of a running back but ratherpleting the offensive line duties, filling in the gaps in the pocket, and buying time for Hertz.

    In the end, Hertzpleted the pass.

    This kind of tactic is very interesting; within the traditional framework, it utilizes a misalignment to create an advantage, which is particrly refreshing to an outsider like Li Wei.

    Li Wei approached rk, "The fifth substitute, was that tactic just now something they came up with on the spot, or is it a standard tactical routine of the team?"

    rk got somewhat excited and, without noticing how Li Wei addressed him, eagerly exined, "Fake run, real pass ¨C it¡¯s a verymon tactic. That is, to make a movement suggesting a running y but actually pass the ball; the running back needs toplete the offensive line¡¯s tasks, helping to dismantle and block."

    Li Wei realized: a running back does not only need to be skilled in running with the ball but also needs to be skilled in blocking, providing cover, and tackling.

    Then, by generalizing, Li Wei asked, "So, is there also a tactic involving a fake pass but an actual run?"

    rk, with a face full of surprise, said, "How did you know?"

    Li Wei felt that it couldn¡¯t be that difficult. "Then, when executing a fake pass and a real run, are there also yers who need to help clear the way for the running back?"

    rk nodded, "Generally speaking, after discussing the running routes, the tackle on that side will coordinate movements toplete the block, and at the same time, the tight end will help dismantle the block. The tight end rams ahead like a bulldozer, and the running back follows in their footsteps behind them, then bursts through to continue advancing."

    So that¡¯s how it is.

    Within the short passing area, the tight end not only has to receive passes but also has to y the role of dismantling blocks and covering.

    "Short passing area," that was also a piece of knowledge Li Wei had just learned.

    Based on the quarterback¡¯s passing distance, anything within ten yards falls into the short passing area, emphasizing quick and frequent passes; between ten and twenty yards is the medium passing range, which calls for more tactical coordination; passes over twenty yards fall into the deep pass range, and such long-range strikes often rely more on the individual ability of the yers, including the quarterback and wide receivers.

    In the NFL, there is nock of uniquely gifted quarterbacks who can throw a pass sixty yards, covering half the field; but generally, uracy drops sharply for throws over thirty to forty yards. Also, yers need more time to build up their throwing power, which means the pocket protection provided by the offensive line has to be even more solid.

    Without a doubt, Football is a team sport¡ª

    Even though the quarterback is the core of the offensive group, without the running back sharing the pressure, without wide receivers and tight ends to catch passes, without the offensive line providing cover and clearing the path, individual ability alone is just for show.

    Only when the team works together does Football progress forward.

    The same goes for the running back.

    If there weren¡¯t the quarterback¡¯s cover on passes, the offensive intents of ground attacks would be exposed early, and the defensive group from the opposite side would press forward immediately, using a swarm tactic to block the path, making it difficult for even a Hulk-like running back to break through.

    Also, during a ground advance, the offensive line and the tight end need to block, and the wide receivers need to run routes to distract the defense. Only then can the running back search for openings to advance.

    The fundamental reason is that while the offensive group is strategizing, the defensive group on the opposite side of the field also initiates aprehensive confrontation.

    Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated.

    If one wishes to understand the coordination of the offensive group moreprehensively and in more depth, it is necessary to understand how the defensive group operates and to decipher their tactics.

    Without offense, there would be no defense, and without defense, there would be no offense. The two are both opposing and unified forms, just like in Go or chess, which is the ultimate charm of Football.

    Who says that running backs don¡¯t need to understand defense?

 Chapter 18: 018 Ready to go at it with great eagerness

    Unlike the offensive group, the defensive group needs to cover the entire field, so their teamwork is even more crucial¡ªboth specialized andprehensive.

    Thus, the structure of the defensive group is a bit clearer and can be simply divided into four lines, spreading across the fieldyer byyer from near to far.

    The first line, the defensive line.

    As the name suggests, corresponding to the offensive line, they stand at the very front of the team. Their task is very simple: break through the offensive line and stop the quarterback.

    It may be interference or it may be applying pressure, but the best case is a sack, which is wrestling the quarterback to the ground to end the offensive y right there.

    The second line, the linemen.

    They stand behind the defensive line, two to three steps back, divided into inside and outside linemen ording to their positions, with two main tasks.

    One is to defend against short passes.

    The other is to defend against running ys.

    In other words, ording to the official tactical manual, "lineman vs running back" is the standard matchup.

    Of course, the actual game may see many variations.

    In the tactical systems of the NFL and NCAA, there are two defensive systems: "4-3" and "3-4".

    "4-3" means four defensive linemen paired with three linemen, focusing more on pocket pressure, hence the defensive line has two defensive ends and two defensive tackles.

    "3-4" has three defensive linemen paired with four linemen, focusing more on defending the short pass area, with the defensive line featuring one defensive tackle and two defensive ends. Here, the defensive tackle is the sole point of attack, hence also known as the spearhead.

    Both defensive systems have their pros and cons; their sess depends entirely on the coaching level.

    The University of bama employs the "3-4" tactic.

    The third line, the cornerbacks.

    They are like wings, each positioned at the edges of the defensive line near the sidelines; their specific positions are not fixed and are generally adjusted ording to the wide receiver.

    From here, it can be seen that their task is to tie up the wide receivers, covering short and intermediate pass areas; but asionally, they also need to match up with the tight end and running back.

    The fourth line, the safeties.

    They stand behind the team¡¯s main camp, thest line of defense, but unlike the goalkeeper in ser, they can move freely in the backfield, ready to fill in any gaps.

    Depending on the focus of their duties, the safeties are divided into free safety and strong safety.

    The free safety is more agile, the strong safety is sturdier, so the strong safety is like half a lineman, responsible for backing up against the tight end and running back; the free safety is more flexible and mobile. A top free safety can cover different positions on the team,pleting the defensive line.

    Overall, all teams now employ two cornerbacks and two safeties, but whether the safeties are aplete set with one free safety and one strong safety depends on the coach.

    The most direct example was yesterday¡¯s tryout.

    Allen, the defensive end, his task was to defend against the running back and rush the quarterback.

    Foster, the lineman.

    Humphrey, the cornerback.

    Jackson, the safety, he is a free safety.

    Four yers, each representing one of the four lines of the defensive group, lined up from near to far.

    Generally, the running back is stopped at Allen¡¯s position or at most gets to Foster¡¯s position; both Humphrey and Jackson are not good at dealing with running backs.

    But unexpectedly, theypletely underestimated Li Wei¡¯s personal abilities, especially his agility, causing Allen to miss tackles repeatedly, not only allowing two fifty-yard touchdowns in a row but also, on the third attempt, despite being tackled, Li Wei still forcibly pushed forward ten yards.

    No wonder that when they arrived at the training field today, one by one, they looked at Li Wei as if they were seeing Godzi.

    Actually, if we simplify things a bit, we can look at the Defensive group in two areas ¡ª

    Frontfield; Backfield.

    The frontfield is manned by the Defensive line and the lineman; the backfield, by the Cornerbacks and Safeties.

    As for how to arrange, coordinate, and connect, this is the moment that tests a coach¡¯s ability. Theplexity of defensive tactics is no less than that of offense.

    All of this makes Football a sport with a unique charm.

    In other team sports, one often sees individual heroism, where one person¡¯s strength can turn the tide and overturn the situation, like a world-saving hero arriving on a Rainbow Cloud, but this is very rare in football. When it does ur, it¡¯s still backed by the power of the whole team.

    From his past life to this one, Li Wei had always fought alone, wrestling with himself and constantly challenging his limits. But now things were different.

    It was refreshing and special, apletely new challenge.

    For Li Wei, it was much like a Lego toy.

    Oneyer. Then anotheryer.

    One piece. Then another piece.

    First, deconstruct the offense and defense into scattered pieces, understand the role and duty of each piece, and then put them back together again.

    In a Football game, everything is interconnected.

    If one only focuses on oneself and fails to see the bigger tactical picture, one often falls into the dilemma of "not seeing the true nature of Mount Lu", hitting wall after wall without knowing why, thus unable to solve the problem.

    Of course, seeing the bigger picture doesn¡¯t necessarily mean the problem will be solved, but at least it means one won¡¯t be trapped in a vicious cycle.

    Initially, Li Wei thought he would juste to work and clock in, but now he had changed his mind. It was as if he had received aplex Rubik¡¯s cube. Restoring it to its original state was fun, but nowhere near as fascinating as exploring the principles to reveal the mystery, which made Li Wei eager to start.

    This spring was getting interesting.

    Bang!

    Another loud noise, Allen embraced Jacobs and took him down hard with a scissor-takedown move, just like in a video game.

    Li Wei licked his lips, as if he could sense the scent of blood, "Wait, why did the pocket copse so quickly this time?"

    rk caught Li Wei¡¯s slightly upturned mouth corner and the excitement in his eyes, blinking: Is this guy a vampire?

    "Fifth substitute?" Li Wei called out, receiving no response.

    It was then that rk snapped back to reality, took a deep breath, "Oh, because of the blitz. The Defensive group chose to blitz."

    "Blitz?" Li Wei savored the word carefully¡ª

    The lineman, who should be waiting for the running back or a short pass, took the initiative to move forward, converging with the Defensive line, and using their numerical superiority to forcefully breach through, causing the offensive line¡¯s Pocket to copse directly. Hertz was like amb surrounded by wolves, with no chance at all.

    In haste, Hertz hurriedly threw the football to Jacobs, trying to avoid being sacked.

    But Allen read the y, runched from his spot, and gave Jacobs no escape as he intercepted him fully, ending that offensive drive.

    "Heh, interesting." Li Wei showed a smile.

    It seems that the Defensive group isn¡¯t entirely passive; they could alsoy out ns and take the initiative. This is a clear difference between Football and sports like ser or basketball.

    In ser and basketball, the defense is often in a passive situation, with their goal/basket on the other side of the field, needing to cross halfcourt again to attack; but in a Football game, defense can mount an "offensive" right from their position, turning passivity into activity, and even score¡ª

    Yes, the Defensive group can score too, and this is what makes the turn-based territorial game so interesting.

    Seeing Li Wei¡¯s smile, rk shivered and gulped nervously: there¡¯s something a little off about you.

 Chapter 19: 019 Warm-up within the team

    Spring Training Camp, it ended¡ª

    Or rather, it was about to end.

    Three weeks shed by in the blink of an eye, toggling between studying and training every day; each day was exceptionally fulfilling. Before one knew it, time had slipped through the fingers, and without a chance to react, the training camp had reached its conclusion.

    Today, the intrasquad game was about to take ce, with the starters going up against the reserves.

    Then, after summarizing the practice game¡¯s gains and losses, next Sunday would be the long-awaited warm-up match, officially drawing a close to training camp.

    Although it was just an intrasquad scrimmage, the standards and treatment were no different from an official match. Just like on a game day, the residents of the entire town poured out, greeting the match with the exuberance of a carnival party, and even more delighted¡ª

    After all, this was an intrasquad game. Whether dealing with the palm or the back of one¡¯s hand, it¡¯s all one¡¯s flesh. To the residents, rather than the oue, they were more eager to see their children step onto the field.

    So.

    This was a party, with beer, popcorn, horns, jerseys, and cheering sticks, all present. The town had descended into a frenzy much earlier on.

    "Fight! Fight! Fight!

    Remember the Rose Bowl, and we shall be crowned!

    Aim for victory, full speed ahead!

    You are the pride of Dixie Football, Crimson Tide Storm, let the tidal roar! Roar!"

    The singing hovered over Bryant Denny Stadium, and the power of thousands singing in unison pulsed through the air, raising wave upon wave of heat.

    Incredible¡ª

    Was this really just an intrasquad scrimmage?

    Standing by the field and looking up around the stands, filled to the brim as far as the eye could see, were countless faces beaming with happiness and excitement, vigorously waving all sorts of cheering items¡ªthe sea of red jerseys transforming into a Crimson Tide.

    This was the power of home turf.

    And involuntarily, it set the heart surging, the blood boiling.

    The match hadn¡¯t even started yet, but one could already feel this wave of heat, silently bing one of the many spectators in the stands, then contributing their own voice, amalgamating into the stadium¡¯s presence.

    In reality, a practice game was still just that, a practice game. The stadium wasn¡¯tpletely filled¡ªa seat capacity of a hundred thousand had about seventy thousand seated¡ªbut the view was packed tight, making the air itself feel crowded.

    "For us, this marks the beginning of the season, and the start of a whole new year. No matter whatst season¡¯s results were, they¡¯re all in the past; and no matter how reality is, we¡¯re starting a new chapter right here."

    The voice came from rk.

    Li Wei turned to look over, "Us?"

    rk broke into a grin, "Yeah, us. I¡¯m a part of Crimson Tide Storm too." yers and spectators, were the same.

    Then, rk jumped up lightly, "The game is about to start, see you on the field."

    rk couldn¡¯t contain his excitement and dashed onto the field. Although this wasn¡¯t an official match, not even an external warm-up game, it was still the first time in history that rk was representing Crimson Tide Storm in a game with an audience¡ª

    Last year, rk was only the fifth substitute; even in intrasquad games, he didn¡¯t get a chance to y, but this year was different. He finally had the chance to represent the main team, and he was also ying as a starter.

    Today, in the "Starters vs Reserves" match, Jacobs and rk were assigned as the running backs for the starters¡¯ team, while Li Wei, who had entered the world of Football only three weeks ago, and the sixth substitute BJ-Emmons from Triple Star High¡ªBJ-Emmons¡ªtook on the role of the reserves¡¯ team running backs.

    rk was overjoyed. Ever since Saban announced the lineup, he had been in a state of thrill,ughing merrily every day as if he were a fool. To him, even being a reserve running back didn¡¯t matter, as long as he could wear the Crimson Tide Storm jersey on the field.

    "Look!"

    "That¡¯s my son, oh my God, that¡¯s really Ronnie!"

    "He looks so small."

    "Ha ha, ha ha ha."

    "It¡¯s him, that¡¯s him, number forty-four."

    In the stands, Tyree rk could hardly contain his excitement as he shouted to everyone around him, for fear that they might miss his son on the field¡ªlike a stick figure amidst the fray¡ª

    In a stadium of a hundred thousand people, it was indeed toorge; looking down from the bleachers, the yers were no bigger than matches.

    Danny rk, on the other hand, rolled his eyes speechlessly and slowly slid down in his seat, his shoulders hunched with embarrassment. It was as if his father weren¡¯t embarrassing enough, shouting all over the ce. It was just a practice game, for crying out loud, there really was no need to make such a fuss.

    But Tyree didn¡¯t care.

    "Ronnie!"

    "Hey, Ronnie!"

    Shouting at the field like a fool, he didn¡¯t care that his voice was immediately drowned out by the chanting of the crowd; he just kept on shouting.

    Then, the game began¡ª

    The starters, taking the offense.

    The reserves, beginning to defend.

    Since it was a practice game, neither starters nor reserves were assigned coaches to set up strategies; it was all up to the yers themselves.

    In official games, pre-match strategy is the job of the head coach, but calling strategies on the spot ording to the changing circumstances is not necessarily so.

    In most teams, the head coach calls the strategies, but they also specialize in either offense or defense based on their strengths, and it¡¯s rare for a head coach to be responsible for calling both offensive and defensive ys.

    Because the team also has specialized offensive and defensive coaches to assist the head coach in making strategic calls on the field.

    There are also a few teams where the head coach does not call strategies on the field, leaving it entirely up to the offensive and defensive coaches to perform their respective duties.

    The core reason is that strategies areplex and the game is ever-changing, just like in battle, where a general also relies on different talents among his subordinates.

    Today, Saban would not call the ys; it was a test of the yers¡¯ understanding and application of tactics, and more importantly, it was a test of the results of the spring training camp.

    The starting team¡¯s first offensive attempt was to no avail. They only managed to get a first down, then found themselves at a loss, unable to cope with the pressing pressure of the defensive group in the front field.

    At the University of bama Crimson Tide Storm, the offense is strong, but the defense is even stronger. As a yer, head coach Saban was a defensive back, that is, safety/cornerback, and he has always had his own understanding of defense.

    And the offense?

    Saban is not a coach who excels at developing quarterbacks, thus he relies heavily on Burns, using the ground game to break open the situation, which then opens up the entire set of offensive ys, solid in tactics and grounded in practicality.

    No wonder, since 2007, despite the University of bama¡¯s outstanding achievements, there hasn¡¯t been a single quarterback worth mentioning, while the position of running back has been continuously supplying talent; of course, even more so for the defensive group.

    Right from the start, the reserve team¡¯s defensive group gave the young Hertz a good lesson¡ª

    A practice game and practice may seem simr, but the intensity is entirely different.

    This rookie, who hadn¡¯t even graduated high school, was still a bit too green after just the spring training camp and had not fully adapted to the intensity of NCAA football.

    Unable to find a target in the fully blocked short-pass area, he panicked instantly, unable to urately decode the defensiveyout to find openings for passing.

    As a result, his passes were too slow, which put tremendous pressure on his offensive line, repeatedly being breached and giving the increasingly aggressive defensive group the opportunity, leading to a failed offense in all three downs.

    Helplessly, on fourth down, the starting team couldn¡¯t afford to take the risk, and chose to punt.

    What did this mean?

    The ball possession shifted to the reserve team¡¯s side, and Li Wei, along with his fellow reserve team members, took the field.

 Chapter 20: 020 Sharpening knives vigorously

    The so-called punt is where the special duty group¡¯s punter of the offensive team directly kicks the football out, forcefully kicking the ball; while the special duty group of the defensive team prepares to catch the ball on the other half of the field.

    After the defensive yer catches the football, they can continue to advance forward, which is called a "return."

    The offensive special duty group must stop this receiver because the position where the receiver¡¯s knee touches the ground will then be the starting point for the opponent¡¯s offensive group when they take the field.

    The most spectacr punt can pin the opponent¡¯s starting point at the one-yard line of the opposite end zone.

    The worst punt allows the opponent¡¯s returner to traverse the entire field unimpeded and reach their own end zone to score a touchdown, which is called a "return touchdown."

    Of course, there are other scenarios for punting.

    When the punter kicks off powerfully, either kicking the ball directly out of bounds, or flying out of the back of the opposite end zone, or falling inside the opposite end zone, the result is the same:

    The opponent¡¯s offensive group will automatically start their offense from their own twenty-five-yard line, which is called the "standard offensive starting position."

    In the past, the standard offensive starting position was at one¡¯s own twenty-yard line, but starting from 2016, the league changed the rules, moving it forward five yards to the twenty-five-yard line, so the NCAA also adjusted the rules ordingly.

    Just now,

    The main team failed on all three offensive attempts, ending up near their own thirty-five-yard line, and in order to avoid a failed fourth-down attempt giving the substitute team a closer offensive position to their own end zone, they could only choose to punt.

    The main team¡¯s football was directly kicked out of the back of the end zone, which means that the substitute team will start from their own twenty-five-yard line.

    Roar!

    Roar, roar, roar!

    Though the game had just started, Bryant Denny Stadium was already able to deeply feel the surge of the crowd, with fans cheering not only for the main team but also for the substitute team¡ª

    Who knows? Perhaps when the new season starts in September, someone from the substitute team might make it into the main lineup?

    Li Wei took the field.

    It was different.

    It was truly different.

    Li Wei, who had always been ustomed to fighting alone, could immediately sense the imposing presence of the field, a starkly different experience.

    This was "merely" the power of seventy thousand people; one could only imagine what a grand and imposing sight it would be if a stadium filled with a hundred thousand was fully seated?

    Just thinking about it made his blood boil with excitement.

    Moving onto the field with quick short steps, Li Wei raised his head and puffed out his chest, relishing the moment, enjoying the atmosphere and the sensation.

    Li Wei thought, what would it feel like if the whole stadium cheered just for him?

    He was ready to find out.

    The substitute team¡¯s quarterback, Cooper Bateman, whosest name sounded like Batman and whose stature also resembled Batman¡¯s¡ª224 pounds (102 kilograms), slightly cumbersome for a quarterback¡ªthus his teammates all called him Batman.

    Unfortunately, Bateman¡¯s professional prospects were unclear.

    He was a junior now, and would be a seniore September, yet he had always been a substitute, losing out to a freshman, Hertz, inpetition at the main quarterback spot during spring training camp, his hopes for going professional diminishing bit by bit.

    But Bateman was an honest man, still diligently training, ultimately defeating other opponents to be the team¡¯s second quarterback.

    "I think we should start with a ground attack,"

    Bateman said.

    Kneeling on one knee, Bateman was surrounded by his teammates from the substitute team. This honest man appeared somewhat unconfident, humble and straightforward. Instead ofmanding, he asked for his teammates¡¯ opinions, his eyes flickering with mixed emotions, both nervous and excited.

    Then, he looked toward Li Wei¡ª

    Because Li Wei was a running back and because of the hardships they endured together during the spring training camp, they had seen not only Li Wei¡¯s talent and effort but also his intelligence.

    From knowing nothing about football to now, Li Wei had be the team¡¯s official strategist. If anyone was still confused after a tactical training session, they would seek out Li Wei, who could undoubtedly rify doubts and enlighten them, a fact that had be a little-known secret within the team.

    Beteman himself had sought out Li Wei several times, and Li Wei never kept anything hidden; he didn¡¯t speak of "instructing" but always framed their interactions as exchanges and discussions.

    It wasn¡¯t just Beteman; the main yers in the defensive group were also keeping an eye on Li Wei.

    He raised his head, looked over the crowd, and then he could see Allen and Foster.

    Allen was jumping in ce lightly, rubbing his hands together eagerly, his eyes sparkling with excitement, as if he could hardly wait.

    Li Wei knew Allen really was eager¡ª

    As a defensive end, Allen¡¯s job was to capture running backs and quarterbacks, and capturing was one of the most dominating indicators for the defensive group, with the defensive ends often being the capture kings within the team.

    From the day Li Wei joined Crimson Tide Storm, Allen had been waiting for this practice game, not for revenge, but topete openly and directly with Li Wei during an official game, this time he would not underestimate his opponent.

    Noticing Li Wei¡¯s gaze, Allen shed a brilliant smile, slowly drew his thumb across his throat while continuously jumping like a flea, and then shouted to Li Wei.

    "So, ready to wrestle hard?"

    Li Wei grinned broadly, his face innocently, "Not ready yet."

    "Haha." Allen and the others around him burst intoughter.

    Allen, indeed, needed to be cautious, but Li Wei¡¯s attention was all on another person¡ª

    Number ten.

    To be precise, Reuben Foster.

    Li Wei didn¡¯t remember his name, but he remembered that this ordinary number ten was the linebacker from the tryouts, who initially didn¡¯t seem special, but within just three weeks of training, Li Wei realized Foster¡¯s excellence.

    Low-key. Focused. Serious. Steady.

    Although Foster was usually silent, he was also one of the captains of the defensive group, and moreover, the linebacker position was akin to the quarterback for the defensive group.

    In terms of positions, linebacker and quarterback were mirror positions, the linebacker was also a position in the defensive group with a built-in headset inside the helmet, responsible formunicating with the defensive coordinator, observing the offensive group¡¯syout and making judgments, and if necessary, he might adjust the defensive tactics¡ª

    Though not frequently. After all, the initiative was held by the offensive group, and the defensive group was mostly reactive.

    Foster¡¯s strengthy in his calmness, and he had his own ideas for tacticalyouts.

    Furthermore, the linebacker was the real natural enemy of the running back.

    The defensive setup for Crimson Tide Storm was a "3-4," which meant a setup of four linebackers, and Saban had his strengths in coaching linebackers.

    At this moment, Foster wasn¡¯t particrly focusing on Li Wei, but Li Wei could feel the attention from the number ten, a hint of murderous intent locking onto him.

    The fighting spirit andbativeness were already ame.

    Apparently, not just Allen, Foster had also quietly targeted Li Wei.

    Turning his gaze away, Li Wei looked towards Beteman, whose eyes betrayed a touch of uncertainty, thinking he couldn¡¯t really me Allen and Foster for being cautious, as they were all from the same team, all too familiar with each other¡¯s strengths and weaknesses.

    Besides, they had been sharpening their knives eagerly for three full weeks.

    It was time.

    Li Wei took a deep breath, looking at Beteman.

    "Okay."

    Without hesitation, he agreed bravely to face the challenge¡ª

    Ready to tackle it head-on!

 Chapter 21: 021 Breaking out of Chaos

    Li Wei met Beteman¡¯s gaze, his eyes shining with determination.

    "The main team thinks they can easily suppress us. They are the privileged, they have bright futures, and their careers are full of promise."

    "But they forget that this ispetitive sports where anything is possible. Until the game is over, the oue must always be questioned; this is football, a sport that relies on the power of unity to determine its course."

    "Yes, perhaps their individual skills are superior to ours, but in terms of understanding tactics and studying opponents, we may not necessarily be at a disadvantage. This is the key to changing the game."

    "Hey, Batman, since it started, we have to see it through to the end. Maybe we can¡¯t make it to the professional arena, maybe we don¡¯t even stand a chance, but this is our youth, our life, and we should be the ones to write its ending."

    "Whether to choose to dwell in sadness and bitterness, hesitating, or to choose to burn brightly without reservations and without regrets, the choice is in our hands."

    "So, let¡¯s truly enjoy it."

    Li Wei extended his right hand.

    Beteman felt a surge of passion. He had almost given up, running alone without seeing any goals or direction, and even began to question the meaning of continuing to practice and strive in his senior year.

    But now, he knew.

    Maybe, he was just seeking an ending for himself, to put a period at the end of his youth, then say goodbye to football and face new challenges in life.

    So, this practice match was hisst stage to shine unreservedly.

    Beteman looked at Li Wei and ced his right hand on top, his smile blossoming.

    One hand, two hands, soon, eleven hands were all stacked together, shouting in unison.

    "Roar! Roar! Crimson Tide Roar!"

    The fighting spirit was high.

    Then.

    Li Wei pulled Beteman aside and lowered his voice, "They¡¯re all watching me now, almost everyone believes we¡¯ll definitely start with a running y."

    After all, they were the Crimson Tide Storm, and just like the main team, Jacobs had started with a running y, but it hadn¡¯t worked well because they were too familiar with each other, using the same ybook, the defensive group had seen through it right away.

    Beteman was stunned, "What should we do?"

    Li Weiughed, "You¡¯re the quarterback, you should be asking yourself that."

    Beteman was a bit sheepish.

    Li Wei patted his shoulder, "Fake a pass and really run. You need to trust yourself. After the ball is snapped, make a quick short pass gesture to catch them off guard, then you decide on the spot. If there¡¯s a chance, don¡¯t hesitate and just go for it; if not, don¡¯t panic, I¡¯ll appear on the right side, and you can just toss it to me."

    The handoff between the quarterback and the running back doesn¡¯t always need to be hand-to-hand; sometimes it can be a short lob over some distance. This is a fundamental aspect of a diversified offensive strategy.

    After all, if the running back always immediately takes the football from the quarterback¡¯s hands, the defensive group¡¯s judgment and response be much more straightforward; they wouldn¡¯t need to worry about the wide receivers and could simply shut down the running back.

    Beteman quickly caught on, "A feint."

    Perhaps Beteman wasn¡¯t a uniquely talented yer, and his chances of going professional were slim, but his strengthy in his solid, steady approach to everything.

    Beteman immediately followed up, "Do you need to clear the field or create chaos?"

    "Chaos. Since they¡¯ve already figured we¡¯ll start with a running y, we need to create chaos and win from it," Li Wei¡¯s eyes gleamed sharply.

    The offensive group lined up, ready to go.

    Football is a game of turns; each offensive drive ends with forty seconds before the next drive begins, allowing the offensive group time to re-strategize. Legends like Peyton Manning often read the defense and adjust strategies about ten seconds before the snap to catch their opponents off guard and gain an advantage.

    Beteman wasn¡¯t Manning, and he didn¡¯t n to change tactics at thest second before the snap, but he was highly focused, taking in every position of the defensive group.

    As Li Wei had said, the defensive group was pressing forward aggressively, clearly betting that Beteman wouldn¡¯t dare to pass, especially not a long pass to the backfield, so they created a numerical advantage up front.

    Whew.

    Beteman calmed down, focusing on the game.

    So did Li Wei.

    Li Wei observed, taking in theplex positions of the defensive yers, trying to find patterns within the chaos and pinpointing key spots, then in his mind¡¯s three-dimensional view, he searched for a route to break through¡ª

    To Li Wei, this was all too familiar.

    In the past three weeks, Li Wei had not been idle, constantly using the training system to engage in Adrian Peterson model training.

    Now was the time for realbat application.

    "Attack!"

    Beteman¡¯s voice rang in his ears, Li Wei¡¯s muscles, tightened to their limit, fully extended as he suddenly thrust against the ground, sprinting not toward Beteman but diagonally to the right front.

    His target¡ª

    the gap between Humphrey and Allen.

    At the same time, the entire offensive line also pushed and shoved the defensive line to the right, thereby Li Wei could see his targeted range slowlypressing, defenders flooding in like a deluge.

    However!

    They did not press forward.

    Especially Foster.

    Clearly, they were caught off guard by Beteman¡¯s gesture to make a quick short pass, their steps which were just about to fully press forward abruptly halted, not just the lineman, but the defensive line¡¯s attempt to apply pressure hit a wall too.

    It was just a moment.

    Half a second?

    Maybe even less than half a second.

    Beteman turned around, with no time to carefully find a passing target in his haste, took a quick nce and then turned his gaze toward Li Wei.

    Li Wei: Oh no.

    From the corner of his eye, he captured the immediate change in Allen¡¯s expression and movements.

    Beteman¡¯s feint was too superficial, hastily executed; the quick turn and direction of his gaze betrayed his intentions, Allen, intensely focused, immediately picked up on the slightest hint despite facing some obstruction, his second reaction was very fast¡ª

    Li Wei.

    The killing intent from Allen, firmly locking on Li Wei.

    Li Wei was waiting for Beteman, his speed not fully unleashed, taking small adjusting steps, though he noticed Allen, he had no time left to change the tactic.

    A pause, a turn.

    Li Wei stood on the midpoint of the right side of the field, looking toward Beteman, who tossed the football to him; Li Wei smoothly caught the football into his arms.

    A thrust.

    Power, ignition, the strength of his calf muscles fully unleashed, with a burst of energy pushing off the ground to propel his body forward.

    Ahead, the narrowing gap was chaotic and crowded.

    But through Li Wei¡¯s eyes, he could see a fleeting gap.

    Ignition, eleration, exertion¡ª

    On his left, he could see a figure stumbling and sprawling with open arms, lunging towards him.

    It was Allen.

    Li Wei was both calm andposed.

    A step, lunging forward.

    A step, thrusting off the ground.

    Watching as Allen¡¯s figure erged in his pupils, then Li Wei had already used the momentum of his run-up to leap into the air.

    A jump.

    Soaring!

    Allen was dumbfounded, watching as Li Wei entered within his grappling range, but the next second Li Wei made a vertical leap, escaping the grappling crisis.

    Damn.

 Chapter 22: 022 A sensational success

    Li Wei, very calm, immediately noticed Allen¡¯s unstable center of gravity, for the substitute offensive line had been charging to the right all along. Even if they hadn¡¯t locked down every position precisely, that line of yers continued to ram forward like a train, unreasonably disrupting Allen¡¯s bnce.

    Allen¡¯s second reaction was prompt and quick, but when he lunged at Li Wei, his center of gravity was still unstable and off-bnce, with his body leaning forward too quickly. The brief moment of vulnerability became a breakthrough opportunity.

    Start running, sprint, take off.

    With the posture of a hurdler, Li Wei leaped into the air with a light and agile bound.

    Allen dove low, and though he iled with all his might above his head, he failed to grasp anything, swiping at empty air.

    Whoosh.

    A gust of wind.

    Allen hit the ground.

    Above and below, a misalignment.

    Li Wei had alreadypleted the breakthrough.

    Gasps.

    Exmations echoed as Bryant Denny Stadium, unprepared for such a scene, collectively gasped, shocked and dumbfounded.

    Li Wei,nding.

    His steps light as a cheetah; at this moment, his weight became an advantage. Although he looked slimmer than Beteman, he gained the advantage of agility, forging a path through a tear in the defense.

    Step.

    A push-off, a leap.

    Li Wei didn¡¯t hesitate. He crouched his knees to cushion the force of the jump, then surged forward without pause.

    In his peripheral vision, he could see Cornerback Humphrey attempting to move forward to defend, but his steps were blocked by a substitute team yer in the white away jerseys.

    It must be a Wide Receiver.

    This provided Li Wei with precious space because on his left side he could see the massive "train" that had disrupted Allen¡¯s bnce, and now the entangled train of the offensive and defensive groups was headed straight for Li Wei.

    Calmness.

    Li Wei didn¡¯t speed up; instead, he slowed his steps, weaving through the sh of offense and defense, spinning through the red and white tangle, as if entering a bullet-time state, looking for an opportunity to the right among the narrow spaces in close quarters¡ª

    Humphrey was tied up, leaving a small gap on the right side.

    If Li Wei could break through first, the field behind him would be wide open.

    But then.

    Foster appeared.

    Composed, yet decisively lethal.

    He tried to shake off the substitute Tight End Hale Hentges, who was attempting to block him, keeping his eyes fixed unwaveringly on the figure before him.

    Unstoppable.

    Hentges was putting in great effort, but he had to avoid fouling; he couldn¡¯t hold or hit. That¡¯s when Foster showcased the abilities of a main lineman and joint team captain, with a misstep and a sudden burst of speed.

    A sh.

    Hentges was thrown off like that.

    And then, Foster was already in front of Li Wei.

    In the surging crowd, jostling shoulder to shoulder, the bustling throng hardly left room to breathe, let alone see the exact positions of Li Wei and Foster, everything being engulfed by the masses, continuous interference noise.

    Including the two parties involved.

    Bumping and scraping along the way, neither man could fully unleash their speed and power, but Foster still took the initiative, forcefully stepping in.

    Danger!

    Li Wei immediately realized his own position; if Foster hit him squarely, he could lose control and be forced out of bounds.

    What to do?

    Face the difficulty head-on.

    Without hesitation or doubt, Li Wei made a split-second judgment, chose his course of action, and executed it, mming on the brakes with his right leg and heading straight for Foster, contrary to the expected move.

    Foster¡¯s heart tightened¡ª

    It was the second time since the tryout day that Li Wei decided to collide head-on and then break away with a spin, a tactic Foster had not forgotten. Was Li Wei nning to use the same trick again?

    The problem was, on that day, the field was open, leaving plenty of space for Li Wei to maneuver; not today, vision filled with people everywhere. If his forward momentum was insufficient, Li Wei might be walking into a trap, allowing Foster to make the capture.

    Foster: Opportunity?

    In the split second that lightning strikes, Li Wei and Foster were about to collide.

    Just at this moment, Li Wei extended his left hand, straightened it, and exerted force¡ª

    A push.

    This is a trump move for football running backs, though not exclusive to running backs, it¡¯s undoubtedly one of the mostmonly used moves by those who constantly engage in closebat¡ªalso one of the top running backs¡¯ most important weapons.

    It tested the burst of momentary explosive power and absolute strength.

    For Li Wei, though his absolute strength wasn¡¯t enough, as three weeks was too short, his explosive power was a strong point. Now, he just needed to exert that instantaneous burst.

    Straight Arm Block (stiff-arm), which is a professional football term used both as a noun and a verb, just like in front of him¡ª

    Li Wei straightened his left arm and, as Foster approached, forcefully pushed Foster¡¯s shoulder in a sudden motion, not just forming a support pole between the two of them but also attempting to disrupt Foster¡¯s center of gravity in that instant.

    This move was both a push and a shove.

    Bang!

    Li Wei and Foster collided fiercely.

    Ah!

    The force from Li Wei poured out in an instant, rudely pushing away Foster¡¯s left shoulder and immediately breaking Foster¡¯s bnce before forcefully pressing down.

    Foster grunted as the sh of speed and strength threw him into chaos, like a Ferris wheel at ten times speed¡ªjust a little more, just a tiny bit more, and he would have been flipped over.

    He had not anticipated this.

    To be honest, he did not anticipate Li Wei choosing a frontal confrontation with a Straight Arm Block, nor did he anticipate the ferocious power that Li Wei exploded with in an instant.

    In just three weeks, their understanding of Li Wei had mostlye from his speed, agility, and familiarity with the ybook¡ªas well as his stunning tactical reading and expansion ability that left the coaches in awe.

    But now?

    Damn it!

    He was yed again.

    What differed this time was that Foster was mentally prepared, and though flustered, he hadn¡¯t copsed. He clutched Li Wei¡¯s left arm like a lifeline to keep his bnce and then clung to Li Wei¡¯s arm, refusing to be thrown off.

    Pull. Pull, pull, pull.

    Foster turned himself into a tire, dragging down Li Wei¡¯s speed.

    One more moment, just one moment longer and the other defensive yers could close in.

    Li Wei also realized the imminent danger, as a sea of red swarmed around him in his vision¡ª

    He made a split-second decision.

    For the second time, the Straight Arm Block.

    A push, a hammer.

    Strength, fully unleashed.

    Foster: Ugh.

    Apanied by a muffled grunt, Foster crumbled, the entire world spinning around him.

    The entire stadium gasped.

    Li Wei had broken free.

    Li Wei had actually exerted his strength twice in a row to forcefully escape Foster¡¯s clutches, winning space again, restarting, and preparing to sprint.

    One step. Two steps.

    He had just taken two steps when he saw another lineman lunging at him, desperately trying to cut him off at an angle. It seemed inevitable that he would be tackled by Li Wei.

    In the nick of time, Li Wei came to an emergency stop, a quick sidestep, and watched as the lineman shed by in front of him like a gust of wind.

    However, Li Wei¡¯s feet did not stop. He continued charging forward along the left side, a stop, a change of direction, his calves propelling his body forward swiftly.

    Breakaway!

    Burst through!

    Blink, and you might miss this moment.

    Thus.

    It was an open field ahead.

    The entire stadium stood frozen in disbelief, watching as Li Wei forcibly cut through the thicket, breaking free from the melee, shaking off embrace after embrace three times in session, and single-handedly turning the defensive group¡¯s line upside down by his own strength.

    Then¡ª

    The figure wearing jersey number twenty-three burst forth like the tip of an arrow.

    Rip.

    The defensive line, torn open.

 Chapter 23: 023 Charge straight in

    Twisting and twirling, dancing gracefully¡ª

    Light and nimble footsteps move freely amid the chaotic battle, the elegant dance unstoppable even amidst the fiercest mes.

    A leap, a confrontation, a change in direction.

    All of it happens in just a few seconds, the oxygen barely processed in the lungs before the de is drawn.

    Sharp as a dagger.

    Number twenty-three breaks out from the disarray, leaving the surging heat waves far behind, and then, Li Wei fully elerates.

    Stomp.

    Power up.

    Take off.

    Only now is the speedpletely unleashed without any reservations.

    But!

    Having encountered too many impacts and obstructions in the dense formation, with a shaky center of gravity and disordered breathing, the start is slightly slower, and two red figures loom like a storm, rapidly closing in from both sides.

    What to do?

    In the midst of the tumult, Li Wei makes a snap decision and pushes off with his left leg, pivoting to the right.

    Amid the chaos and jolting impacts, he continues to push off the ground, the power from the depths of his Dantian erupting from below, casting off the red figure to the left and cutting to the outside of the red figure to the right¡ªthat is, the narrow passage between him and the sidelines¡ªelerating all out.

    Stomp.

    With a burst, Li Wei can see Jackson¡¯s face erging in his pupils, the cost of shaking off another yer is a head-on collision with Jackson.

    But Li Wei doesn¡¯t panic.

    Stomp.

    As Li Wei is about to use his speed to forcefully overtake, Jackson makes his move, lunging forward a step earlier¡ª

    Arms outstretched, attempting a grab,

    And secures a solid embrace, "Got him," Jackson thinks with joy.

    However, before the joy can rise to his heart, Jackson feels a force smash down upon him.

    Li Wei is moving forward.

    Not just charging, but the instantly erupting force hits Jackson head-on, continuously driving him back and forcing him into a panicked retreat. Jackson tries to nt his legs to brake urgently, but Li Wei¡¯s sudden burst of power prevails.

    Ah!

    Like a bulldozer.

    Even though strength is not Li Wei¡¯s forte, it isn¡¯t Jackson¡¯s either. They are simr in height and build, and Li Wei takes the lead with speed and positioning. He catches Jackson off-guard in the moment of his tackle, counteracting with a frontal collision that sends Jackson staggering from his own force.

    Ah, ah, ah!

    Li Wei seizes the opportunity and continues to push forward.

    Jackson is pushed back step by step.

    Then.

    Stomp.

    With another surge, Li Wei catches Jackson off-bnce, breaks free, elerates, and sprints, unbelievably achieving a second burst of eleration.

    "Jesus Christ!"

    ESPN¡¯s officialmentator Dave Pasch ispletely stunned, hardly able to believe his eyes. What are they witnessing?

    It was just a practice game after all, and it was the starters against the substitutes¡ªa time to rx and enjoy the festival atmosphere, all veryid-back.

    One second before, he had been leafing through the substitute offensive group¡¯s roster, his attention mostly on the starting defensive group, taking his time to notice these yers.

    The next second, Pasch is dumbfounded by what he¡¯s seeing, throwing out words.

    "Jump. Hurdle."

    "Straight Arm Block. Oh, another Straight Arm Block."

    "Cut."

    "Another cut."

    "Incredible!"

    "Tackle, and Jackson finally manages to grab hold of this number twenty-three."

    That was when the exmation to God urred, as Pasch¡¯s eyes widen, watching intently as the running back in the number twenty-three white jersey¡ª

    As everyone knows, you watch the Crimson Tide Storm for the running back.

    But Derrick Henry¡¯s brilliancest season was such that all other running backs were overshadowed. Now that Henry has gone professional, even if the Crimson Tide Storm were to train another top running back, it would take at least one or two seasons. Therefore, this season, expectations for the Crimson Tide Storm should be adjusted slightly.

    But unexpectedly!

    "Oh, no!"

    "Number twenty-three didn¡¯t stop his feet, he continued to sprint, to break through."

    "Shedding tackles!"

    "Jesus Christ!"

    "Number twenty-three sheds Jackson¡¯s tackle; that¡¯s the third tackle he¡¯s avoided in this drive alone, unbelievable, he¡¯s moving forward, he¡¯s elerating."

    "Fifteen yards!"

    "Twenty yards!"

    "Number twenty-three is not only running the first offense, but also continuing to break through. The aggressive press forward by the Red Team¡¯s defense has left the entire backfield vacant. Now all Red Team defenders are chasing White Team¡¯s number twenty-three, a scene reminiscent of a pack of wolves hunting down a gazelle."

    "Harrison is charging over!"

    Ronnie Harrison, another safety from the Crimson Tide Storm, he is the strong safety.

    ording to the n, Harrison should have intercepted Li Wei first, as he was the best choice to match the running back, but Li Wei noticed Harrison approaching and immediately changed direction, opting to break through from Jackson¡¯s side.

    In the midst of the melee, Harrison¡¯steral cut required him to move mountains, so he couldn¡¯t get there in time, and the whole situation waspletely different.

    "A race for speed!"

    "Number twenty-three and Harrison are side by side in a race for speed, Harrison is closing in strongly, showing an excellent burst of energy, visibly narrowing the gap between them."

    "Thirty yards!"

    "Harrison, oh, Harrison! Humphrey is also closing in!"

    "Thirty-five yards!"

    "What? What!"

    "Number twenty-three is elerating, he¡¯s reached his top speed, Harrison can¡¯t keep up, he¡¯s falling behind, unable to close the distance that hadn¡¯t beenpletely narrowed, now only Humphrey is left."

    "Humphrey just got tangled up, but after breaking free, he¡¯s chasing with all his might."

    "God!"

    "Forty-five yards! Fifty yards!"

    "Number twenty-three is running faster and faster, Humphrey can only barely keep up, unable to close the gap, with only an arm¡¯s length space between them."

    "Humphrey is elerating, Humphrey is pushing hard to speed up, closer now, even closer."

    "Opportunity!"

    "This is the opportunity!"

    "Humphrey goes for a diving tackle, putting all his eggs in one basket."

    "Beautiful!"

    "Number twenty-three high-steps, as if he had eyes in the back of his head, noticing Humphrey¡¯s desperate lunge, he evades the tackle with a high step."

    "Eluding!"

    "Humphrey was so close, just a hair away, but a hair¡¯s breadth away from sess, he came up short."

    "No one can stop him now, no one! Dusting thepetition! Breaking away!"

    "End zone!"

    "Touchdown!"

    "A seventy-five-yard rushing touchdown, unbelievable! Incredible! An entire seventy-five yards, having shed a total of five tackles, breaking through the encirclement."

    "The White Team scores the first points with a seventy-five-yard ground rush into the end zone, wow! Unbelievable!"

    Pash was just tingling with excitement, unable to control himself any longer, he stood up from his seat, erupting with joy like a volcano.

    "Who is he, number twenty-three, who is he really?"

    In the end zone, Li Wei finally stopped running, panting heavily, his face flushed, but turning around to see the chaos and devastation he left behind, a smile crept across his lips¡ª

    That wreckage was his aplishment.

    Then, raising his hands high, he shot straight up into the sky.

    It is the official touchdown gesture in football, mimicking the goalpost¡¯s forks, arms straight out and facing up to the sky, signaling a sessful touchdown.

    The Bryant Denny Stadium went mad,pletely insane; without any mental preparation, the first climax set off the Crimson Tide Storm.

 Chapter 24: 024 First to reach the end zone

    Touchdown!

    Touchdown!

    Touchdown!

    The entire stadium erupted into frenzy. They were not yet mentally prepared, yet the touchdown had alreadye, from the reserve team, and in such a way; it was the familiar recipe of the Crimson Tide Storm, an unexpected surprise catching everyone off guard.

    The entire ce was boiling over.

    Li Wei stood still, a smile crawling over his lips, so this was the taste of scoring a touchdown, so sudden, so thrilling, he felt he might get addicted to it.

    Why not score a few more?

    "Li Wei, aaah!"

    "Touchdown!"

    One by one, the reserve offensive group members who had just walked shoulder to shoulder with Li Wei, helping clear the blocks, swarmed over, enveloping Li Wei in their midst.

    Even Beteman was no exception.

    Normally, a quarterback would patiently stand in the pocket and watch the chaos ahead, but he couldn¡¯t contain his excitement and followed the offensive line in the charge.

    Li Wei looked at Beteman¡¯s face, so overjoyed he was speechless, and bumped him hard on the shoulder, "How about it, are you ready now?"

    Beteman touched his helmet andughed sheepishly, "Ready."

    On the edge of the field, Burns couldn¡¯t hold back either, throwing his arms up in the air, and then clenching his fists, shouting, "Well done, well done, well done," in passionate celebration.

    Turning around, Burns saw Saban with a smile but a hint of helplessness, "Burns, is this really okay? The kids are watching."

    Burns curled his lip, "A little excitement is good. The Red Team¡¯s offense didn¡¯te through, they need to learn from the White Team¡¯s spirit."

    Saban took a deep look at the field, as Li Wei and Allen exchanged a gaze. Even without any special movement, the tension of strong forces shing already filled the air, "Who do you think nned thatst offensive y for the White Team?"

    "Beteman, who else?" Burns said as if it were obvious.

    Saban revealed a mysterious smile and shook his head lightly, "I think you might have really found a treasure, I¡¯m beginning to look forward to it too."

    Li Wei¡¯s talent was unquestionable; his explosiveness and agility were outstanding,ying the foundation necessary for a good running back. But from the perspective of this training camp, Li Wei¡¯s observation and decision-making abilities were the talents that determined his ceiling.

    Although Li Wei was still learning and his understanding of tactics was somewhat naive, his observations and decisions regarding the overallyout were incredibly precise.

    In thatst bout of offense and defense, the Red Team¡¯s tight ground defense tactics were clearly seen through by the White Team. Not only did they not back down, but they also used a fake pass and a real run y, and exploited the chaos created by the offensive line to disrupt the Defensive group¡¯s arrangement, finally relying on Li Wei¡¯s individual ability to break through.

    Even if Li Wei hadn¡¯t yed well, the first attack would have been easily scored, but as it was, Li Wei was evidently very active and proactive, transforming the first attack into a seventy-five-yard rushing touchdown.

    This practice game was getting interesting.

    But the game had just begun¡ª

    Football games are divided into four quarters, eachsting fifteen minutes, with a half-time break between the two halves. Each half has three timeouts, eachsting twenty-five seconds.

    Even though football¡¯s time management isn¡¯t as fric as basketball¡ªwhere a gamble on thest second could yield countless possibilities¡ªit¡¯s not far off. How to use timeouts effectively, how to use the rules to legitimately stop the clock for managing time, thest three to five seconds could also overturn a game.

    This is what tests a coach¡¯s capacity for on-the-spot adaptability and crisis management.

    Today¡¯s practice game was no different; it would y out in full.

    To Saban, the White Team had initiated with a surprise attack, catching the Red Team off guard; however, the Red Team was also well-prepared, especially with Allen leading the defensive group, sharpening their knives and united in purpose.

    If the White Team relied solely on Li Wei, the effect of their surprise attack would soon be detected. Once or twice might work, but not a third time. After all, football is a team sport ¨C victory requires the entire team¡¯s active participation.

    Indeed, Saban was experienced and immediately saw the underlying patterns of the game.

    Both sides had reached a deadlock¡ª

    "0:7".

    Halfway through the fourth quarter, the only score remained the sensational long run by Li Wei at the beginning of the game, which not only earned six points for the touchdown but also added an extra point for the White Team, who were the substitutes. Then, both teams got stuck in the mire.

    The White Team¡¯s defensive group performed extraordinarily well. Inspired by Li Wei¡¯s opening breakthrough, the substitute yers were at 120% morale, which caused sessive setbacks for the Red Team¡¯s offensive group. Under pressure, Hertz¡¯s performance was still frantic, showing his greenness.

    It was hard to imagine that the Red Team had only crossed midfield once, and even their initial attacks were a mere four feeble attempts, facingplete suppression at the offensive end.

    On the flip side, the Red Team¡¯s defensive group also upheld the Crimson Tide Storm¡¯s excellent tradition by applying full pressure on defense, causing significant difficulties for the White Team¡¯s offensive group.

    Li Wei continued his impressive performance, but relying solely on him proved ineffective. Ultimately, the Achilles¡¯ heel was quarterback Beteman¡¯sck of precision in clutch passing situations. Without the ability to open up the game through passing, they resorted to ground attacks again and again, only to metaphorically run into a wall¡ª

    Because the opponents knew that Beteman¡¯s passing couldn¡¯t break through, they correctly guessed a ground attack was likely. The defensive group¡¯s strategy then became much simpler, just needing to crowd the short-pass area and the front line.

    A numbers game in football can be a decisive advantage.

    Hertz performed mediocrely under pressure while Beteman fared even worse.

    Li Wei... shouldering the team¡¯s offense alone meant he couldn¡¯t go far. After all, the opponents were the main team, and the main team¡¯s absolute strength eventually suppressed the substitutes.

    Nevertheless, Li Wei still shone in this game, with a total ground advance of two hundred yards. Even after deducting the seventy-five yards from the first long run, he still easily broke past the one-hundred-yard mark, securing nine first downs for the White Team¡¯s offensive group with his exceptional performance.

    Unfortunately, the standoff between the two teams continued¡ª

    At this point, one could see the shorings of NCAA football, where tactics are not as varied. Without the guidance of a coach, the yers have too few options, which leads them to repeatedly hit the same wall.

    And Li Wei?

    Smart as he was, his study of football had been a mere three weeks, and much of his knowledge was still at a beginner¡¯s level, so he had no immediate solutions.

    Then, amidst the standoff, Hertz finally brought out his talent, alternatively pushing on the ground himself and making consecutive short passes to open up the y. Somehow, he managed to cross midfield through a series of stumbles.

    In the end, the White Team¡¯s defensive group narrowly intercepted Hertz near their own twenty-five-yard line, but the Red Team¡¯s Special Duty Group easily kicked a field goal, putting the main team on the scoreboard atst.

    "3:7".

    They had finally broken the deadlock.

    The Red Team¡¯s morale soared with ample time left in the game. If Hertz could maintain his performance, they still had a chance.

    Ah!

    Hertz finally let out a roar, showing the fearlessness of a green cow, proving with his actions that there was a reason he could serve as the main quarterback.

    The air was aze.

    Li Wei immediately felt the shift in the atmosphere; although the main team had only scored a field goal, it shouldn¡¯t be forgotten that the substitute team¡¯s offense had also been hitting a wall. Now, with the main team¡¯s momentum rising, the dazzling red sea seemed to turn into their energy.

    The crisis was subtly creeping in.

 Chapter 25: 025 Steady and Steadfast

    Fury! Roar!

    Fury! Roar!

    The voices of seventy thousand people lingered in the air above Bryant Denny Stadium for a long time. Although Li Wei knew that the Crimson Tide in front of him wasn¡¯t their enemy, merely ncing at his own white jersey made him feel theyers of pressure pouring down, making him feel incredibly small.

    However, it was precisely because of this that a sense of pride surged within him.

    A storm, what of it?

    Let the storm rage fiercer then!

    The more difficult it got, the calmer he became, the more dangerous, the more exhrated he felt, and Li Wei¡¯s thought process became clearer. Then he realized he had been too hasty.

    Because the first drive was too seamless and straightforward, and given that there had been no real challenge in spring training camps, Li Wei had been overly assumptive. Although he continuously emphasized that Football was a team sport, he hadn¡¯t fully realized the pressure and impact brought about by a united Defensive group.

    Naturally, he appeared too eager for quick results, always desiring significant yardage.

    But rk had told Li Wei that a running back¡¯s ground advancement always faced numerous difficulties, gaining a yard or two was normal, and getting tackled behind the line of scrimmage, losing yards was alsomon, which would be negative one yard or negative two yards. Therefore, the average yardage gain for a running back was typically three to four yards.

    If they could surpass five yards, they were among the elite of the elite.

    In other words, small yardages were normal, and fierce head-to-head collisions weremonce.

    The mindset needed a slight adjustment.

    "Hey, Batman, are you ready? It¡¯s our turn to go on."

    Betemancked confidence and was somewhat parched. Now that the starting team had burst with energy and disyed their true strength, while the whole stadium was cheering them on, could they possibly not stop the starters¡¯ momentum?

    Hearing Li Wei¡¯s words, Beteman turned to look and instantly saw Li Wei¡¯s bright eyes and calm smile, exuding a confident and easy aura from within, which made him involuntarily swallow his saliva.

    Li Wei met Beteman¡¯s gaze, "This time, we fake a run and go for a real pass, how about that?"

    Beteman blinked; although hecked confidence, looking into Li Wei¡¯s eyes, he replied, "Alright."

    Li Wei noticed Beteman¡¯s uncertainty, revealed a big smile, and stretchedzily, "Hey, buddy, you¡¯re not fighting alone."

    Beteman felt a bit more at ease.

    Then, the White Team¡¯s Offensive group took the field.

    At the twenty-five-yard line.

    First down.

    Beteman took a deep breath and involuntarily looked back at Li Wei. He didn¡¯t know why, but seeing the determined nod from within Li Wei¡¯s helmet, thest bit of uncertainty in his heart evaporated.

    Then¡ª

    "Attack!"

    Beteman caught the football with both hands, backpedaled continuously, and turned around, ready to hand it off to Li Wei, but the two of them mismatched and kept moving on their respective tracks.

    Li Wei, without any pretense, feigned holding the non-existent football, scanned the field, trying to find a breakthrough path, and immediately spotted Allen and Foster in the surging crowd.

    Cutting in.

    Li Wei did not run towards the sidelines but cut inside, aiming to break through the middle. Allen immediately threw off his match-up and rushed towards him.

    In the densely packed crowd, Allen urately located Li Wei¡¯s figure¡ª

    Tackle!

    Allen was pleased, he had tackled him.

    However.

    He was immediately stunned, wait, something was off, not only was he tackling Li Wei, but Li Wei was also tackling him.

    Block. Trap.

    Allen¡¯s mind shed a thought, and as he looked up, he saw Li Wei¡¯s face in the helmet, smiling with a grim foreboding that tightly gripped his heart.

    Darn it!

    Allen couldn¡¯t focus on Li Wei; he only saw the football slide across the sky andnd snugly in another White Team member¡¯s embrace. Surprised, his peripheral vision caught a glimpse of Foster¡¯s awkward slip as he tried to restart after an emergency brake,¡ªclearly, they had all made the wrong judgment.

    ¡ªEight-yard gain.

    The Red Team¡¯s Defensive group still reacted promptly, setting up multiple obstacles in the short pass zone, because of Beteman¡¯sck of long-pass threats, they could focus their efforts on short and mid-range areas, gaining them some initiative, just like then.

    Although White Team Wide Receiver Robert Foster sessfully caught the ball, he couldn¡¯t advance before being tackled to the ground.

    Advance halted at eight yards, no first down achieved.

    Wide Receiver Foster and Linebacker Foster, despite sharing the same surname, had no blood rtion and grew up in entirely different environments. In the team, they were distinguished by their jersey numbers.

    Wide Receiver was number one Foster, Linebacker was number ten Foster.

    Even though number one Foster did not achieve a first down, this y of White Team with a fake run and real pass was extremely secretive and quite sessful, Beteman¡¯s connection was timely and urate.

    Besides, this was a passing offense.

    Just as the Red Team found their unstable footing, they immediately settled down, while the White Team also found some focus.

    Beteman exhaled softly and high-fived Li Wei to celebrate.

    Perhaps some might wonder, why not focus on passing when a single pass can move thirty or fifty yards, while a running attempt might make a sluggish three to five yards?

    In today¡¯s NFL, passing offenses are increasingly valued, yet the truly smart top coaches still won¡¯t overlook ground attacks.

    That¡¯s the reason.

    Depending on the running game to restrain the Defensive group, so as to create opportunities for passing; conversely, depending on passing offenses to disrupt the Defensive group¡¯syout, thus opening spaces for ground advancement.

    Bnced pass-run.

    That is the correct way to initiate offense; otherwise, relying solely on passing or running would face considerable difficulties in football matches.

    This short pass, although it did not secure a first down, had opened up new avenues in the passing game, necessitating a slight adjustment in the Red Team¡¯s defensive judgment and setup.

    Beteman quietly eyed the opposing Defensive group, trying to discern Allen and number ten Foster¡¯s tactical intentions, but it didn¡¯t yield much as they still followed the original pattern. So, how should their next offensive tactic be arranged?

    Returning his gaze to Li Wei, Beteman then saw a warrior¡¯s resolve in Li Wei¡¯s eyes.

    Unspoken understanding.

    As a quarterback, thoughcking creativity, Beteman¡¯s reservoir of tactics within the framework was still adequate. He promptly called the Offensive group together, quickly finalizing the tactical setup before the forty-second countdown ended¡ª

    Ready to proceed.

    Li Wei, standing behind Beteman, couldn¡¯t actually see anything in front of him other than Beteman¡¯s back, but simrly, the Defensive group couldn¡¯t see Li Wei, thus could not predict his next move.

    Attention intensely focused.

    "Attack!"

    Upon hearing themand, Li Wei propelled forward along a straight line towards Beteman¡¯s position without hesitation.

    As they were about to collide, Beteman stepped aside to the left, ball in his right hand, extended t, passing the football to Li Wei.

    Li Wei smoothly secured the football and continued his full-speed charge straight ahead without stopping or slowing down.

    The Offensive line ahead, in perfect synergy, pushed the Defensive line aside, creating a path that opened up like the Red Sea parting for Moses, straight and clear.

    The gates were wide open!

 Chapter 26: 026 A game

    Running back or quarterback, their outstanding performances are always indebted to a ster offensive line.

    In a football game, the offensive line is responsible for protection and for clearing the path. Their blocking shields intercept the enemy¡¯s first wave of assault, thereby creating opportunities for the running back and quarterback.

    Thus, when evaluating the performance of running backs and quarterbacks, one can never ignore the role of the offensive line:

    If there is a top-tier offensive line, a running back or quarterback scoring 60 points turning in an 80-point performance is not unexpected. Their evaluation requires discounting.

    Conversely, if they face a badly perforated offensive line, and a 60-point running back or quarterback turns in an 80-point performance, it¡¯s considered a miracle. That means they are carrying the entire offensive group forward.

    The Crimson Tide Storm has a decent offensive line; although not top-tier, it¡¯s among the first tier in the NCAA, which is why their running back frequently gains ground.

    At that moment, it was the same.

    Beteman set the tactics: the running back was to break through the middle, that is, to advance from the heart of the defensive group¡¯s territory. Relying solely on the running back¡¯s physical collision was an impossible mission as he would quickly get stuck in a melee; the running back needed the offensive line to clear the way and provide cover.

    The Crimson Tide Storm¡¯s offensive line did just that ¡ª

    Whoosh.

    The five offensive linemen, like pushing open a thousand-pound gate, split to the left and right, forcibly pushing back the opposing defensive line.

    Then, a fine, straight path appeared before Li Wei.

    Li Wei, feet pushing off, burst forth in an instant, dashing out rapidly, crossing the scrimmage line in just two or three steps.

    Whoosh!

    A step forward, sideways charge, embodying the mode of a bulldozer forcefully advancing.

    In a football game, the middle path is often the area heavily packed with troops. If a running back chooses to advance through the middle, it¡¯s about forcefully pushing through using strength and body. Though clumsy, it could lead to surprising effects¡ª

    Especially when advancing one or two yards, jokingly referred to as "plowing one yard," like a pig foraging through cabbages.

    Li Wei wasn¡¯t a power-type running back; his routes typically focused more on nking or even the sidelines, using his vision and explosive power to find breakthroughs. But for this reason, this y was about bucking the stereotypical expectation and seeking a breakthrough in the middle.

    From the start, the goal was clear¡ª

    Don¡¯t be greedy. Just two yards was sufficient, just to secure the first down, then they could continue their strategy, steadily and systematically proceeding.

    Feet on the ground.

    Thus, Li Wei was prepared.

    He knew overpowering strength wasn¡¯t his forte, so from the start, he bent over, tucked in his shoulders, adopting a defensive posture to withstand the impact, facing the difficulty head-on, pushing past the scrimmage line and continuing forward.

    One yard.

    Two yards.

    In an instant, two yards were gained.

    Clearly, the Red Team¡¯s defensive group hadn¡¯t been able to decipher the White Team¡¯s offensive intentions.

    In today¡¯s game, the White Team¡¯s offense had been very aggressive and risky, with Li Wei, who undertook the offensive burden, constantly sprinting everywhere, yet at this moment, he chose to y steadily. Moreover, a sessfully deceitful y had allowed them to advance a significant distance, providing a solid foundation for the White Team¡¯s offense.

    Allen and Foster¡¯s judgments were mistaken; they didn¡¯t surround the middle in time.

    First down, secured.

    Opportunity!

    Li Wei didn¡¯t feel the anticipated fierce collision or vicious tackle, sniffing out the tactical opening right away. His body remained in a tucked, defensive posture, fully unleashing the power from his push off, seizing the chance to proceed immediately.

    Bang!

    A half step, a mere ongoing gap for additional pushing, was just half a step indeed. Li Wei had just begun his push when he hit a wall, brutally crashing into a wall of flesh, yet Li Wei wasn¡¯t surprised.

    This was the risk of choosing to advance through the middle; even if the defensive group¡¯s judgment was off, the speed of backup in the middle was very fast. Moreover, Crimson Tide Storm¡¯s defensive group had four linebackers, so the human wall and fleshy shield facing the running back was particrly thick.

    Li Wei was ready, and that¡¯s why he wasn¡¯t in a rush to raise his head.

    Impact!

    Push off!

    Burst!

    Like a pangolin, Li Wei forcefully mmed with his shoulder sideways, from below upwards, flipping it with the force of a head-on impact.

    "Power VS Power".

    Ah! Ah Ah Ah!

    "Head-on VS Head-on".

    Boom!

    The roar in his eardrums, Li Wei could feel the massive weight of the flesh wall copsing backward; the reaction force churned his viscera, but the energy deep in his Dantian kept burning and releasing.

    An ident, a confrontation, forcibly breaking through.

    Cleverly strategic on paper, confrontational in execution, the tussle between offense and defense already had its oue, however, Li Wei¡¯s attack hadn¡¯t ended yet¡ª

    The first strike, already gained, so everything after that was a bonus.

    Pushing off with his left leg, using the impetus from the collision and the meat shield before him for support, he seamlessly spun counterclockwise, removing all inertia from the reaction, then he finally raised his head to survey the chaotic scene ahead.

    A quick sweep.

    That is, a swift nce; positions of the crimson shadows entered his view, faces unclear but still able to depict the moving trends of the red halos, Li Wei¡¯s brain quickly kicked into gear, seizing the spatial aspect¡ª

    To the right side horizontally, Foster was approaching.

    To the frontal left diagonally, another lineman rapidly returning starts a fast cross-cut.

    To the rear right diagonally, an unclear defensive lineman was turning around.

    To the rear left side, the lineman he had just knocked open was attempting to pull at Li Wei, risking the penalty of holding to prevent Li Wei from getting away easily.

    Directly in front, two safeties were approaching, with Strong Safety Harrison leading.

    Behind, out of sight yet still sensible, a wave of heat and pressure crashed against his back like a massive wave, skin burning.

    Surrounded by adversaries, ambushed from all sides.

    But it was not unexpected, this is what one encounters when advancing through the middle.

    So, what would NFL legend running back, Adrian Peterson, do at this time?

    Three weeks of celebrity temte training experience, making Li Wei exceptionally calm, judgment and choice made in a sh¡ª

    Since the first attack was already secured, why not let them y around a bit, right?

    A smile, crept up the corners of his mouth.

    He could taste a hint of blood, adrenaline bursting and blossoming in his blood, the game had begun.

    All of it, just a moment in his mind, he hadn¡¯t even had time to breathe out, and Li Wei¡¯s steps had already controlled themselves.

    Forward one step, but not merely a casual step, it was to the left then circling and finally to the right, like a waltz step, maneuvering past the lineman on the rear left diagonal and then past Foster on the horizontal right, finishing at the spot right behind that earlier lineman.

    A loop around.

    Treat that poor lineman as a pir, just now Li Wei was in front of the pir, now escaping Foster¡¯s dive, he moved behind the pir.

    It looked simple, yetplicated.

    It looked shy, yet clean.

    Foster¡¯s eyes, hidden behind his helmet, widened nearly popping out¡ª

    How¡­ what happened?

    He hadn¡¯t anticipated Li Wei breaking through the middle, nor did he expect Li Wei¡¯s advanced dodging skills,pletely treating the two linemen as if they were ying monkey in the middle.

    ESPNmentator Pash revealed the truth.

    "Adrian Peterson!"

 Chapter 27: 027 One falls, another rises

    ESPNmentator Pash was searching for his jaw as pieces of his sses scattered across the table.

    It goes without saying that Adrian Peterson of the NFL Minnesota Vikings, a running back, is exceptional. Though he hasn¡¯t retired, he had already secured a spot in the Hall of Fame and even possessed the qualifications topete for the title of greatest running back in history.

    There are running backs with different styles and types, but Peterson belongs to one category:

    Sudden bursts and sharp changes of direction.

    This was Peterson¡¯s forte; he excelled at using his explosiveness and agility in tight spaces to shake off defenders, create mismatches, and then break away to regain ground.

    Peterson was not afraid of confrontation, nor did he fear gang-tackling.

    His ability to stay calm amidst tight defenses, meticulously interpret the situation, and find a route to tear through the defense ranked among the very best in NFL history.

    He was a yer who perfectlybined personal talent and game intelligence, and his 2012 regr season MVP was well-deserved.

    This was also why people were willing to consider Peterson among the greatest running backs in history¡ªhe could change the game without needing the offensive line¡¯s protection.

    Once in a decade, or even once in half a century.

    Until now, the league had seen many rookies modeled after Peterson, but none had reached his height.

    And now?

    Pash doubted his eyes; he really didn¡¯t want to jump to conclusions too hastily, but this number twenty-three, seemed to possibly¡­

    Really feel a bit like Peterson.

    A dodge, a shake, a twist.

    Suchplex and advanced technical moves, yet Li Wei executed them fluidly, not only shaking off Foster¡¯s grasp but also creating a gap, and finally using that lineman as a shield to block the approaching defensive line yers.

    Done in one go!

    Then, he burst forward.

    His steps moved forward along the left side, but he had only taken one step before he changed direction¡ª

    One dive.

    Two dives.

    Three dives.

    It was at that moment, Li Wei shook off tacklesing from the front-left diagonal, back-left diagonal, and back-right diagonal.

    The pairs of arms, like ghosts from hell, lunged at Li Wei, but were shaken off by his quick double change of direction, missing entirely.

    However.

    Thump.

    Fourth dive¡ª

    In the midst of concentrated gang-tackling, Li Wei¡¯s space was ultimately too limited, and he finally felt a heavy hit to his shoulder.

    It was Foster.

    Foster clenched his teeth, used his left leg for support, forcibly turned and stepped up, spinning incredibly like a ballet dancer, his right hand reaching out to the limit and harshly pulling down.

    Caught!

    Foster grabbed Li Wei¡¯s shoulder, and the explosive power and body weight rapidly dragged Li Wei down, like a falling mountain.

    Ah, ah, ah!

    Foster pressed down hard, but during the sinking, felt the shoulder in his palm suddenly elerate downwards, ducking down, somehow slipping out of Foster¡¯s grip.

    Foster quickly changed his grip to a w, trying to catch Li Wei.

    But he was a step toote.

    Uh.

    Li Wei grunted, feeling the heavy pressure on his shoulder, his bnce was disrupted, and his knees buckled, nearly causing him to fall as Foster¡¯s lethal dive was forceful and fierce, leaving no room for breath.

    In a rush, Li Wei ducked, moving faster than Foster¡¯s descent, forcibly shaking off the oppressive force of Foster¡¯s strength and weight.

    Stumbling. Jostling.

    Li Wei was almost tipped over¡ª

    Left hand, supporting.

    Touching the ground, force surged through his wrist like a tide, sending waves of shock, but Li Wei clenched his teeth, his core strength in his waist and abdomen keeping him supported.

    It wasn¡¯t over.

    It wasn¡¯t over!

    Li Wei persisted by sheer will.

    He hadn¡¯t forgotten rk¡¯s words, the rules of football state that falling or touching the ground does not constitute a dead ball; only when the knee touches the ground does it count, so just touching the ground with one hand, as long as the yer can stand up again, he can continue to carry the ball onwards.

    Of course, specific situations are judged specifically, depending on the referee¡¯s call, but this is indeed what the rulebook stiptes.

    So, the advance wasn¡¯t over.

    Through a series of jolts and impacts, every organ and muscle in his body exploded, but Li Wei didn¡¯t give up, his fighting spirit zing fiercely.

    With a surge of core strength from his waist and abdomen, Li Wei rose to his feet like a webley wobble, not yet bnced when the overwhelming pressure of the air already surrounded him.

    The wind howled coldly over the waters.

    It was as if he could hear Beteman¡¯s shouts ringing in his ears.

    "Run! Li Wei, run!"

    The world slowed down.

    Amidst the turbulence, Li Wei, tugging at his unstable center of gravity, leaned forward, driving his footsteps to reflexively stomp forward.

    Stomp.

    Push off.

    Stomp.

    Exert force.

    Stomp.

    Run.

    One step, then another, he burst into a run like Gump finally freed from his braces, his shaky, stumbling gait giving way to arms wide open, embracing freedom.

    Dodging left, he missed the figure lunging from the left.

    Pausing right, he felt a gust of wind p against his cheek.

    Lunging forward, his feet were reactivated.

    Just as he entered the eleration phase, he heard and saw Safety Robinson tackling him head-on.

    At that moment, Li Wei still hadn¡¯t stabilized his center of gravity and couldn¡¯t muster the strength to counter, so he simply took a step forward, slightly distancing himself from the entanglement behind, then stopped in front of Robinson¡ª

    Dodge left.

    Swing right.

    The center of gravity, continuously shifting amidst the turbulence, confused Robinson¡¯s judgment.

    Robinson moved forward while swaying and then, seizing the right moment, lunged.

    Right side!

    That meant Li Wei¡¯s left side, but Li Wei merely paused on the left just as Robinsonunched, then his feet shifted, and he surged toward the right.

    Change direction!

    The split-second ability to change direction, the ultimate control of tightly tensed muscles, utterly outmaneuvered Robinson, creating a misalignment.

    Calm. Composed. Alert.

    And with that, Li Wei had already shaken off Robinson.

    "God!"

    Pash was left speechless.

    "Robinson has missed!"

    "Robinson¡¯s sure tackle astonishingly missed, as number twenty-three used a pendulum-like maneuver to shake off Robinson¡¯s grab."

    "Alert! Red Team¡¯s alert."

    "Foster, Foster is still not giving up, miraculously catching up even after losing bnce, charging towards Li Wei¡¯s back."

    Wave after wave.

    A continuous onught.

    The assault from the Defensive group never ceased.

    "Oh!"

    "Jesus Christ!"

    "Foster¡¯s full body weight crashed into number twenty-three¡¯s back, Foster went all in, clenching his teeth and making a desperate attempt to stop number twenty-three."

    "It was a collision, akin to that of a freight truck."

    "Number twenty-three was sent flying."

    "God!"

    Pash himself didn¡¯t realize it, but his heart had surreptitiously risen, bit by bit, then stuck in his throat, nearly breathless.

    Unconsciously, his butt had left the chair, slowly standing up, following the actions of number twenty-three on the field, his blood racing wildly.

    "Wait!"

    "Wait, number twenty-three is surging forward, he hasn¡¯t given up, he still hasn¡¯t given up, he¡¯s turning Foster¡¯s collision force into propelling force."

    "Incredibly, what am I witnessing? God, Peterson, I¡¯m at Bryant Denny Stadium witnessing a Peterson-like miracle once again."

    "Number twenty-three is up, his speed is picking up, amidst the instability and chaos, the speed that had been impossible to activate suddenly sprang to life, number twenty-three is running."

    "Unbelievable!"

 Chapter 28: 028 kill the game

    ```

    Bang!

    A collision, a surge.

    Li Wei could feel a force from behind, like a shockwave from "Dragon Ball," mming directly in front of him, propelling his body out of control forward.

    Bumps, chaos.

    Entirely on instinct, his body¡¯s reflexes adjusted amidst the ferocious turmoil, taking consecutive short steps to stabilize and continue rushing forward to dissipate the tail force of the collision, teetering and staggering as he barely maintained his bnce, like walking on a high-wire in a gale, moving forward on inertia.

    Push off the ground.

    Push off the ground!

    Strength, sinking from the core, traveling down from the thighs to the calves before crashing into the ground, repeatedly pushing off like pedaling a bicycle, he surged forth.

    One step, two steps, three, four, five steps.

    Just as he seemed about to fall forward, just as he seemed about to tumble down, he clenched his teeth in the precarious predicament, tensing his body and maintaining his bnce.

    Footsteps, from unsteady to solid, and then, entering the eleration phase.

    Panting.

    Lungs, burning, every breath like moltenva.

    But.

    He couldn¡¯t rx, couldn¡¯t feel relieved, the ambush of tight spots had only just begun to open a gap, and he was still surrounded on three sides.

    In 1999, there was such a movie, "Bachelor."

    In the movie, the male lead inherited a hundred million US Dors on the condition that he married before his thirtieth birthday, which was only twenty-four hours away, so he issued a notice searching for a bride.

    Then, the movie depicted a legendary scene where, as the male lead walked down the street, brides in wedding gowns emerged continuously from different corners, eventually forming a wave that surrounded him from all sides and chased him through the streets.

    The movie, not so great.

    But that scene became a ssic.

    The same was happening now.

    Li Wei was that bachelor, and the burly men on the field were the "brides" ready to capture and take down Li Wei¡ª

    Coming at him like a tide.

    Li Wei, with faltering steps, stumbled past the forty-yard line, then wobbled toward the fifty-yard line, as the overwhelming pressure surged toward him.

    Just as Li Wei was about to break free, Jackson¡¯s figure appeared right in front of him.

    Jackson was very calm and decisive. He knew of Li Wei¡¯s abilities and his cool-headedness, so he had to act first and decisively.

    A rush, a dive.

    Jackson charged forward, but as he was about to close in, he saw Li Wei shifting directions towards the opposite side.

    He guessed it!

    How could Jackson not be prepared? If he got fooled by the same move from Li Wei time after time, he would have no face left to continue as a starter safety for the Crimson Tide Storm.

    In the midst of rushing forward, with a misstep, Jackson managed to turn before losing his bnce and was ready to predict Li Wei¡¯s change of direction.

    A tackle!

    Jackson, without hesitation, spread his arms to embrace Li Wei. He could already feel the warmth of Li Wei¡¯s skin when, just before his arms closed in, he felt a spin.

    Spin.

    Spin again.

    In a sh, Li Wei was rotating counter-clockwise within Jackson¡¯s grasp, a hundred and eighty degrees, creating space; then another hundred and eighty degrees, breaking free.

    It all happened in the blink of an eye. Jackson hadn¡¯t even fully grasped Li Wei before he was flung off by Li Wei¡¯s triple change of direction.

    Crash.

    sh.

    Crunch.

    Li Wei¡¯s speed had not fully picked up when he collided again with Jackson, whose body weight fully became a burden, pushing Li Wei¡¯s center of gravity again, and he looked like he was about to hit the ground.

    Knees buckled.

    Damn!

    So close, just a bit more, and Li Wei staggered in a crouch¡ª

    ```

    The entire stadium, silent as death.

    Totally stunned, whether they knew Li Wei or not, regardless of whether their child or neighbor was on which team, at this moment, no one was an exception.

    After three quarters of the game, everyone had already memorized Number 23 from the White Team, undoubtedly the most dazzling yer of today¡¯s match; but just when people thought that Number 23¡¯s performance could not get any more spectacr, the fourth quarter brought yet another climax.

    Tyree rk, the father of fifth substitute Ronnie rk, even though his son was also a running back and the directpetitor to Number 23, didn¡¯t care at that moment, but simply clenched his fists silently, cheering for Number 23.

    Originally, the ground advance from the middle route was just a short-yardage run, but unexpectedly, after acquiring the first down, there was more toe.

    In a sh, Number 23 had already advanced twelve yards.

    Come on!

    Tyree prayed silently.

    Then, in his field of vision, he could see Number 23¡¯s figure unbelievably using the strength of his waist and abdomen to squat and rise quickly amidst stumbles, making full use of inertia, his body shooting forward like an arrow off the string.

    Behind him, a wave of red was rapidly approaching, engulfing the white silhouette in a vast tide.

    But Tyree had no time to care; he slowly, slowly stood up, raising his arms and bellowing.

    "Roar (rolling)!"

    The supporting song for the Crimson Tide Storm¡¯s team sang in the chorus, "Tidal wave, roar (roll-tide)."

    At this moment, they were making their voices heard.

    "Roar!"

    The fifty-yard line, past midfield, the forty-yard line of the opposite half was within reach.

    "Roar!"

    Forty-yard line.

    The rolling Crimson Tide surged powerfully, but the streak of white was like golden sunlight atop the wave, sprinting all the way.

    "Roar!"

    Thirty-yard line.

    Not just Tyree, but the entire Bryant Denny Stadium had fallen into a frenzy, one by one standing up, with no distinction between starters and substitutes; at this moment, they were all part of the Crimson Tide Storm, following the trail of Number 23, chasing the sunlight upon the wave.

    "Roar!"

    Twenty-yard line.

    The whole field, in madness, wave after wave, each higher than thest.

    Although they didn¡¯t know the name of Number 23, it didn¡¯t stop them from bing one entity, the entire stadium¡¯s wave of red passion roared for him, united in a mighty chorus, the University of bama¡¯s legendary team once again unleashing a soul-deep tidal roar.

    "Roar!"

    Ten-yard line.

    Number 23 finally found his pace, running faster and faster, leaving the rolling tide far behind, single-handedly cutting across the field, with the entire sky-filled Crimson Tide Storm serving merely as a backdrop, the collective will converging into an explosive force.

    Then.

    A piercing arrow to the heart.

    End zone, touchdown.

    Roar!

    Madness,plete and utter madness.

    Li Wei, fiercely mming the football to the ground, releasing his passion anew, raising his right fist high, clenched and released, no longer needing to hold back.

    "Ah!"

    Touchdown, secured.

    "Ah! Ah! Ah!"

    An ident, a breakthrough, but Li Wei did not panic, did not give up, and ultimately turned the inadvertent mismatch between the offensive group and the defensive group into his own opportunity.

    Boom!

    Tyree hadpletely lost his mind, fists raised high, jumping, cheering, roaring, rejoicing for the white figure on the field.

    "Roar! Roar! Roar!"

    The entire field, subdued¡ª

    Was there anyone who could be an exception, or who could be an exception?

    This is the most passionate and exhrating moment inpetitive sports, not because of winning or losing, but because of the struggle, the fight, the will to never give up!

 Chapter 29: 029 All thanks to good looks

    "Oh, God."

    Pash was stunned,pletely stunned, with only one thought in his entire brain:

    Incredible!

    The game opened with a seventy-five-yard long march run for a touchdown to take the lead; it ended with a sixty-seven-yard ground offensive touchdown to kill the game.

    A total of 287 yards advanced on the ground for the entire game.

    Dominating the scene.

    Shining throughout the game.

    What, exactly, was going on?

    Last season, Crimson Tide Storm¡¯s Derrick Henry shocked the NCAA with an astounding thirty-six touchdown runs, and even though everyone knew the University of bama has always been strong in the running back department, they were still impressed by Henry. With Henry turning pro, how Saban would coach the team became the biggest question of the new season.

    Yet, no one expected that apletely unfamiliar face would emerge in the style of Adrian Peterson, sweeping through the field like a tornado.

    Of course, this was an intrasquad scrimmage, not enough to prove much, and they still needed to be patient, there was no need to rush to conclusions.

    But¡ª

    Pash¡¯s jaw was so agape it seemed it might not snap back into ce.

    "Li."

    "Is this number twenty-three¡¯s name... Li. Wei?"

    "Li Wei?"

    "No star rating in high school, he is a yer from a mixed martial arts background who only registered as a Football yer for the first time during spring training camp."

    "Jesus Christ!"

    As he reviewed the information, the more he read, the more shocked he became. It seemed his jaw wouldn¡¯t return to normal anytime soon. Pash even began to suspect he was developing presbyopia prematurely.

    Could all of this really be possible?

    "And he is Chinese?"

    "So, is he some kind of Monkey King that leaped out from a crack in a rock? Making a huge scene in his debut, stirring up a Crimson Tide Storm at the University of bama."

    "Wow! I mean, wow!"

    "Impressive."

    Pash found himself at a loss for words. Nonguage could express the shock and awe he felt at the moment. His brain had shut down, turning him into a relentless exmation machine.

    "It¡¯s the fourth quarter, with three minutes and twenty-seven seconds remaining. The Red Team still has a chance; they can still turn the tide, but the question is, does the high school quarterback Hertz of the Red Team have the determination, does he know what to do?"

    "College Football is just too harsh for an eighteen-year-old high school student."

    "That¡¯s why it¡¯s even more apparent how outstanding number twenty-three is. Li Wei,dies and gentlemen, let¡¯s remember this name. He might just be the most noteworthy yer in this year¡¯s Crimson Tide Storm."

    Boom!

    The entire stadium erupted, and Pash had to raise his voice to convey hismentary amid the tumult and frenzy of Bryant Denny Stadium, but obviously, the enthusiasm of the audience was far from over.

    Who could resist such a game?

    Then¡ª

    The game ended without any suspense.

    Just as Pash said, without the coaches setting up tactics, Hertz, as a quarterback, was still too green and immature, including the Red Team¡¯s Offensive group with Jacobs and rk, all of whom were neers and didn¡¯t understand tactics or the game well enough to find a way to counterattack.

    The White Team¡¯s Defensive group was as unstoppable as a hurricane,pletely suppressing the Red Team.

    The main team not only failed to score, but they also gave the substitute team another opportunity to attack, this time the substitute team disying unmatched steadiness and calm.

    They didn¡¯t rush to score touchdowns to extend the lead, but instead methodically pressed forward on the ground to consume game time, like seasoned professional yers.

    Saban and Burns exchanged nces once more. Could this have been Beteman¡¯s idea?

    Both of them had the corners of their mouths turning up, it seemed they had the same idea and came to a consensus.

    The reserve teampletely took the initiative and managed to get two first downs through passes, unbelievably under the full pressure of the opposing defensive group. Thanks to the strong ground advancement, the passing offense also opened up the situation.

    Atst, Beteman connected with number one Foster to score another touchdown, this time through a passing y, and thoroughly put the game out of reach.

    "3:21".

    The White Team, dressed in away jerseys of the Crimson Tide Storm, won by arge margin.

    The game ended.

    Bryant Denny Stadium turned into an ocean, roaring into life.

    The reserve team yers hugged, high-fived, and shoulder-bumped each other, celebrating the victory.

    Even though it was just an intra-squad scrimmage, it served as aprehensive exam for the team during spring camp; the reserve team needed such a shining moment to prove themselves.

    Beteman was beside himself with joy, immediately embracing Li Wei tightly, repeatedly asking, "Did we win? Did we win? Did we really win? Is this really happening? God, this isn¡¯t a dream, is it?"

    Li Wei took off his helmet, patting Beteman¡¯s helmet, "We won."

    Beteman, "Ah! Ahhh!" He threw his arms up and jumped on the spot, as if on a trampoline, leaping high into the air.

    Just then¡ª

    Ah!

    A scream came from the stands behind them, so frenzied and piercing that a group of yers all reflexively looked back.

    Then they saw three girls crowded together, their smiles fully blooming, eyes brimming with love, screaming one after another.

    "Hey, handsome!"

    Just then, Humphrey came over to shake hands with Li Wei, his face radiating joy as he waved to the stands, "Hey, beauties!"

    The games of the Crimson Tide Storm weren¡¯t only attended by men; for the town¡¯s residents and university students, it was amunal event for all¡ªmen, women, young, and old alike¡ªand naturally included the young college girls, whose enthusiasm and frenzy were second to none.

    Consequently, the bold and passionate girl waved off Humphrey, vigorously shaking her head, "No, not you, but the one next to you, number twenty-three. Hey, that¡¯s right, you, handsome! What¡¯s your name?"

    Suddenly, the other boys started to tease.

    Unbothered, Humphrey tossed his head proudly, "You don¡¯t appreciate my charm; that¡¯s your loss. It turns out you like this type. This is Li Wei, my brother."

    "The brother you steamrolled again and again?" someone teased from the side.

    Ha ha.

    Laughter erupted.

    In the midst of the chaos, Li Wei spread his hands: Why does no one seem to care when the concerned party is right here?

    A gentle breeze blew, and the setting sun filled the sky.

    The dazzling sunset reflected off Li Wei¡¯s sweat-drenched face. His features, whichcked the fierceness of battle, instead radiated an air of schrship. Even his wet hair glinted under the sunset, and his expression was captivating.

    He didn¡¯t seem particrly striking with his helmet on, but once he took it off and you got a closer look, his looks easily stood out, and it was no wonder the girls screamed.

    "Hey, Li Wei, catch."

    The bold and passionate girl folded a paper airne and threw it, which fluttered into Li Wei¡¯s arms. Then with a "call me" gesture, she and her giggling friends turned and left.

    Those nearby were hardly inferior¡ª

    Bearing the brunt.

    Roars andughter filled the air, and Li Wei felt his ears might go deaf.

    Then Allen¡¯s voice came from behind, "Now we¡¯re in trouble. He doesn¡¯t just crush us with skill; he¡¯s also way ahead in looks. The girls at the University of bama only have eyes for Li Wei now; there¡¯s no room for us to survive."

    "Guys, let¡¯s go teach this guy a lesson!"

    Boom!

 Chapter 30: 030 New Hope

    The dawn broke, heralding a new day.

    Saban arrived at the office early in the morning. Others saw Saban as having written countless legendary histories in the NCAA, and they assumed he could just sit back and enjoy the fruits of hisbor, listening to praises and adtions. However, the reality was that he had never allowed his work to cken for even a day.

    Because Saban knew that in the world ofpetitive sports, coaches and yers were alike; cking off for even a day could mean being left behind.

    In lower-levelpetitions, one could dominate merely by talent, but in higher and more professional events, talent became just an entry requirement. Everyone was a genius, every individual a powerhouse. At that point, what mattered were effort and focus. This was true in anypetitive sport; those at the peak were geniuses, each one more relentless than thest.

    This was also why Saban disliked the NFL¡ª

    Managing a superstar with an annual sry of ten million US dors was a challenge in itself; let alone managing twenty such millionaires along with thirty others earning a million dors each, and all having bigger egos than the coach.

    They always found various excuses to skip training, or would act ording to their own whims like Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, who brought along his personal physical trainer and tactical coach to stay with the team, making it impossible for the coach to fully exercise his authority.

    Are profits important?

    Absolutely.

    Without profits, there would be no league, and professional events could not operate.

    But if one only focuses on money, losing sight of professional integrity, it would be a disaster forpetitive sports. It¡¯s not about not discussing or needing benefits, but one should not forget their original intention¡ª

    Profitse from performance on the field.

    All yers in the professional realm are geniuses, top talents with exceptional gifts. Yet, those who still strive hard and stick to their initial aspirations are few and far between.

    Saban¡¯s personality was too straightforward and genuine; he was not suited for that world of interest trading. Therefore, after trying three times, he still chose to stay with the NCAA.

    Of course, the NCAA also involved interests, not inferior to those in the Professional League, but at least these kids still believed in their dreams. They still possessed passion and hope, and they were still willing to sweat it out, not just for the sake of profits.

    Barely stepping into the office, he could see a figure from the floor-to-ceiling windows, sprinting under the brilliant golden sunshine of the south.

    Saban paused, drew closer for a better look, and immediately recognized it as Li Wei.

    The spring training camp had already passed three weeks, and Li Wei had been training on his own every day without fail. Initially, Saban and his team thought that Li Wei was just making an impression with a burst of enthusiasm, but unexpectedly, this persistencested throughout the entire spring training camp.

    The team¡¯s practice game had just ended yesterday, and today¡¯s training for the Crimson Tide Storm was dyed by an hour. Even the most diligent, rk, had note to the field, but there was Li Wei, who had shone in yesterday¡¯s game, appearing right on time.

    A smile gently curved up Saban¡¯s lips.

    Moreover, he had taken a deeper look into Li Wei¡¯s training¡ª

    It was very systematic and clear, covering physical training to skill training, from strength training to tactical coaching. He didn¡¯t rush through it trying to achieve everything at once, but methodically assigned training tasks, growing step by step.

    This type of intelligence was increasingly rare among today¡¯s young yers.

    He wasmendable.

    If Li Wei knew what Saban thought, he would say, "The system is indispensable."

    The training system provided daily reminders. If the physical training or strength training reached the limit of endurance, it would advise that continuing the training would not only fail to bring improvements but could also lead to unnecessary injuries.

    Simrly, if tactical training or skill training was undertaken, the system would provide information in a manner that extended Li Wei¡¯s understanding based on his needs, helping him grasp the sport moreprehensively and deeply.

    Honestly, Li Wei didn¡¯t have many thoughts about Football for the time being, whether to enter the draft or switch to a professional career wasn¡¯t something he was considering; yet, Li Wei admitted that he found Football quite interesting.

    Most importantly, the evaluations from Burns and Saban regarding his performance would determine the terms of Li Wei¡¯s agreement with the school and whether he would face any consequences down the line.

    So, Li Wei didn¡¯t overthink it and stayed focused on the present. Since he had started, he naturally needed to give his all, as it wasn¡¯t in his nature to be inconsistent.

    Training was routine, a habit, and could even be considered a hobby¡ª

    Studying Football strategies was like studying chess openings.

    With the help of the system, Li Wei was indeed getting aprehensive understanding of Football; temte training even let Li Wei feel that above the NCAA there was a professional league, filled with challenges, it was a world of endless possibilities.

    A little curious.

    In yesterday¡¯s scrimmage, Li Wei had gained a lot, most notably seen by the significant rise in his progress bar. The quantity of training andpetitions could bring improvements, but quality could bring even more. As he got closer to unlocking a new opportunity with each training session, Li Wei¡¯s efforts naturally intensified¡ª

    That curiosity was unbearable.

    Further, Li Wei also recognized his shorings: his grasp of Football needed to be built and experienced through actual skirmishes bit by bit, even temte training couldn¡¯t rece his personal experience.

    Li Wei hoped that when the new season started, he would get more ytime, so he didn¡¯t have time to waste. Compared to other yers, he still had many courses to catch up on.

    Thus, this morning, he woke naturally with his biological clock and once again immersed himself in training.

    "Early in the morning, what are you watching with that strange smile on your face?"

    The office door swung open, and without looking back, Saban knew it was Burns. He didn¡¯t answer, just stood there with his arms crossed.

    Sure enough, Burns came over.

    Standing at the window, Burns hesitated slightly, and his words were a bit stuttered.

    "Is that... Li Wei?"

    Saban nodded, "Earlier than me. And as always, he has a n, not just blind training. Disciplined, professional, smart, persistent, Burton, maybe you¡¯ve really uncovered the second Derrick Henry."

    Burns¡¯ eyes were full of satisfaction, a smile creeping onto his lips, "But I wonder who would win if he were topete with Derrick?"

    Saban remained rational, "At this stage? Derrick, of course. Li Wei is still too naive; he doesn¡¯t even know the rules of Football;st time, I saw him learning basic strategies and rules from rk."

    Burns tilted his head, "But I think his understanding of the game is better than Derrick¡¯s. Give him some time, and then the results might be up for debate."

    Saban chuckled, "No wonder people always say that the human heart is biased. How long has Li Wei been in the team, and you¡¯ve alreadypletely set Derrick aside?"

    Burns faced it openly, "Li Wei is uncut jade, knowing nothing about Football. I pulled him in with my own hands, so naturally, I need to look after him."

    Completely unashamed of his partiality, "Nick, do you think we need to reconsider who starts at running back?"

    He even dared to ask for more!

    Sabanughed speechlessly, momentarily unable to sort out his emotions, but significantly, his first reaction wasn¡¯t to dispute it.

    Hmm? What¡¯s going on here?

 Chapter 31: 031 The world is bustling

    To tell the truth, the running back position for the new season of Crimson Tide Storm was fraught with difficulties, and injuries were a major obstacle, beyond even the best coach¡¯s ability to manage.

    Behind the decision to appoint Jacobs as the starting running back, one could faintly perceive the coaching staff¡¯s helplessness.

    However, from another perspective, even though Jacobs was just a high school student, he indeed possessed outstanding talent and ability. Relying on his own strength, he stood out from the fiercepetition and secured the starting position; in the current team setup, he was the best choice for the starting running back.

    As for Li Wei?

    He was indeed excellent, without a doubt; but starting from scratch, with only three weeks of football experience, the time was simply too short.

    In Saban¡¯s original n, he had hoped to use Li Wei as a secret weapon, to achieve victory through unexpected strategies.

    However, yesterday¡¯s practice game had shaken Saban¡¯s thoughts, and upon hearing Burns¡¯s words, his first reaction was not to object.

    Thoughts surged in his mind.

    Ultimately, Saban was somewhat more experienced and rational. Although Burns¡¯s suggestion was very tempting, he still applied the emergency brakes and controlled himself¡ª

    He had to consider the overall situation.

    After all, yesterday was merely an internal practice game. Given Li Wei¡¯s intelligence, he knew the main team¡¯s defensive strategies like the back of his hand, giving him the upper hand; but what about against external teams? Could Li Wei still deliver such a performance?

    "Let¡¯s see in the preseason games," Saban suggested.

    Burns was not surprised; regardless of who was the starting running back, everyone needed to y in the preseason games anyway, as they needed aprehensive assessment of their capabilities.

    Football¡¯s warm-up and preseason games are all like this, not just in the NCAA, but in the NFL as well; they are the best opportunities to test team lineups.

    Win or lose?

    It¡¯s not important, not indicative at all.

    With four quarters in a football game, during the warm-up and preseason games, the lineup usually changes after the first half to test the team¡¯s tactic integration and yers¡¯ form. Ultimately, it is the stage for coaches to integrate tactics, adjust strategies, and match lineups,

    and even some teams switch lineups every quarter, testing the team¡¯s training results with four differentbinations throughout the game.

    Like the NFL, before the season begins, the NCAA training camps are highly popted and bloated. After the warm-up and preseason games, the coaching staff needs to cut yers to match the team numbers as per league regtions, so in the preseason, every yer gets a chance topete.

    This is the value of warm-up and preseason games.

    Crimson Tide Storm is no exception.

    As a top NCAA traditional football powerhouse, there are countless teams each year that are eager, even dreaming, to have warm-up games with them.

    The reason?

    Television broadcasting!

    This was previously mentioned, and now it is further borated, with deeper and moreplex interests entangled behind it.

    In the NCAA, there are Division I, Division II, and Division III, with Division I being the top, housing a series of traditional prestigious schools.

    Division I includes the Big Ten Conference, Big Twelve Conference, Pac-12 Conference, Antic Coast Conference, Southeastern Conference, among other distinct divisions¡ª

    University of bama, belonging to the Southeastern Conference (SEC), yed twelve regr season games each year, eight of which were intra-league matchups, while the other four were shes with teams from other leagues¡ªalternating opponents from different leagues each year, making each year¡¯s schedule unique.

    In the 1970s, sports leagues were geographically based, such as the Southeastern Conference, whose members were all from the southeastern part of the North American continent. Even away games were in the neighboring city or state, enabling fans to easily travel with the team to watch games.

    Naturally, each league had its own power teams and traditional rivalries.

    However, by the eighties and nies, the rise of television broadcasting had transformed thendscape, as broadcasting rights became a significant source of revenue for colleges, which heated up thepetition amongst the leagues.

    It all started with the Big Ten Conference.

    At that time, the Big Ten Conference boasted remarkable football schools, such as Wisconsin, Pennsylvania State, Ohio State, Michigan, etc., and the league¡¯s executives always hoped to attract more revenue, since national broadcasters like ABC and CBS could only cover a limited number of significant college games.

    To make money, the Big Ten Network was officially established to air games that couldn¡¯t make it to national television, including but not limited to football, basketball, volleyball, hockey, baseball, gymnastics, etc.

    This kind of cablework relied on subscriber revenue. The more subscribers it had, the more money it made, and the Big Ten Network became a resounding sess, capturing a huge market in the Midwest.

    It is noteworthy that NCAA football consistently ranked top in nationwide viewership, easily surpassing other professional leagues like the NBA, NHL, MLB, and although it generally fell short of the NFL, some NFL regr season games couldn¡¯t match the viewership of ssic NCAA football school matchups¡ª

    This could be seen from ESPN¡¯s willingness to broadcast live the intra-squad games of the University of bama.

    The Big Ten Network was not satisfied with its sess alone; it wanted to expand its territory. Thus, breaking the NCAA¡¯s tradition of geographic alignment, they added the football powerhouse University of Nebraska in 2010 andter Marnd and Rutgers in 2015¡ª

    Although these two colleges weren¡¯t strong in football, one was in New York and the other in Washington, thus the densely popted areas of the East Coast also fell within the subscriber base of the Big Ten, making it the most powerful league in NCAA.

    Naturally, other leagues couldn¡¯t just sit by and do nothing.

    The Southeastern Conference was the first to react.

    Southern schools had an intense passion for football, consistently leading in viewership, with powerhouse traditional teams like bama, Auburn, Tennessee, and Georgia. The fan base was solid, they too established their own TV channel, and started to attract other schools.

    The University of Texas was key.

    Because Texas was the second most popted state in North America.

    The University of Texas, located in the Big Twelve, tried to establish its own televisionwork, leveraging its wealthy and powerful status. After a disappointing failure, in 2010, it threatened to leave in frustration, although it didn¡¯t seed in leaving at that time, it triggered a series of tumults¡ª

    The other schools in the Big Twelve stood firm, indicating they refused to be dominated by the University of Texas.

    Then.

    The University of Nebraska left the Big Twelve for the Big Ten, Texas A&M and Missouri left the Big Twelve for the Southeastern Conference, and Colorado left the Big Twelve for the Pac-12.

    As a result, the Big Twelve could only rely on their traditional powerhouse schools, the University of Texas and the University of Ohoma, to barely stay afloat, with their chances of national broadcast dwindling increasingly.

    All endeavors move forward for profit; the moment the Big Ten broke the bnce, themercialization of the NCAA became unstoppable. Like the NFL, NBA, and other professional leagues, the quest for profits began to alter the entire league structure.

    And Texas, as always, yed a pivotal role in the NCAA¡¯s historical transition this time around, acting as a turning point.

    As usual.

 Chapter 32: 032 Everyone is bustling about

    On one hand, the Big Ten Conference and the Southeastern Conference are expanding more aggressively with rapidly growing revenue gaps, not only increasing their own cable channel subscriptions by leaps and bounds; but also as their influence widens, the proportion of their games broadcast nationwide visibly increases.

    Without a doubt, the bnce of power has shifted ordingly.

    On the other hand, the University of Texas once again ys a pivotal role in changing thendscape. Dissatisfied with Texas A&M University joining the Southeastern Conference after years of being suppressed by them and flourishing financially, Texas A&M¡¯s recruitment bes increasingly dominant, creating a virtuous cycle.

    In 2021, the University of Texas joined forces with Ohoma to move to the Southeastern Conference.

    The Big Twelve Conference, faced with dire straits.

    Subsequently, traditional power teams on the West Coast couldn¡¯t sit idle ¨C the University of Southern California, dissatisfied with the weakness of the Pacific-12 Conference, joined the Big Ten Conference, along with the University of California, Los Angeles, the following year in 2022, thereby significantly strengthening the Big Ten, which now enjoys vast markets on both coasts.

    The cost, however, was that both the Big Twelve and the Pacific-12 Conferences faced the prospect of disintegration.

    The Big Twelve Conference was the first to attempt self-rescue, frantically recruiting schools, and after pulling in Arizona, Colorado, and others, barely managed to stabilize.

    The Pacific-12 Conference was on shaky ground and, after the University of Washington and the University of Oregon joined the Big Ten, the once-glorious Pacific-12 was virtually non-existent.

    By 2023, the Pacific-12 Conference was down to just Stanford, the University of California, Berkeley, Oregon State University, and Washington State University. They sought help far and wide but faced repeated rejections, until eventually Stanford and the University of California, Berkeley found a ce in the Antic Coast Conference¡ª

    Oregon State and Washington State remain homeless, their futures uncertain.

    The NCAA, driven by interests, entered a new era.

    A century of tradition, gone up in smoke.

    Take the intrastate rivalry, for instance, where the University of California, Los Angeles and the University of California, Berkeley, both part of the University of California system, hadpeted against each other for over a century, but now being in different conferences, the annual fixtures would no longer take ce.

    Regarding home and away games, the divisions used to be regional, so even away games weren¡¯t far, but now the divisions disregard geographical boundaries, meaning away games could require flying from the West Coast to the East Coast, which not only affects students¡¯ daily routines but might also prevent alumni and fans from attending away games.

    Then there¡¯s the bowl games ¨C the Rose Bowl on New Year¡¯s Day was once a signature NCAA event; even the University of bama¡¯s team fight song mentions the Rose Bowl. Since World War II, the Rose Bowl traditionally featured the Big Ten champion against the Pacific-12 champion.

    Each year at the Rose Bowl, the Big Ten champion would head to sunny California, watching the game while on vacation, with visiting fans bringing along a red rose to follow their team to the game in Los Angeles.

    But now, with the Pacific-12 Conference essentially dismantled, the tradition of the Rose Bowl will be history.

    The wheels of history keep turning amidst a thunderous roar.

    Our focus, for the moment, returns to 2016.

    At that time, NCAA¡¯s development had not yet entered a new phase, but the sess of the Big Ten and Southeastern Conferences was evident to all, holding a unique position of authority.

    The University of bama, as a traditional powerhouse of the Southeastern Conference, and undoubtedly the absolute monarch of the rapid growth of television broadcasting in the past nine years, reaps the benefits of this era, so it¡¯s no wonder the president ces special emphasis on the team¡¯s broadcasting slots.

    Having a warm-up match with the Crimson Tide Storm would also yield substantial television broadcasting revenue¡ª

    This game will not only be broadcast on the Southeastern Conference¡¯s televisionwork but will also be aired nationwide on ESPN.

    Everyone was eager to be the University of bama¡¯s warm-up opponent.

    Saban, however, had his own considerations.

    Every year, when it came time to select a warm-up opponent, he would deliberate deeply; this year was no exception, and Saban ultimately chose Clemson University.

    The discussion was rampant¡ª

    The Clemson Tigers, belonging to the Antic Coast Conference, are also a team with a long history, established in 1896, with over a century of legacy.

    However, Clemson University, located in South Carolina, is a public university and not a traditional powerhouse. Their football program didn¡¯t rise to prominence until after the millennium, and they entered their peak era alongside Saban¡¯s taking over at the University of bama, bing the strongest teams of the past decade.

    Since head coach Dabo Swinney took over in 2008, the Clemson Tigers have dominated the Antic Coast Conference four times.

    Clemson and bama are well-known archrivals. The two schools, both located in the South, have a historical enmity dating back to the distant year of 1900, and in the subsequent century, they¡¯ve faced each other time and again.

    Logically, the two teams should meet only every few years, as they belong to two different conferences, but curiously, their every encounter has been explosive, either at their peaks or in their troughs, such that each sh has been a fierce battle, continuously writing history.

    The collisions between the Crimson Tide Storm and the Tigers always witnessrge scores in NCAA history. The Tigers once won "35:0," sweeping to victory, and the Crimson Tide Storm also once humiliated their opponents with a score of "74:7." Such dramatic scorelines have led to increasingly intense rows between fans, almost to the point of a fight to the death.

    In 1975, the Crimson Tide Storm crushed the Tigers "56:0." The Tigers have been seeking revenge ever since, but fate yed a cruel trick¡ªwhen the two teams met again, it was in 2008, marking the beginning of a new era of peak performance for both teams under Saban and Swinney.

    Thest encounter between the two teams came from the previous season¡ª

    The nationwide championship game.

    The Crimson Tide Storm and the Tigers met in the finals, unfolding a Huashan Swordsmanship Meeting-like pinnacle showdown, with the final score "45:40." In a rollercoaster of a game, the Crimson Tide Storm got thestugh, defeating the Tigers to be crowned the nationwide champions.

    Up to this season, the Crimson Tide Storm has led in their head-to-head record with twelve wins to three losses, leaving the Tigers without any fond memories of this formidable rival. The Tigers¡¯st victory over the Crimson Tide goes back to the distant year of 1905, more than a century ago.

    But history is history, and the present is decidedly different.

    It was precisely because ofst year¡¯s spectacr nationwide championship final that when Saban announced this year¡¯s spring training camp finale warm-up opponent would be Clemson, all media went wild.

    So, straight away, they¡¯re using strong medicine?

    Before the season even begins, are the top two performers of thest season going to sh, setting the tone for the uing new season?

    One could guess with their knees that the ratings for this match would definitely be explosive.

    So, what exactly was Saban thinking?

    Looking at it from another angle, what was Swinney thinking? Saban might propose, but Swinney would also need to agree, so what are the two coaches up to?

    It¡¯s still just spring training camp¡ªIs it really okay to be this stimting?

 Chapter 33: 033 Warm-up Opponent

    ```

    Generally speaking, ultimate rivals like Crimson Tide Storm and Tigers, to avoid leaking tactical secrets, are better off keeping their distance before the start of the new season.

    A bit of mystery benefits both teams, after all, they¡¯re both holding back major moves, waiting topete again in the nationwide championship.

    However, Saban wasn¡¯t an old fool, and Sweeney wasn¡¯t impulsive, one dared to invite, and the other dares to ept, behind it all were their own calctions.

    Both coaches knew, historical performance could only serve as a reference, not to mention before the new millennium, even the 2008 game wasn¡¯t much referential, now the teams they had werepletely new, with different styles and types,st year¡¯s nationwide championship game was the best proof.

    Saban excelled in defense.

    And Sweeney?

    This coach, who hailed from Wide Receiver, excelled in offense, especially in passing offense, with unpredictable tactics unleashing top-level firepower for the Tigers on the offensive end.

    One, a sharp spear; the other, a thick shield.

    In this "conflict of the sh," the tactical intentions of both coaches converged, they both hoped to confirm the new season¡¯s tactical ybook through the warm-up match¡ª

    Only by facing the strongest opponent could they test their strongest state to prepare for the new season.

    Without question, both teams aimed to top the nationwide championship this new season, even though their warm-up match might be against their greatest rival for the title; but honestly, on the road to next January¡¯s nationwide championship final in Tampa, they needed to clear the path bristling with obstacles.

    Additionally, Saban had his own little schemes.

    The Clemson Tigers¡¯ defensive system was a "4-3," meaning four Defensive linemen and three linebackers, focusing on front line pressure and ground defense.

    Inst year¡¯s nationwide championship final, Crimson Tide Storm¡¯s Derrick Henry faced a severe challenge, but Henry found a way, using his individual ability to break through andying the foundation for their championship; this year, without Henry¡¯s heavy artillery, Crimson Tide Storm needed to change offensive strategies.

    Here, it¡¯s important to note that Derrick Henry was a typical tank-style running back, 6¡¯2" (191 cm), 247 pounds (112 kg), like a tank, relying on his own strength and size to forcefully advance, which alsoter earned him the title "Emperor Henry."

    However, Crimson Tide Storm currently had no such type of running back in the team.

    This also meant that the ground offense tactics fromst year, tailored for Henry, were all invalidated this year, necessitating entirely new tactics based on the different styles of the current running backs.

    But, Saban didn¡¯t choose a traditional team with strong ground defense, first, because he didn¡¯t want to expose his weak points, second, because he didn¡¯t want to undermine the confidence of the young running backs on the team, and third, most importantly, there was no need to put the cart before the horse, defense was the cornerstone of Crimson Tide Storm¡¯s championship campaign.

    So, Saban chose Clemson as their warm-up match opponent.

    He needed to test and see how the running backs, with the team¡¯s current lineup, would perform under Clemson¡¯s pressure.

    Of course, there¡¯s no denying that topicality, poprity, and television ratings were among the many factors considered.

    Behind a seemingly simple decision, Saban had his own considerations, and Stuart Bell, the president of the University of bama, naturally weed with open arms and legs.

    In the end, the arrangement was confirmed.

    Li Wei¡¯s professional debut, facing a real opponent, would be against the Clemson Tigers.

    ```

    Not only millions of spectators, but also the Crimson Tide Storm team was extraordinarily excited and fervently discussing non-stop.

    Within just a few short years, Clemson had leaped to be one of the NCAA¡¯s top teams, giving rise to a batch of young stars well-known to households.

    And, notably, within the offensive group.

    Quarterback Deshaun Watson, born in 1995, had already be a rising star drawing attention in the professional league as well.

    Last season, Watson, only a sophomore, had a breakout year, securing the title of Antic Coast Conference yer of the Year, and ced third in the Heisman Trophy rankings¡ªonly behind running backs Derrick Henry of the University of bama and Christian McCaffrey of Stanford University¡ª

    Both of these yers would be well-known top yers in the NFL.

    Of course, Watson was no exception.

    Selected in the first round by the Houston Texans in 2017, Watson delivered top performances from the 2018 to 2020 seasons, earning Pro Bowl selections three years in a row, with his passing yards leading the league in 2020.

    Despiteter being embroiled in scandals involving harassment, violence, and assault, bing the target of public condemnation, and facingwsuits from twenty-two women, making him the most high-profile off-field news during the 2023 off-season, Watson¡¯s poprity in the quarterback-scarce league remained undiminished.

    This was a new generation dual-threat quarterback, capable of passing and running, his excellent physical fitnessying the foundation for his agile ying style.

    Currently, Watson was the star of the Clemson Tigers, the absolute core of the team whenever Clemson was mentioned, but to think that Clemson had only Watson was clearly the mistake of someone who knows nothing about football.

    Wide Receiver Mike Williams, Tight End Jordan Leggett, Running Back Wayne Gallman, and a top-level NCAA offensive line joined forces to form a first-tier college offensive powerhouse.

    However.

    It was undeniable that a prodigy like Watson remained the absolute focus.

    The Crimson Tide Storm team members were all discussing how they should contain Watson, whether Watson, entering his junior year, would further improve, and though the Tigers¡¯ offensive group hadn¡¯t gone through major changes and should be better after spring training camp, no one knew how much they had progressed.

    And so on.

    rk noticed Li Wei¡¯s calm amidst the buzz, though Li Wei usually maintained an "Who are you talking about" or "I don¡¯t recognize any of the names you¡¯re saying" expression, with spring training camp nearly over and everyone extra excited, Li Wei¡¯sposure stood out even more.

    "Li Wei, aren¡¯t you curious?" rk couldn¡¯t contain his own fervor and soon became eager to try.

    The usually stern-faced Jacobs even nced at rk.

    Li Wei remained utterlyposed, "Not curious. After all, that Mr. Watson isn¡¯t our problem. I¡¯m more curious if they have any popr yers or rising stars on their defensive line or among their linemen. I¡¯m looking forward to sitting down and having a heart-to-heart with them."

    Pfft.

    rk couldn¡¯t help butugh out loud, "Of course there are, their defensive line is also very impressive, with top individual talents."

    Jacobs, seeing Li Wei¡¯s indifferent expression, couldn¡¯t resist mentioning, "Maybe Coach Sweeney isn¡¯t known for defense, but the Tigers¡¯ defensive line is indeed of All-America First Team caliber, not to be underestimated. Evenst year when Henry was still here, we had our struggles."

    Li Wei, "Oh."

 Chapter 34: 034 Black-faced Yama

    "Yo! Yo! Yo!"

    Throughout Bryant Denny Stadium, boos rose up like a surging crimson tide that roared towards the end zone with fangs and ws bared, the sound waves rolling. Yet DeShaun Watson waspletely unaffected, standing in the end zone dancing¡ª

    Literally.

    Moving to the rhythm of the boos, Watson imitated Drake¡¯stest hit "Hotline Bling" with sultry dance moves, twisting his hips within a small range. Although his facial expression couldn¡¯t be seen because of the helmet, the mocking dance was highly provocative.

    The louder the boos, the more spirited Watson became.

    For the visiting Clemson, this was the best kind of encouragement.

    In fact, Clemson hade prepared for today¡¯s warm-up match. Although it was just a warm-up, both coaches, Saban and Sweeney, had their own ns and were firmly executing them.

    In the first half, Clemson Tigers fielded their main yers, going all out to open up the game; the bama Crimson Tide Storm, however, held back a little, taking the field with the main offensive group and backup defensive group, forming the opposition.

    Saban had his considerations¡ª

    For one, in the team¡¯s internal practice game, the backup defensive group had performed exceptionally well, only allowing eight first downs throughout the game, leaving Hertz¡¯s main offensive group disoriented. Saban had more expectations for the backup yers.

    Secondly, the strategy was to focus on offense in the first half and then switch tactics in the second half to polish the defense; so in the first half, Saban almost lured Sweeney into offense while he continuously observed Clemson¡¯s offensive tactics.

    The strategy was sound, even clever.

    But Saban had underestimated the resolve of everyone at Clemson, from Sweeney to Watson. They were all sharpening their weapons for revenge after their defeat in the nationwide championship gamest January, starting very aggressively from the onset.

    Watson, truly an NCAA star, was not only the main contender for the uing Heisman Trophy but also a leading candidate for next year¡¯s NFL draft top pick.

    Watson hadn¡¯t forgotten that this warm-up match was being broadcast nationwide, a perfect opportunity¡ª

    NFL teams usually don¡¯t have the time to watch NCAA games. All teams are the same; they rely on professional scouts to gather information. So whatnds on the desk of the head coach and team manager is just a bunch of scouting reports. Unless they are interested, they won¡¯t bother to look up game footage.

    But today was different.

    It was still spring training camp, and the NFL had just finished drafting. Training camp hadn¡¯t started yet, and yers and coaches were on vacation. To pass the time, they might asionally watch a game, and this ESPN broadcast coulde into their view. There was no doubt it was the perfect stage to boost one¡¯s profile.

    The warm-up matches have their unique significance.

    Watson was ready to seize the opportunity.

    So, as soon as he hit the field, Watson quickly got into the groove, showing great versatility in both passing and running, unleashing a dazzling offense that caught the Crimson Tide Storm by surprise.

    "14:0".

    It seemed before they could catch their breath, the visiting Clemson already had a two-touchdown lead. Watson¡¯s shining performance even overshadowed the excellent y of the Tigers¡¯ defense squad, one pass for a touchdown and one run for another, leading to the scene of him dancing in the Crimson Tide Storm¡¯s end zone.

    Today, Bryant Denny Stadium was packed. Facingst season¡¯s national championship loser and a deeply rooted archrival, the town¡¯s residents poured out of their homes. Even though it was just a warm-up match, it showcased the fervor of a national championship, with the mighty Crimson Tide captivating the audience.

    However, Watson was extremely bold and unrestrained from the first offensive drive, showing top-level performance thatpletely made everyone forget Hertz¡¯s presence.

    The Crimson Tide Storm was somewhat sluggish in the first quarter of the game.

    Saban was not panicked.

    Firstly, it must be admitted that Clemson had indeed performed exceptionally from the start; but on the other hand, was Clemson really that remarkable?

    Starting with the offensive side of the Crimson Tide Storm, the fundamental issue was still the ground attack. Saban¡¯s team wasn¡¯t skilled at passing offense, so the ground attack was crucial to breaking through.

    Sweeney knew that without Derrick Henry, the Crimson Tide Storm was struggling at the running back position, so he seized the opportunity to set up targeted formations,pletely choking the life out of the Crimson Tide Storm.

    The Tigers Defense Squad¡¯s four defensive linemen had top-notch abilities. In fact, Sweeney¡¯s defensive tactics were rather repetitive, but thebat ability of the defensive line when fighting solo was truly outstanding, and they weren¡¯t just any strong yers.

    Among the four yers, at least three were first-ss, and even with limited tactical variations, they could still create a collective advantage.

    Carlos Watkins, a junior in September, yed as a Defensive Tackle.

    Christian Wilkins, a sophomore in September, yed as a Defensive End.

    Dexter Lawrence, a freshman in September, yed as a Defensive Tackle.

    Saban was familiar with Watkins as they had shed the year before. Here was a blue-cor yer, hardworking and diligent; althoughcking some explosiveness, he rarely missed tackles andpleted each defensive task with reliability and stability, like a linchpin.

    The real highlights, however, were the two youngsters, Wilkins and Lawrence, strong enough and ferocious enough to have the qualifications of a first-round pick in terms of talent and ability.

    Football is different from other sports, mainly because of the sheer number of yers, so those who make it to the first round of the draft are all freaks of nature, not to mention first-rounders¡ª all prospects in the top three rounds are exceptional talents.

    "First-round pick," that is the highest praise.

    Furthermore, since there are many positions on a football field, during the draft, teams often won¡¯t choose the most talented but will select what they need the most, which makes it even more remarkable for yers at certain positions to make it into the first round.

    This was the case with defensive linemen.

    In Saban¡¯s view, Wilkins and Lawrence indeed had the potential to be first-round picks.

    The two of them, one responsible for the inside and the other for the outside, were like ck-faced Yamas,pletely strangling the running game. Jacobs and rk couldn¡¯t make any headway with their rushing.

    As a result, when Hertz tried to pass, his intentions were repeatedly anticipated in advance, leading to severe fluctuations in his passing uracy, and the offense was thus cornered.

    Pressure formed a vicious cycle.

    To Saban, it was still a matter of momentum.

    Jacobs, as well as rk, they were both aware of Derrick Henry¡¯s deterrence from the previous season. With Henry on the field, the opponent¡¯s defensive group could be intimidated, and deep down, they knew they couldn¡¯t match Henry, yet subconsciously they tried to prove that they could fill his shoes¡ª

    That was contradictory.

    And because of such a contradictory mindset, when it came to pushing forward on the ground, theycked observation andcked thought, hitting the wall over and over in frustration.

    Jacobs was somewhat irritable. Still young.

    The current situation had reasons stemming from the opposition as well as from themselves. Saban was very calm, always observing the big picture.

    Now, let¡¯s talk about the defense of the Crimson Tide Storm.

    The core issue was still Watson¡¯s growth; the Crimson Tide Storm¡¯s defensive group could never decipher Watson¡¯s tactical choices, and this athletically gifted quarterback single-handedly carried the Tigers¡¯ offensive g.

 Chapter 35: 035 Clock out from work

    The advantage of a pocket quarterback lies in their wisdom¡ªthey can always prate the defensive group¡¯syout, gaining a step ahead in the tactical gamey, and their uracy in passing has also traditionally been a key strength.

    The advantage of a running quarterback lies in their dual threat; while they might fall slightly short in passing capabilities and reading defenses, their ability to carry the ball increases the threat in offense, disrupting the defensive group¡¯s strategic arrangement.

    Each has its strengths.

    Watson was an outstanding running quarterback, possessing excellent passing and running skills, using his physicality to restrain the defense group, thereby carving out passing space for himself. Thus, in 2020, this running quarterback could lead the League in passing yards.

    The Watson before us had notpletely matured yet, butpared to the national championship game in January, he had already undergone transformation.

    He was more mature and moreposed¡ªhe could calmly face the onrush and pressure from the defensive group, and make correct decisions in moments of crisis.

    Even when the Crimson Tide Storm defense front created opportunities and mped down on Watson in pressured and collision scenarios, Watson was still able to keep his cool,plete passes, and rely on wide receivers and tight ends to tear through the defense line.

    Such exceptional athletic talent indeed possessed the potential to turn the tide¡ª

    Following Wilkins and Lawrence, ck-faced Yama needed to add a Watson to the list.

    No wonder professional leagues always emphasize that experience is the most vital weapon for a quarterback. With umting experience, they be more adept and mature in interpreting tactics and managing crises, finding solutions in swiftly changing predicaments.

    Of course, the premise is that the quarterback has such business acumen.

    From January to April, just a short three months, Watson¡¯s growth was visibly evident.

    To be precise, it wasn¡¯t that the Crimson Tide Storm backup defensive group performed poorly, but rather that Watson had upgraded, bringing more threats in both passing and running.

    Once one element unlocked, the entire team¡¯s strategy also came to life.

    Unlike the Crimson Tide Storm¡¯s offense, the pressure they faced on the defensive front was mainly from a well-performing Watson¡ªSweeney and his Clemson Tigers were indeed well-prepared.

    So, how should Saban respond?

    In the end zone, Watson was particrly exhrated. Unsatisfied after finishing a dance, he pushed away teammates who came to celebrate, sprinting towards the side of the field where the Crimson Tide Storm was, jogging along the sideline in front of the Crimson Tide Storm yers, took off his helmet, spread his arms wide, like a glider.

    "Fly, spread your wings and soar! Towards the sky!

    Hurry, Josephine, jump into my airne! Charge! Fly high all the way!"

    Whoosh.

    Humphrey,pletely astonished, didn¡¯t snap out of it for a moment, turning his head to Li Wei, "What¡¯s he singing? Rap?"

    Li Wei thought seriously for a moment, "It should be the rock version of ¡¯Hurry, Josephine, jump into my airne¡¯."

    Humphrey: ¡­

    Li Wei continued to exin, "It¡¯s from ¡¯Titanic¡¯, where Rose lies on the wooden door looking up at the sky and sings that song."

    "¡­" Humphrey¡¯s cheeks flushed, "I want to hit him. Don¡¯t hold me back."

    Li Wei casually shrugged, showing no intent to hold Humphrey back, "I don¡¯t mind."

    Humphrey: Aren¡¯t you supposed to stop me? I was already prepared for you to try to persuade me.

    Li Wei, "Besides, hit the face. Giving him a few mild punches wouldn¡¯t hurt much; rather, winning the game and making that cock lower his proud head would be more interesting."

    Humphrey nodded repeatedly, persuasively "stopped" by Li Wei, loosening his fist, "Right, right, that¡¯s how we should dete his arrogance on the field, humph, let him know whose turf this is."

    However¡ª

    Hitting him on the face.

    Watson was well-versed in this as well, and though the Crimson Tide Storm Offensive group still hadn¡¯t scored, under Watson¡¯s leadership, the Tigers Offensive group had once again entered the Red Zone.

    The so-called Red Zone is the area within ten yards before the End zone, equivalent to the penalty area in ser.

    Here, yers from both teams crowded together. The space for the Offensive group waspressed, but on the other hand, the area the Defensive group needed to cover was reduced, so the Defensive group tended to have a slight edge, making their entire defense strategy more concentrated and tougher.

    Finally, the Crimson Tide Storm Defensive group showed their strength as a top team by continuously using iron-fist defense to choke the Tigers¡¯ offense, sessfullypleting a Third Gear defense.

    The Tigers were now facing a fourth down with four yards to go.

    The stadium erupted in noise.

    Ordinarily, the Tigers wouldn¡¯t opt for a risky y on fourth down because if it failed, possession would immediately switch to the Crimson Tide Storm. They should have chosen to kick a field goal on fourth down, calmly pocketing three points and further expanding their lead; 99% of teams would do so 99% of the time.

    After all, the Tigers were leading.

    However, Sweeney did not choose that path.

    Precisely because the Tigers were ahead, and still had room for risk, he chose to gamble¡ª

    They went for it on fourth down.

    With little time left in the first half, even if the y on fourth down failed, it would leave very limited time for the Crimson Tide Storm¡¯s offense. Sweeney boldly decided to waste game time on a fourth-down y, squeezing the Crimson Tide Storm¡¯s Offensive space; but if sessful, the Tigers could enter halftime with a three-touchdown advantage.

    This move could not have been more provocative.

    Bryant Denny Stadium erupted with boos and waves of cheering surged like a tsunami.

    Facing such circumstances, Watson once again showcased his talent and strength, calmly executing a fake pass and real run y, and using the Tigers¡¯ running back as a decoy. In fact, relying on the running back as a lead blocker, he ran with the ball himself.

    The running back knocked open Allen, the Crimson Tide Storm Defense Team Captain intent on a sure tackle, and amid crowding and collisions, Watson forced his way into the End zone.

    Touchdown!

    In disbelief, it was astounding; not only wlessly crafting a tactical n but also executing a robust performance underprehensive defensive pressure. Watson scored his second rushing touchdown of the first half, perfectly capping off the scrimmage¡¯s opening half.

    In the ESPNmentary booth, there was an uproar.

    "Wow, Watson really showed off his fiery form; the first halfpletely turned into his solo show."

    "Wait, he¡­"

    Pash, who had handled thementary for the Crimson Tide Storm¡¯s intrasquad gamest time and continued today with the scrimmage, rxed and couldn¡¯t help but show a smile.

    "Ha, Watson really¡­ he just made a ¡¯clocking off¡¯ gesture in the End zone, a provocative way to challenge the Crimson Tide Storm."

    "The Crimson Tide Storm¡¯s response in the second half¡ª"

    Pash was briefly reminded of the White Team¡¯s number twenty-three, pausing mid-sentence with a somewhat yful expression.

    "Should be very interesting."

    Watson stood in the End zone, high-fiving his teammates, brazenly and boldly saying, "Time to clock off, great job everyone, clocking off!"

    "21:0".

    The Tigers not only led by three touchdowns but also shut out their opponent.

    For Watson, the game seemed to be over ahead of time, and they could now rest, even without regarding the Crimson Tide side, he casually turned and left with his teammates.

    Sensing this, Humphrey saw red, and then he heard Li Wei¡¯s characteristicallyzy voice, "Get ready, time to clock in."

    That usually annoyinglyx voice suddenly seemed somewhat pleasant?

 Chapter 36: 036 Nameless Pawn

    Todd ckledge, a former professional quarterback, attended Pennsylvania State University and yed for both the Kansas City Chiefs and the Pittsburgh Steelers before and after turning pro. Although his career as a quarterback wasn¡¯t marked by sess, he made a brilliant transition to broadcasting after retiring.

    He served as a long-termmentator for ABC and CBS, winning over many fans, and in 2006, signed with ESPN, where he stayed for a solid decade.

    Today, partnered with Pash, ckledge ismentating on this highly-anticipated preseason game, interpreting the match from the perspective of a professional quarterback.

    "The situation is somewhat unexpected, but not entirely surprising,"

    "The Tigers¡¯ tactics today are very targeted. Thanks to Watson¡¯s outstanding performance, they firmly took the initiative andprehensively suppressed the Crimson Tide Storm."

    "Of course, the Crimson Tide Storm still have a chance in the second half, but the predicament is obvious. After the absence of Derrick Henry¡¯s dominant ground game, the weaknesses in the Crimson Tide Storm¡¯s offense may be amplified."

    "The second half will start with the Crimson Tide Storm on offense. Perhaps we can see what adjustments Saban will make."

    In football, the coin toss at the beginning of the game allows the correct guesser to choose to either start on offense or pick the side of the field. Most teams choose the field, deferring the offensive opportunity to the opponent, because this means they get to start the second half on offense, taking control of the game¡¯s oue.

    Today is no different.

    The Crimson Tide Storm guessed the coin toss right, they chose the field, and thus the Tigers started on offense in the first half; the second half will start with the Crimson Tide Storm on offense.

    ckledge carefully reviewed the roster, then his eyes fell on a name¡ª

    Not because it was unfamiliar. In a preseason game, NCAA teams often field a lot of unknown yers, and even professionalmentators can¡¯t im to know everyone; unfamiliarity is actually the norm.

    But because of thebination of sounds in the name.

    Li Wei?

    ckledge was uncertain, "Is this... an Asian-American yer?"

    In football, from the NFL to the NCAA, Asian faces are still a rare sight.

    Pash looked at ckledge¡¯s expression, a satisfied smile spreading across his face, as if relishing the moment his own little secret treasure had been discovered¡ª

    On one hand, there was anticipation for the treasure to finally shine.

    On the other hand, there was a reluctance to let go of the secret that was once his alone.

    Moreover, Pash was also curious. After all, the previous warm-up game was just an intra-squad scrimmage, and he was very curious to see how number twenty-three would perform today.

    "Yes, Asian-American."

    "And, let me tell you, he¡¯s only been ying football for three weeks."

    ckledge was taken aback, blurting out, "Are you joking?"

    An Asian yer, that was surprising enough.

    An unknown nobody, the level of shock was doubled.

    Aplete rookie... who had only practiced football for three weeks?

    No sooner had ckledge spoken than he realized hisment might not be appropriate. He took a deep breath, tried to organize his thoughts, but in the end, the same skeptical question formed in his baffled mind, "Are you joking?"

    Pash: ...

    Seeing ckledge¡¯s bewildered face, Pash didn¡¯t bother to exin but merely shrugged slightly, "Maybe only Nick Saban knows."

    ckledge paused. He sensed there was more to Pash¡¯s words. And Pash was right; how could Saban make such a mistake? But whatever the specifics, ckledge was cluelessly looking towards the field¡ª

    The second half began.

    Li Wei felt somewhat disappointed.

    Because the notable ¡¯ck-faced Yama¡¯ on the defensive group was absent, just like the Crimson Tide Storm, the Tigers alsopletely switched their lineup.

    With the Tigers now far in the lead, Sweeney clearly rxed his grip, allowing a bunch of youths with the beautiful blemishes of adolescence to appear in the defensive group, likely as high school ungraduated babies like Jacobs and Hertz.

    Initially, Li Wei had hoped toe face to face with ck-faced Yama; but on second thought, if they could continuously gain the first attack and even score touchdowns, Sweeney would probably adjust his tactics too.

    Very well, then let them stretch their muscles a bit.

    When Beteman turned his head, he caught sight of Li Wei limbering up and licking his lips, as if the "0:21" score bore no pressure at all, calming Beteman somewhat, after all, he could always trust Li Wei, right?

    "Smack!"

    Beteman pped his hands, calling all his offensive group teammates together; this was their line-up to overthrow the Crimson Tide Storm¡¯s main team. Maybe they were still not the mains, but after this warm-up match, who knows?

    In a few words, Beteman informed his teammates of the tactics arranged by the coach, but at the end, he couldn¡¯t help but look towards Li Wei. Only after receiving a confirming response from Li Wei did Betemanfortably withdraw his gaze and settle down a bit.

    The biggest difference from the intra-team game today was that the coach would handle the tactics, and with an adaptable Li Wei on the field, Beteman felt somewhat more confident.

    In the first wave of offense, Crimson Tide Storm stuck to its traditional ground attack, which was also why Beteman looked towards Li Wei.

    Now it seemed, Li Wei was ready¡ª

    Indeed, it was the case.

    Li Wei was extremely focused; the more the cheering from Bryant Denny Stadium surged, the more focused he became, and as the tension and pressure of the entire game swelled, the more focused he was, able to hear the sound of his blood burning above his eardrums.

    He was ready.

    During the first half, Li Wei had been observing, not merely watching the game, but interpreting the opponent¡¯s defensive strategies, and understanding the reasons for their own offensive stumbling blocks, as if analyzing a chess game¡ª silence didn¡¯t mean his mind was empty.

    Now was the time for practical training.

    Wearing jersey number ny-nine, Clelin Ferrell, nearly bursting with eagerness, the moment he had agonizingly waited and waited for was about to arrive¡ª

    The college game field.

    Even though he wasn¡¯t officially enrolled until September, Ferrell was ready to prove himself. He had an outstanding high school career and believed in his talent and abilities.

    Ranked 101st nationwide, a three-star high school athlete, in Ferrell¡¯s view, was not enough to reflect his talent; being the seventh-ranked high school defensive end in the country also underestimated his ability.

    But no matter, he would prove himself.

    He, Ferrell, would be an NFL first-round pick and one of the greatest defensive ends of all time: at 6.4 feet (193 cm) and 265 pounds (120 kg), aiming for current League leading defensive yer JJ Watt as his target, he believed he could match Watt, or even outperform him. He was determined to show his dominance on the field¡ª

    The Crimson Tide Storm would be his first stage for entering the view of the Professional League.

    Sorry, number eighteen quarterback and number twenty-three running back, you guys are going to be the sacrificial offerings. He would use them as stepping stones to be a starting defensive end.

    Ferrell was a bit excited.

    Thump thump.

    Thump thump.

    Ferrell was ready, and as the quarterback¡¯s number eighteen starting signal reached his ears, he reacted swiftly, charging out like an arrow released from its bow¡ª

    Pressure.

    Pressure.

    Pressure!

    This was the core strategy of the Tigers¡¯ defense, having dominated the game in the first half this way, and now, not only did Ferrell need to apply pressure, but he also intended to outdo it, rushing at full speed and then immediately detecting the opponent¡¯s intention to run the ball.

    Number twenty-three, target locked!

 Chapter 37: 037 Bloody Storm

    "Attack!"

    Beteman called the kickoff. Li Wei didn¡¯t rush but adjusted his steps forward. For the first time, he faced a defensive group outside of the Crimson Tide Storm, wholly unfamiliar, from yers to tactics and game style without exception. He wasn¡¯t about to recklessly run into the wall, especially after the first half.

    He needed to be calm and observant.

    If someone thought that a running back was just about holding the ball and ruthlessly charging forward, they were wildly mistaken. At least, Li Wei didn¡¯t see the role of running back that way.

    Handoff.

    Even before his fingertips felt the leather texture of the football, Li Wei moved to avoid Beteman¡¯s back, instantly seeing theyers of pressure piling on¡ª

    As expected.

    Then, Li Wei spotted number 99, whose name seemed to be Farrell or something. He couldn¡¯t remember, but Li Wei hadn¡¯t forgotten this jersey number because he initially wanted to choose this number, and because Burns had mentioned it during tactical analysis.

    Although number 99 was just a three-star high school yer, his physique still had growing potential, and his style of y was much like Watt¡¯s, the NFL superstar.

    Watt, what exactly is his level?

    2012, 2014, 2015¡ªhe had been the league¡¯s best defensive yer of the seasons; moreover, when other defensive yers had single-digit quarterback sacks for an entire season, Watt had consecutive seasons of double-digit sacks, even reaching as many as 20.5 in 2012 and 2015¡ª

    0.5 of those sacks were along with other yers.

    Stats, hardly enough to showcase the dominance of Watt, whose very presence continuously redefined the limits of defensive yers. In a football world that revered offense, Watt was the first defensive megastar to break the bias over fifteen years, undeniably the best defender in the league.

    Of course, this wasn¡¯t to say that number 99 possessed Watt¡¯s potential or ability, but his style of y was simr, aggressive, and dominating. Being a defensive yer, yet disying a striking offensive presence.

    Number 99 always chose to strike proactively.

    Indeed!

    Number 99¡¯s step-in pressure, not only fully utilized the advantage of his physique but also unleashed a powerful, overwhelming force.

    A burst of violent storm and bloodshed, right in the face.

    And!

    His second reaction was agile, instantly spotting the handoff between Beteman and Li Wei. Twisting his body, his robust belly inted rapidly like a pufferfish, and with a spin, he was already speeding toward Li Wei.

    Fast!

    A single word, that was fast.

    Number 99pletely dominated the outermost tackle of the Crimson Tide Storm, recklessly pressing down on the offensive tackle, and using the opponent as a pivot, spun and tossed himself into the pocket.

    Dominating presence.

    Li Wei had just arrived at Beteman¡¯s position when the pocket had already broken. Number 99 broke free and dived into the pocket.

    He instantly saw through the tactical intent of the Crimson Tide¡¯s ground attack, seamlessly switching his tackling target from the quarterback to the running back.

    His gaze was piercing, immediately locking onto Li Wei, charging towards him with a rapid, multiyered eleration like lightning.

    Heavy!

    Li Wei could feel a wave of force heavily mming against him, and even see number 99¡¯s fierce face hidden behind the helmet.

    Danger!

    As number 99¡¯s arms crashed down like a giant wave, at the nick of time, Li Wei pushed off with his left leg. Power surged from his sole through his ankle to his calf, his muscles exploded, and a fierce, powerful reaction thrust his body sideways to the right, narrowly evading by twisting aside.

    A close brush.

    Scrape.

    Even just a slight scrape peeled off ayer of skin, with a persistent burning sensation, leaving his left shoulder searing with intense heat.

    Li Wei immediately realized that the crisis was not over.

    From the corner of his eye, he could see Number Ny-Nine, losing his bnce, with his upper body grappling action shadowing him closely, swiftly closing in.

    Li Wei moved with theteral pulling inertia, without pausing, instantly pivoted counterclockwise on the spot. Theyers of pressure were pushed and dissipated amid the rotation of his steps, causing Number Ny-Nine¡¯s second grasp to miss again.

    After a 360-degree spin, Li Wei had already shifted positionsterally, held his breath, and continued pulling to the right along the direction of rotation, creating space.

    Ahead, the field opened up.

    Ferrell¡¯s smile froze on his lips¡ª

    Just when he thought he was about to seed, he had unleashed all his speed and strength, but how did he miss the tackle at thest moment?

    And!

    Not just once, but both tackles had missed!

    What on earth?

    However, his brain had no time to ponder, as gravity had already pulled his heavy body to copse thunderously, with only a patch of green grass in sight, rushing towards him.

    Damn it!

    Meanwhile, Li Wei could feel a burst of air behind him, but had no time to look back. He paused his steps and, without any hesitation, dashed straight, trying to break through.

    But just as he took a step, Li Wei immediately felt the pressure again.

    Oneyer.

    Then another.

    Literally, he could see the defensive shieldsyering before his eyes.

    In the Crimson Tide Storm, there were four linebackers, so the pressure near the scrimmage line was slightly relieved. It usually took Li Wei crossing the scrimmage line to feel the pressure, which also meant he had enough room to start and elerate, allowing him to always find gaps to breach whenever he faced Allen and Foster.

    But now facing the Tigers, they had four defensive linemen, and the oppression and confrontation already extended from the scrimmage line. Regardless of whether they could break through the offensive line¡¯s pocket protection, the momentum and pressure were there, presenting an obstacle for the quarterback and the running back.

    Now, before Li Wei could even start elerating, he first encountered the impact from Number Ny-Nine and then felt a crowd swarming up ahead, dense and imprable,pletely obscuring the far end.

    It was definitely different.

    So, what would Adrian Peterson do?

    Li Wei was very calm, having experienced simr defensive pressure multiple times in system model training¡ªthere was no need for rm; but realbat slightly differed from simtion. The sharp and scorching sensations on his skin permeated into his blood vessels through his pores, and then his blood zed up.

    Excited, thrilled, yet remained calm.

    His gaze swiftly scanned the field, his brain working at high-speed, and he had alreadypleted observation and judgment in a sh.

    He could opt to weave through gaps, adept at moving between them, but the density of the Tigers¡¯ front-line defense was beyond imagination; even maneuvering through would lead him into a dead-end¡ª

    It would beborious and thankless.

    Li Wei made a split-second decision to abandon such an idea, not trying to look for gaps but instead ran straight at the linebackering towards him.

    No dodging, a full-on collision.

    Walking right into a trap!

    But was it really that foolish?

    Pushing off the ground, turning sideways, with his left shoulder as the pivot, like battering a fortress gate, he unleashed his strength and speed, mming hard.

    Bang!

    A loud noise echoed, with tumultuous air waves rolling.

 Chapter 38: 038 Overcoming Tough Problems

    Tiger number six safety Dorian O¡¯Daniel didn¡¯t see iting, not at all. He had expected to take one more step forward toplete the tackle, but now he was abruptly hit head-on. There wasn¡¯t enough time to adjust his footing and strength for the action.

    Subconsciously, in a conditioned reflex, O¡¯Daniel managed to execute the tackle.

    But then!

    Bang!

    Power, surging, cascading, hitting him straight in the face like a torrential downpour.

    Uh.

    O¡¯Daniel let out a muffled grunt!

    Block! Hit! Push!

    Before O¡¯Daniel¡¯s arms could fully close in for the tackle, a burst of powerful force mmed into his chest. A stifled grunt got stuck in his throat. He staggered back in a chain of faltering steps, unable toe to a stop.

    He was half a beat too slow to realize he had be a meat shield; wave after wave of impact came from behind, all of which he inadvertently absorbed, his faltering steps causing him topletely lose bnce while retreating.

    Damn!

    O¡¯Daniel¡¯s heart contracted sharply, but it was already toote to resist.

    Li Wei suddenly exerted force again, tossing aside O¡¯Daniel¡ªwho weighed 220 pounds (100 kilograms)¡ªas if he were nothing, clearing the space for Li Wei as if he were a heavy weapon, sweeping through swiftly like rainstorm pear flowers needles.

    His steps, unceasing, even took advantage of the centrifugal force to surge forward, changing direction and elerating to the right in the blink of an eye.

    Instant start! Instant burst!

    Crack!

    A figure appeared just in time at the dense frontline, the art of using a sea of people in tactics fully disyed, leaving no space for Li Wei to begin his run. He was immediately grappled around the waist and pulled down in one fluid motion.

    Solid. Substantial.

    Li Wei realized he was caught, seemingly about to run out of strength, but instead of falling, he continued to push off the ground with inertia, propelling himself forward.

    Strength, fully unleashed, without any reservation.

    Ah!

    The breath sank to the Dantian.

    Ah!

    Strength released.

    One step, two steps.

    Without warning, Li Wei exerted his force and actually dragged along the weight on his waist, continuing to move forward, astonishingly close to breaking free from the tackle and regaining space to advance!

    The Tigers Defense Squad was a beat too slow to realize what was happening. One after another, they rushed forward, employing the human sea tactics to the fullest.

    On one hand, the Tiger Team tried to stop Li Wei.

    On the other, Crimson Tide Storm yers also gathered behind Li Wei, united in pushing him forward.

    A true battle for every inch of ground.

    Ah! Ahhh!

    Li Wei only felt his strength slowly ebbing away until he was finally trapped as if in a quagmire, falling to the ground. yers from both teams piled up like a small mountain, forcing the referee to pull them apart one by one to clear the space.

    Huff, huff¡ª

    His breath, burning in his lungs.

    Bryant Denny Stadium went wild, utterly wild.

    The whole ce erupted!

    The scene before them left ckleypletely stunned.

    The first attack?

    ```

    Number twenty-three managed to force through a first attack!

    Incredible, unbelievable, just as the Tigers Defense Squad seemed about to decipher the Crimson Tide Storm¡¯s offensive tactics and pull off another defense, number twenty-three turned the tide in an unexpected way, overthrowing the whole situation.

    ckley blinked, turning his head to look at Pash beside him, speechless.

    Pash revealed a mysteriously sly grin, shrugging and spreading his hands with an innocently clueless expression, as if he had no intention of exining.

    "Crimson Tide, roar!"

    "Crimson Tide, roar!"

    The cheers echoed for a long time over Bryant Denny Stadium, where half a match¡¯s pent-up passion finally found its release, and the voices of a hundred thousand fans stained the Tuscaloosa sky red.

    Not without effort, Beteman finally dug Li Wei out from the bottom of the pile, then saw Li Wei guarding the football tightly in his arms¡ª

    Protecting the ball possession.

    This was Burns¡¯s first lesson to Li Wei in opening up the world of running backs, and also the utmost priority that was repeatedly emphasized, the way Li Wei had grown.

    Standing up, Li Wei tossed the football to the referee, and Beteman immediately noticed the look in Li Wei¡¯s eyes:

    It was murderous.

    Li Wei nced at the yers from the Tigers Defense Squad, a faint smile appearing at the corner of his mouth, as if he could taste the scent of blood between his lips and teeth.

    Beteman¡¯s heart skipped a beat, "What¡¯s wrong? Got yed dirty?"

    Li Wei shook his head, "No, just finding the game kind of interesting."

    Even though the system temte training had faced him against different top defenses more than once, it was still his first time dealing with a "4-3" defense in realbat. The difference between theoretical knowledge and actual practice wasid bare like this.

    After the collision of strength, readjusting one¡¯s center of gravity and restarting was a challenge; it was also a challenge to face the defensive pressure. Although the Tigers Defense Squad was down one linebacker, their strong safety in the safety position stepped up faster andpleted the encirclement.

    Without the wide receivers and tight ends blocking, the running back would face even more ferocious collisions and squeezes in the area near the line of scrimmage to the short pass range.

    However, once the running back managed to break through the short pass area, the vacant backfield would be a deadly weakness.

    Therefore, during the nationwide championship finals earlier in the year, Derrick Henry fully utilized his ability to pierce through the tough collisions, but after breaking through, his ability to carry the ball long distance was not as strong, forcing Henry to repeatedly return and continue the hard work, naturally exhausting him.

    Today, in the first half of the game, Jacobs and rk repeatedly hit the wall, resulting from unsessful ground attacks.

    In fact, Li Wei wasn¡¯t adept at attrition warfare; his strengthsy in his explosive power and agility, but Li Wei wasn¡¯t afraid of confrontation. The Tigers weren¡¯t even among the NCAA¡¯s strongest defensive teams, and the two ¡¯ck-faced Yamas¡¯ weren¡¯t on the field. If he couldn¡¯t break through such defense, he might as well go home and farm sweet potatoes.

    Li Wei had some ideas, and he was ready to give them a try¡ª

    After all, the game was quite interesting.

    Beteman blinked and, seeing Li Wei¡¯s smile, involuntarily shuddered and swallowed hard, "Li Wei, what should we do?"

    Li Wei¡¯s smiled fully blossomed, "Follow the coach¡¯s n, I just have a little personal idea, that¡¯s all, very little."

    Turning his head, Li Wei looked over and saw number ny-nine looking his way. Li Wei raised his right hand in greeting, "Hey."

    Farrell was taken aback: What did number twenty-three mean by that? He was mocking him, right? That was obviously ridicule and contempt, he¡¯d show him!

    Dammit!

    Farrell cursed fiercely.

    Crimson Tide half-field, thirty-five-yard line, first down.

    Saban wasn¡¯t nning on wearing out Li Wei; instead, he switched in another running back, Emmons, to change the rhythm.

    Physical confrontation is the main theme of football, and it can be extremely draining on the body, almost every position requires rotation, and the game has no substitution limits¡ª

    Quarterbacks are an exception because they usually stand in the pocket to avoid collisions; generally, the starting quarterback will y the entire game.

    It is most apparent with the position of running back, where every rush involves physically charging and breaking through, and almost no running back canst the entire game, which is why different attacks require rotating running backs.

    One reason is to manage stamina; the other is to change the rhythm, as different running backs have different styles, and ground advance tactics might vary ordingly.

    In the NFL, there¡¯s even selection of running backs based on down numbers; a first-down running back and a fourth-down running back could have contrasting styles.

    That¡¯s why, initially, Burns was so eager to recruit Li Wei, as relying solely on one or two running backs was not feasible for an entire season.

    ```

 Chapter 39: 039 A mix-up of yin and yang

    Emmons and Jacobs, like all high school students, entered in September, but their performance at the spring training camp was mediocre. Not to mentionpeting to start, even in the reserve team, they were the second option for running back.

    Saban sent Emmons onto the field, primarily hoping to change the rhythm by using different ground attack styles, and also to give Li Wei some time to rest and adjust.

    As Li Wei left the field, Saban¡¯s eye caught Li Wei walking towards Burns; the two exchanged ideas by the sidelines, with Burns covering his mouth with the ybook and nodding repeatedly, then sharing his own ideas with Li Wei.

    After their brief exchange, Li Wei¡¯s face remained calm, revealing no emotions, but Saban knew that Li Wei was ready.

    This thought made Saban pause slightly. Since when had he started trusting Li Wei so much?

    Turning his gaze back to the field, Saban continued to watch the ongoing y.

    Emmons¡¯s ground advance was mediocre; the Tigers Defense Squad¡¯s frontline pressure remained fierce. Even though this lineup was missing two main ck-faced Yamas, reducing the intensity slightly, they were still very aggressive, posing a severe test to the Crimson Tide Storm¡¯s offensive line.

    However, the deterrence of Li Wei¡¯s recent ground advancement had the Tigers Defense Squad uneasy, with a clear focus on the frontline. Emmons¡¯s mediocre ground progress meant that Beteman¡¯s passes connected sessfully.

    The Crimson Tide Storm gained another first down and approached midfield.

    Unfortunately, under pressure, Beteman¡¯s uracy faltered, and a subsequent simple short pass failed to connect, forcing the Crimson Tide Storm to confront a second down with ten yards to go. Emmons barely pushed forward two yards, plunging the home team into the mire of third down with eight yards.

    Midfield was in close reach.

    The Crimson Tide Storm¡¯s offense finally showed some improvement in the second half, opening up the y. They just needed two more first downs to attempt a field goal, but instead, they got stuck here¡ª

    The difficulty of a football field goal is slightly less than that of a ser, but it is still challenging.

    Like in ser, football field goals also use a wall of yers. The defensive group would pressure and prate as usual, disrupting the kicker¡¯s rhythm; however, since there is no goalkeeper, and as the goalposts face the sky with no boundaries, the sess rate of field goals is rtively high but still dependent on distance.

    The closer to the goal, the higher the sess rate.

    The shooting distance should include three parts: the length of the end zone itself, ten yards, because the goalposts are at the end line of the end zone; the second part is the length between the football and the front line of the end zone; the third part is the kicker¡¯s run-up distance, usually about eight yards.

    Hence, for an extra point field goal after a touchdown, with the football ced fifteen yards from the front of the end zone, the shooting distance would be about thirty-three yardsbining the ten yards plus fifteen yards plus eight yards.

    Generally, field goals around forty or forty-five yards show excellent sess rates, often nearing 99%; however, once the field goal distance exceeds fifty yards, the sess rate dramatically drops.

    Therefore, NCAA and NFL traditionally consider the opposing team¡¯s thirty-five-yard line as entering the "field goal range."

    Of course, if the advance stops at the opponent¡¯s forty-yard line, the offensive team can still attempt a field goal, facing a fifty-eight-yard field goal which is not impossible.

    However, the thirty-five-yard line is safer.

    Now, the Crimson Tide Storm was approaching midfield, about two first downs away from the thirty-five-yard line, and then the offense got stuck again.

    Saban was also somewhat perplexed¡ª

    The inuracy of Beteman¡¯s short pass was critical.

    But football is a collective sport; it¡¯s not fair to me just one part harshly. Saban remained calm and reced Emmons with Li Wei.

    Indeed, Emmons had not made a mistake; it was Beteman who mishandled the pass; but facing third down with eight yards, a tough situation, Saban needed Li Wei to distract the opponents¡¯ attention.

    Third down and eight yards, a long down distance. From a conventional viewpoint, choosing to pass was wise since ground attacks often cover five yards or less, and passing was the hope of achieving a first down; Saban believed Sweeney thought the same, thus he needed Li Wei as a surprise element¡ª

    Originally, Saban nned to use Li Wei this way in the regr season, although he was now uncertain if the original n would continue, Saban wanted to test the effect of using Li Wei as a wild card.

    The strategy was set.

    Beteman heard the strategy through his headset, breathed a sigh of relief, and looked at Li Wei.

    Li Wei gave Beteman a smile and mouthed the words, "Poker face."

    The implication was, don¡¯t let the opponents decode the strategy, stay cool.

    Beteman couldn¡¯t help but smile, somehow feeling a bit more grounded.

    He let out a long breath.

    "Attack!"

    As Beteman announced the snap, he didn¡¯t even look at Li Wei. Instead, he gazed toward the left side of the field. Without stepping back to create space and assess the Defensive group¡¯s formation, he raised his hand, ready to pass the ball¡ª

    Quick short pass!

    This tactic was to skip the quarterback assessing the offensive and defensive standoff, running a pre-nned y entirely, catching the Defensive group off guard, achieving a short pass connection, and thus advancing.

    If executed properly, the Wide Receiver or Tight End could break into open space before the Defensive group was fully in position, advancing arge number of yards. In fact, they didn¡¯t need too many yards; eight was enough for the Crimson Tide Storm to secure the first down.

    In an instant, the Tigers Defense Squad surged into action, all moving toward the left side at the first opportunity.

    Perhaps, number ny-nine was the exception.

    Farrell, number ny-nine, had noticed Li Wei.

    Having missed the tackle twice during theirst head-to-head confrontation was a humiliation for Farrell. He didn¡¯t care about any tactic or formation, his focus was entirely on Li Wei, with the impulsiveness and stubbornness of a high schooler, but he unexpectedly discovered¡ª

    Number twenty-three wasn¡¯t moving with the team toward the same side but was heading in the opposite direction, that is, toward the right side of the Crimson Tide Storm and the left side of the Tigers.

    What¡¯s going on?

    Farrell didn¡¯t have time to ponder, sounded the rm, his body¡¯s center of gravity had just started shifting right when he quickly halted and turned back, rushing to his left.

    In that moment, Farrell had broken away from the team, but without time to observe, he saw the Crimson Tide Storm¡¯s quarterback turn around, casually tossing the football.

    Smoothly, straight into the arms of number twenty-three.

    False pass, real run!

    The Crimson Tide Storm daringly executed a deceptive quick short pass y in the tough situation of third gear and eight yards.

    Had Farrell not noticed number twenty-three...

    But at this moment, there were no what-ifs.

    Farrell immediately rushed forward, keeping his eyes locked on number twenty-three.

    He was nearing.

    Getting even closer.

    Farrell¡¯s muscles werepletely tensed because he had seen number twenty-three just charge head-on into O¡¯Daniel and skillfully turn using the momentum. He absolutely wouldn¡¯t make the same mistake, even devoid of impulsiveness, remaining calm, always watching number twenty-three¡¯s footsteps and center of gravity movement.

    Here ites!

    As number twenty-three came within reach, Farrell brightened, readying to spring forward, but unexpectedly¡ª

    A flicker.

    A blur in front of his eyes.

    A pause.

    There, stopped right in front of him, was that figure which seemed not so robust and even slightly thinnerpared to a typical running back. Farrell couldn¡¯t stop and charged past.

    Farrell: ???

 Chapter 40: 040 Leisurely Stroll

    This was a mind game¡ª

    Farrell was calcting Li Wei¡¯s move; Li Wei was also calcting Farrell¡¯s.

    In the blink of an eye, both yers had shifted their centers of gravity several times and swayed, fake moves shing against fake moves, each trying to dodge and capture the other. In an instant, they had exchanged the roles of aggressor and defender multiple times, the distance between them still closing, the air still heating up.

    Here it came!

    As the defensive yer, Farrell had to strike first, to reverse his passive position and seize the initiative. A push off the ground, and his strong, hefty body was already thrown into motion.

    However.

    In that fleeting moment, Li Wei¡¯s figure flickered and stopped, braking abruptly without warning,pletely controlling his body, hitting the pause button.

    Brake!

    Halt!

    ¡ªMisalignment.

    Farrell¡¯s grasp misfired by just a fraction, brushing past Li Wei¡¯s front, his target almost within reach yet blurring into an indistinct shadow as it brushed past.

    Farrell was startled, his heart contracting sharply, no time for surprise, no time for panic. Just before his body¡¯s center of gravitypletely toppled, he forcibly shifted, sidestepping slightly to his right, a Thousand Pounds Drop descending toward the spot where Li Wei had braked, his excellent physical talent fully disying in this secondary reaction, trying to cut off Li Wei¡¯s path.

    After all, whether Li Wei could shake off the tackle, or whether Farrell¡¯s panicked secondary reaction could effectively capture him, Farrell, like a mountain of flesh, blocked the way forward, physically stopping any progress.

    Farrell clenched his teeth, all his strength and speed focused in his body, fiercely pressing down.

    Leaning forward,pressing, dominating.

    Heavy pressure!

    Seeing Farrell physically intercept and sessfully cut off the offense, he suddenly caught a glimpse of a sparkle in the helmet opposite him; he couldn¡¯t tell if it was the eyes, a smile, or just a reflection, but with just a fleeting nce, he caught a hint of calmness, a grasp of control over the entire situation.

    Farrell: Damn.

    The next second, Farrell felt darkness sh before his eyes as a figure charged head-on at him.

    Not dodging, not evading, but instead moving forward to meet it¡ª

    Head-on breakthrough.

    Subconsciously, Farrell¡¯s entire body tensed up, O¡¯Daniel¡¯s recent experience having prepared him mentally; he was not only fearless, but also burst with power.

    Perfect, let them sh head-on to see who is superior, let him fully taste what it feels like to have 275 pounds (120 kilograms) bearing down on him, that reed-like running back had better be careful, or he might just break.

    A sly smirk spread across Farrell¡¯s lips.

    Just as they were about to make contact, Farrell noticed a slight misalignment between their bodies, a subtle shift, their centers of gravity crossing paths.

    Wait, why could number twenty-three still regain control of his body to create this misalignment at this moment, and what was the purpose of creating it?

    His thoughts had hardly begun to form.

    Bang!

    Farell already felt a fierce impact rushing towards his right shoulder.

    An overwhelming force, a terrifying surge, all focused on the shoulder and released.

    The solid collision of force against force, no fancy tricks, just a straightforward face-to-face confrontation, the power rising from below like a Meteor Fist fully charging towards Farrell¡¯s shoulder.

    Farell felt his shoulder was almost about to shatter, for the first time he felt his body was so fragile.

    Boom, with a fierce impact.

    An overwhelming force utterly disrupted Farrell¡¯s bnce as his 265-pound body,cking agility, waspletely exposed. He was unable to adjust, like a boxing bag, facing all the impacts head-on, and the fierce force started spinning Farrell around.

    Allen: "I¡¯ve seen this episode!"

    Incredibly, the clumsy 265-pound body began to dance around gracefully, an unseen force twisting his awkward limbs clockwise, even more magical than magic, stunning every fan in the stadium.

    ¡ªDead silence!

    On the field, Farrell spun slowly and clumsily like a fat swan dreaming of ballet; the whole world turned upside down. His center of gravity was thrown into a spin dryer,pletely out of control. He had only turned ny degrees and was already facing upwards,cking the momentum to continue spinning.

    A pause.

    Stillness.

    Ferrell was in an awkward position neither here nor there, his bncepletely overturned, totally losing control of his body, then felt gravity pulling him, his arms iling in an attempt to grasp something, but in vain, sprawling out as he flipped over.

    Face up, back down.

    Ferrell¡¯s peripheral vision just managed to catch a fleeting figure gracefully sweeping past him, then disappearing.

    The world was copsing¡ª

    How did this happen?

    Ferrell couldn¡¯t figure it out.

    And Li Wei?

    Using the shoulder collision as the center, Li Wei also felt the oppression of weight and force with his whole body, the heavy impact pressing on his left shoulder. He didn¡¯t simply endure it but let his shoulder sink with the force of the impact and then spun clockwise, sessfully dissipating the remaining force.

    Waiting for the 360-degree turn toplete, Li Wei didn¡¯t pause. ording to his own n, he unconsciously pulled his body to the upper right side, continuing his breakthrough.

    One step.

    Only then did he have time to survey his surroundings. As expected, the defensive group¡¯s main forces surged to the other side of the field, leaving the right halfpletely open.

    Two steps.

    The cornerback and safety were still on this side, not fully pulled away; but the previously dense crowd tactic had scattered, leaving an open path ahead.

    All as Li Wei had just observed and judged, also approved by Burns, the Tigers¡¯ defense piled heavily in the middle, both in numbers and in strength, creating immense pressure on the offensive line¡¯s pocket and ground cover; butparatively, the nks were weaker.

    As the cornerback and safety had to focus on the wide receiver, if Li Wei could use his speed to shake off the first tackle from the defensive line and divert the lineman¡¯s attention, the gateway on the side would open up.

    This was the situation now.

    Three steps.

    It was Number 99¡¯s collision that, although Li Wei managed to escape the grasp, still dyed him slightly, and the defensive group was already reacting.

    The passage, opening up in front of him, created an opportunity through the misalignment of offense and defense; but visibly, this corridor was now noisily closing again.

    Opportunity knocks but once.

    Making a snap decision, before continuing forward, his calves burst with strength,unching him in a sprinter¡¯s starting stance and he dashed forward instantly.

    Amidst the wobbling, Li Wei¡¯s ground pushing power was solid and steady, and within just two or three steps, he had grabbed his center of gravity, quickly picking up speed.

    The Tigers¡¯ cornerback was closing in, about toplete a head-on interception, when just then, a figure emerged on the right side, directly crashing into the cornerback¡ª

    The wide receiver, number one from the Crimson Tide Storm, Foster, made a return after initially running ten yards out,ing back to block.

    A crash, a block.

    The passage had not yet managed to close, and the obstruction was already cleared, once again opening up the field of view ahead.

 Chapter 41: 041 First Time Drawing the Sword

    A block from Wide Receiver number one, Foster, once again widened Li Wei¡¯s field of vision, allowing him to continue on without any hindrance, his speed still increasing.

    Bit by bit, Li Wei¡¯s speed was unleashed.

    Just then, a figure appeared on his left, leading by four or five steps ahead of Li Wei in a diagonal direction¡ªit was Tight End Hentges, who quickly nced back at Li Wei.

    Although the two men didn¡¯t speak, Hentges immediately understood his job. With a turn of his head, he charged at the two linemen flying towards him, taking them both on in a block.

    In an instant.

    Hentges was just one person and simply couldn¡¯t stop the two linemen charging down like tigers, only managing to create a fleeting moment for Li Wei.

    However, that was enough.

    Pick up speed.

    Run.

    Sprint.

    Li Wei¡¯s speed entered the high-speed running phase through the start and eleration zone, his light footsteps continuously breaking forward, moving from the five-yard to the ten-yard line in the blink of an eye.

    First down, achieved.

    The entire field, stunned.

    While some fans had already witnessed the capabilities of number twenty-three in the team scrimmage, it was still a novelty for others.

    Moreover, this was against the Clemson Tigers, the Tiger Team who had been rubbing their offensive group into the ground in the first half.

    In the stadium, there was silence, even the exmations hadpletely disappeared.

    With Hentges¡¯ blocking clearing the obstacles, Li Wei smoothly broke through the ten yards toplete the first down conversion, then from the corner of his eye he could see O¡¯Daniel¡¯s flying tackle, but this move was useless against Li Wei.

    Push off the ground.

    Lift a leg.

    With a light leap, Li Wei¡¯s footstepsnded delicately and agilely, his cheetah-like speed and posture cleverly maintaining bnce, utterly undisturbed, continuing to sprint at high speed, crossing into the Tiger¡¯s half at the forty-five-yard line in just a few short steps.

    This, still wasn¡¯t the end.

    Run.

    Full-on sprint.

    Free from restraint, Li Wei¡¯s speed waspletely unleashed.

    Forty-yard line.

    The Safety appeared.

    Tanner Muse knew he was thest line of defense for the Tigers, he couldn¡¯t miss the tackle.

    But the problem was, for the entire first half today, the Tigers¡¯ backfield almost hadn¡¯t been challenged at all, the safeties were practically strolling around, and when Muse rotated on during the second half, he thought he was just there to go through the motions. But unexpectedly, a shockwave came out of nowhere and hit him face first.

    What if he missed the tackle?

    A thought, a moment of hesitation.

    Before Muse could make a move, Li Wei, whose speed had fully picked up, had already surged past: overtaking.

    This poor unlucky guy frantically changed strategies, charging forward with Li Wei side by side, looking for an opportunity to make the tackle.

    But this was not easy.

    Thirty-five-yard line.

    When two people are both in a high-speed sprint, any movement that disrupts the center of gravity is especially difficult. The correct approach is to slightly suppress the opponent¡¯s speed, then use this slight deviation to make the move.

    This is what Muse thought, but the ideal is plump and the reality is skeletal.

    Thirty-yard line.

    In just a breath, the Red Zone seemed to already be in sight, and if he didn¡¯t make his move now, it would be toote.

    Muse knew this, so he made his move¡ª

    Just as he raised his hand, his center of gravity began to shift, bnce starting to tilt, and just as he was about to touch number twenty-three¡¯s shoulder, he found the other yer elerating.

    Incredibly!

    elerating!

    Speeding up for the second time while already at high speed, entering a state of full sprint.

    Muse had just raised his right hand when he could visibly see number twenty-three pulling away. He leaned slightly forward, his steps started to falter, any more hesitation and he would miss his chance¡ªthere was no time left.

    Twenty-five-yard line.

    A push, a dive, Musunched himself into a desperate lunge, crashing hard into Li Wei¡¯s back amid the jostling tumult, attempting to tackle, but there was no chance, absolutely no chance.

    The world spun chaotically, his bodypletely out of control.

    Bang!

    Mus: Did I seed? I must have seeded! Even if I didn¡¯t secure the tackle, I disrupted his center of gravity, right?

    However.

    Looking up, in the midst of losing total control, Mus saw the figure wearing number twenty-three stabilizing his steps amidst continued lunges, moving further and further away, gravity pulling his body downward, his eyes filled with despair.

    The twenty-yard line.

    Li Wei¡¯s back was hit hard, with all his speed, bnce, and center of gravity forcibly disrupted, his knees weakened, he stumbled forward.

    He was about to kneel!

    Li Wei bit down hard, with only one thought in his mind:

    Push off.

    Push off!

    He pushed off with all his might, using inertia to surge forward at full speed, not only out of control but also further unleashing his pace.

    The fifteen-yard line!

    Charge.

    Ten yards.

    Dive.

    Five yards!

    Barely maintaining bnce, knees unable to continue supporting, but Li Wei, with the momentum of his run-up, leapt into the air, his whole body lunging forward like a flying fish surging upwards.

    Soaring, gliding.

    Crossing the End Zone Line,nding in a vast and dazzling expanse.

    Touchdown.

    ckley couldn¡¯t believe his eyes; this unknown number twenty-three had shed the Tiger Safety¡¯s coverage with sheer speed¡ª

    Absolute speed.

    An explosive sprint akin to Sonic the Hedgehog! And ckley, a professional, would never forget the series of swift stops and turns that shook off the Defensive End earlier, the true beginning of everything, the dazzling moves that created an opportunity for the Crimson Tide Storm on third gear.

    Third and eight?

    No, number twenty-three transformed the third-down challenge into a fifty-two-yard long touchdown run with an inconceivable performance.

    Though this wasn¡¯t the Tiger Team¡¯s starting Defensive group, they were still substitutes; but don¡¯t forget, the Crimson Tide Storm¡¯s Offensive group waspletely unable to open up the game in the first half but reversed the situation entirely in the second half because of a running back.

    ckley turned to look at Pash: ???

    Pash wore a satisfied smile.

    Ah!

    Ah! Ah! Ah!

    Atst, Bryant Denny Stadium exploded with energy, the long-awaited touchdown finally came, and in such an exuberant manner.

    "Roar!"

    "Roar!"

    The University of bama¡¯s Crimson Tide Storm began to roar!

    The roar reverberated, hovering over the stadium.

    Allen, the Defensive group captain, exchanged a look with another Defensive Captain, number ten Foster¡ª

    Their nightmare was now the opponent¡¯s.

    What was this slight sense of schadenfreude?

    An¡¯s lips curved up, "The rookie proved himself this way; he¡¯s pping us in the face, showing disdain for our Defensive group¡¯s poor performance. So, what now?"

    Foster, a man of few words, shrugged slightly, "Hit back."

    In the first half, the Crimson Tide Storm¡¯s vaunted defense didn¡¯t perform well, gettingpletely outyed by Watson; now their main force was finally on stage, and Watson shouldn¡¯t be ying anymore. If they still didn¡¯t perform well, in front of that rookie, Li Wei, they might lose facepletely.

    Allen was eager to try, were those young Tiger cubs ready to face the real Crimson Tide Storm?

 Chapter 42: 042 Ground Threat

    "Hey, tough guy."

    Li Wei still didn¡¯t remember Allen¡¯s name. He genuinely didn¡¯t mean to forget, but he just couldn¡¯t remember it. Anyway, Allen really liked the nickname. Right before the Defensive group was about to take the field, he called out to Allen.

    Not just Allen, but number ten Foster, Humphrey, and the others, all stopped in their tracks.

    Li Wei shed a smile, "Did you guys see that? Mr. Watsons over there."

    Following Li Wei¡¯s gaze, the yers from the Defensive group all looked towards the Clemson rest area across the field, spotting the rxed-looking Watson¡ª

    His helmet and gear were off, and at the moment he was just in a tight moisture-wicking shirt, hands spread out on the back of a chair, his legs crossed, chatting andughing with his teammates as if he were on vacation in Cancun.

    Even though the Crimson Tide Storm had just scored a touchdown, he seemed unaffected.

    "That gentleman is on vacation, thinking it¡¯s impossible for us to threaten their victory. Even if their Tigers Defense Squad gave up a touchdown, he still believes their backup Offensive group can maintain the lead."

    "Hey, gentlemen, how about we prove ourselves with action, make that gentleman hop on his feet, and then get him back in gear and on the field."

    "What do you think?"

    More than words, this scene was far more effective.

    One by one, the yers from the Crimson Tide Storm¡¯s Defensive group¡¯s blood began to boil with burning fighting spirit.

    Allen turned to look at Li Wei, his eyes revealing a supreme confidence, "How about we see who can make that Mr. Watsons jump first?"

    Li Wei gave a thumbs up, "Be careful now, our Offensive group is already one point ahead."

    Without saying much more, Allen swung his arm, and the Defensive group took the field.

    It¡¯s true that in the training game, the backup team had won, and the main Defensive group had given up a touchdown at the beginning and end of the game, performing poorly; but don¡¯t forget, whether it¡¯s the main yers or the backups, the overall performance of the Defensive group was very strong. The only uncertain factor was Li Wei.

    In the first half of today¡¯s game, the Defensive groupcked solutions for dealing with Watson¡¯s individual performance, but now that the main Defensive group had finally taken the field, they were also holding back their breath.

    The Tigers¡¯ Offensive group didn¡¯t put Watson on for the second half, but instead followed the tradition of warm-up games, using different formations to test different strategicbinations, but Li Wei was right ¡ª they should see Watson as the target¡ª

    Win or lose, sparring with the strongest opponent and challenging your own limits is the most thrilling part ofpetitive sports.

    Allen was ready.

    The sess or failure of the Tigers¡¯ Offensive group depended on Watson.

    The most obvious thing was that once Watson wasn¡¯t on the field, the entire strategy¡¯s aggressiveness and pressure plummeted dramatically, clearly losing control of the situation.

    Moreover, even with Watson on the field, if they could just contain him, the variety of offensive tactics would instantly decline, greatly reducing their power.

    The Tigers¡¯ Offensive group¡¯s dependence on Watson and the Crimson Tide Storm Offensive group¡¯s dependence on Derrick Henry were somewhat simr, but obviously, the Tigers¡¯ dependence was a bit stronger.

    Presumably, Sweeney also knew this, choosing the Crimson Tide Storm as a warm-up match to hone their second and third offensive strategies.

    However¡ª

    It was still a challenge.

    The Tigers¡¯ second quarterback, Kelly Bryant, like Watson, was also a new generation running quarterback, currently a freshman, but the gap was quite apparent.

    Temporarily setting aside physical fitness, the biggest problem where Bryant fell shortpared to Watson was timing, unsure when to pass, when to run, and when to break through with the ball himself.

    On one hand, it was experience; on the other, talent.

    The Crimson Tide Storm¡¯s defensive front intensely pressured Bryant, and Allen and his team didn¡¯t pursue to rip through the pocket and sack the quarterback, but rather continuously applied pressure, forcing Bryant to make quick decisions and then descend into panic.

    No matter what choice Bryant made, it was like tightrope walking high above the ground, shaky and perilously uncertain, especially in the densely manned areas for short and medium passes, where both passing and running faced serious challenges.

    Three strikes and out¡ª

    In baseball, this term refers to the pitcher striking out the batter, but in football, it means the defensive group sessfullypletes third Gear defense, causing the opponent to face a long fourth down and be forced to choose to punt.

    Fourth down and seven yards.

    And the ball was positioned near the front of their own end zone, so the Tigers Offensive Squad didn¡¯t dare to take risks and could only reluctantly punt, handing over the ball rights back to the Crimson Tide Storm.

    As he came off the field, Allen took off his helmet, his face full of smiles, head held high with confidence and pride as he looked over at Li Wei.

    Li Wei, understanding the situation, carrying his own helmet, stepped onto the field and raised his right hand high¡ª

    p!

    Li Wei and Allenpleted a high five in mid-air, and their positions rotated.

    In the internalpetition of the Crimson Tide Storm, "Offensive Group VS Defensive Group": "1:1".

    When the Crimson Tide Storm Offensive Group took the field again, one could observe the tactical changes in the Tigers Defense Squad, with Sweeney showing his mettle.

    Sweeney had also noticed Li Wei¡¯s excellent performance, and the University of bama had always been a traditional powerhouse for running backs, their ground attack truly impressive. Li Wei alone had sessfully rung the rm bell in Sweeney¡¯s mind.

    Therefore, the Tigers Defense Squad tightened up their ground defense at the front, with number ny-nine Farrell and other defensive yers narrowing their pocket positions. As soon as the running back took the ball, day after day, the defensive yers stepped forward to form a wall tactic, their solid defense cutting off the ground routes.

    Li Wei faced many difficulties.

    As mentioned before, Li Wei wasn¡¯t the kind of powerhouse quarterback like Derrick Henry who could breach fortifications; it was hard for him to leverage his strengths withinyers uponyers of bulk shielding, including Jacobs, rk, Emmons, and so on, who were all not of this type. This was Crimson Tide Storm¡¯s dilemma.

    The most direct reason Burns noticed Li Wei initially was Li Wei¡¯s explosive burst of speed over short distances, which gave him the capacity to break through quickly¡ª

    The distance wasn¡¯t far, perhaps just two or three yards, unleashed in an instant and then encountering a block. He might not be as forceful as Derrick Henry, yet he could still make up for the gaps in the Crimson Tide Storm¡¯s ground attack.

    Moreover, Li Wei always managed to make the right choice using his observation and judgement, two or three yards possibly bing four or five yards or even more.

    At the same time!

    The Crimson Tide Storm leveraged Li Wei¡¯s individual ability¡ªasionally switching up with Emmons, the threat of the ground offense solidly capturing the attention of the Tigers¡¯ Defensive Squad.

    Caught off guard.

    Consequently, the Crimson Tide Storm broke open the game on the passing end.

    Sweeney firmly believed that the Crimson Tide Storm¡¯s passing offense was weak and, with Beteman¡¯s average passing uracy, the Defensive line and linemen focused more attention on the ground offense, rtively giving more space to the pass. The frontfield pressure and close-marking tactics also didn¡¯t exert enough pressure¡ª

    Even if they allowed Beteman to pass, the passing offense might not be able to unleash its firepower.

    However, Sweeney miscalcted.

    "Touchdown!"

    Pash once again raised his hands, cheering with surging passion that continuously erupted.

    "Touchdown, Beteman connects with Hentges, this is the first passing touchdown for the Crimson Tide Storm in this game, and now the home team¡¯s offense has broken open the field."

    "The Clemson Tigers face immense pressure, their lead now barely holding."

 Chapter 43: 043 Eager to Move

    Indeed, Beteman¡¯s passing uracy truly was average, but don¡¯t forget, Beteman had be the second quarterback for a traditional powerhouse like Crimson Tide Storm. Maybe his ability ceiling was lower, but he certainly wasn¡¯t ipetent.

    The short passes often relied on teamwork. As long as the ball¡¯s trajectory wasn¡¯t too outrageous, and the wide receiver and tight end didn¡¯t misunderstand the tactics, then the connections could be sessful.

    While the Crimson Tide offensive line attracted a substantial amount of fire on the ground, Saban arranged a series of short-pass tactics to progressively prate the opposing defense¡ª

    Was the tactic original?

    No. Saban¡¯s passing tactics were always by the book.

    Did the tactic work?

    Yes.

    That was already enough.

    Alternating between passing and running ys, Saban¡¯s abundant experience and astuteness once again showed their edge, consuming a total of eight minutes and thirty-seven seconds, finally scoring a touchdown in the red zone facing a third and three¡ª

    A y-action pass.

    Beteman pretended to hand off the football to Li Wei, who drew the defense in, but then turned and found the tight end Hentges.

    Hentges, with his back to the end zone, caught the ball and after securing it, encountered a tackle; yet, he used his physical advantage to barrel into the end zone.

    Touchdown, secured!

    After the extra point was sessfully scored, "14:21".

    The home team, Crimson Tide Storm, further closed the gap in the score, now just one touchdown away, and Bryant Denny Stadium erupted with incredible energy.

    "Roar!"

    "Roar!"

    Although this was just a warm-up game, unrted to winning or losing; considering the history of both teams and their sh at the national championship final earlier this year, everyone from the yers to the fans exploded with incredible enthusiasm, wholeheartedly engaging in the game, no less intense than in official matches.

    The Tigers, too, were no exception.

    Whoosh.

    Suddenly, one of the "ck-faced Yamas," Dexter Lawrence stood up. Compared to yers like Watkins and Wilkins, the high schooler Lawrence was still full of youthful zeal¡ª

    Ready at all times to prove himself, never missing an opportunity.

    Moreover, with Lawrence and another high schooler, number ny-nine Farrell,peting within the team, seeing Farrell fall short of the coach¡¯s expectations sparked Lawrence¡¯s excitement as he intently looked towards the coach.

    Would they just let it go?

    That number twenty-three is a fool, that quarterback can only make short passes, and Crimson Tide Storm¡¯s offensive tactics are just the same old routine. If Farrell can¡¯t hold up, shouldn¡¯t they let him y and see what he can do?

    Watkins and Wilkins did not stop Lawrence; in fact, they wanted to see the coach¡¯s attitude¡ª

    They didn¡¯t like the Crimson Tide Storm.

    If they had to choose, they still preferred the Crimson Tide Storm they had dominated and mercilessly ground into the dirt in the first half, even though this was a warm-up game. Watkins and Wilkins hadn¡¯t forgotten the bitterness of losing the national championship earlier this year. Weren¡¯t they supposed to reim their honor, to seek perfect revenge?

    Sweeney was also hesitant.

    A warm-up game had its tactical significance. Should he really disrupt the n just for a win in a warm-up game? Or should he continue to trust his yers, given that the new season couldn¡¯t rely on only one lineup?

    Thoughts circted in his mind.

    Turning around, Sweeney saw Watson, still arms crossed and leaning against the chair back. Though his expression was stern, no longer carefree as before, he at least remained calm, not panicking because of the current situation.

    Sweeney also calmed down¡ª

    It was all because of that number twenty-three running back, The Terminator, who hade out of nowhere,pletely unmentioned in their scouting report, throwing off their ns.

    Damn it.

    But they shouldn¡¯t disrupt their own formation; they still needed to follow the n.

    So.

    Sweeney didn¡¯t heed Lawrence¡¯s look but reestablished his strategy¡ª

    Since the third quarter was nearing its end, it was now the Tigers¡¯ opportunity to attack. They should keep cool and steadily advance through positional battles, securing ball possession while consuming time.

    If they could score a touchdownst, the advantage in winning stilly with the Tigers.

    Sweeney regained his resolve, waved his hand grandly, signaling the offensive group to take the field.

    Sure enough, this attack became more detailed and enriched under Sweeney¡¯s tactics, tangling with the Crimson Tide Storm¡¯s defensive group in a battle of positions.

    Seven minutes and forty-five seconds.

    This wave of offense spanned from the third to the fourth quarter, dominated by short passes and running ys. The Tigers retaliated in the same way the Crimson Tide Storm had attacked, stabilizing their footing before showcasing their depth, which had kept them entangled with the Crimson Tide till the finals ofst year¡¯s nationwide championship.

    Unfortunately, they didn¡¯t score a touchdown.

    The Crimson Tide Storm¡¯s defensive group performed crucial red zone defense, intercepting the opponents just seven yards from the end zone. Still, the Tigers steadily earned a field goal.

    The second half opened.

    "24:14."

    The gap in the score widened again, and with most of the fourth quarter already ticked away, it pushed the Crimson Tide Storm into a challenging position.

    Watson, once again settled, resumed joking with his teammates.

    Watkins and Wilkins regained theirposure, with only Lawrence still eager, trying to prove himself in such a game.

    The bnce of victory subtly tilted toward the Tigers. Although slight, the change in situation had indeed altered the mood; one could feel a tragic pressure settling on their shoulders when the Crimson Tide Storm¡¯s offensive group took the field again.

    Li Wei felt it too.

    Although it wasn¡¯t an official match, the exhration of victory and defeat filled his heart. Unlike cross-country running, unlike mixed martial arts, a burden of united resolve heavily descended, tensing people up while also invigorating them.

    This was his first time.

    Both the Crimson Tide Storm and the Tigers felt it; the first gear of offense sparked mes¡ª

    Roar!

    Farrell entered like a sumo wrestler, moving his feet while squatting down as if entering the ring, using such celebration moves to taunt the Crimson Tide Storm¡¯s offensive group.

    "Sorry."

    On the offensive line, right tackle Lester Cotton offered his right hand to Li Wei, his face full of remorse.

    Just then, Cotton hadn¡¯t secured his position and was instantly broken through by Farrell, such that as soon as Li Wei caught the football from Beteman, he was faced with Farrell¡¯s tackle and went down without any chance to move.

    It was very awkward.

    Cotton knew it was entirely his fault, and he needed to take full responsibility.

    Li Wei caught Cotton¡¯s right hand, pulling himself up, then patted Cotton on the shoulder, "Good effort, just don¡¯t make the same mistake next time."

    With a joke, Cotton touched his helmet.

    Li Wei didn¡¯t mind, even though Cotton¡¯s failure to secure his position was an uneptable error. What mattered more was that their offensive tactics had been anticipated by the opponent, with the Tigers¡¯ defensive group taking the upper hand. That was the crux.

    Moreover, in football, escaping impacts was impossible.

    This recent impact left Li Wei tasting the metallic vor of blood on his tongue¡ª

    It was a bit stimting, a bit exhrating.

    Overpowering felt good, joyful, but crushing without a fight was too boring. Only the crushing and destruction after a contest were truly interesting.

    Li Wei thought, it seems number ny-nine was well-prepared then.

 Chapter 44: 044 Bring the horse over

    ```

    Third and thirteen.

    The situation was dire; on the first down, a running attack, Li Wei was tackled behind the line of scrimmage for a loss of three yards; this directly led to substantial pressure on the subsequent offense, and on the second down, Beteman attempted a medium pass, but unfortunately, the offensive line once again faced immense pressure, forcing Beteman to throw hurriedly, and the connection failed.

    Then, they arrived at the current position.

    But this is football, with offense and defense constantly alternating, the result of each offensive y could change the tactics of the follow-up ys, and the situation was always evolving.

    The maturity of Sweeney could be seen from the Tigers¡¯ previous offensive series and the current defensive series: focusing on a war of attrition to run down the clock, with the defense mping down and creating opportunities for themselves.

    In response to the passive situation of the third quarter, Sweeney still came up with some countermeasures.

    Now, on a long third down, even the Crimson Tide Storm couldn¡¯t rely on a running y, given that the efficiency was too low and it was easily overwhelmed by the opponent¡¯s defensive flood.

    Unless Saban decided to give up on this offensive series to avoid making a mistake on their own end zone¡¯s frontier, tactically using the running back to advance some distance to vie for a better punt position¡ª

    But could that be possible?

    Now still trailing by ten points and with little time remaining in the game, the Crimson Tide Storm couldn¡¯t afford to waste any offensive down.

    So, a passing y?

    The pressure, all on Beteman¡¯s shoulders.

    Beteman could feel all the bustling eyes in the stadium fixated on him, burning through his gear to scald his skin, his fingertips tingling and slightly moist; but turning his head to look at Li Wei, he noticed the brightness in Li Wei¡¯s eyes.

    "We can."

    Li Wei¡¯s eyes emitted that signal, causing Beteman¡¯s fingers to clench into fists, silently psyching himself up.

    Then, ready for the snap.

    On their own 22-yard line, Beteman was prepared.

    "Hike!"

    At the signal, Beteman took the football from the center, turned around, and Li Wei had already appeared; the two executed a misdirection.

    A running y?

    No way, the Crimson Tide Storm opting for a run on third and thirteen?

    Or was it a fake run and real pass?

    In a sh, through the feigned and real movements between Li Wei and Beteman, the Tigers Defense Squad was faked out, albeit slightly.

    Subconsciously, they created space, prepared to defend against the pass, especially medium and long passes, hence the need to start dropping back; but no sooner had they started than they perceived the movement between Li Wei and Beteman and hesitated.

    It was precisely this hesitation that left everyone with their own judgment and choices, and thus the standoff between offense and defense unfurled across various corners of the field.

    Simultaneously, Li Wei went right, Beteman went left, the two spreading apart with their backs to each other¡ª

    The deceptive running, along with the offensive line¡¯s interference with the sightlines, made it unclear who had the football, continuously elevating the difficulty of the defensive group¡¯s judgment.

    A wave to the left, a wave to the right, the defensiveyout of the Tigers Defense Squad was instantly dispersed.

    But they didn¡¯t panic because they knew the Crimson Tide Storm had to ovee the difficulty of third and thirteen. Even if they gave up a five or eight-yard gain, it would be fine as the Crimson Tide Storm still hadn¡¯t achieved a first down; on fourth down, they would need to punt, so all the defenders had to do was hold their ground.

    At this moment, the space in the short pass area was slightly rxed, while the area beyond ten yards for medium passes was notably denser.

    Of course, there were exceptions¡ª

    The defensive line.

    No matter the tactic, they always held the frontline.

    Then, Farrell saw the position of the football.

    Number twenty-three?

    Was it actually number twenty-three?

    Had Saban lost his mind, opting for a running y in such a predicament?

    The thought shed by and Farrell admitted that even he was caught off guard by Saban¡¯s unexpectedly wild tactic, clearly not anticipated, to the extent that he was entirely entangled with Cotton, the offensive tackle he was facing.

    ```

    Damn!

    Farrell had no choice but to push away Cotton¡¯s helmet¡ª

    Smack.

    Yellow g, the referee threw the yellow g immediately.

    Although there is no rule in football for umting yellow cards to eject a yer from the game, a yellow g still indicates a foul and depending on the scale of the vition, may require a penalty in yardage.

    In the case of the helmet, because grabbing the helmet could cause serious injury to the neck, the rules strictly prohibit it, and once vited, it¡¯s a fifteen-yard penalty.

    That is to say, if the referee determined that Farrell grabbed the helmet, it would automatically give Crimson Tide Storm a first down.

    But in Farrell¡¯s view, it was just a shove, not a grab, at most it could be considered a holding foul, which is a ten-yard penalty; besides, he couldn¡¯t care less about that now.

    Farrell¡¯s eyes were only fixed on number twenty-three, especially after justpleting the first-down tackle, he couldn¡¯t wait to tackle again.

    With a push and a swing, Farrell forcibly shook off Cotton, taking ateral step trying to rush towards Li Wei.

    Unexpectedly, Cotton persisted, fiercely gripping Farrell¡¯s right leg. Although he didn¡¯t control Farrell, it affected his start.

    With a thrust.

    Farrell immediately lost his bnce and lurched forward, but he still tenaciously surged forward once more, winning a bit of space for himself, pouncing towards Li Wei¡¯s lower body with a posture like paying tribute to a pir, arms stretched out, squeezing tight¡ª

    Tackle!

    Direct hit!

    Farrell rejoiced, watching as Li Wei went down with his lunge, but amidst the chaos and tumult, Farrell¡¯s grip couldn¡¯t tighten, he had already lost control before touching the ground, and the next second he saw Li Wei¡¯s legs pull out, pressing on, moving forward.

    Farrell: ???

    What¡¯s happening?

    I definitely tackled him, didn¡¯t I?

    Indeed, Farrell did tackle Li Wei.

    Li Wei realized there was a waiting for him ahead, he didn¡¯t have time to continue ateral sprint to open space and then surge forward; he had to seize the quickest and most direct route to step up before the tightened, and that¡¯s when he collided with the formidable Farrell.

    Li Wei didn¡¯t manage to shake off the tackle.

    But he didn¡¯t give up either.

    Farrell¡¯s tackle wasn¡¯t solid; Cotton¡¯s disruption yed a significant role, so even though Li Wei lost his bnce, he didn¡¯t lose control of his body.

    With a forward dive, before hitting the ground, Li Wei pulled out his left hand to support the ground, his strength pouring down like andslide, quickly utilizing the reactive force from the support point to win the kic energy for a secondary start.

    Force off the ground, exerting power.

    With a thrust of his waist and abdominal power, he stood up, not waiting for his body to fully stabilize; continuous thrusting strides had already propelled his body rushing forward.

    One step, two steps.

    Amidst staggering and chaos, Li Wei incredibly managed to stand up again, his wavering bnce gradually returning, and in a blink he had rushed out five yards.

    But this time, there was no space; defensive yers standing more than ten yards away were approaching from all directions, the gaps and passages visibly closing one after another.

    Li Wei was very calm; he noticed the earlier yellow g, but he needed more than just the penalty yards; the offensive run with the ball wasn¡¯t over yet! He was prepared to firmly grasp the initiative of the attack in his hands!

    Not just calm, but also fired up¡ª

    "Through hell and high water, bring it on."

    His gaze swiftly scanned ahead, not recklessly elerating, noting a gap and gauging the surrounding situation; only then did he firmly break through.

    One step, two steps¡­

    Just as he started his second step, a fierce force came from the right sideterally, like a high-speed train, directly knocking Li Wei sideways.

    Bang!

    A muffled sound, and all his insides began to churn.

 Chapter 45: Pulling chestnuts out of the fire

    Encirclement, predicament, rapid contraction.

    Third Gear with a sizeable yardage is just so challenging¡ªif you choose to pass, you might face intensive marking; if you choose to run, then you¡¯re ambushed from all sides.

    Compared to the ground offense of the first and second gears, running on Third Gear often wins some space at the start, but after bursting through five yards, you¡¯re surrounded.

    Right now, that was the case. Everywhere the eye could see, there were Tigers yers¡¯ silhouettes piercing through the Crimson Tide Storm¡¯s defense like a dam giving way to a flood.

    Li Wei had just found a breakthrough path and was stepping forward diagonally to the right.

    Right behind him, a collision from the same direction was already crushing over him head-on.

    Bang.

    His innards were tossed into turmoil.

    Li Wei didn¡¯t take the hit head-on; it wasn¡¯t his strong suit. He yed to his strengths, quickly adjusting along the force of the impact, changing direction, and dashing diagonally to the left.

    It took a split second to realize the collision hade from a cornerback, who was also tangled with Crimson Tide Storm¡¯s number one wide receiver Foster, such that he couldn¡¯t tackle, only collide. No sooner had they collided than both lost their bnce and tumbled away like rolling gourds.

    Li Wei¡¯s staggering steps persisted along the diagonal, taking just two or three short steps, and then he could see two safeties quickly stepping up, along with a lineman trying to shake off Hentges¡¯s entanglement. An unfinished pocket thus appeared before his eyes.

    Right then¡ª

    A side dive, Li Wei continued to lift his legs high and leapt into the air, pressing onward.

    A frontal interception, Li Wei raised his left arm, stretched it out straight, and delivered a powerful straight arm block.

    But this time, the force did not establish dominance. The safety before him must be the Tigers¡¯ strong safety¡ªboth his weight and strength seemed formidable, and he wasn¡¯t shaken off by Li Wei¡¯s initial resistance,

    Li Wei didn¡¯t panic, watching as the other safety, Mus, was drawing near.

    So, Li Wei simply used the straight arm block to push the safety before him as a meat shield, taking a step up, another step up, and lifted the shield to charge at Mus.

    A block.

    The Tigers¡¯ dense defense became a disadvantage; everyone piled up, hindering their own yers, and then the two safeties collided with each other.

    ng!

    Helmet crashed against helmet, a dizzying whirl.

    Then, Li Wei had already broken free, using the reaction force of his pushing momentum to shift his bnce, and dashed again toward the right sideline area¡ª

    There, was the gap.

    The cornerback who was originally defending that area had fallen to the ground tangled up with Crimson Tide Storm¡¯s Foster. Even if he got up to pursue now, it was already toote.

    Ahead,y the passage.

    But it wasn¡¯t that simple; Li Wei¡¯s peripheral vision caught arge force from the left rapidly closing in, and he had to find his center of gravity within the shaking bnce.

    Stamp the ground.

    Stamp the ground!

    In the midst of turbulence and chaos, Li Wei held his breath, fully entering an anaerobic state, his speed increasing, continually increasing, while remaining fully alert, watching in all directions, his feet swiftly sprinting out.

    Heh!

    Around the field, dead silence, utterly stunned¡ª

    From five yards to ten yards, in this brief span, the defense was dense, Li Wei bounced around like a ping-pong ball, yet improbably maintained his bnce and continued forward, and then¡­ he broke through a gap.

    Ten yards.

    Thirteen yards.

    Incredibly, the Crimson Tide had broken through the first attack with a ground offense.

    And Li Wei?

    Stumbling, mbering forward, like a drunk madman trying a high wire act, his teetering figure constantly in danger of falling from the sky.

    Amid gasps of fright, everyone watched dumbfounded as Li Wei pressed on.

    Then¡ª

    A linebacker, leaping at the peak, diving horizontally, tried to tackle.

    Li Wei lifted his legs high in session, edging close to the sideline while shaking off the tackle.

    His steps reached the edge of the field. Although he had managed to throw off the immediate tackling threat, he appeared to be stepping out, and the breath of the entire stadium was suspended.

    Li Wei didn¡¯t give up, not only maintaining his speed but even elerating, on tiptoes, navigating a palm-wide space just inside the sideline, his speed faster and faster.

    Fifteen yards!

    Twenty yards!

    Tap, tap, tap, tap.

    Those light and agile footsteps were as elegant and graceful as a ballerina¡¯s, transforming the square field into the grand stage of a theater, where high art unfolded.

    Twenty-five yards!

    The midfield line passed under Li Wei¡¯s feet, like por trees retreating rapidly on a speeding train, while the entire crimson wave in the stadium also started to move back, turning into a surging sea as if sshed with vibrant paint.

    Splendid, majestic.

    And then¡ª

    Mus appeared.

    Even though he had just collided with his teammate, Mus didn¡¯t give up. After quickly regaining control of his body, he chased after Li Wei again without having time to think, his speed exploding in the next step.

    It didn¡¯t matter if he couldn¡¯t tackle; all he needed to do was to push number twenty-three out of bounds.

    He pushed off the ground, jumped, and was airborne.

    Mus flew out directly.

    Hum, hum, hum.

    Bryant Denny Stadium fell silent; everyone held their breath, watching the moment on the field unfold in slow motion, their eyes widening¡ª

    Brake!

    Halt!

    Li Wei, in the midst of high-speed running, came to an emergency stop and somehow managed to maintain control, his body swaying left and right as if he were a dragonfly perched precariously on the tip of a newly emerged lotus leaf, its wings trembling slightly.

    However, Mus just flew past, drifting in front of Li Wei and lunging at thin air.

    Mus had anticipated he needed to ount for one step ahead, expecting Li Wei to continue moving so they could collide, but did not foresee this scene.

    Their gaze crossed.

    They brushed past each other.

    Mus uncontrobly rushed towards the Crimson Tide Storm yers on the side.

    But by then, the Crimson Tide Storm yers had no time to pay attention to him, their focus entirely on Li Wei, unable to restrain themselves from shouting along.

    Listen, those were the roars circling above Bryant Denny Stadium.

    "Roar!"

    Li Wei¡¯s feet entered the opposing field, the forty-five-yard line.

    "Roar!"

    After restarting, Li Wei regained his bnce, then elerated again, his speed incrementally increasing, the forty-yard line.

    "Roar!"

    Gradually, the Tigers Defense Squad yers swarmed towards the sideline, one after another, in relentless pursuit, all the fervor in the stadium wing its way towards Li Wei in a wave.

    The thirty-five-yard line.

    "Roar!"

    Blood boiling, passion surging, no one could resist as the entire stadium turned into a sea of mes, even ckley and Pash who watched Li Wei, with the tip of his toes on the sideline, sprinting forward and elerating, like a breeze blowing past.

    The thirty-yard line.

    Behind him, an awe-inspiring tide of people spread out like a peacock¡¯s grand tail.

    Ahead, Li Wei ran like a solitary arrow let loose, running faster and faster.

    Whoosh whoosh, the howling wind, the overwhelming Crimson Tide announced its release, then enveloped Li Wei as he stepped into the end zone, detonating entirely.

    Boom!

    The whole stadium stood, united in shouting and roaring, liberating their joy.

    "Roar!"

    "Roar!" Stay connected through §Þ??

    Crimson Tide Storm, sweeping across the stadium.

    The Tigers, in stunned silence.

    Incredible, beyond belief, yet this was all happening right before their eyes.

    "24:21", Crimson Tide Storm scored again, narrowing the gap in the score¡ª

    Watson, could he continue to sitfortably at his leisure?

 Chapter 46: 046 Change of possession

    Watson couldn¡¯t sit still anymore.

    He was jittering his leg.

    When Farrell missed the tackle, he had started jittering his leg and biting his nails,pletely losing the rxed and arrogant demeanor he had during the halftime break, his heart crumpled like scrap paper.

    Everyone knew that the Crimson Tide Storm relied on defense; their offensepletely depended on Derrick Henry. Without their main yer this year, their offensive capability had been halved. The Tigers were leading with three touchdowns and had kept the Crimson Tide Storm scoreless in the first half,fortably positioned to secure a victory.

    However¡ª

    Where did that number twenty-three evene from?

    Damn.

    Watson knew it was just a warm-up game, but for the Tigers, it was not only a chance for revenge forst season¡¯s nationwide championship final but also an opportunity to dere their championship ambitions to the Crimson Tide Storm and the entire league before the new season began. He was craving a victory.

    And preferably a big one.

    Watching the Crimson Tide Storm score two touchdowns, Watson thought, maybe not a big win, but at least a victory, since he hadn¡¯t yed in the second half yet.

    But now?

    Forget about a big win; even victory was in jeopardy.

    Damn!

    Watson abruptly stood up; he didn¡¯t care if it was only a warm-up game. They had to win, there were no excuses.

    Not just Watson, but Watkins, Wilkins, Lawrence, and the other ck-faced Yamas couldn¡¯t contain themselves either, all standing up and looking towards Sweeney.

    Sweeney noticed the looks. Although his disciples hadn¡¯t said anything, he knew that the team was united in their desire to build confidence for a solid start to the new season.

    Sweeney guessed Saban was likely focusing on testing the second and third string lineups, knowing Saban¡¯s cunning, he definitely wouldn¡¯t care about the oue of a warm-up game; perfect, they could use Saban¡¯s mindset to secure a victory¡ª

    At a psychological level, gain the upper hand.

    However, now¡­

    Sweeney also had a headache, hesitated for a moment, but then made up his mind.

    "Watson, get ready to go in."

    Whether it was a warm-up or not, they still needed to build confidence; the team¡¯s lineup and tactics were already quite synergized, and now victory was more important than anything else¡ª

    If they couldn¡¯t even withstand the Crimson Tide Storm¡¯s second-string offensive group, what did that make them?

    Watson didn¡¯t care about those things; hearing his name, he immediately turned around, using the Special Duty Group¡¯s time for the extra point kick and the ensuing kickoff to put on his gear.

    A bit clumsily.

    He identally tugged at his ear and muttered a curse, but he couldn¡¯t be bothered with that, hastily getting his gear on and eager to go.

    The kickoff ended¡ª

    The Crimson Tide Storm¡¯s Special Duty Group was very stable, not attempting any risky tactics, giving the Tigers a standard twenty-five-yard line start for their offense.

    "Ha!"

    Watson roared, clenching his fists and stepping onto the field with a menacing air.

    Across, Allen and Li Wei¡¯s gazes briefly collided in the air.

    Allen gave Li Wei a thumbs up, "Just as expected, Watson couldn¡¯t stay off the field after being provoked to return, his priorcency already flown off to Java. This is definitely Li Wei¡¯s credit."

    Li Wei then made a weing gesture, "Now let¡¯s see how the Crimson Tide Storm Defensive group performs, Allen and the others finally have a chance to face a mature Watson. It¡¯s time for the mule to show if it¡¯s a horse."

    Allen cracked a smile, turned to his teammates in the Defensive group, waved his hand grandly, and then they all took to the field together, striding confidently.

    The atmosphere in Bryant Denny Stadium instantly reached a new peak.

    Li Wei was also curious about how the Tigers¡¯ offensive wave would unfold, in his eyes, using Watson at this moment was a mistake.

    Not because it would harm the confidence of the second quarterback Bryant¡ªit¡¯s just that in the previous offensive round, Bryant actually yed quite well, although he didn¡¯t score, he still pushed forward into the Red Zone. Continuing to use Bryant, ying steadily and consuming time, the Tigers might still have a chance to win. The use of Watson revealed the Tigers¡¯ desperate urge to win.

    Watson was still young and impatient, entering the game with a stance of crushing the opponent to ensure victory, which inevitably made his y more aggressive. This perhaps was a chance for the Crimson Tide Storm Defensive group; even if they didn¡¯t seed in defending, and Watson scored, there would likely still be enough time left for the Crimson Tide Storm to continue their game.

    A strategy reveals much information.

    Even Li Wei, an outsider, could see this, so Saban, the experienced old fox, surely had a full grasp of the situation.

    Indeed, Li Wei was right¡ª

    Sack!

    In the first series of offense and defense, Allen presented Watson with a huge sack.

    A "sack" is when the quarterback is tackled to the ground while holding the ball; though it doesn¡¯t result in a loss of possession, it does lead to a loss of yards and involves a direct hit, which makes the quarterback highly susceptible to injuries since quarterbacks aren¡¯t as resilient to physical impact as other positions.

    Too eager to prove himself, Watson attempted a pass on the first down and ten yards, only to fall into Saban¡¯s trap. All possible pass targets were locked down. By the time Watson realized, Allen had already lunged in front of him. Watson tried to use his legs to escape, but Allen didn¡¯t let the cooked duck fly away.

    Sack, +1.

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    The momentum of the Crimson Tide Storm Defensive group had also been unleashed, as the reserve team had been drilled into a sieve by Watson in the first half, and Allen and his team were also holding back their breath.

    But that wasn¡¯t enough¡ª

    Watson still excelled. Despite the sack, he was able to create opportunities with his skills, earning the Tigers two first downs just as the Tigers¡¯ morale was about to rise; then the Crimson Tide Storm Defensive group demonstrated their strength again.

    "Interception!"

    "God, Watson has just thrown the first interception of the game for both teams¡¯ quarterbacks, handing over possession. Crimson Tide Storm¡¯s number ten lineman Foster snatches it,pleting this stunning turnover!"

    "Now, the offensive opportunity is in the hands of the Tigers."

    "The oue of the match is still unclear; anything is possible! As expected from the rematch ofst season¡¯s Nationwide Championship peak battle, it¡¯s indeed thrilling!"

    An interception corresponds to a reception.

    If the quarterback passes the football into the hands of a teammate, it¡¯s called apleted pass.

    But if the quarterback passes the football into the hands of an opponent, it¡¯s called an interception, directly changing the possession right where it happened.

    Defensive yers can vie with wide receivers and tight ends, and as long as they don¡¯tmit any fouls,pleting the catch marks an interception; and after an interception, they can also initiate a return. Wherever the knee touches the ground, that¡¯s where the next offensive wave starts, and if they drive straight into the opponent¡¯s end zone, it is an interception return touchdown.

    This is also one way the Defensive group can change the game.

    Thus, the quarterback¡¯s passes also need to be exceedingly cautious.

    Watson...was still too aggressive, failing to clearly discern the position cements of the offensive and defensive yers, he ended up mistakenly sending the football to the wrong spot, where Foster immediately intercepted it, achieving the interception.

    An interception, a turnover¡ª

    The Crimson Tide Storm Defensive group made Watson leave the field again less than three minutes after he entered, taking back possession and securing two minutes and seven seconds of offensive time for the Crimson Tide Storm Offensive group.

    The situation hadpletely turned around.

 Chapter 47: 047 Pseudo-reality

    "Roar!"

    Rarely seen, Foster let out a roar, this normally silent and honest man during training showed his mettle in such a game, smashing the football onto the ground, igniting cheers from the entire field.

    Opposite, Watson simply could not believe this scene, angrily taking off his helmet, cursing and muttering to himself all the way to the Tigers¡¯ rest area, his darkplexion could rival the bottom of a pot, the swearing wouldn¡¯t stop.

    The situation, once again, quietly shifted.

    At this moment, Sweeney also realized his mistake, but it was toote for regrets. Turning around, he saw Lawrence and the others¡¯ eager looks, hesitated no more, waved his hand boldly, and the main yers took to the field¡ª

    If it hade to this, then victory was a must.

    Inpetitive sports, there was nothing that a victory couldn¡¯t solve; if they won, all mistakes would vanish like smoke, and the Tigers¡¯ spring preparations could conclude with a perfect ending.

    Sweeney¡¯s eyes radiated determination:

    "Crimson Tide Storm¡¯s offense VS Tigers¡¯ Defense Squad."

    The weak points of the two teams could be the key to deciding the oue of the game, but Sweeney was confident, as long as they could stop this offensive wave, Watson would take the field again to clinch the victory.

    Everything hinged on this moment.

    Lawrence didn¡¯t think twice; seeing the coach¡¯s signal, he pushed off the ground and rushed out, returning to the field in a sprinter¡¯s burst, scanning the crowd, he instantly caught sight of that figure¡ª

    Number twenty-three.

    A smile appeared on Lawrence¡¯s lips, was that guy ready? He wasn¡¯t Farrell; he was about to show what a real defensive line was, and that the starting position wasn¡¯t earned through backdoors¡ªFarrell couldn¡¯t even carry his shoes.

    Li Wei felt a chill on the back of his neck, goosebumps erupting uncontrobly, turning reflexively to spot Lawrence¡¯s figure in the crowd.

    Clearly, Lawrence made no attempt to conceal his intentions; not only that, but when their eyes shed, he raised his right thumb, gently dragged it across his throat, and revealed a set of white teeth with a wide grin.

    "Haha.

    Hahaha.

    You will remember me well, my name will be your nightly nightmare, waking each night from fear and shame¡ªI¡¯ll take good care of you."

    With a skyward howl, Lawrence seemed very pleased with the intimidation he¡¯d just expressed, then put on his helmet and took his position within the defensive group¡¯s lineup.

    Li Wei: What¡¯s his name again?

    Li Wei also donned his helmet, joining Beteman¡¯s ranks to prepare for the lineup¡ª

    Just now, Foster had intercepted at near midfield, unable tounch a counterattack due to being surrounded, but still secured an offensive starting position at the forty-seven-yard line of their own half for Crimson Tide Storm.

    That meant that Crimson Tide Storm needed only two first downs to enter field goal range.

    For the Tigers Defense Squad, this was indeed a daunting task, but not just for Lawrence¡ªWatkins and Wilkins were all brimming with confidence. They had toughened up the Crimson Tide¡¯s main offensive group in the first half; the second half would be no different¡ª

    They simply had to choke off number twenty-three¡¯s offensive point, just like they had done to Derrick Henryst year.

    They feared not even Derrick Henry, so why would they be afraid of the skinny, willow-like number twenty-three before them?

    They were ready.

    Li Wei, noticing the gaze of the Tigers Defense Squad, stood in the pocket, with the offensive and defensive formations clearly in sight. This was something Li Wei had learned from training modeled after Adrian Peterson.

    Not only quarterbacks needed to read the defensive formation¡ªrunning backs did too; otherwise, running backs would often blindly hit walls, purely exhausting themselves without advancing the ball.

    The entire defensive formation was obviously pressing forward. Not just the defensive line, but the linemen and the safety had also moved up slightly. The aim was twofold: one was topress the quarterback¡¯s short passing space and to tighten the running back¡¯s ground advancement space; the other was to seek opportunities to pressure the quarterback, and even to pursue a sack.

    The Tigers Defense Squad¡¯s fangs were fully exposed.

    This was the challenge Hertz and Jacobs faced in the first half, and now it was Beteman¡¯s and Li Wei¡¯s turn to experience it.

    Among these, there was one detail¡ª

    All the ck-faced Yamas were solely focusing on Li Wei, and even though they tried to maintain poker faces, their peripheral vision couldn¡¯t help but drift toward him. Their nerves werepletely tense.

    Were they treating Li Wei as they would Derrick Henry?

    Subconsciously, Li Wei turned his head to look at Saban. They inadvertently exchanged nces. Saban did not show any reaction, but instead gave tactical instructions to Beteman. However, in that brief moment of eye contact, Saban revealed a hint of admiration.

    Coaches are responsible for devising tactics, and before executing them, yers also need to understand these tactics. It¡¯s precisely because of the deviation in the yers¡¯ understanding that unexpected situations can arise during the final game.

    Saban knew that Li Wei understood his tactics. The key now was whether the Tigers¡¯ young and aggressive yers understood Sweeney¡¯s tactics?

    Indeed, Sweeney needed to apply pressure at the front line. Beteman was not a yer who could walk through pressure with ease. This was also the fundamental reason Saban chose Hertz as the main quarterback¡ªthough Hertz too was still young and needed more polishing. The Tigers¡¯ front-line pressure and rushing tactics were correct.

    But the young defensive yers¡¯ attention waspletely captured by Li Wei.

    This was still correct, at least the tactics hadn¡¯t deviated from Sweeney¡¯s n, but the details were not precise enough, leaving room for Saban to exploit. Explore stories at §Þ??

    The tactic, issue themand¡ª

    "Attack!"

    Beteman signaled the start of y, took the football from the center, and immediately turned around. Within two crossover steps, he was already converging with the advancing Li Wei. Beteman stuffed the football into Li Wei¡¯s arms.

    Lawrence: Got you!

    Stamping the ground, starting, sprinting.

    Lawrence¡¯s advance was very firm, watching number twenty-three intently, who clearly sensed the heightened intensity of the defense. He made a feint, first swaying towards the middle but it was just a bluff; he then swiftly cut to the right. His speed exploded after the feint.

    In today¡¯s game, both instances of significant ground gains were made through the right.

    Lawrence wasn¡¯t fooled. He nted his feet, came to a sudden halt, then quickly changed direction with a sharpteral move. He shook off the opposing Cotton instantly, demonstrating abilities far superior to Farrell¡¯s, at least at the current stage¡ªmore mature and more dominant. He tore through the offensive line¡¯s blocking with a single yank.

    With a push, Lawrence broke free from Cotton¡¯s grasp and dove forward like lightning. He wasn¡¯t taking things lightly. His focus was entirely on the technique of the tackle; he wasn¡¯t going to miss the grab like that idiot Farrell.

    Number twenty-three was within reach.

    Lawrence was ted.

    It was only half a beat toote when he realized something was amiss. Number twenty-three seemed to be crashing into him in an embrace.

    So, was it Lawrence who tackled number twenty-three, or was it number twenty-three who tackled Lawrence?

    At that moment, in the corner of Lawrence¡¯s eye, he caught a glimpse of a deep brown rainbow arc streaking across the sky¡ª

    What... what¡¯s going on? Why was the football up there?

    Turning his gaze back to the front, Lawrence saw number twenty-three¡¯s face magnify in his pupils. Everything went dark as his whole body was flipped:

    Surprise!

 Chapter 48: 048 Time Control

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    Lawrence¡¯s vision went ck, an overwhelming force nearly shattered his organs, and his body was flipped over onto the ground like a bag of rice.

    He thought he had tackled No. 23 urately, but No. 23 had been ready, seizing the moment Lawrence was distracted to knock him over with a robust and decisive frontal collision, his robust and hefty body flipping over head first, cutting off all sounds at the throat.

    A backward fall.

    In front of him, a chaos of footsteps filled his vision, and amidst the dizziness, he only saw a sh of red cutting a bloody path through the turmoil.

    Then¡ª

    "Roar, Crimson Tide!"

    "Roar, Crimson Tide!"

    Bryant Denny Stadium erupted with incredible energy.

    Lawrence clenched his fists: a fake run for a real pass! Damn it!

    Now, Lawrence finally realized this was a tactic of faking a run for a real pass; No. 23pletely drew their attention, causing a gap in the defense as the quarterback of Crimson Tide Storm quickly executed a short pass, not just gaining the first down but also vigorously advancing fifteen yards.

    The field goal range was within reach.

    The Tigers Defense Squad united their will, trying to strike out the Crimson Tide Storm, but didn¡¯t expect to be immediately met with severe rebuke as soon as they entered the game, the situation looking grim.

    Lawrence stood up, looking towards Watkins and Wilkins; their faces were already dark, indistinguishable, but the exchange of looks made it clear, they were too focused on No. 23¡¯s ground advancing ability, causing them to lose focus elsewhere, resulting in significant defensive gaps.

    The situation was grim.

    If they couldn¡¯t stop the Crimson Tide Storm here, once within the field goal range, the control over the game¡¯s oue would fall into the hands of the Crimson Tide Storm.

    Damn it!

    Below the field, Watson could no longer sit still, standing straight at the sideline, his expression alternating between clouds and sunshine, unable to suppress the overwhelming irritability and anger¡ª

    If it weren¡¯t for that interception just now...

    The defensive group had regained their focus, not making the same mistake twice.

    So, what strategy would the Crimson Tide Storm deploy next in the offense, and how were the Tigers Defense Squad preparing to intercept the opponents near the midfield?

    "Attack!"

    Betemanmanded without moving his feet, grabbing the Football and standing in ce, stepping aside to leave room for Li Wei to approach.

    Then, Li Wei took the Football from Beteman, but didn¡¯t change his running direction, instead plunging headlong into the surging offensive line¡ª

    Through the center!

    Bang!

    Facing him, a figure was already charging at him, confronting Li Wei head-on.

    This time, it was not Lawrence, but Wilkins.

    To be precise, the entire defensive line was fully alert because Sweeney had called a blitz tactic.

    A blitz means the defensive group turns passivity into aggression, with the defensive line suddenly stepping strongly forward, tearing open the pocket, aiming directly at the opposite quarterback.

    To capture. To collide. To disrupt the pass.

    This was the purpose of the blitz, because as long as the Football remained in the quarterback¡¯s hands, they could end the offense directly by cutting off the quarterback at the source.

    The Tigers Defense Squad¡¯s tactic was very aggressive, trying to seize the initiative.

    Not just the defensive line, but the linemen and cornerbacks also tightened their marking.

    At the moment of stepping forward, Wilkins and Lawrence quickly noticed No. 23¡¯s movement, immediately realizing that the target had changed.

    The blitz was still on.

    The pressure was still on.

    But now the target should be No. 23.

    To rip apart.

    The Tigers Defense Squad, relying on the individual skill of their yers, burst through the pocket, and Wilkins had already collided head-on with number twenty-three, only to finally realize at the moment his foot moved forward:

    Where¡¯s the football?

    The football wasn¡¯t in number twenty-three¡¯s arms.

    Another fake run leading to a real pass?

    No, to be exact, Saban cunningly saw through Sweeney¡¯s surprise attack strategy, using Li Wei as a decoy. The fake run leading to a real pass wasn¡¯t the tactic, but using the running back as the sixth offensive lineman to protect the quarterback, in order to buy time for Beteman to make a pass, that was the real purpose.

    Not only the yers, but Sweeney¡¯s tactics also appeared rather aggressive.

    Actually, from the moment Watson entered the game, Sweeney¡¯s mindset had already been disturbed. Saban keenly interpreted the changes and seized the initiative in tactical nning.

    Wilkins was stunned; he paused in his step and immediately felt a solid hit from number twenty-three, flipping him over, with amotion sounding in his ears¡ª

    A short pass, connected sessfully once again.

    In the blink of an eye, the Crimson Tide Storm advanced another seven yards.

    Second down and three yards, while they had already crossed into the opponent¡¯s thirty-five-yard line,ing up to the thirty-one-yard line, the Tigers Defense Squad was somewhat unable to hold back.

    Number twenty-three, once again.

    Even though there was no running y or advancement, number twenty-three¡¯s decoy action and disruption created space,ying the foundation for the Crimson Tide Storm¡¯s short pass connections¡ª

    Sweeney was somewhat annoyed.

    At that moment, he finally realized he had acted too hastily, his impatience exposing his tactical intentions which not only gave Saban an edge but also misjudged number twenty-three¡¯s role twice in session. Beyond ground advances, number twenty-three¡¯s targeted patching against the defense was undoubtedly crucial.

    So, what to do next?

    Taking a deep breath, Sweeney calmed down; even if they entered the field goal area, it didn¡¯t matter. It¡¯s fine to lose the field goal; as long as the Tigers could quickly strike out the Crimson Tide Storm, Watson could stille back and kill the game.

    Sweeney nced at the game time, one minute fifteen seconds.

    Alright, the time might not be enough for Watson to kill the game, but it didn¡¯t matter; a tie going into the overtime was just as good, as the game held many possibilities.

    The urgent need was to stop the Crimson Tide Storm; they couldn¡¯t allow a touchdown.

    With this shift in thoughts, Sweeney immediately started arranging the tactics¡ª

    The focus changed.

    Sweeney no longer pursuedpletely stopping the Crimson Tide Storm but preventing them from scoring a touchdown; so they only needed to cut off long passes and intensively defend the short pass area.

    Even if the pass was connected, they could intercept the receiver immediately and also consume game time.

    That would be enough.

    Sweeney incorporated time management into his considerations, as ground attacks consumed a lot of time. In a time-critical situation, passing was the only option. After he changed the tactical objective, the entire defensive strategy soon became efficient, and the pressure exerted by the three ck-faced Yamas in the short pass area also took effect.

    As expected.

    The Crimson Tide Storm chose to pass twice in a row, trying to control the time, but after wasting two timeouts, they advanced a total of five yards.

    After a new first down, they faced a second down and eight yards situation, and their advance was trapped at the twenty-six-yard line; the closer to the red zone, the more difficult it became.

    Game time, only fifty-five seconds left, Crimson Tide Storm had only one timeout left.

    The situation was a bit awkward.

    If the Crimson Tide Storm couldn¡¯t get a new first down, they would have to choose a field goal, then leaving about forty seconds for Watson to re-enter the game¡ª

    As long as Watson entered, then everything was possible.

    This time the second down and eight yards, even to third down, the offensive strategy suddenly became tricky, especially since Beteman¡¯sst two passing ys hadn¡¯t gone well, and the ground attack was not conducive to time management, even potentially disastrous.

    What to do?

    In an emergency, Saban didn¡¯t hesitate; he had already finished setting up the strategy, and the Crimson Tide Storm offensive group quickly lined up, ready in no time.

    "Attack!"

    Beteman¡¯s voice tore through the sky.

 Chapter 49: 0.49%

    Fifty-five seconds left, twenty-six yards from the end zone, second and eight.

    Under such circumstances, what would one choose?

    Clearly, the safest choice was to run down the clock, kick a field goal, tie the score, and then head into overtime.

    If that had been the case, Saban and Sweeney would have been in perfect harmony, ying a game of give and take,radely walking into overtime with their arms around each other¡¯s shoulders in mutual agreement.

    So, what was Saban thinking?

    Li Wei, change your position.

    All along, the offensive group of the Crimson Tide Storm had mostly been using the pistol formation¡ª

    The offensive line would spread out in a line, the quarterback four yards behind the center, and the running back another four yards behind the quarterback, all three yers in the same vertical column; additionally, on a horizontal line rtive to the offensive line, there were two wide receivers on the left and one wide receiver paired with a tight end on the right.

    This tactic was greatly developed in the NCAA, mainly aimed at mobile quarterbacks.

    With the ovepping positions of the quarterback and the running back offering concealment, the quarterback could observe and choose whether to pass, hand off the ball, or run it himself.

    In 2005, the University of Nevada poprized this tactic, and in the 2009 season, it became the first team in history to have three yers with over 1000 yards rushing in a single season, including two running backs and the quarterback, Colin Kaepernick.

    The quarterbacks of the Crimson Tide Storm, Hertz and Beteman, were mobile quarterbacks, so Saban very frequently employed the pistol formation.

    However, at this moment, the Crimson Tide Storm lined up in the shotgun formation¡ª

    Its basic setup was consistent with the pistol formation, with a difference in the running back¡¯s position.

    The running back was not positioned behind the quarterback but parallel to him, and spaced apart from the quarterback, which meant that the running back also acted as a potential receiver; some teams might even take it a step further, cing the running back near the line of scrimmage in line with the wide receivers and tight end.

    Therefore, the answer was clear, if you regard the running back as the fifth receiving option, the tactical intent of the shotgun formation as a primarily passing setup couldn¡¯t be more obvious.

    Compared to NCAA, the use of the shotgun formation was very frequent in the pass-centric NFL, and it was one of the best formations to exploit the abilities of traditional pocket quarterbacks, fully unleashing their firepower.

    Legendary quarterback Peyton Manning¡¯s usage of the shotgun formation was simply masterful, his reading of the defensive group urate and sharp, and hisyout of the offensive running routes truly at a master¡¯s level.

    In the 2013 season with the Denver Broncos, Manning took the power of this formation to its limit, setting all-time records with 5477 passing yards and 55 touchdown passes in a single season, and leading the Denver Broncos to be the first team in history to score over 600 points in a season.

    The focus returns to the Crimson Tide Storm.

    From Li Wei¡¯s position, one could tell that Saban was abandoning the pistol formation for the rare choice of the shotgun formation, a clear indicator that a pass was imminent.

    A single-stroke battle.

    All-out effort. Experience more on NovelBin.C?m

    The Crimson Tide Storm had no ns of ying it safe, second and eight, Saban was going for broke.

    The Tigers Defense Squad immediately became alert, the main feature of the shotgun formation being the five potential passing points, an inherent numerical advantage. Against the Tigers¡¯ "4-3" scheme, since there were only three linemen, it was often difficult for the middle linebacker to be properly positioned, allowing the offense to gain a numerical advantage.

    Watkins was first to sense the danger and began waving his hands frantically, signposting the entire defensive formation to spread out¡ª

    If it was the first quarter, facing the shotgun formation, a blitz on the quarterback would be the best tactic, to cut off the source directly, but with only fifty-five seconds left in the game, they only needed to intercept this one pass to turn the tide, so applying pressure from the front line wasn¡¯t very meaningful.

    Therefore, the defensive group needed to y man-to-manbined with zone defense, covering both the short and intermediate passing areas.

    But.

    Beteman strictly followed Saban¡¯s instructions without hesitation or pause, emphasizing speed above all¡ª

    "Attack!"

    Immediately after lining up, he announced the snap, giving the defense no time to adjust.

    Then.

    Li Wei could see that the first reaction of every defensive yer was to take a small step back, holding their position defensively while keeping a close eye on Beteman¡¯s passing hand.

    The air, slightly condensed.

    In just a brief half-second, Crimson Tide Storm took the defensive group by surprise with an unexpected offensive formation, creating a momentary mismatch.

    One step forward, one sidestep.

    Li Wei had already seen Beteman¡¯s soft lob, without any space to connect, sending the football straight into his embrace.

    Thwack.

    His hands could feel the leather texture of the football, and with one push of his feet, his body had already burst forth.

    A pass?

    No, a run.

    In the Shotgun Formation, 99% are passes, but there¡¯s a 1% exception.

    Saban cleverly used the mindset changes of the Tigers Defense Squad in these few rounds of offense and defense to create an opportunity, preparing a sneaky ground attack.

    Saban knew that ground attacks took time, but perhaps Li Wei could bring a surprise? Even if it failed, as long as they secured the first attack, they only needed to use theirst timeout and would still have three more chances to attack.

    A mismatch in game strategy had created space for Li Wei, who remained highly focused.

    Ahead of him, Tight End Hentges and Wide Receiver number one Foster were clearing the way for him, but their respective opponents were a lineman and a cornerback. Before cutting into the short pass zone, Li Wei still had to deal with the defensive line near the kickoff line¡ª

    Here ites!

    Lawrence, quick on the second reaction.

    Offensive Tackle Cotton tried to stop Lawrence and he did, his hands on Lawrence¡¯s shoulders, halting his steps.

    But Lawrence had captured the trajectory of Beteman¡¯s pass at the first opportunity, a thrust of his foot, a quick start, and he hadpletely shaken off Cotton.

    Cotton, cautious ofmitting a penalty and wasting the carefully arranged strategy, was somewhat hesitant, and in that slight hesitation, Lawrence had already gained distance.

    In terms of physical condition and reactivity, Lawrence truly excelled, deserving of his potential top draft pick status even when he was just in high school, showing enough potential and strength. He held his breath, pouncing over with the ferocity of a tiger descending the mountain.

    Li Wei was extra calm.

    Left pull, right lean.

    A flicker, a sh, his center of gravity shifting continuously, his steps dizzyingly nimble, like a menco dance, constantly unbncing Lawrence.

    But Lawrence no longer had time to hesitate, clenching his teeth, he lunged forward with heavy force, aiming to envelop Li Wei, his arms wide like a condor spreading its wings to increase his reach.

    However, to Li Wei, Lawrence¡¯s all-or-nothing attempt was in vain.

    Left fake, right dodge.

    His light and agile steps shifted his center of gravity again, and just as Lawrence seemed to close in, Li Wei burst forward with a rapid right side-step, elegantly and smoothly sidestepping, his upper body gliding past Lawrence¡¯s left arm. The two hadpletely missed each other.

    Li Wei had left Lawrence behind without a sound, the intended surefire tackle hitting nothing but air, and the iling hands failing to control the plummeting center of gravity.

    And Li Wei?

    His steps as smooth as flowing clouds and water,pletely under his control. Just after evading, his legs pushed off the ground, and his body was already driven forward.

    Start, elerate¡ª

    Sprint.

    Lawrence was just like that, destely left behind.

 Chapter 50: 050 Edgerunner

    Fuck!

    Fuck fuck fuck!

    After Lawrence missed his target and lost his bnce, gravity pulled his body downward. Shame and anger collided and burned in his mind, but they all turned into reluctance. He gritted his teeth and forcibly started spinning counterclockwise as if he were rebncing his center of gravity in "Inception"¡ªwith his body sinking, he floundered.

    Your next chapter awaits on NovelBin.C?m

    His hands pped forcefully, mixed with a fierce storm of blood and fury, making a desperate dash towards Li Wei.

    At that moment, Lawrence truly showcased his talent and ability. While leaning backward, he managed to stop his body from sinking with sheer core strength, reminiscent of "Air" Michael Jordan. Unbelievably, he paused mid-air, and was even able to react again, pping at Li Wei when he was unguarded.

    Hit!

    Li Wei felt a heavy blow on his left shoulder, taken aback. He thought he had escaped Lawrence but didn¡¯t expect Lawrence to have a backup move. The potential of a first-round pick burst forth at that moment. Before he could even start moving, his bnce was disrupted again, and his left shoulder sunk as if it were anchoring down.

    Bend the knees, squat, disperse the force.

    Li Wei didn¡¯t brace against it. Instead, he went with the momentum, lowering his center of gravity and shedding all the impact force, maintaining a squatting posture as he burst forward, instantly breaking free.

    Lawrence: Damn it!

    So, that¡¯s a first-round pick, just this?

    Lawrence¡¯s desperate strike didn¡¯t stop Li Wei. However, football is a team sport, and the Tigers Defense Squad isn¡¯t made up of one Lawrence alone. Li Wei had already left Lawrence behind:

    Thank you, next.

    Before Li Wei could fully straighten his knees, he already spotted two other yers charging towards him from the left¡ª

    A linebacker. A defensive lineman.

    With a nce, that ck-faced Yama turned out to be Wilkins, grinding his teeth, eager to teach Crimson Tide Storm¡¯s number twenty-three a lesson, to let him feel the power of the Tigers. Yet, he ended up utterly humiliated.

    Not to mention teaching number twenty-three a lesson, he hadn¡¯t even touched a single skin ke of number twenty-three so far.

    Wilkins was also frustrated. After being feinted, he relentlessly pursued, stumbling as he lunged towards number twenty-three.

    In his eyes, in his mind, there was only that one figure, totally disregarding everything else.

    In the blink of an eye, Li Wei caught the desperation and frenzy in Wilkins, also noting that Wilkinspletely squeezed onto the linebacker¡¯s path¡ª

    He stole thene.

    Even though he had to face two defenders, Li Wei could use their momentum against them.

    Lowering his shoulders, he backstepped slightly while maintaining the squatting trend, intentionally creating some space on Wilkins¡¯ right side, using Wilkins¡¯ position blocking the linebacker¡¯s path, while at his back, he could feel the gust stirred up by the Giant hitting the ground¡ªa formless force supporting Li Wei¡¯s body.

    The knee, like a spring¡ª

    Straightened.

    Pushed off the ground.

    Reactive force.

    Then, his body was already in the second start, facing Wilkins head-on. But just as they were about to collide, his pupils shrank, a stall and a tug.

    He started, his body swayed to the right, evading Wilkins.

    Their eyes met¡ªLi Wei could clearly see the fierce and ferocious look on Wilkins¡¯ grinding teeth, yet he was dumbfounded and helpless.

    Li Wei passed right in front of Wilkins, so close yet so far out of reach¡ª

    Thank you, next.

    But, it still wasn¡¯t over.

    His footsteps, following the inertia of his body, continued to sweep right, smooth and fluid like melting chocte, causing the linebacker¡¯s outstretched hands to be rigidly blocked by Wilkins, watching helplessly as Li Wei moved away.

    Three steps, three half steps, three shuffle steps¡ªall within two yards to either side of the starting line¡ªLi Wei continuously reacted and evaded, sidestepping four tackles as he plunged forward along the right diagonal.

    Thank you, and another one, so, anymore?

    ckley was utterly astounded, unable to believe that Li Wei could be so agile and light within such a confined space, miraculously maintaining his bnce amidst collision and forcefully carving a bloody path through the gaps.

    Although the Tigers¡¯ defense was positioned further back, creating some room for ground offense, Li Wei perfectly executed aplicated and delicate maneuver within such a narrow space, leaving everyone utterly astounded.

    Behind him, one after another fell in their fruitless attempts to tackle him, but Li Wei¡¯s steps were far from over, and ckley couldn¡¯t take his eyes off him¡ª

    One step. Straighten the knee.

    Another step. Push off with full force.

    Li Wei maintained high concentration.

    With his peripheral vision, he could see an arm waving like seaweed to his right rear, but Li Wei took the lead with his step already bursting forward.

    The twenty-yard line, now within reach.

    The end zone also seemed not far away.

    Pushing off, stepping forward, and observing while elerating, the truly threatening Mus, staring intently from directly ahead, posed more of a challenge than other figures diving towards him from the left.

    Mus was stepping forward, not waiting for Li Wei to continue elerating but already smartly taking the initiative, blocking Li Wei¡¯s path on the left and swiftly moving to intercept.

    Li Wei, caught between a rock and a hard ce¡ª

    On the left, a sea of people, where he could see at least three yers from three different directions closing in.

    On the right, a sheer cliff, a slight step out would mean stepping out of bounds.

    It was as tough as climbing to heaven, surrounded and ambushed on all sides, with no space left to elerate further, then Mus had already pounced.

    Aiming for Li Wei¡¯s left shoulder.

    Clearly, Mus intended to tackle him from the left, and even if the tackle failed, he could still use his body to force Li Wei out of bounds from the right side.

    Clever, smart.

    Li Wei held his breath and concentrated fully, shifting slightly to the right by a quarter position, not having time to fully adjust when their shoulders collided.

    Bang!

    With a muffled sound, Mus tried toplete a tackle amidst the chaos and turbulence but grabbed at air; Li Wei slickly used the collision force to execute a dazzling Marseille Turn, spinning counterclockwise, not only shedding the force but also pulling out the support of the shoulder, causing Mus, who had stepped forward fully, to continue pressing but then fell down.

    Ha!

    ckley gasped, not expecting to hear a simr exmation from Pash beside him, and could no longer control himself and shouted aloud.

    "He dodged him!"

    "Incredible!"

    "He just dodged him! Number twenty-three from Crimson Tide Storm just eluded Tigers¡¯ Mus¡¯s surefire tackle, his body almost losing bnce, nearly unable to stand, but Crimson Tide Storm has now taken the initiative, this running back is nearing the fifteen-yard line!"

    "Wait, wait a minute!"

    "Number twenty-three is still advancing, still finding his bnce, with the sideline right at his feet, but he still managed to control his center of gravity, showing acrobatic bnce, his steps continuing along the sideline, pushing forward, he¡¯s still sprinting! This isn¡¯t the first time, the Tigers¡¯ left-wing defense is torn open again, as if number twenty-three is just like... just like..."

    Pash¡¯s mind went nk for a moment.

    ckley couldn¡¯t resist interjecting and shouted, "Edgerunner!"

    Pash¡¯s eyes lit up, "Edgerunner!"

    "He¡¯s just like an edgerunner, dancing nimbly along the dangerous and dark boundary, both elegant and deadly, sharply piercing into the heart of the Tigers!"

 Chapter 51: Give it your all in one go

    Li Wei is not Derrick Henry.

    Li Wei isn¡¯t cut out for head-on confrontations, but his speed, agility, lightness, and nimbleness are a starkly different style for a running back, and today¡¯s game fully showcased these traits. Relying on his observation, judgment, and quick on-the-spot reactions, he repeatedly found weaknesses in the opponent¡¯s nks to open up the game.

    This was already the third time.

    His soft and light, agile and nimble steps moved along the edge of danger, carving a path to survival from what looked like a dead end,parable to an assassin, like a shadow.

    He was an Edgerunner.

    The footsteps hugged the sideline, seemingly about to step out of bounds, but within the dizzying footwork, he managed to maintain his bnce; just as he seemed on the verge of losing his center of gravity, he used the forward momentum to keep sprinting, the silky smooth moves were practically an art performance, eliciting nothing but amazement.

    All spectators, one after another, turned into avid fans, watching the ¡¯masterpiece¡¯ before them with their eyes wide and mouths agape in awe.

    The nickname that ckley casually coined was perfectly apt in showcasing Li Wei¡¯s characteristics, pushing Pash¡¯s excitement to a whole new peak.

    The flushed cheeks, as if drunk, and the rising high pitch nearly shattered the heavens.

    "Ten-yard line!"

    "Red Zone!"

    "God, he didn¡¯t stop, he¡¯s still not stopping."

    "Ah... hah!"

    All the shouting was abruptly cut off, both Pash and ckley were stunned, their mouths slightly open, gawking at the spectacle unfolding before them.

    Austin Jackson, another Safety from the Tigers, 6.2 feet tall (190 cm), 220 pounds (120 kg), not fast, even a bit cumbersome, like a ck bear. But he didn¡¯t give up.

    When Mus¡¯s grappling failed, it also meant that thest line of defense in the Tigers¡¯ backfield was breached.

    Jackson couldn¡¯t give up.

    With clenched teeth, he charged at full speed and, as Li Wei entered the Red Zone, Jackson tried to catch up, his eyes shing murderously, teeth gritted, clearly showing he intended not to tackle but to push Li Wei out of bounds, using his weight, momentum, and the force of his charge to fulfill his mission.

    With all his might.

    With great force and weight.

    However!

    Unexpectedly, Li Wei didn¡¯t dodge; instead, he collided head-on with Jackson,

    "Power VS Power"!

    The head-on collision silenced the entire Bryant Denny Stadium; it was so quiet you could hear a pin drop, as everyone felt their throats being tightly squeezed.

    Oh God!

    Boom!

    A heavy thud resounded, and Jackson,pletely unprepared for the direct hit of power, groaned as he felt the force from the opposite side pushing back his own body weight and power, his ribcage splintering with a crackling sound.

    Then, he was flipped over.

    Damn it!

    Despite being visibly more robust than Li Wei, Jackson had no power to resist in the face-to-face collision.

    Everything spun around him, his insides churning and burning as if he had been struck hard by a truck, sending him flying¡ª

    The world began to retreat, turning into streaks of light.

    "Ah!"

    Li Wei exploded with power.

    Ahhh!

    Power burst forth, streaming endlessly from the depths of his Dantian, and the weight and strength of the flesh barrier in front of him became an obstacle to continue moving forward, but Li Wei no longer cared, charging forward recklessly. Your next journey awaits at NovelBin.C?m

    Ahhhh!

    The entire stadium, erupting.

    Five yards.

    The heart, soaring high, Pash no longer able to contain himself as he suddenly stood up, only to find the entire Crimson Tide Storm at Bryant Denny Stadium rising too, creating a massive wave of heat.

    Ooh, ooh ooh ooh.

    The wave, whimpering, then all eyes gaping and staring at the two entangled figures pushing each other at the brink of the end zone, full of anticipation, waiting, and leaping with excitement.

    One yard, then another, and yet another.

    Power against power, body colliding with body, red entangled with white, the temperature climbing, passions erupting like a geyser, the ticking away of time thundering in the ears, the energy from hearts pounding against chests about to explode, finally igniting the blood, burning deep within the soul.

    Roar, roar roar roar.

    And then.

    Watching Li Wei push Jackson across the end zone line, and with a final burst of strength, forcefully shove Jackson aside, flinging him off to regain his freedom.

    Jackson, like the drifting stic bag in "American Beauty," pitifully discarded, lifelessly crumpling to the ground.

    And Li Wei?

    His legs, already inside the end zone, boldly breaching the gates of heaven, turning the impossible into reality, slicing through the opposition to reach the far side of the end zone.

    Face aglow with ardor, drenched in sweat, veins bulging, power surging through his muscles, unleashed without restraint, like the Hulk incarnate, furiously mming the football to the ground.

    Ah!

    A shout.

    Ahhhh!

    The whole stadium explodes.

    No one is an exception, no one can control themselves.

    All Pash could hear was a roaring in his ears, his own voice hammering continuously against his eardrums like a drumstick, his temples nearly bursting, and he could hear his own voiceing from the other side of a distant valley.

    "Incredible!"

    "Incredible!"

    A tsunami of cheers swirling and raging in Bryant Denny Stadium, indecipherable for a moment whether it¡¯s the burning blood that dyes one¡¯s own eyes red, or the entire boiling Crimson Tide Storm diving into madness¡ª

    Red, the world dyed in red, overwhelmingly consuming the white of the trembling, pitiful Tigers,pletely showcasing the home field advantage of the Crimson Tide Storm.

    "Unbelievable!"

    "The Crimson Tide Storm not only seized the chance to score a touchdown, but also used their ground game to consume all the remaining game time."

    "The game is over,dies and gentlemen, the game has ended, the Crimson Tide Storm with ast second victory over the Tigers, no need for the extra point, the game is killed, ¡¯27:24¡¯, the final score frozen at this figure."

    ording to football rules, when there is no more game time left and one side has secured victory, they may opt not to kick the extra point; however, if a touchdown is scored as time expires and the oue remains undecided, the scoring side may still attempt an extra point at zero seconds, be it one or two points.

    Of course, the Crimson Tide Storm no longer needs to.

    "The Tigers were ahead by three touchdowns at halftime and had shut out the Crimson Tide Storm on their home field, everyone thought the game was already over, just a time for tactical exercises, but nobody expected the Crimson Tide Storm would turn the second half into showtime for number twenty-three."

    "An incredible ground offense throughout the game, advancing an unbelievable three hundred fifty-seven yards and securing three rushing touchdowns, undoubtedly the highlight of the game, disying incredible dominance that left Tigers¡¯ star quarterback Watson in the shadows."

    Ahhhh!

    Ahhhh!

    The scene has gone mad, even though this is just a warm-up game, but considering the grudge between the two teams and Watson¡¯s arrogance in the first half of today¡¯s game, this moment of victory is as sweet as the nationwide championship win at the start of the year, the entire stadium a frenzy, coloring the sky with a brilliant shade of red.

 Chapter 52: Group Mocking Skill

    The field, the Crimson Tide, even the sky was dyed red. Despite the season not having started yet, the Crimson Tide Storm marked the end of the spring training camp with such a victory, making the hope for the new season shine brighter than ever before.

    Perhaps, defending the championship, was still a possibility?

    The yers were no exception¡ª

    They needed moments like this.

    After Derrick Henry transitioned to the professional arena, the team was beset by unease and anxiety; the running backs'' sessive injuries during spring training camp meant that a high school student had to step up as the starting running back, leaving everyone within the team permeated with a sense of uncertain bewilderment, up until now.

    They had found the answer!

    One by one, they all swarmed onto the field, bustling towards Li Wei.

    rk was the first to charge, and although he was also a running back and in apetitive position, he was more aware than anyone of the effort Li Wei had put in. Starting from scratch, earnestly seeking advice and training diligently, he not only improved himself but also helped rk improve along with him.

    As a running back, Li Wei upheld the fine tradition of the Crimson Tide Storm, making rk happier than anyone else.

    Leading the way, rk had already rushed up, but before he could get close, he saw Li Wei take off his helmet, revealing a broad smile. rk was momentarily dazed, and Li Wei had already turned and ran off.

    rk: ???

    Not just rk, other Crimson Tide Storm yers also followed with question marks over their heads, calling out one after another, yet unable to stop Li Wei.

    From one end zone to the other, Li Wei came to stand on the side where the Tigers yers were gathered, stopped, and after a brief pause of eye contact, he ced his right hand to his ear, as if listening to a seashell¡ª

    Any more trash talk?

    Come on, I''m listening.

    Watson''s cheeks flushed a deep red, all swear words and curses lodged in his throat. Nowhere to be seen was the arrogance he disyed casually walking around the field in the first half. He thought about retorting, given that he had barely yed in the second half, and this warm-up game''s result didn''t count. But when he looked at the twenty-three in front of him:

    He didn''t even know the name of this number twenty-three, not even Sweeney''s pre-game investigation had information on this yer. Yet he was rubbed into the ground by him, any excuse or rebuttal would only seem to betray his own guilty conscience.

    Aplete embarrassment.

    Fuming with embarrassment and anger, Watson grabbed his helmet and fiercely mmed it into the ground.

    However.

    Witnessing this scene, Li Wei didn''t mind but lowered his right hand and stood up straight, with a smile like an adult watching a three-year-old throwing a tantrum, he raised his right hand and gently wagged his index finger at Watson.

    That amiable expression seemed to say:

    That''s not nice.

    And then, there was no "and then"¡ª

    The entire field fell silent.

    It was hard to believe, but the Bryant Denny Stadium, which was noisy just a second ago, fell quiet because of Li Wei''s gesture. Everyone shut their mouths, as if on cue.

    Maybe it was rk?

    But the entire audience raised their right hand, smiling quietly and waving their index fingers.

    Everywhere was the same action, even their expressions seemed identical.

    The sarcasm was at its peak.

    It was clearly the index finger, but why did it feel more insulting than the middle finger?

    The Tiger Team, all closed their mouths, faced with a hundred thousand pointing fingers and could no longer bear the pressure. They averted their gazes only to find there was nowhere to escape. One by one, they could only hang their heads and count the des of grass on the ground.

    Lawrence sat there stunned, his eyes filled with confusion, he looked up at Wilkins and Watkins only to find them both turning away with their heads down, their eyes hidden behind their helmets revealing a hint of bewilderment. They had no answers either, and Lawrence''s shoulders slumped in dismay.

    Turning around, Li Wei didn''t spare the Tiger Team another nce. He came face to face with rk and shed a big smile, raising his right hand, and the twopleted a high-five in the air.

    One, two...

    In the end, everyone swarmed up, bustling and crowding around Li Wei. Perhaps Li Wei had only joined the team for a short three weeks, but now he was truly one of the Crimson Tide Storm.

    One by one, all the celebrations were done with, until only thest one remained¡ª

    Jacobs.

    Jacobs''s expression was slightly serious as he took off his helmet to look at Li Wei, his hair wet with sweat and sticking to his head, looking a bit disheveled.

    Li Wei knew they werepetitors, rivalspeting for the starting running back position. In regr training, the usually silent Jacobs didn''t talk much, always training quietly. But whenever Li Wei had questions, Jacobs never withheld information, sharing generously. They werepetitors and teammates, making their rtionship a bit moreplex.

    After today, thepetition for the starting position could only get more intense.

    During the brief moment of Li Wei''s rushing thoughts, Jacobs had already boldly extended his right hand, "An amazing game, you deserve these honors."

    Jacobs looked around at the Crimson Tide Storm that was bubbling up with excitement again. Even though the game had ended, the wild party was just beginning.

    Li Wei also took Jacobs''s right hand, ready to say a few words, but was caught off guard as Jacobs tightened his grip, prompting Li Wei to also tighten unintentionally, creating a standoff.

    Jacobs stared at Li Wei, "But this doesn''t mean I''ll give up. I will keep working hard andpete openly for the starting spot. I will continue to measure up against you until thest moment of the season. Until then, thepetition isn''t over."

    His stance was honorable, his eyes filled with a belief that was as firm as it was dazzling.

    Li Wei responded seriously, shaking Jacobs''s hand, "I''m ready at all times. Until the final moment of the game, nothing is over, right?"

    In fact, in football, the starting position isn''t all that important because yers can be substituted at any time and without a limit to the number of times, which is different from ser and basketball.

    Moreover, football is an intense contact sport, and aside from the quarterback, who usually ys the entire game, other positions often have some rotation and adjustment, with the running back being a typical example.

    Never mind starting, the running back for the first and second offensive drives might be different. In one game, three to four running backs might take turns ying, which is normal, so starting isn''t as important as one might think.

    Nevertheless, whether it''s Li Wei or Jacobs, including rk and Emmons, they were allpeting for the main position, creating a healthypetition.

    After all, the Crimson Tide Storm is a traditional powerhouse for running backs, and teams from the Professional League often keep an eye on the University of bama''s main/starting running backs, which could determine their future prospects in turning professional.

    Thepetition and rivalry destined for them was just beginning.

    Under the sun, Li Wei and Jacobs exchanged their resolution with a handshake.

    Off to the side of the field, the neglected Watson''s face was as ck as the bottom of a pot, he red fiercely at Li Wei and Jacobs, looking at the gleefully cheering Bryant Denny Stadium, the awful memory of early January surfaced again¡ª

    The Crimson Tide Storm had better pray they don''t encounter the Tigers in this year''s nationwide championship. Otherwise, Watson vowed, he''d reim all the honor and dignity lost today; next time he wouldn''t be merciful.

    Then, he would make sure they wouldn''t be able tough.

 Chapter 53: 053 Fame rising rapidly

    "Yo, yo, yo."

    Li Wei and Jacobs had only just approached when the yers from Crimson Tide Storm began to tease and make a racket. The two, not knowing why, looked over, and it was rk who eagerly exined.

    "They''re betting on who will be the headliner on tomorrow''s ''Crimson Tide White Wave'' front page."

    ''Crimson Tide White Wave'' is the University of bama''s school newspaper, and from its name, it''s clear that it carries on the school''s tradition as a sports powerhouse, providingprehensive coverage of the school''s athletic teams'' performances in various NCAA events.

    Although today was just a warm-up match, there was no doubt it would spark a heated discussion, not just on campus, but likely throughout the whole town as well.

    "I''m voting for Foster, intercepting Watson, changing the course of the game."

    "Hey, have you considered Allen''s feelings, who missed sacking Watson?"

    The named Allen silently raised his middle finger, followed byughter all around.

    "I''m voting for Li Wei. Li Wei is a beast, an absolute beast. Hey, buddy, I really don''t mean you''re worse than a pig or dog, really."

    "Haha."

    Theughter was wild, and before Li Wei could speak, the chattering words couldn''t be held back.

    "Exactly, exactly, a ground advance of three hundred yards? That''s just savage."

    "Did you guys see the expressions of the Tigers Defense Squad? It was hrious."

    "No, no, no, those weren''t Tigers, those were sick cats."

    Everyone burst into collectiveughter.

    Their gazes gradually turned toward Li Wei, who nonchntly shrugged, "They can''t stop me; I really do feel anxious for them."

    Whistles, jeers, and cheers followed one after another.

    Having said that, Li Wei also offered a smile, "Guys, I get what you''re trying to do, just using me as a shield to draw the fire and pave the way for Hertz and Beteman. I understand the principle, ''Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown,'' so I''ll just suffer and wear it for a while."

    Theughter erupted like thunder.

    Then someone called out Hertz, who had been quietly standing in the crowd, suddenly pushed into the spotlight, his expression somewhat helpless¡ª

    As a quarterback, he should have been the leader shouldering the team''s progress. In the NFL, quarterbacks are undeniably the superstars, always standing at the center of attention, but in today''s game, the quarterback had be just a supporting yer.

    With a face of honest loyalty, Hertz said, "I also think it should be Li Wei."

    Li Wei waved his hands repeatedly, "No, no, no, I think tomorrow''s front page should feature you."

    Everyone: ??? Has Li Wei lost his mind?

    Even Hertz looked utterly astonished.

    Li Wei continued, "A shutout in the first half despite overwhelming strength, those who doubted the Crimson Tide Storm offensive group must have been shocked."

    Ha ha, ha ha ha.

    Seeing Li Wei''s dead serious expression, theughter grew even more insane and enthusiastic.

    Hertz included.

    Initially, Hertz had felt a bit down. After all, he was just a high school student, and his first performance representing the Crimson Tide Storm had been so poor. He kept feeling that the sneaky nces and quiet whispers were everywhere, and the pressure was immense.

    Now, as the veil was lifted, Hertz was able to rx slightly. Facing failure and adversity openly was the only way to muster the courage to learn from mistakes and grow and improve¡ª

    Raising his head to look at Li Wei, then he could see Li Wei giving him a thumbs-up and a smile, mouthing a word at him.

    "Team."

    They were a team, achieving victory as a team and facing defeat as a team too.

    Soon after, Humphrey, Beteman, and others bustled around Li Wei, but Hertz hadpletely rxed and found his smile once again.

    Even if he were to be tomorrow''s front-page headline in "Crimson Tide White Wave," that would be okay, he was ready, just as Li Wei had just said:

    To wear the crown, one must bear its weight.

    He should hold his head high and face the challenge with confidence.

    It was at that moment that a cheer pierced the sky, interrupting Hertz''s thoughts.

    "Ah! Li Wei!"

    Bryant Denny Stadium was still noisy, but that cheer, sharp as a spike piercing through a bup bag, instantly drew the eyes of the bustling crowd with its prating volume.

    Not just Hertz, but the yers of the Crimson Tide Storm Team turned their heads towards the source of the noise, where, with just a nce, you could see a dozen girls waving their white jerseys¡ªa sight that easily caught the eye amidst the vast sea of red.

    "Li Wei!"

    "Li Wei! I love you!"

    "Ahhh!"

    The mixed shouts intertwined, and when Li Wei, baffled, looked up, a splendid ray of the setting sun delicately fell upon his face, and at that instant, the cheers broke free of their reins and spun out of control.

    One octave, two octaves, three octaves¡ª

    They burst forth with unbelievable energy.

    To a frenzied extent.

    Li Wei: ?

    Li Wei still thought he was a nobody, having joined the Crimson Tide Storm for just three weeks, he guessed that people hardly knew how to pronounce his name right; but Li Wei forgot, this was the University of bama, this was Tuscaloosa, where football held an unimaginable status.

    Last time, during an intra-team match of the Crimson Tide Storm, Li Wei had conquered the fans with his unparalleled performance; and today, he once again dominated the game, changing his status with every step he took.

    And that wasn''t all.

    The other fans around, noticing themotion, the burly men too gathered on both sides of the yer''s tunnel, frantically pounding on the advertising boards to create a thunderous noise, shouting with fervent and distorted faces.

    "Li Wei! Li Wei! Li Wei!"

    The chants were ragged and interspersed, but the scorching, burning momentum was exceptionally unified, coalescing into a force that, swept up by the vast sunset sky and the vast Crimson Tide Storm, crashed down overwhelmingly.

    Wave after wave.

    One crest higher than thest.

    Even Allen, the slick veteran who touted himself as having weathered many storms, was taken aback by the sight of such fervent enthusiasm up close.

    Clearly, the answer to who would be tomorrow''s front-page headline of "Crimson Tide White Wave" was unveiled.

    The fact was just so¡ª

    "The sessor to Emperor Henry Derrick? No, he is Li Wei, a unique and iparable ''Edgerunner''."

    Front page, headline news.

    "Crimson Tide White Wave" featured a photo of Li Wei sprinting at high speed along the sideline for its front-page headline, filling the entire page, with all other people and scenery blurred into trailing lights, showcasing the ultimate in speed; and used the nickname mentioned by Pash and ckley during the live broadcast as the title, officially announcing Li Wei''s debut with the Crimson Tide Storm.

    Whether or not people had seen the practice or warm-up matches, what was certain was that everyone now knew a brightet had made its entrance with the Crimson Tide Storm.

    Derrick Henry''s powerful performance had made the Crimson Tide Storm shine for the past two years, securing the second Heisman Trophy in the history of the University of bama after running back Mark Ingram II (Mark-Ingram) in 2009; but with Henry turning pro, who would unfurl the banner of the Crimson Tide Storm''s excellent ground attack tradition became without a doubt the biggest question of the new season.

    Maybe, now they''ve found the answer?

    At least, that''s what the editorial department of "Crimson Tide White Wave" thought.

    And ESPN concurred!

 Chapter 54: 054 Emerges Horizontally

    "...indeed, we need to keep watching; this young yer still needs to prove himself, but I must admit I was blown away."

    The next day, when ckley was a guest on an ESPN football show, he couldn''t wait to share what he had witnessed the day before.

    The NFL was in its offseason, but the Professional League was still busy. They had just finished the draft, and immediately it was time for the free agency market during the offseason.

    This is why professionals temporarily shifted their focus from college yers to the league teams'' re-signings, releases, and signings.

    However, ckley couldn''t contain his joy; momentster, he realized he wasn''t the only one¡ª

    Even though it was just an NCAA warm-up game, ESPN''s live broadcast ratings exploded, easily attracting over twenty-five million viewers, thoroughly outperforming the first round NBA yoff game between the Anta Hawks and the Brooklyn Nets, once again demonstrating the power of football.

    ckley mentioned one scene, and a chattering excitement instantly flooded the studio.

    "Right, number twenty-three, right? He was phenomenal, really remarkable."

    "I must say, typical Crimson Tide Storm, Saban has coached another excellent running back."

    "That ground attack fifty-five seconds before the game ended was so slick¡ª the sharp stops and turns, the continuous change in direction, the head-on collision, he showed his skill, his talent, his cleverness; it was truly impressive."

    Praise followed, one after another¡ª

    Who would have thought that a college student could dominate the discussion in the professional transfer market for a whole sixty seconds? And still, it wasn''t enough?

    Sure enough, offseason college football always manages to capture countless eyes.

    Inspired, ckley continued to throw out his exclusive news.

    "This young yer is of Chinese descent, eighteen years old, and only started ying football three weeks ago. As of now, he still has some rough edges..."

    He couldn''t finish his sentence, not even starting the "but" when he was interrupted, and the mor exploded like a volcanic eruption.

    "Wait, wait, of Chinese descent?"

    "Whoa, whoa, hold your horses, what did you just say?"

    "Three weeks ago? What do you mean he just started ying football three weeks ago?"

    "Are you saying, he had never been exposed to football before? Never yed, but at least seen it, right?"

    "Never touched it means never yed, never watched, probably doesn''t even know the rules."

    "Jesus Christ, what is he, an alien?"

    "If he''s of Chinese descent, then that makes sense. The Asian market still prefers basketball and ser, probably watching the Anta Hawks and Brooklyn Nets'' match, utterly unaware of such a yer making his NCAA debut."

    "What! Of Chinese descent?"

    "For a moment, I didn''t know which news was more shocking, that the yer was of Chinese descent or that he had started ying football just three weeks ago. My God, it''s unbelievable."

    "If you pair that with his performance yesterday, it''s even more astounding. My God, how did he do it? Did Nick Saban make a wish to ddin''s Lamp?"

    In 2019, Chi Youjun, a Chinese safety, was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the second round, sixty-first overall, bing the highest-drafted yer of Chinese descent in NFL history, sparking many discussions. It was from that time that football seemed to finally breach the gap with the Asian market.

    However, in fact, before Chi Youjun, Asian yers had already been continuously stepping onto the professional field.

    In 2010, Wang Kai, a yer of Chinese descent, was picked by the Buffalo Bills in the fifth round, one hundred forty-first overall. He was also the first NFL yer whose parents were both Chinese, but unfortunately, he only appeared six times as a substitute on the offensive line during his rookie season before being released by the team.

    The most famous and perhaps greatest yer of Chinese descent is Patrick Chung, a legendary safety for the New Ennd Patriots. He is a third-generation Chinese immigrant from Jamaica, where his grandfather was Chinese and his grandmother Jamaican, more widely known by the title, the Chung Family.

    Chung entered the league in 2009, subsequently won three Super Bowl rings and was named to the All-America First Team of the 2010s, establishing himself as a dominant safety.

    Additionally, in the 1998 draft, Hines Ward, a wide receiver picked by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round, was hailed as one of the greatest offensive yers in Steelers history. He was the MVP of Super Bowl XL and left behind countless illustrious achievements in his career. His father was African American, while his mother was Korean.

    In the 1962 draft, Roman Gabriel was selected second overall by the Los Angeles Rams. His mother was Irish, and his father was Filipino; he was the first Asian yer to be chosen in the first round of the NFL, named the regr season MVP in 1969 and was one of the best quarterbacks during the 1960s and 1970s.

    Of course, these are not all.

    As of 2016, there have been eleven Asian yers in the history of the NFL, each with their own story. Although there are not a small number of Asian yers on the football field, they also aren''t numerous. Overall, the sport of football is still alien to Asians, and participation is low.

    It was against this backdrop that Li Wei made his debut, emerging in a spectacrly attention-grabbing manner.

    Originally, ckley had wanted to "be modest" and not put too much pressure on the young man, considering it was only a preseason game so far, perhaps adding one practice match. Praising him too early might backfire and inadvertently put him under pressure; but he had not anticipated¡ª

    Three weeks into football.

    This keyword alone was enough, no need to be understated or critical, everyone could feel the impact behind this word.

    Even ckley''s chest puffed up slightly, "Compared to Crimson Tide Storm''s Derrick Henry who crafted legendsst season, this young yer has apletely different style. I personally think his model should be Patrick Peterson..."

    "Yes, exactly," before ckley could finish, someone immediately chimed in.

    "We don''t need to talk about eleration or agility. Personally, I think his observation and interpretation of defensive formations,pared to Peterson, are not just very simr but identical."

    "More than his abilities, what impressed me more was his calmness under pressure in crucial moments. Considering he had only been in contact with football for three weeks, and to perform like that in his debut at Bryant Denny Stadium in front of a hundred thousand people, it''s simply incredible," they all knew how intense a stadium of that size could get.

    Their words one after another, ESPN''s praise was no less impressive than the "Crimson Tide White Wave," which left ckley somewhat sidelined¡ª

    A bit lonely.

    Thankfully, the focus eventually returned to ckley, "What''s this young man''s name again?"

    ckley put on a proud smile, "Li Wei, his name is Li Wei. Scouts, team managers, head coaches, you all better take out your notebooks and remember this name. This uing season, you wouldn''t want to miss it."

 Chapter 55: Barter

    A girl, carrying her high heels, tiptoeing and stepping quietly like a cat, opened her room door with a wobbly silhouette that could barely stand, her disheveled hair, smudged eyeliner, and dted pupils faintly recordingst night''s craziness.

    The stench of vomit could be smelled on her sequined short skirt, and a surge in her stomach forced her to take a couple of deep breaths to control herself.

    Then,

    she carefully closed the door again, ensuring that it didn''t make too much noise, before she let out a long sigh. Her throbbing head felt like it was about to explode. As her heels touched the ground again, before she could steady herself, she turned around to see the figure in front of her, and her heart stopped beating for a second.

    Her heels, once again, tiptoed.

    "Oh, Jesus Christ."

    The girl clutched at her chest, the vomit she had managed to push down threatened to surge up again as she looked at Li Wei, her knees going weak.

    Li Wei revealed a smile, lifted his eyes to gesture at his short hair, "Still look like it? I thought after the haircut I wouldn''t resemble it anymore."

    The girl was momentarily stunned.

    One second, two seconds, then she finally caught on to Li Wei''s teasing, and couldn''t help chuckling, stealthily casting a nce at Li Wei¡ª

    Despite the early morning, Li Wei had already finished his morning routine training, a thinyer of sweat glowed on his forehead, his ck hair slightly damp, his eyes brimming with the first ray of morning light, clear and bright, a stark contrast to his aggressive dominance on the field.

    Unconsciously, her heartstrings were gently plucked.

    Her heartbeat lost its rhythm, she hastily lowered her gaze, "The game, uh, I mean, good luck with your training. Go Crimson Tide!"

    Li Wei, "Thank you." His eyes noticed the mug in the girl''s hand, held alongside high heels, "Ah, that mug..."

    Before he could finish his sentence, the girl nced at the mug she was holding up, let out a scream, covered her face in embarrassment, and fled lightning-fast, with sprinting ability that could rival an Olympic 100-meter finalist, vanishing before one could even blink.

    Only her voice resonated in the air: Aaah...

    Li Wei blinked, "¡­It''s not mine." The rest of the sentence just got stuck in his throat, despite the "Li Wei"bel stuck on the mug, that really wasn''t his cup.

    Shaking his head in resignation, Li Wei pushed open the dorm room door, and was met with a wave of stale air mixed with alcohol. He walked over to the opposite side, pulled up the blinds, and pushed open the window, letting fresh air rush in. The figure curled up on the bed groaned with difficulty.

    However,

    he did not get up.

    Instead, he pulled up the nket, curling uppletely.

    That person was Li Wei''s roommate, Simon Hunt, also a sophomore, who abided by Harvard University''s ssic theory:

    "Study hard, y harder."

    Last night, he probably had been up all night studying at the library. When Li Wei got up for his morning routine, he hadn''t seen the guy, only toe back to this scene. Plus, considering the girl who had just left the dorm, it wasn''t hard to guess thatst night''s library study might''ve turned from "A Beautiful Mind" into "Before Sunrise."

    Li Wei looked at the caterpir curled up underneath the nket, shouted, "Fire, fire!"

    Whoosh!

    With a swift jerk, Hunter leaped up, wrapped in a nket, burst out of the dorm, and stood in the hallway, looking around bewilderedly.

    "Fire!"

    "Fire?"

    The empty hallway didn''t look at all like a fire scene, and in his groggy state, Hunter looked back towards the dorm to see Li Wei making a gesture:

    Pinky touching ring finger, middle finger next to index finger, both pairs spread apart, and finally, thumb stretched out as much as possible.

    This is the Vulcan greeting gesture from "Star Trek."

    If Hunter didn''t get it by now, he''d be a fool. Rubbing his eyes, he walked back, raised his right hand to high-five Li Wei, then let out a sillyugh, "Heh, you got me."

    Li Wei looked at his desk, which was empty and didn''t have his mug, "Did you lie to the girls again, telling them that mug is my favorite?"

    Hunter chuckled, "I didn''t say anything. Misunderstandings are their prerogative."

    Li Wei was speechless¡ª

    Since the end of the warm-up games, Li Wei had be an instant celebrity at the University of bama, greeted by cheers and whistles wherever he went; it seemed like he became well-known throughout the campus overnight.

    Not just on campus, even when going to the supermarket or a gas station, the town residents would also greet Li Wei with great enthusiasm, giving him the sensation of an undercover agent whose cover had been blown.

    And more!

    Countless girls were throwing autumn''s spinach his way, and even during ss, girls would slip him little notes with phone numbers scribbled on them.

    But to be honest, Li Wei currently didn''t have the time to respond to these.

    He knew his mission; he needed to perform well in the new season to prove himself, or else he faced awsuit and potentialpensation, especially since his secret weapon was exposed on nationwide live broadcasts after the warm-up games, which meant he might face even more challenges.

    In just three short weeks, the content he learned was still far from enough, whether it was real-life training or system simtions.

    Training, improvement, progress, those were the urgencies at hand.

    As for other matters, they could wait.

    But Hunter had firmly seized the opportunity and enjoyed a truly "fortunate" period recently, which then led to Li Wei''s personal items disappearing every now and then.

    Initially, Li Wei didn''t understand and thought it was just him being forgetful, having mentioned it to Hunter inadvertently;ter on, Hunter had made a bunch of mugs. Whenever a girl followed him back to the dorm, he''d sneakily ce his self-printed mugs on Li Wei''s desk.

    Over the past three days, Li Wei stopped losing things.

    Seeing Hunter''s blissful face as he flopped back onto his bed left Li Wei with mixed feelings, "Simon, does that really not bother you?"

    Those girls seemed to be using him as a stepping stone.

    Hunter let out a long moan, "Why should it? It''s a case of mutual benefit, a barter. If they can''t have you, yet they don''t mind settling for me, why would I refuse? The more the merrier, the more the merrier; it''s been this way since Ancient Babylon."

    "You have to give something to get what you want. If you can''t have it directly, taking another route is also viable."

    As he talked, Hunter''s voice faded, and he fell back into slumber.

    Just when Li Wei thought Hunter had passed out, Hunter spoke again without warning.

    "Hey, buddy, you''re really outstanding, staying true to yourself despite so many temptations; I certainly couldn''t do it one hundred percent."

    "If you weren''t aware of this, I just wanted to tell you; if you already knew..."

    The rest of his words were lost, reced only by the sound of even breathing, a sure sign he must have passed out again.

    Li Wei didn''t bother with Hunter anymore.

    The reason he could continue to persevere was partly due to self-discipline and partly because of the existence of the system, which not only quantified the gains from each training session and game but also allowed clear visualization of tangible improvements and benefits.

    Just like now¡ª

    He could finally flip the card again, atst!

 Chapter 56: 056 second template

    Kobe Bryant said, "Do you know what Los Angeles looks like at four o''clock in the morning?"

    Everybody knows that athletic sports require talent.

    But in fact, talent is just the threshold. Every yer who can enter the Professional League is a genius. Don''t think they seem like rookies on the professional field; actually, without exception, they are all geniuses¡ªmajor geniuses, minor geniuses, once-in-a-decade geniuses, once-in-a-century geniuses.

    A bunch of freaks.

    If you want to stand out, hard work and struggle are the only ways.

    Sess is made of ny-nine percent perspiration plus one percent inspiration. Usually, the one percent of inspiration is the most important; however, the threshold of the profession has already filtered out that one percent of inspiration, leaving the remainder to depend on the ny-nine percent of perspiration, depending on who knows what Los Angeles looks like early in the morning.

    Of course, Li Wei hadn''t yet decided whether to go professional. The short three weeks of spring training camp had opened a door, allowing him to glimpse a whole new world; but there was no need to rush into a conclusion. Nevertheless, Li Wei admitted that he had be somewhat curious and had slowly begun to explore.

    From intramural games to warm-up matches, Li Wei was understanding the charm of football in all aspects, and involuntarily, he began to develop a faint anticipation for the new season.

    The Football Training System sent out reminders every day, urging Li Wei toplete his daily training; it also alerted Li Wei to the daily upper limit of his training¡ª

    Not to overtrain beyond capacity.

    If he could persist inpleting the daily training, the progress bar would gain extra reward boosts, moving towards the one hundred percent indicator at a faster pace.

    It must be said that after the system quantified everything, not only could he clearly see the gains from each day''s training, but there was also a mysterious reward waiting ahead. It felt like leveling up in a game after defeating monsters. The monotonous daily training became full of anticipation, motivating him each day.

    Now, it was only May. There were four whole months until the unveiling of the new season in September¡ª

    Four months, enough to change many, many things.

    Li Wei thought that his secret weapon had already been exposed. Someone must have begun to study it, believing they had understood this secret weapon in all aspects. By the time he disyed a brand-new performance, giving everyone a surprise, it would be interesting to see the expressions of those ck-faced Yamas in the Defensive group.

    A mischievous and delightful psychology became an additional motivation for Li Wei to persist inpleting his daily training.

    However, as of now, the first wave of rewards had already arrived.

    One intramural game, one warm-up match¡ªalthough they weren''t official games, the resistance was particrly intense for the football rookie Li Wei. Plus, after getting the system, his first upgrade had been rtively easy, so after the warm-up match ended, Li Wei had trained for some time, and today he had reached the standard.

    "100%!"

    Summoning the system in his mind, the deep blue icon flickered, signifying to Li Wei that he had met the standard, which also meant that he had another chance to flip the card.

    He bathed and burned incense, prayed and made his wishes, and then¡ª

    Started to level up.

    A pale blue ripple spread out slowly, and with a sh of white light, the face of a card appeared before him¡ªit was a character.

    It wasn''t an enhancement card, but a temte card.

    Li Wei felt a slight disappointment; he had always been curious about the third slot in the cardholder. Would it be for an entirely new enhancement card, or could the same type of enhancement cards be stacked? If thetter, could the cards that reduced injury risk be stacked on top of each other continuously until reaching 100%,pletely and utterly eliminating injury risk?

    This was also a key reason motivating Li Wei to persist in his daily training; his curiosity needed an answer.

    Unfortunately, this time flipping the card didn''t result in a brand-new amplification card, but a second temte card instead, inevitably leading to some frustration; but thinking about it, the previous neer gift pack had already far exceeded expectations:

    There was not only an S-tier temte card, but also an amplification card that reduced the risk of injury, luck waspletely off the charts.

    So, if my luck is a bit off today, it seems understandable.

    Moreover, this temte card in front of me, it shouldn''t really count as being unlucky, right¡ª

    "LeSean McCoy (A-tier)."

    Having already drawn an S-tier superstar before, seeing an A-tier temte now made me feel much moreposed; but, upon serious consideration, an A-tier temte is still among the top-notch yers, just slightly inferior to an S-tier Adrian Peterson.

    However, who exactly is this LeSean McCoy?

    McCoy, born in 1988, was selected in the second round, pick fifty-three, by the Phdelphia Eagles in the 2009 draft, and spent five seasons with the Phdelphia Eagles. He transferred to the Buffalo Billsst season and is still one of the very active top running backs in the League.

    At 5.9 feet (180 centimeters) and 210 pounds (95 kilograms), McCoy seems almost miniaturized among the strongmen and giants of football, even more slender than Li Wei, but such running backs have their own ce in the Professional League; speed and agility are their professional skills.

    In fact, if anyone underestimates McCoy because of his "short and skinny" appearance, then McCoy would use his fleet-footed skills to give them a good lesson.

    McCoy is a typical "scatback" style running back. yers of this sort are often shorter and thinner; they are used to making the most of their size, speed, and agility advantages, making it difficult for defenders to catch them and easily breaking away from tackles or outpacing them with sheer speed.

    Furthermore, McCoy is exceptionally good at dodging left and right, considered to be a simplified version of the Hall of Fame legendary running back Barry Sanders. McCoy admits that he regards Sanders as his idol, grew up watching Sanders'' games, and consciously imitates Sanders.

    After joining the Professional League in 2009 and after two years of brief adjustment, McCoy underwent his transformation¡ª

    Except for the 2012 season, when he missed most of it due to a concussion, he was selected for the Pro Bowl in 2011, 2013, 2014, and 2015, without a doubt one of the most popr running backs in the League at present.

    During which, in 2011 he led the League in touchdown rushes, in 2013 he led in rushing yards, and he became the Phdelphia Eagles'' all-time leading rusher.

    It''s clear that McCoy, like Adrian Peterson, is in his prime and is one of the top and most outstanding running backs in the League.

    So, what are the differences between the two?

    Peterson excels at changing directions, breaking tackles, and even has the ability to push forward forcefully amidst strong opposition.

    McCoy excels at speed, relying on speed to break away, and finding gaps in tight defenses to advance.

    At least from the current stage, Li Wei''s ying style is more simr to McCoy, tending to rely on speed for breaking away and pration even if, asionally, he can also draw inspiration from Peterson''s games to find game-changing routes; however, for now, his ability to resist tackles and break away still needs further improvement.

    That''s precisely why, in the warm-up match against the Tigers, his two sessive sideline breakthroughs were so astonishing, earning him the nickname "Edgerunner".

    Speed. Agility. Gaps.

    These are what Li Wei is most familiar with and best at.

    From now until the new season kicks off, Li Wei needs to boost hispetitiveness in a short time, and starting with his strong points would be the most effective and immediate.

    Using the Peterson temte for training, there were still many things that Li Wei only half understood and couldn''t see the big picture, but the McCoy temte should be much easier to work with.

    Li Wei couldn''t help rubbing his hands together, ready to take action immediately and enter the temte training mode.

 Chapter 57: Season 057 Opener

    Texas, Arlington, AT&T Stadium.

    This stadium, which can amodate eighty thousand people, is the home field of the NFL''s Das Cowboys and also ys host to a series of NCAA bowl and championship games.

    Today, the curtain will slowly rise here for the 2016 to 2017 NCAA season.

    With the NFL season set to kick off next Thursday, and professional games not yet in y, the NCAA games, taking the stage a step ahead, have attracted nationwide attention¡ª

    Since 2009, AT&T Stadium has had the honor of hosting the annual NCAA season opener, known as the "Cowboys ssic," which has gradually evolved into a brand-new festival, heralding the arrival of a new football season, much like a carnival.

    Each year, AT&T Stadium negotiates with the NCAA to invite teams with topical matchups for the season opener. Maybe not a sh of titans or a battle of seeded teams, but it''s guaranteed to ensure viewership and focus.

    Last year, the bama Crimson Tide Storm faced off against the Wisconsin Badgers, with the Crimson Tide Storm defeating their opponents "35:17," embarking on a strong season.

    This year, the bama Crimson Tide Storm was once again invited and was set to sh with the traditional power of the Pacific-12 Conference, the University of Southern California Trojans.

    Although the two teams don''t have much historical heritage, as traditional sports powerhouses, they both have a broad and deep fan base¡ª

    Viewership guaranteed.

    Moreover, on September third, Saturday, the Cowboys ssic was about to take the stage, right in the weekend, and countless fans from California and bama headed to Texas to watch the game live, with ticket sales skyrocketing.

    ording to box office statistics, this was the second time that ticket sales for the annual Cowboys ssic hosted by AT&T Stadium surpassed eighty thousand.

    The number of seats at AT&T Stadium is eighty thousand. To amodate special circumstances, some stands can be dismantled to add seats, increasing the capacity by ten thousand¡ªAT&T Stadium was now undergoing this work, meaning that today''s attendance could approach ny thousand.

    People streamed in, bustling and swarming, and a brilliant sea of red was in sight¡ª

    The Crimson Tide Storm''s jersey is red; the Trojans'' jersey is also red.

    The Crimson Tide''s red is scarlet; the Trojans'' is closer to maroon, and the biggest difference between them is in the shorts, with the Crimson Tide Storm wearing white and the Trojans gold.

    But the problem is, fans don''t wear shorts.

    So, one could see an endless sea of red,yer uponyer, surging upwards, causing local Cowboys fans to feel nauseous¡ª

    The Cowboys'' jersey is blue.

    Red and blue together don''t make... well, certainly not a couple.

    Not just fans, ABC television, which had secured the broadcast rights for the season opener, as well as countless media, were already in ce, cheering for the arrival of the football season, the sea of people no less impressive than the Super Bowl.

    Tense, half anticipating, half eager.

    Then, four buses slowly approached and stopped at the entrance to the yer''s tunnel.

    Journalists standing behind the metal railings hastily set up their cameras, and ABC''s on-site host quickly approached with a camera crew, ready to start interviews at a moment''s notice, as the atmosphere of the live broadcast subtly spread.

    When people mention the bama Crimson Tide Storm, there is no doubt it''s the top contender in the NCAA first division, attracting attention with every move. However, after Derrick Henry turned pro this season, how Saban maintains the team''spetitiveness and continues to push for the championship has be a focal point of curiosity.

    With the new season kicking off, the defending champions Crimson Tide Storm rightly ranked number one seed nationwide in the NCAA, but rankings can change throughout the season, and whether this seed can hold until the end is what matters.

    Four months ago, at the end of spring training camp, Crimson Tide Storm once again defeated another championship contender, the Clemson Tigers, in a warm-up match. People heatedly discussed the team being scoreless in the first half and ced a question mark on the new season; they equally debated the emergence of yer number twenty-three in the second half who single-handedly turned the tables.

    In that game, number twenty-three waspletely fired up, utterly destroying the Tigers'' defense. His three long runs over twenty yards each in the second half were like a siege-breaking weapon, sending shivers down the spine.

    Despite some saying it was just a warm-up match and not to be taken seriously¡ªit is 6102 after all¡ªwho still believes in padding stats from a warm-up match.

    Others said that Clemson Tigers'' defense was a joke to begin with, others failing to rush for three hundred yards not because ofck of ability butck of interest, and that the Crimson Tide Storm, relying solely on one yer to pad stats, actually exposed theirck of confidence in a well-rounded offense.

    But it can''t be denied that like the legendary Monkey King springing from the stone, twenty-three popped up out of nowhere. Known for their ground game and developing running backs, and coupled with the continuation ofst season''s strong defensive lineup, undoubtedly, Saban''s team remains a strong contender for the championship.

    Here, the only unknown was that yer without any information, number twenty-three¡ª

    Data, so meager that it barely filled a thin A4 sheet; height and weight left isted, as if the warm-up and internal game statistics were mocking any fool who tried analyzing them.

    The most absurd and amusing was that since number twenty-three registeredte, Crimson Tide Storm didn''t submit the photo in time, causing the NCAA system to temporarilyck a photo of number twenty-three.

    Such a situation is impossible in the NFL, but in the NCAA, where rosters are massively oversized and cuts are possible at any time, it''s not unusual. Anyway, when the season''s data is updated, it will eventually be added.

    Thus, a small portion of the public who didn''t watch ESPN''s live broadcast of the warm-up match truly didn''t know what number twenty-three looked like; another part who watched the live broadcast with helmets on the entire game, talked about number twenty-three with great excitement yet couldn''t recall his appearance.

    In an era dominated by social media, this rare sense of mystery was an incredible existence, adding a touch of legend to number twenty-three.

    Anticipating, yet not anticipating.

    Feelings are just that contradictory; anticipation is based on trust in Saban''s vision and ability. Not anticipating, there are a myriad of reasons, so many they''re hard to count.

    So, could number twenty-three take up the mantle left by Derrick Henry and continue to lead the Crimson Tide Storm''s offensive group in a charge for the championship?

    Confusion. Curiosity. Skepticism. Inquiry. Provocation. Disdain.

    With different emotions and sentiments, the discussions were ignited this year as even the NFL joined the hoo at the ssic Cowboys kickoff.

    It must be said, the NCAA yed a smart hand; they didn''t care about making stars or how number twenty-three performed, the hype, promotion, and marketing tactics were ferocious enough to ensure their coffers were brimming.

    As it were, tickets sold out, andunching a 90,000-person stadium at the Cowboys kickoff ssic for the first time in eight years was inevitable, with countless fans unable to procure tickets yet loitering outside, unwilling to leave, holding signs begging for tickets.

    Meanwhile, ABC television station, having secured the exclusive broadcast rights, was also on the front line¡ª

    Number twenty-three, number twenty-three, number twenty-three.

    ck.

    The bus door opened and, after a brief wait, a figure appeared unhurriedly.

 Chapter 58: 058 World Famous Paintings

    If someone were to interview Li Wei, aplete novice in the world of football who stepped into this realm just in April, what would he regard as the most important lesson he had learned?

    Li Wei would reply, "The atmosphere of the game."

    Whether as a former cross-country runner or a mixed martial arts fighter, the atmospheres he had experienced were different, especially in cross-country running, which often required battling alone in solitude.

    However, football was not like that.

    The sight of a hundred thousand people in frenzy at Bryant Denny Stadium needs no further description, and even during regr training sessions, one could feel the fervor of the town and university¡ªcheers and screams everywhere, a constant shock for someone used to the sounds of wind, water, and leaves as a cross-country runner.

    His roommate, Hunter, gave Li Wei a valuable piece of advice¡ª

    Noise-cancelling headphones.

    Hunter did it to look cool, admiring the swimmers or ser yers who took the field with headphones on; but Li Wei took the advice seriously for the noise cancetion, and he''d grown ustomed to thepany of headphones.

    Today was no exception.

    After learning from Mr. Know-It-All Humphrey that the AT&T Stadium was likely to hit a new record in attendance, Li Wei brought along his recent treasure number one.

    He put on his headphones early, ignoring the mor outside the bus, yet he could still feel the fervor of the scene through the slight vibrations of the seat.

    Compared to intrasquad games and warm-ups, today Li Wei was moreposed. Over the past four months, the continuous training through the McCoy and Peterson temtes at different fields and home grounds,bined with the umtion of virtual game experiences, was not entirely ineffective.

    Arrival.

    Li Wei waited briefly, but seeing that the other yers were all quietly seated and motionless, he turned back to look at everyone.

    Given therge number of yers in a football team, they usually boarded the bus in groups¡ªtwo buses for the offensive group, two for the defensive group, mixed with members of the Special Duty Group across four buses; some teams even needed five buses, mixing some special duty personnel or main yers into the coaches'' bus.

    At that moment, Li Wei didn''t see the joker Humphrey; rk, sitting to his right, was nervously swallowing. Li Wei didn''t think too much about it and stood up to lead the way off the bus¡ª

    There were still three buses waiting to unload.

    rk''s eyes widened as he called out anxiously, "Li Wei!"

    "Ronnie!" Hertz called out.

    rk anxiously closed his mouth.

    Li Wei gave Hertz a meaningful look, then reassured rk withforting eyes and continued moving forward as the bus door opened.

    Rustling, rustling.

    A murmur of whispers rose from behind him, mixingughter and secret talks, bustling with excitement¡ªwithout even speaking, the tion and fervor in their expressions were clearer than ever, no need to be overly smart to guess¡ª

    The time hade for the veterans to "school" the rookie.

    Clearly, this was a prank.

    Earlier, Li Wei had been wondering, until now the team members still routinely called out "rookie," even those who had just entered the university from high school weren''t spared. Given Li Wei''s experience in football, he indeed was a rookie, so was it not unusual they hadn''t orchestrated a prank or roughhouse?

    Unusual.

    Now it seemed, it wasn''t that there weren''t any, but rather they were waiting for an opportunity, and today, it hade.

    Li Wei, his face calm andposed, ready to meet challenges head-on as they arrive.

    Following the eager gazes of Hertz and others, one could notice that their target was likely the photographers'' team or the frenzy of journalists ahead.

    However,pared to Li Wei, the young yers on the Offensive group''s bus weren''t faring much better.

    Over the years, Crimson Tide Storm had always been the center of NCAA discussions, but thest wave of championship heroes had all graduated. It was somewhat unexpected that this new group of yers had clinched the nationwide championshipst year. They were unused to such a spectacle, and the media had focused primarily on Derrick Henry at that time, making the current chaos quite overwhelming.

    Li Wei, on the other hand, appeared particrly calm, having stepped out of the bus as soon as the doors had opened.

    Whoosh.

    A throng of hosts, camera lenses, microphones, lights, and more surged forward, bustling and bustling about, quickly surrounding Li Wei.

    Instantly, Li Wei''s impressive height was conspicuous. Usually, in the team, a height of 6.1 feet (185 cm) seemed quite ordinary, nothing special; but now, he immediately "rose" out of the crowd.

    "Excuse me!"

    The microphone, thrust toward Li Wei as though it was Jing Ke stabbing the King of Qin, nearly stuffed into Li Wei''s mouth, while the host Samantha Pond tiptoed to secure her position at the forefront.

    This ABC football host, unlike others who might be intimidated by the height and physique of football yers, was definitely not. She had married Christian Ponder, a quarterback who yed for multiple NFL teams, in 2012.

    Maybe Pond wasn''t a top yer, but this quarterback, who joined the League in 2011, was a genuinely decent guy with many friends in the League. By association, everyone was also on good terms with Samantha and willing to show her some favor.

    The young man before her wore sunsses, his palm-sized cheeks covering most of his face; he wore headphones, his head nearly swallowed by gear,pletely obscuring his face.

    But in that hurried moment, Samantha Pond couldn''t care less. The NCAA teams had too many staff, and she had to be decisive and focus on her priorities, or else the interview was going to turn into a disaster.

    "What are your expectations for the new season? How do you view the team''s prospects for defending the championship? With Derrick Henry gone, can Li Wei take up the team''s ground offensive mantle, and can he inherit Henry''s mantle?"

    Li Wei slightly lifted his chin¡ª

    So, was this the scene everyone was anticipating?

    He didn''t need to look back; probably every guy on the bus had be a meerkat glued to the windows, eagerly watching the show unfold.

    Not just the first bus, but the doors of a second bus had also opened, revealing Humphrey''s head stealthily peeking around.

    It seemed, the well-informed Humphrey might have caught wind of something.

    Yet, Li Wei had no particr reaction, his expression calm, he gestured behind him with his hand, "He''s in the back."

    Having said that, he pulled his headphone back down and proceeded forward.

    Cool andposed, unflustered. Chapter Discover:

    Samantha didn''t doubt or stop the yer from leaving, signaling the camera crew to continue focusing on the bus door, aiming for the next yer.

    And Li Wei?

    He didn''t linger or hesitate, re-entering his world, leaving behind a solitary, brisk figure. Fans on either side of the yer''s tunnel entrance surged like a tide, shouts and screams interspersed, the swelling heatwave enveloping that figure, submitting to him entirely.

    The world, thus,y prostrate at his feet.

    Despite the noisy, tumultuous scene, there erupted a solemn and mournful atmosphere, as if from scenes of "I am Legend" with Will Smith and his dog setting out alone, vividlying to mind.

    This scene, like a world-renowned painting.

    Humphrey: Damn, tricked by him again.

 Chapter 59: Unspoken mutual understanding

    Inside the bus: ???

    As they watched Li Wei''s dashing departure, the fans on both sides of the yer''s tunnel erupted in incredulous cheers and roars. The entire world was smitten with him, but inside the first bus, there were only question marks. No one understood what had happened: Chapter Continue:

    Is it over?

    Humphrey had said that all the media were waiting to ambush¡ªoh, no, interview¡ªinterview Li Wei?

    And then, this was it?

    Hertz didn''t understand and was the first to rush out, his face full of confusion as he looked towards Samantha Pond. Pointing towards the back of Li Wei, ready to ask some questions, Samantha beat him to it, trying to dig up some inside information from this rookie starting high school quarterback of the Crimson Tide Storm.

    Hertz: Huh? What? Li Wei? Didn''t he just walk right past you?

    Samantha looked at Hertz''s bewildered face and quickly refined her question, "Is number twenty-three still behind? And you, what are your thoughts?"

    Hertz: ¡­

    After a while, baffled and utterly confused, he also said, "Li Wei is at the back."

    A fellow sufferer spares his mates.

    How Hertz responded afterward, he couldn''t even remember. His mind was just filled with shock, as he stumbled along following Li Wei''s steps.

    Then.

    One after another took the stage, filled with question marks, their faces either stifling augh or showing confusion or curiosity, but unspoken and unanimously, the baton simply continued like that.

    Anyway, it was a prank. They hadn''t caught Li Wei, but eventually, they''d catch someone.

    Until Jacobs showed up¡ª

    This high school neer who had just enrolled in September was also a fresh face.

    Samantha nced at the empty bus. Because of her position, she couldn''t see clearly and wasn''t 100% sure, but it seemed like nobody was left. Just then, the bus driver released the handbrake, and the bus just went off, leaving the person in front of her.

    Samantha was startled: Wasn''t Li Wei supposed to be of Chinese descent? What''s going on here?

    But instinctively, Samantha still asked, "Do you have the confidence to take on Derrick Henry''s mantle and bear the offensive burden for Crimson Tide Storm?"

    Jacobs: ??? Who? Who is supposed to take over Henry''s mantle?

    Before the season began, Burns had a talk with each of the running backs separately, confirming the key positions. Li Wei would be the lead running back for Crimson Tide Storm, while Jacobs would be the second. Although their styles differed, they were to jointly tackle the team''s ground offensive.

    Without a doubt, Li Wei was the main running back.

    Jacobs was startled, "Uh, I believe Li Wei can handle the responsibility."

    Samantha, "Who?"

    Jacobs, "Li Wei."

    Samantha, "Huh? Aren''t you Li Wei?"

    Jacobs, "No, I''m not."

    Samantha: ¡­

    Jacobs: ¡­

    Samantha, "Wait, isn''t Li Wei on this bus?"

    Jacobs blinked his eyes, hesitating and a bit worried as he spoke, because the Samantha in front of him looked like a pufferfish ready to explode at any moment. He visualized the scene in his mind, worried about his clothes getting stained with brain matter. It would probably be difficult to dry clean, "He is, Li Wei was the first to get off."

    Samantha: ¡­

    Haha, hahaha!

    Behind them, a burst ofughter rang out, wild and unrestrainedughter. The ABC cameraman was very sensitive and turned around immediately.

    Then one could see the group of young people from the Crimson Tide Stormughing heartily and loudly, with high fives, cheers, screams, and teasing filling the air. The youthful energy was vividly disyed as they pped hands, jumped, and shouted together, creating a fantastic team atmosphere.

    Whoosh.

    Jacobs hurried past Samantha and joined his teammates, who did not hold back in teasing Jacobs¡ª

    Although not as much as the rookie, Jacobs was still in high school, after all.

    Only then did Jacobs finally realize what was happening, adopting a resigned look that only made everyoneugh even harder.

    A figure dashed past, going by Samantha and the ABC photography team. Samantha was too slow to stop him, only recognizing him after a beat:

    Humphrey.

    Compared to those new faces, as a member of the main lineup of the Crimson Tide Stormst year, Samantha wouldn''t make that rookie mistake again.

    Humphrey greeted his teammates along the way: Move aside, move aside.

    The yers of the Crimson Tide Storm parted like Moses at the Red Sea, creating a long pathway. Everyone''s eyes followed Humphrey as he dashed forward, leaping and hanging onto a figure at the front like a monkey, twisting him around.

    The next second, Humphrey made faces at the camera and kept gesturing:

    It''s him, it''s him, it''s definitely him.

    The figure removed his headphones and sunsses, and only then did Samantha recognize him¡ªit was Li Wei.

    The only Asian face among all the main lineups in this year''s NCAA, how could she mistake him!

    Samantha couldn''t help but facepalm. What on earth had just happened?

    From fifty or sixty yards away, Li Wei raised his right hand, his index and middle fingers together, making a salute gesture towards the camera lens, his smile turning upwards.

    Because of the distance, Samantha couldn''t make out Li Wei''s facial features clearly, but she could see the gesture, and seemed to also see the unrestrained and bold smile on that face. Involuntarily, her own lips curled up into a smile, turning all that annoyance and gloom, all that astonishment and panic intoughter¡ª

    Maybe this was better.

    Instead of Li Wei standing in front of the camera exchanging pleasantries, such a small prank better showcased Li Wei''s personality.

    Without even having met face to face, Samantha was already somewhat looking forward to number 23''s performance.

    Now, Samantha somewhat understood why everyone was talking about number 23; in fact, tonight''s opposing team was no exception.

    The head coach of the University of Southern California Trojans, y Helton, was a bit nervous¡ª

    Although this was his sixth season with the Trojans, it was only his first season as head coach.

    Last season, the Trojans performed poorly, finishing the season ranked twentieth nationwide, failing to enter any bowl games¡ªa result uneptable for a traditional powerhouse of the West Coast. Therefore, the head coach was fired, and Helton, after apetitive internal interview, took over the position.

    A new season, a new start.

    Naturally, Helton hoped his team would start off with a victory to wee his first battle as head coach, but his opponents were the defending champions¡ª

    And it was the seasoned Saban.

    Gulp.

    Helton swallowed hard, trying his best to hide his nervousness, his wordsing out extremely cautious, "Regarding Li Wei, we have very limited information, and I don''t think it''s appropriate toment right now; but no matter what the situation, we are prepared, we will be ready."

    The first statement was "are," the second was "will be."

    The contradiction in his words exposed Helton''s unease, typical of a new coach in a new position.

    However, seeing their head coach being so cautious and timid, the youthful and spirited hot blood of the Trojans'' yers couldn''t be contained, and immediately someone stepped forward to boost morale¡ª

    Juju Smith Schuster.

 Chapter 60: 060 Verbal spat

    Juju Smith Schuster, Wide Receiver, junior, is currently the biggest star on the Trojans team.

    Last season, when Trojans quarterback Cody Kessler''s performance was poor, and the offensively-oriented team always struggled to make headway, it became the core reason for the unsatisfactory team results. During the offseason, Offensive Coordinator Hayden became the head coach through an internal team interview.

    Nevertheless, even with an underperforming quarterback, nicknamed "Juju," Schuster still performed exceptionally, reversing the situation with his own efforts several times. He finished the season with one thousand four hundred receiving yards and ten touchdowns, bing the only spotlight in the dismal state of the Trojans.

    This year, Kessler has turned professional, selected in the third round as the nieth pick by the Clevnd Browns, and the Trojans weed a brand new quarterback¡ª

    Sam Darnold, who enrolledst year but donned a redshirt.

    Redshirt is a special status in the NCAA.

    Normally, college athletes are eligible to y in four seasons of college games, but they can choose to be a redshirt during one year of their college tenure, thus extending their college athletic career to five years.

    During the redshirt year, students can attend sses and participate in training, and even sit on the sidelines during games, but they are not allowed topete for the team.

    Thanks to the redshirt system, there emerged the phenomenon of "fifth-year seniors" in American colleges.

    There are many reasons to choose a redshirt, the primary one being to take a year off frompetition to focus on improving one''s abilities to vie for a starting spot, amon urrence in football.

    Because the physical confrontations and body impacts in football are significantly tougher, yers can use the redshirt year to improve their physique; additionally, since football tactics are much moreplex than in high school, yers need time to adapt to different styles of y. After all, there are no redshirt exemptions in professional leagues.

    It''s worth mentioning that if a redshirt yer enters any game during the season, then the redshirt status is automatically forfeited, without exception.

    The identity of a redshirt yer is granted by the head coach, but only until the end of the season does the NCAA give affirmation.

    What does that mean?

    The head coach, based on his own judgment, grants a yer redshirt status, but it doesn''t mean the yer won''t appear in games during the season. If a yer outperforms expectations in training, or if the team faces a severe spate of injuries, the head coach can rescind the yer''s redshirt status, allowing them to y in the remaining season games.

    Once the yer enters the field during a game, they are automatically forfeiting their redshirt status for that season, even if it''s only for one y or one second, with no exceptions.

    Therefore, only at the end of the season, after confirming that the yer hasn''t participated in any games, does the NCAA affirm the redshirt status.

    Additionally, the mostmon injury redshirt is a particr exception:

    If a yer misses an entire season or a substantial part of the season due to a severe injury, and their ying time is less than 30%, the head coach can still apply for a redshirt for them, ensuring the yer gets an extra year of opportunity.

    Typically, so-called redshirt freshmen refer to sophomores who are ying for the school for the first year. They chose to redshirt their freshman season, trained with the team for a season, waited to grow, and then officially represented the school inpetitions as sophomores.

    Sam Darnold is a redshirt freshman.

    Last year, the Trojans recruited Darnold to y as a...lineman, but during the training camp, they discovered Darnold''s potential and switched him to a quarterback. As a redshirt, he learned behind two quarterbacks for an entire year, and this year he finally took over the main responsibility of starting quarterback.

    Including Hayden, everyone in the Trojans, from top to bottom, is full of confidence. They believe without a doubt that Darnold has the ability of a first-round pick and it wouldn''t be a surprise even if he bes the first overall pick.

    This is also the source of Juju''s confidence.

    Look,st season, even with the delivery of Kessler''s erratic passes, Juju managed toplete a one-thousand-yard season purely on individual ability; now with an upgraded quarterback situation and more urate and plentiful passes, as the Trojans'' top wide receiver, Juju is confident about contributing to an even more outstanding and exciting season.

    Perhaps, he might be the first wide receiver in NFL and NCAA history with a two-thousand-yard season?

    Zhu Zhu''s confidence had pierced the heavens, and the result?

    Not only were the news media swarming around an unknown running back like flies, but even his own coach was being so cautious?

    Zhu Zhu really wanted to shake Hayden hard: Coach, wake up, wake up! You have Derrick and me, two superstar athletes. Please rise up, okay?

    "We''re going to win the game," Zhu Zhu''s gaze was brimming with confidence, almost ready to swallow Samantha whole.

    Samantha wasn''t convinced, "You''re up against the defending champions."

    Zhu Zhu justughed, "Without Derrick Henry, they''re nothing."

    Samantha blinked, "But they now have an excellent rookie running back, he could¡­"

    Zhu Zhu immediately exploded with impatience, "You mean that clown? Please, it''s just a smoke bomb, isn''t it obvious? Just one warm-up game and they talk about him making a grand appearance. If it''s that easy to make a grand appearance, then right now the NCAA would be full of superstars. Would superstars still be valuable?"

    "Wake up, hey, wake up!"

    "It''s all hype, that clown is just a puppet, a Pinhio, nobody cares about him. He''s just a tool the Crimson Tide Storm uses to divert attention. A rookie who just got into football this year, aplete outsider turned savior, haha, what do you think this is, a superhero movie?"

    "It must be DC, not Marvel, haha."

    Zhu Zhu was incredibly arrogant, his trash talk flowing nonstop.

    Still patient, Samantha said, "But Sam Darnold was the same. A redshirt rookie who had never practiced as a quarterback before. What''s the difference between him and Li Wei?"

    Zhu Zhu''s face split open: Don''t hit a man in the face, okay?

    His expression turned sour in an instant, no longer in the mood for jokes, "Let me tell you, the game will prove everything. We''ll expose that guy for what he really is; we''ll let him experience what real football is. We''ll win the game."

    "Not just win, but crush them."

    "You understand? Crush them!"

    Having just hit a wall with Crimson Tide Storm, Samantha finally regained her reporter''s dignity standing before Zhu Zhu, "You mean againstst year''s nationwide number one defensive group of Crimson Tide Storm?"

    The Trojans were good at offense, while the Crimson Tide Storm excelled at defense¡ª

    Just like that warm-up game, it was a sh of contradictions.

    Zhu Zhu''s face turned the color of liver, looking like he might explode at any moment. After all, he was still young, just eighteen, and still a kid, "Yes, yes, yes, yes. We''ll win."

    "We''ll win."

    "We''ll win! Ahh!"

    And then¡­ there was no and then. Zhu Zhu stormed off, eyes red, mouth full of foulnguage, cursing all the way to the field, his beautiful dreadlocks as if they were on fire.

    With a professional smile, Samantha said to the camera, "The Trojans are determined to win."

 Chapter 61: 061 Spotlight

    ```

    Boom, boom-boom-boom¡ª

    The noise rolled on; the heat, zing.

    AT&T Stadium was packed to the brim with not a single seat to spare. All ny thousand seats were sold out, heralding the new football season''s start in the most grandiose and raucous fashion.

    Historically, the bama Crimson Tide Storm and the USC Trojans had no deep-seated rivalry, mainly because the two schools were quite a distance apart. In their hundred-year history, they had faced each other only seven times, thest encounter being way back in 1985, with the Crimson Tide Storm prevailing.

    If it weren''t for this "Cowboy Kickoff ssic," neither team would have found themselves under the spotlight together.

    So, what was it that drew such a massive audience?

    "East vs. West."

    On the North American continent, a full-scale rivalry showcased itself between the East Coast, led by New York, and the West Coast, spearheaded by Los Angeles. Theypeted in various aspects including culture, politics, and economy, a fierce, vibrant, andprehensive rivalry that mirrored the "North vs. South" in its craftsmanship but was even more exciting.

    The Trojans, representing the West Coast, embodied the elite, the white-cor workers, the middle ss.

    The Crimson Tide Storm, representing the East Coast, stood for the blue-cor workers, theborers, the general public.

    Such a collision, such an opposition, in the mere eight years since the "Cowboy Kickoff ssic" began, was unprecedented.

    The topic ignited interest on all fronts.

    Then there were the fan bases of both teams, along with countless football fans from NCAA and NFL, eagerly weing the new season. This is what led to the scene at hand.

    Unlike the warm-up match at Bryant-Denny Stadium, which was Crimson Tide Storm''s home ground¡ªwith the entire town turning out in support of their team¡ªtoday''s venue was neutral territory. Every side brought their best efforts to the field, not only supporters of the two teams but also countless neutral fans showed up.

    And so, the atmosphere became charged¡ª

    "Go, Trojans, go!"

    "Roar, Tide!"

    A back-and-forth battle, head-to-head.

    If you listened closely, you could hear the voices of all the fans in the stadium, each cheering for their team, creating an overwhelming wave that shed and swirled above the massive AT&T Stadium. Amidst it all, a grand and powerful passion began to burn.

    Although AT&T Stadium was slightly smaller than Bryant-Denny Stadium, today, here was where it all began:

    The first official game.

    The starting point of the new season.

    The noisier, the more excited; the tenser, the more thrilled; the more turbulent, the more focused¡ªLi Wei loved this burning sensation. He had fallen in love with the taste ofpeting on a stage of a hundred thousand people.

    Why not let the whistle blow now?

    Hum, hum-hum-hum.

    Across the stadium, silence fell.

    As the top seed and reigning champions, the Crimson Tide Storm was the first to take the field.

    The yers crowded at the entrance to the yers'' tunnel, ready to go. rk couldn''t contain his excitement, and although Jacobs also felt his emotions surging, he tried to maintain a poker face to keep from showing his emotions. And then, Li Wei, with an expressionless face, suddenly gave rk a scare.

    Roar.

    rk couldn''t hold back, "Ah!"

    He let out a shriek, and then he couldn''t control himself, "Ah, ah-ah-ah! Li Wei, I''m a part of the Crimson Tide Storm, I''m about to take the field with the Tide! Aah-ah-ah! Aaah-ah-ah!"

    Li Wei''s smile also fully lifted, and he shouted in a low voice, fists clenched, "Roar! Roar! Roar!"

    Again and again.

    rk joined in shouting with Li Wei, and then, one after another, Jacobs looked around frantically as all his teammates joined in the shouting, his heart surging uncontrobly as his voice burst from his throat.

    ```

    ```

    Finally, enter the field.

    "Roar!"

    "Roar!"

    The yers burst out of the tunnel one after another, and mes erupted in the sky, with the whole stadium shouting along, shaking the entire world with their roaring waves.

    Whoosh.

    Crimson Tide, storm.

    When the Trojans took the field, the swirling frenzy of the crowd didn''t fade for a long time,pletely drowning out the Trojans'' own chants of "fight on."

    Zhu Zhu, however, had no interest in observing these moments, his first reaction was to search for someone on the opposing team, until¡ª

    Number twenty-three.

    There he is!

    Wait, that''s it?

    Zhu Zhu sized him up; he himself stood 6.1 feet (185 cm) tall and weighed 215 pounds (98 kg). That number twenty-three was practically no different from him, and visually even seemed a bit scrawnier. It was suitable for a wide receiver because they need speed and agility, but as a running back?

    Haha!

    Zhu Zhu was on the verge of bursting intoughter. This scrawny, unimpressive figure was supposed to rece Derrick Henry?

    The Crimson Tide Storm must be insane, Saban must have gone senile, trying to use a smoke bomb to divert attention should at least involve someone presentable.

    Zhu Zhu couldn''t help himself, his smile bloomed fully, and hepletely rxed, turning to his teammates, chatting andughing, his mood brighter than the June sun.

    "Ladies and gentlemen, audiences around the world, the first game of the NCAA 2016 season is about to kick off, with the defending champions bama Crimson Tide Storm facing the USC Trojans."

    "During this offseason, both teams have gone through some adjustments. From what we''ve seen on paper, the Trojans have finally changed quarterbacks, with Hayden choosing redshirt freshman Danord. Based on the information we have now, he''s the only noteworthy neer. Can the Trojans find their offensive firepower again?"

    "Meanwhile, the defensive group of the Crimson Tide Storm remains outstanding, which is Saban''s biggest basis for contending for the championship this season. Of course, their already weak offensive group took a further hit with Derrick Henry turning pro, and the starter to rece Henry is a new face."

    "He was once... uh, sorry for the pause, I''m checking the information, a mixed martial arts fighter?"

    "Oh, God."

    "Despite the running joke that football is like boxing, football is not about getting into a fight. Saban is making a mixed martial arts fighter the starting running back, Jesus Christ, this might be Old Nick''s biggest gamble since coaching the Miami Dolphins."

    In the studio, there wasughter¡ª

    Clearly, coaching the Miami Dolphins is still a "ck spot" in Saban''s career, a not so pleasant and even humiliating experience.

    But now, it seems people have found a fresh topic to discuss.

    "The game is about to start."

    "The Trojans, who won the coin toss, have chosen the field position, which means the Crimson Tide Storm will be taking the offense first."

    "So now we''ll get to see just what kind of offensive strategy Old Nick has prepared. Maybe we''ll finally get a Rocky in football too?"

    On the field, the offensive group of the Crimson Tide Storm had already taken the stage, huddled in a circle, with Offensive Captain Cam Robinson speaking¡ª

    In football, the captain isn''t that important; he doesn''t necessarily have to be the core of the team, often ying the role of bringing the team together.

    So, the offensive captain isn''t necessarily the quarterback.

    Robinson is an offensive tackle, and a left tackle at that. Since Hertz throws right-handed, the left side is the blind side. That''s why the blind side tackle is even more crucial; he must provide the quarterback with full support and make the quarterback dare to turn his whole back to him.

    That''s Robinson''s position on the team.

    "Hey, guys, our goal isn''t just the Trojans, it''s the championship. And the Trojans are just the first step."

    ```

 Chapter 62: 062 Shock Education

    Robinson was tall and sturdy, his 320-pound (145 kg) frame coupled with his nearly two-meter height made him stand like a hellish envoy, his fierce and malicious face with horizontal flesh that could scare a child to tears if he walked the streets at nightfall. At this moment, his stern expression was particrly terrifying.

    But once you calmed down and looked him in the eyes, you could see the fervor and passion in that fierce visage, entirely devoted to football.

    "Brothers, everyone is watching us, everyone is eager to beat us, because they fear, because they are afraid, because we are the strongest!"

    "If they think we can be easily defeated, if they think we''ve be vulnerable, then they should pay for their foolishness."

    "We are the Crimson Tide Storm, we are the defending champions, not because we were born champions, but because we were born to fight for victory!"

    Each word he spoke was forceful and resonant, Robinson''s gaze so determined and intense that it seemed as if one could see the boiling passion and exuberance.

    Then, looking around the circle, Robinson stretched out his right hand and ced it in the center.

    "Count to three!"

    One hand after another, the palms of all eleven yers stacked together, with Robinson''s shout ringing in their ears.

    "Crimson Tide!"

    "Roar!"

    Call and response, back and forth.

    After three consecutive cries, apanied by the shouts of "Roar!" their arms all stretched to the sky, the yers of the Crimson Tide Storm roared to the heavens and turned towards the twenty-five-yard line¡ª

    The game began, the USC Trojans'' special duty group hadpleted the kickoff, a steady and conservative kick with no waves, and the Crimson Tide Storm would start their offense from their own twenty-five-yard line.

    Phew.

    Hertz took a deep breath, feeling a little nervous, and subconsciously turned his head and saw the only person in the offensive group who stood in the pocket with the quarterback:

    The running back.

    Li Wei was not nervous at all; not only was he not nervous, but he also seemed eager to try. He looked forward, carefully sizing up the Trojans'' defensive positions.

    Sensing Hertz''s gaze, Li Wei turned his head and showed Hertz a smile, "How does it feel, are you ready?"

    Hertz instinctively wanted to deny it, but looking into Li Wei''s eyes, he couldn''t help but tell the truth, "I''m not sure. God, I''m a little nervous."

    After all, he was still a child born in 1998, a high schooler just a few months ago.

    Li Wei''s smile broadened, "Nervousness is good, it means anticipation and care. The point is, those guys on the other side are just like you."

    Hertz was taken aback, and the next second, a smile climbed onto his lips.

    Li Wei patted Hertz on the shoulder, "Besides, you''re not fighting alone."

    After speaking, Li Wei looked forward once again.

    Hertz stood there, his shoulders slowly straightening, and his eyes gradually sharpening.

    Li Wei wasn''t just looking off into the distance; he was observing the defense, exactly as the coaches had said pre-game: the Trojans'' defense had a very distinctive style.

    Maybe they weren''t top-notch, and they didn''t have standout yers with first-round draft potential like the Clemson Tigers did.

    But never forget, football is a team sport. Many hands make light work, and bybining tactics, collective strength can be harnessed to change the game.

    As mentioned before, the current mainstream defensive formations in the NFL and NCAA are "4-3" or "3-4," with over 90% of defenses being one or the other.

    Here''s a small exception, the USC Trojans are part of that 10%¡ª

    The "5-2" defense formation.

    Actually, the "5-2" formation is a variation of the "4-3," with five defensive linemen and two linebackers, sacrificing linebacker coverage on the short pass area to increase defensive line pressure on the pocket and contain the run, while also increasing the first wave of resistance to ground attacks near the line of scrimmage by stacking the front line with heavy defense.

    On one hand, five defensive linemen can match the number of yers on the offensive line, controlling the situation in the front-line confrontation.

    On the other hand, the "5-2" formation is not just about piling up numbers. The five defensive linemenprise one apex yer, two defensive tackles, and two defensive ends, possessing both the front-line pressure capability of the "4-3" formation and the ground defense ability of the "3-4" formation.

    Of course, there are pros and cons. Rtively speaking, the short pass defense will face immense pressure because theck of one linebacker means tactical coordination cannot be executed as nned, and it often relies more on the individual capacity of the linebackers.

    The USC Trojans have always been a team skilled in offense, with a consistentck of tradition and depth in defense. Hayden,ing from an offensive coordinator background, was even worse at understanding defense. The frequent changes in the Trojans'' coaching staff over the past few seasons only added to the chaos.

    Hayden''s choice of the "5-2" formation was for a very straightforward reason¡ª

    It''s simple.

    Because this defensive formation is rtively fixed with not many tactical variations, it always focuses on front-line pressure and ground defense, sparing the need to think too much.

    It also means that yers don''t need to spend time and energy coordinating with tactics, thus fostering tacit understanding based on basic strategies and fully leveraging their numerical advantage.

    Even if the opponent deciphers it, they can still counter it with the numerical advantage and collective coordination. This way, Hayden can free up energy to concentrate on offense.

    It was a gamble: using a rigid defensive routine in the hope of ensuring the team''s baseline, so the defense wouldn''t copse too much, then trying to secure victory through offense.

    Whether the gamble would pay off could only be proven through the game.

    For Hayden, facing off against Crimson Tide Storm wasn''t exactly good news, but it could also be beneficial since Crimson Tide Storm''s offense was rtively weak, focusing more on the ground game. The "5-2" formation was the perfect counter, and without the powerful weapon Derrick Henry, perhaps the Trojans really had a chance to win.

    The only variable was, how would Saban respond?

    Or to be more precise, what abilities did a series of entirely new faces in the running back lineup, consisting of Li Wei, Jacobs, and rk, possess?

    A rookie, a high schooler, and a backup''s backup¡ªsuch abination left everyone baffled.

    Now, the answer was about to be unveiled.

    Li Wei was a little bit excited.

    A new season, a new lineup, a new game, so at the start, both sides didn''t resort to tricks. They needed to test their own tactics and get used to the pace of the match. It was natural to face the battle with their strongest formation.

    First and ten.

    Crimson Tide Storm lined up in the ssic pistol formation, with Li Wei standing behind Hertz. Although his view was obstructed, the formations at both sides were still clearly visible.

    At this moment, it was evident that the Trojans'' defense was heavy at the front line, looking top-heavy. Not just the defensive line, but even the safeties'' positions were advanced, clearly weakening pass defense to focus on rushing the quarterback and cutting off the ground defense.

    The entire tactic was clear and direct.

    For the young Hertz, reading the defense became much simpler.

    "Hike!"

    Hertz''s snap call cut through the air, and Crimson Tide Storm''s entire offensive line moved to the right side in unison. The thuds of helmets shing echoed dully, focusing all eyes on Crimson Tide Storm''s right nk where the collision of force against force stirred up waves of heat.

    It was like a meat grinder.

    Bodies tangled with bodies, forming an imprable wall.

    But just then, a figure emerged from the mess of offensive and defensive linemen, dancing lightly with graceful steps amidst the chaos.

    That was... wait, was that number twenty-three?

    What!

 Chapter 63: Break out of the armor

    Li Wei was extremely focused¡ª

    The Trojans thought the Crimson Tide Storm would opt for a ground attack to kick off the season, and indeed, the Crimson Tide Storm did start with a ground offensive.

    On the tactical level, there were no secrets.

    But what about the execution level?

    Li Wei had been sizing up the Trojans'' defensive line. Even though it was merely one person more than a normal "4-3" formation, the pressure near the line of scrimmage feltpletely different.

    "Attack!"

    Hertz announced the snap.

    Li Wei didn''t start moving immediately. Instead, he uncharacteristically paused in ce, his vision of the Crimson passing through like automatic doors sliding to the right.

    The view across the line of scrimmage unfolded slowly like a scroll, and he promptly noticed his offensive line teammates performing their duties superbly, securing their positions one-on-one and engaging in the first line of confrontation.

    Just like vian blinds.

    Maintaining their matchups and movingterally, yet as they moved, differences in speed and strength caused their rhythms to misalign, and gaps appeared¡ª

    There it was!

    His feet started moving, stepping forward to Hertz''s left. Pretending to pass to the right, Hertz retracted his motion and stretched out his right hand,pleting the handoff to Li Wei, and the football nestled securely into Li Wei''s embrace, tightly controlled.

    Step up.

    But he didn''t elerate; instead, he slowed down his pace, keeping his mind clear.

    This was a clear difference between McCoy''s training temte and that of Peterson. People often thought that McCoy, relying on speed, would always opt for raw pace, charging forward without thinking. But that wasn''t the case.

    The calm observation and careful judgement before starting were the foundations of McCoy''s ground offense because once he started, his speed would be pushed to the limit, rarely changing direction even when hitting a wall, but rather advancing forcefully due to speed.

    Therefore, Peterson could often break free from tackles and continue pushing forward, while McCoy, unless he could evade the grab with his speed and agility, would find it difficult to break free once tackled.

    Now, in a straightforward contest, the Trojans were clearly prepared with their spread out, waiting for the running back to crash into it, so naturally Li Wei wouldn''t act rashly.

    Patience, calmness, waiting¡ª

    For the opportunity.

    Li Wei paused his steps just a bit to adjust, watching as the vian blinds kept moving, and when the gap appeared again, he started moving.

    His foot pushed off, releasing his speed in a sh.

    Before him was the meat grinder ofyers uponyers; ten yers from the offensive and defensive lines shed and grappled with one another, like dragon''s me, a rolling heat wave spread out, and his vision was filled with smoke.

    However, Li Wei''s calmness and patience paid off. He caught sight of a gap between the matchups and, with his burst of speed, he was already charging through.

    One step.

    Two steps.

    Three steps.

    Before they could even blink, Li Wei had already crossed the line of scrimmage, breaking out of the encirclement. The Trojan''s imprable defensive line had already been left behind¡ª

    Is that all?

    The heavily fortified "5-2" formation hadn''t even managed to touch Li Wei''s jersey. The thick,pactyers of the frontline defense had already been breached.

    The wind was blowing.

    Li Wei was somewhat surprised, catching a glimpse in the corner of his eye, then seeing a face in a helmet twisted by panic and surprise, shaking pupils reflecting Li Wei''s visage, but before they could capture the details, they turned into a streak of light as Li Wei burst out.

    Brushing past, crossing paths.

    That Trojan tried to reach out, but it was toote, catching only a gust of wind.

    Whoosh.

    The sound of the wind, rustling. Li Wei broke out of the encirclement, emerging from the armor, theyered, entangled armors torn apart, leaving cracks which then crumbled away.

    Before him was a whole new world.

    But it was still fraught with peril. Li Wei had barely adjusted his steps when he saw several figures moving quickly to surround him.

    Perhaps the Trojans had stacked all their defensive power near the start line, and once breached, their backfield would face severe pressure; but they also moved their linebackers and safety up in anticipation, ready to fill the gaps immediately.

    Especially after watching the Crimson Tide Storm''s warm-up game against the Tigers, no one wanted to witness another one of Li Wei''s impressive straight runs.

    Just as one wave settled, another arose. No sooner had he broken through the first line of defense than the second one was already upon him.

    On the sidelines, Zhu Zhu was stunned¡ª

    Number 23, how did he break through?

    Defense, positioning, cover.

    Zhu Zhu suddenly stood up, couldn''t help but clench his fists, held his breath, and then saw a Trojans'' lineman wrapping his arms around Number 23:

    Well done!

    Zhu Zhu waved his fist: That''s it!

    Li Wei clearly felt the head-on collision, the dense defensive line was indeed excellent,yered tightly with no extra room to breathe, his steps barely crossed the kickoff line when he was already embraced head-on, his dodging left and right was useless, he was firmly captured.

    Fortunately, Li Wei was mentally prepared.

    He had thought he would encounter a hit on the defensive line, but it didn''t happen; then, half a beat slower, the impact from the lineman was already there, tightly wrapping around his waist.

    It was a bit slow, but still within Li Wei''s expectation.

    Bang!

    Li Wei got into position for the impact, didn''t give way, and directly collided head-on.

    Force against force, both sides took damage, not only the lineman in front of him, but Li Wei himself was also shaken, his throat tasting a sweet, bloody vor, instantly igniting the passion in his blood.

    The difference was that Li Wei was ready¡ª

    After the collision, he kept moving forward, turning the surging power of his blood and qi into the momentum to keep pushing off the ground, the power from deep within his Dantian exploded in an instant.

    Ah!

    A roar of fury.

    Ahhhhh!

    Full force.

    The power to push off the ground transformed into the energy to keep pushing against the opponent, driving the shield before him to keep moving forward.

    A hit, a push.

    And then, overturn!

    Ah! Ahhhhh!

    The lineman before him was flipped sprawling, the rolling surge of qi scattering grass debris, the power bursting out from within Li Wei didn''t stop, it turned into eleration, and he immediately took off.

    The entire field, stunned.

    Zhu Zhu: ???

    A sharp inhale of astonishment swirled through the air.

    After the firstyer of defense, the secondyer had also copsed to the ground.

    To describe it, it seemed like he had conquered five passes and in six generals; in reality, Li Wei had only advanced less than five yards, just crossing the kickoff line and breaking through the lineman''s embrace, about five yards away from achieving the first down, attracting the eyes of the entire field, hearts nearly bursting in their throats.

    As a running back, could he continue to advance further?

    At least Li Wei had no intention of stopping his steps.

    Push off the ground!

    Push off the ground!

    Push off the ground!

    Speed, fully unleashed.

    As he was about to cross the first down line, out of the corner of his eye, he could see another linebacker adjusting his bnce for a second takeoff to leap forward.

    The reason was simple, Crimson Tide Storm had set up a shotgun formation, with Hertz moving along the offensive line to the right, starting to look for a right-side pass target, an action that drew the attention of the Trojans'' defense, making the linebackers have to cover, thus only now making the second attempt to defend.

    Close.

    Even closer.

    Although slightly slower, the defensive routine of the Trojans was set, even if anticipated, their second reaction was quick enough, with the second linebacker immediately on coverage¡ª

    There!

    Impact, embrace!

    With a leap, that linebacker sprang into the air, actually soaring up.

 Chapter 64: 064 So Easy

    Wave after wave.

    Gusts of wind, one stronger than thest.

    However,

    Li Wei, unshaken, continued to elerate, fully focused on pushing off the ground, speeding up, and sprinting, his calf muscles fully exploding, energy continuously released.

    From five yards to ten yards, in just three to five steps, in the blink of an eye, he reached¡ª

    First down, secured.

    At the same time, the second safety''s tackle was also in ce.

    But what neither the Trojans nor anyone else anticipated was that this was only the beginning of a nightmare.

    "Five yards, break the tackle!"

    "Oh God!"

    "Crimson Tide Storm''s number 23 is extremely fierce and dominant,pletely relying on the momentum of the run to break the tackle, flipping the opponent, and regaining space to advance."

    "McCoy, that''spletely LeSean McCoy!"

    "Even without the advantage in strength and size, he''s still able to fully utilize his speed to engage."

    "Ten yards, absolute speed!"

    "Wow!"

    "I mean, wow! Number 23 incredibly conquers with absolute speed, instantly elerating, making the Trojans'' number 35 dive at the air."

    "Incredible!"

    "The Trojans'' frontline defense is so dense and dominant, yet now, Crimson Tide Storm''s number 23 has already broken through."

    "Fifteen yards!"

    "Twenty yards!"

    "What are we witnessing?"

    "The midfield line is now within reach, the Trojans'' secondary defense is rapidly tightening, the safety and cornerback are both trying to encircle, but they are being hindered."

    "Crimson Tide Storm seems very familiar with this tactic, the wide receiver and tight end appear perfectly on the route, preventing the defensive group from shrinking the encirclement, creating space for their number 23, perfectly coordinated, the Trojans'' secondary defense couldn''t tighten the pocket quickly enough."

    "Wait."

    "Wait, what was that sound?"

    A wave of heat, a wave of Crimson Tide, a storm, all converging energy at AT&T Stadium.

    Tyree rk: I''ve seen this episode! We''ve all seen it!

    This gentleman is Ronnie rk''s father, Crimson Tide Storm Running Back, and although his child is only the third running back, this is likely Ronnie''s first professional appearance for Crimson Tide Storm, a crowning glory for their family, and naturally, Tyree couldn''t miss it.

    He hade all the way to Arlington just hoping to witness the moment rk entered the game.

    But rk hadn''t yet taken the field, and Crimson Tide Storm''s biggest dark horse and greatest hope had already stirred up a storm at AT&T Stadium.

    Suddenly, Tyree leaped up, vigorously waving his fists, shouting out loud.

    "Roar!"

    This scene was witnessed not just by Tyree rk but also by countless Crimson Tide Storm fans, from team matches to warm-up games.

    More than one person had doubted whether that number 23 was just a sh in the pan, or maybe only good internally but not externally. After all, the void left by Derrick Henry was too conspicuous; no running back could easily fill it, maybe it would take two or three running back''s joint effort.

    But,

    Doubt remains doubt, anxiety remains anxiety, when they once again saw number 23''s dashing figure, the memories in their minds were already reawakening.

    "Roar!"

    One shout after another, graduallying together, and as number 23''s feet crossed the midfield line, they twisted into a single force.

    "Roar... Roar... Roar..."

    The shouts grew faster and fiercer, passion swelling, blood boiling, especially at the moment when number 23 pushed away the safety who was determined to tackle him using a straight arm block, reaching a climax.

    Tyree could even clearly hear the sound of his own heart fiercely beating against his eardrums, mindlessly shouting, until aheady smooth sailing¡ª

    No more obstacles.

    "Ah!"

    Shouting.

    "Ahhhh!"

    Leaping.

    "Ahh..."

    Releasing freely.

    AT&T Stadium became an ocean of the Crimson Tide Storm.

    Not just the audience, but also the broadcast studio was in shock, and even though they had prepared in advance and had some understanding of yer number twenty-three, their minds still went nk.

    "Unbelievable! Wow, this scene is really unexpected, shocking, and impactful."

    "Crimson Tide Storm''s number twenty-three, Li Wei...yes, Li Wei."

    "In the first offensive y of the game, relying on the opponent''s ground cover, he sharply caught a gap from the kickoff line, not only easily getting the first down but also disying incredible speed, scoring a seventy-five-yard long touchdown run in the style of LeSean McCoy."

    "Wow."

    "How did all this happen?"

    "Perhaps Trojans'' coach Hayden anticipated the opponent''s strong ground offense, but he definitely didn''t expect such a heavy blow right from the start."

    In the end zone, Li Wei didn''t celebrate excessively.

    "Despite the ''5-2'' formation being stereotypical and hackneyed by stacking numbers in the front line, it is indeed effective. In football, a numerical advantage is the only absolute advantage that can neither be broken nor overturned. Li Wei was not taking his opponents lightly; he was even more serious than when he faced Clemson."

    After all, against Clemson, focusing on personal performance was enough; but now, against USC, he was facing a whole team.

    Li Wei had mentally prepared to keep hitting a wall continuously, but then¡ª

    That''s it?

    He was genuinely just aiming for the first down, thinking of ying it safe and secure, just getting a first down before anything else, but how did it turn into a touchdown?

    Li Wei felt this wasn''t quite right; what was supposed to be a team effort had turned into a solo game.

    With a turn, Li Wei could see all his teammates, smiling broadly, charging towards him. He quickly raised his right hand and pressed it down:

    Keep it low-key.

    In the crowd, a burning and intense gaze flew over, and even though Li Wei wanted to ignore it, he still felt a burn on the back of his neck.

    As a reflex, Li Wei looked over and then saw that number nine.

    Wait, what was number nine''s name again?

    From Coach to Humphrey, they had mentioned him more than once, but Li Wei genuinely didn''t remember; he just knew he was an offensive yer, not someone he needed to be wary of.

    Despite this, but hospitable and friendly, these are the traditional virtues of Hua Xia, so, Li Wei smiled at that number nine and even waved a gesture:

    Cheer up, Meng Meng.

    Zhu Zhu saw Li Wei''s action, and his face instantly turned as ck as the bottom of a pot; was that guy provoking him? What was with that clenched fist and wave?

    Damn!

    Zhu Zhu: Dammit, dammit, dammit.

    He had thought that number twenty-three was just a pretty boy, purely a smoke bomb released by Saban, not expecting to score a touchdown with the first offensive y?

    To score a touchdown?

    It''s considered rude to hit someone in the face, yet that guy not only hit them in the face but also did it so abruptly and fiercely that they were left breathless. Despite the Trojans being weak in defense, the "5-2" formation,bined with recognizing the opponent''s ground offense from the start, still let the opponent break through and score a touchdown.

    What now?

    They must strike back, they must strike back.

    Zhu Zhu snapped out of it instantly, furiously tossing the towel in his hands onto the ground; as long as they score a touchdown right away, wouldn''t that solve everything?

    Although Zhu Zhu and Li Wei were both from the offensive group, they would never face each other directly, but as offensive yers who weren''t quarterbacks, they shed in their respective roles.

    Zhu Zhu''s expression suddenly brightened, and he knew how to make aeback.

    "Sam?"

    "Sam!"

    Zhu Zhu called out to Danord enthusiastically and earnestly, his eyes full of emotion.

 Chapter 65: 065 A Stick to the Head

    A question, just how good are Zhu Zhu and Danord?

    Danord, the third overall pick of the 2018 draft, unfortunately, although high expectations were ced on him, he never performed to the level expected in the professional league. However, no one can deny that being selected with the third overall pick in the draft is because of his outstanding performance in the NCAA, earning unanimous praise and affirmation.

    Zhu Zhu, a second-round selection at seventy-second overall in 2017, became the first yer in history to achieve five touchdowns before his twenty-first birthday, and he also became the youngest yer in history to catch for over 150 yards in a single game and the first to reach 2500 receiving yards. In the 2018 season, he recorded over 1400 yards, bing an absolute rising star in the league.

    However.

    Afterward, a series of not serious but incredibly troublesome injuries continued to disrupt Zhu Zhu''s professional career. He never again showed the vigor of his early days in the league, and his career never again featured a thousand-yard season. Like a meteor streaking across the sky, he quickly faded from view, bouncing between three teams in three years.

    Still, in the present, on the college football field, Zhu Zhu''s confidence wasn''t unfounded.

    Looking at the historical trajectory, the USC Trojans started the season ranked twentieth nationwide and ended it ranked third, under Hayden''s coaching the offensive group became one of the most efficient and outstanding in the NCAA, solidifying Hayden''s position as head coach.

    Now, at the season''s opening game, Hayden, with a mix of hope and nervousness, watched as the Trojans'' offensive group set off on their journey for the first time.

    Unlike the simplicity and brutality of defensive tactics, Hayden, with a background as an offensive coordinator, demonstrated his abilities in the offensive segment. The Trojans'' offensive tactics were mature and bnced.

    ¡ª A bnce of passing and running.

    This is the perfect offensive mode that all NFL teams strive for but often fail to fully execute due to the limitations of their yer''s lineup. But Hayden could do it.

    In the passing game, the pairing of Danord and Zhu Zhu, along with several other wide receivers and tight ends, offered a well-coordinated mix of tactics.

    In the running game, Donald Jones II was a reliable yer, rushing for 983 yardsst season, just shy of the thousand-yard mark.

    Therefore, Hayden could rely on the running attack to stabilize the situation and use the passing game to break it open, using the run to set up the pass and the pass to assist the run.

    The entire offense yed beautifully, in stark contrast to the Clemson Tigers where it was all the Watson show, the Trojans still emphasized team cooperation.

    Saban calmly responded to his opponents, and the Crimson Tide Storm''s defensive group was no pushover. They won the championshipst year because they had top-tier NCAA yers on all four lines of their defense, and without a doubt, Saban''s defensive tactics and his ability to respond on the fly were among the very best.

    Even though the Trojans continuously managed to advance bybining passing and running, the Crimson Tide Storm always reacted promptly, tackling to prevent the continuation of the Trojans'' advances, avoiding missed tackles that resulted in giving uprge chunks of yardage. This forced the Trojans to consistently deal with third-down situations.

    At the critical moment, Zhu Zhu stepped up, making key receptions on three consecutive third downs to convert and gain first downs, slowly but firmly helping the Trojans cross midfield.

    Humphrey was very, very unhappy with his performance; he was matched against Zhu Zhu and although he managed to tackle every time, preventing big losses, his continuous failure to hold his position on third down and let Zhu Zhu sessfullyplete receptions was uneptable to him.

    Especially since Li Wei from the offensive group had just shown off, how could the Crimson Tide Storm''s defensive group, which always stood in the spotlight, allow Li Wei to hog all the glory?

    ncing to the side, he saw Zhu Zhu, that guy, twisting his hips towards the stands of the Crimson Tide Storm fans, his provocative and mocking intentpletely undisguised.

    Damn.

    Humphrey cursed furiously.

    Standing on the sidelines, Li Wei immediately noticed this scene. The Trojans'' offensive group brought so much pressure, one wave after another, with such rich and multi-dimensional attacks, which indeed put the defensive group on the back foot. But it was exactly such situations that were crucial¡ª

    Although Li Wei couldn''t remember the name of that number nine wide receiver, he distinctly remembered number nine''s individual skills.

    The coach had said that it was his ability to continue advancing after catching the ball, delivering deep strikes, that was the true lethal weapon.

    Just like LeSean McCoy.

    Number nine also used speed and agility to break free, often difficult to shake off after being tackled, but if he could elude the grasp, the entire field would be his yground.

    During the first and second downs, it was Li Wei who had thrown off the lineman''s tackle, determined to make a y and seize the opportunity for a substantial gain. Now, the Crimson Tide needed to be cautious that number nine didn''t replicate the same pattern.

    So far, number nine hadn''t shown his speed and breakthrough ability, always being tackled soon after catching the ball. Therefore, such moments demanded even more focus, because if it were Li Wei, he would seize such gaps to make a breakaway.

    Just then, Humphrey looked over, and Li Wei didn''t say much, just gestured to his head with his index finger: Concentrate.

    Humphrey grinned and patted his chest hard: Watch me.

    Indeed.

    When the game restarted, the Trojans'' offensive tactics had clearly changed.

    Previously, the Trojans had always focused on short passes, quick and sharp, with Danord releasing the ball at lightning speed, often in less than two seconds. Their main strategy was speed¡ªthrowing the ball before the defensive pressure mounted, and relying on the ground game to carve up the field little by little.

    But now, Danord continuously backpedalled and stood in the Shotgun Formation, deploying all his offensive weapons,pletely opening up the depth of the front half-field. He didn''t rush to release the ball but adjusted his footwork while watching the movement, ready for a deep strike. From his stance alone, one could sense the looming danger.

    Dangerous!

    Up until then, everything was a set up, and now Hayden finally showed Danord''s real weapon.

    Humphrey wasn''t dumb, to be precise, he was very smart.

    At the moment of takeoff, Humphrey noticed something different about Zhu Zhu, who didn''t try to shake off the defense but released his speed immediately.

    Humphrey reacted swiftly, trying to block his position, but Zhu Zhu slipped away like an eel, and Humphrey closely followed Zhu Zhu''s steps.

    He didn''t rush to elerate, but instead used continuous impacts to disrupt Zhu Zhu''s speed and bnce, clenching his teeth and clinging on, while doing a Rhino watches the Moon¡ªtwisting his head to look backward, watching as he charged forward.

    Thump thump thump.

    Five yards.

    Thump thump thump.

    Ten yards.

    In the blink of an eye, Humphrey and Zhu Zhu had rushed out about fifteen yards, and just as they were approaching the thirty-yard line in the middle of the field:

    Here ites!

    The football, spinning at high speed like a shuttle, came piercing through the air.

    Humphrey was half a step behind, so he simply used his shoulder against Zhu Zhu, taking ateral misstep and tantly used his back to block Zhu Zhupletely.

    Stay calm.

    Stay calm!

    Humphrey didn''t rush to jump.

    Only when Zhu Zhu forcefully tried to break free and jump did Humphrey push back and fall, using his weight to disrupt Zhu Zhu''s jump and trajectory.

    As the football rapidly descended, Zhu Zhu, amidst the chaos and jostling, forcefully raised his hands high to wee the reddish-brown arc into his embrace.

    But just as his hands were about to touch the leather, a pair of hands, shaky yet firm, reached across and intercepted the football midway.

    Zhu Zhu''s mind thundered, a precise blow struck him on the head.

    Time seemed to freeze at that moment¡ª

    Interception.

 Chapter 66: Stunned like a wooden chicken

    ```

    "Kickoff, dropping back, Danord is observing, Danord is stepping back, Danord is looking for a passing target, this time he didn''t release the ball quickly."

    "The Trojan''s offensive tactics fooled the Crimson Tide Storm, the defensive line didn''t step up to apply pressure, which gave Danord enough time to observe."

    "A long pass?"

    "A medium pass!"

    "Danord chooses his most trusted target, number nine Schuster, trying toplete a twenty-yard pass connection for a deep strike."

    "Schuster is getting free, Humphrey is not budging, once Schuster can shake off Humphrey''s defense, the entire backfield will be wide open."

    "Schuster and Humphrey arepletely entangled, Schuster unable to break free, could only make a forced jump, Humphrey couldn''t support his body."

    "Schuster breaks free!"

    "Schuster!"

    "Juju Smith Schuster!"

    "Ah..."

    "Interception!"

    "Unbelievable! While losing his bnce, Humphrey yanked the tooth from the tiger''s mouth, and before Schuster couldplete the catch, snatched the ball away first."

    "That''s an interception!"

    "God, the Trojans moving step by step, with a solid offense actually hit a brick wall head-on. After consecutive steady advances and readying a sudden strike in the backfield, the Trojan''s most reliable wide receiver Schuster failed to secure the position, and watched helplessly as the football was snatched from his palms, Humphreypleting an impressive interception."

    "Wait, oh, wait, Humphrey is still on the return."

    "Interception return!"

    Humphrey, fully focused, was calm and concentrated. Even though he didn''t have the upper hand in the skirmish and entanglement, he firmly secured his position.

    Patience, then more patience.

    Even though Juju had already made the first jump, Humphrey didn''t hurry, using his body in a backward lean to press down, relying on Juju''s body toe from behind.

    He jumps!

    He raises his hand!

    Yanking the tooth from the tiger''s mouth.

    He firmly plucked the football between Juju''s hands ahead of time, protecting the ball tightly amid collisions and bumps.

    Falling.

    Landing.

    A bout of turbulence.

    Humphrey wisely put his center of gravity entirely on Juju, using him as a cushion to absorb the shock, with his feet feeling the solid ground once again.

    Juju simply couldn''t believe his eyes, staring at Humphrey with a look of astonishment on his face, but he had alreadypletely lost control of his body, the center of gravity leaning back.

    In the brief moment, Juju clearly saw Humphrey turning his head, taking a quick nce at him, the smile in his helmet splitting open like that of a clown.

    The gaping maw, torn open just like that.

    In an instant, dragging Juju into the sewer, descending into a sea of blood, with only a peripheral glimpse able to barely capture that rapidly vanishing red figure.

    Dammit, dammit dammit dammit!

    But what about Humphrey?

    Like a faithless lover, used and discarded, he turned and left without even having time to pull up his pants, leaving a shadow behind, elerating once more.

    Rocking, chaotic, turbulent.

    Humphrey moves forward with uneven steps, regaining his bnce and equilibrium, unfurling the return, his agile footsteps disying the cornerback''s abilities.

    Cornerback, matched with the wide receiver, although a cornerback''s catching ability is average, they share the same speed, agility, and flexibility as a wide receiver.

    At this moment, Humphrey enters the wide receiver mode, his nimble steps pulling away, quickly rushing out five yards and bravely crashing into the meat grinder, as the Trojans'' offensive group nches and hurries to encircle him, the roles of offense and defense switching ces.

    Bang!

    Bang bang bang!

    One thud after another, muffled impacts explode out.

    ```

    "Five yards!"

    "Ten yards!"

    "The Trojans'' offensive group reacted very quickly, immediately forming a surround, straight arm block! Humphrey didn''t give up, Humphrey tried to break free from the tackle!"

    "Oh, what a pity."

    "Humphrey is not a running back, his ability to break tackles is clearly not his strong suit."

    "Humphrey was tackled to the ground."

    "His steps finally stopped near the Crimson Tide Storm''s thirty-seven-yard line."

    "Beautiful!"

    "Brilliant!"

    "Wow, I mean, this is undoubtedly one of the best openings I''ve ever seen."

    "Crimson Tide Storm kicked off with a perfect performance, both the first two waves of offense and defense were nothing short of perfect. The defending champions are making their presence felt."

    Roar!

    Humphrey vigorously mmed the football to the ground, turned around toward Zhu Zhu''s direction, and let out a roar like the Hulk, showing off his bicep muscles.

    Then.

    Turning his back to Zhu Zhu, Humphrey started shaking his butt like Crayon Shin-chan, humming and singing cheerfully.

    "Elephant, elephant, why is your nose so long?"

    Zhu Zhu turned pale with anger: Damn.

    The Crimson Tide Storm''s defensive group yers watched this scene with their jaws dropped, totally unprepared for Humphrey''s celebration dance, then all their eyes turned to Li Wei.

    Li Wei, who wasughing carefree on the sideline, noticed all eyes on him, raised his hands innocently in a gesture of surrender:

    I have no idea, really, more real than gold.

    The next second, Humphrey turned around and rushed towards Li Wei, raising his right hand high for a celebratory high five.

    Li Wei was as stunned as a wooden chicken: Great, now I''m caught with mud in my pants, it''s definitely that, even if it''s not that.

    Humphrey, not caring, bounced around contently and even performed an encore of the "Elephant Dance."

    Forcing Zhu Zhu to go through third-gear changes three times in a row wasn''t something good for Humphrey, but now it''s all erased, an interception saving everything.

    Now, they were even.

    Zhu Zhu watched Humphrey continuing to shake his butt, nearly choked on his breath, and couldn''t swallow. He saw the beginning of the story but did not anticipate its development. He opened his mouth, wanting to swear back, but Humphrey simply ignored him and walked off.

    He actually¡­ just¡­ left¡­

    Zhu Zhu hung out to dry, his expression hidden inside the helmet one of total dismay.

    Then, Zhu Zhu witnessed the scene:

    Humphrey finally ended his celebration, high-fiving Li Wei, Hertz, and others, then took on a dashing pose of a fadeaway shot right in front of Li Wei, as if gesturing for Li Wei to take an open shot and seize the opportunity to extend their lead.

    Zhu Zhu: Do you think our end zone is a public bus? Easy to hop on and off as you please?

    Damn!

    No, no, no, absolutely not!

    If the Trojans were intercepted and then the Crimson Tide Storm scored right away, with under five minutes into the game both ends being utterly defeated, how could they continue the match? Could the defending champions bully them just like that?

    It''s okay, there''s still a chance to salvage the situation. If, in the next round of offense and defense, the Trojans could stop the Crimson Tide Storm, keeping the impact of the interception under control and cutting their losses in time, then the direction of the game would still be unknown.

    In a football game, even if Zhu Zhu wanted to counterattack on the spot, the rules wouldn''t allow it. The Trojans'' offensive group wasted their chance, now they must pray for their defensive group to do their job, striking out the Crimson Tide Storm''s offensive group so that Danord and Zhu Zhu could take the field again.

    And now?

    Even if Zhu Zhu was raring to go, he had to hold it in.

    But what if the Trojans'' defensive group couldn''t stop the Crimson Tide Storm''s offensive group from continuing to score?

    No, no, no, absolutely not!

    That''s not how the story should go, he hadn''t shown his strength yet, hadn''t fully dominated, and hadn''t properly crushed the opposition.

    Dammit!

 Chapter 67: 067 Alternate Appearances

    Zhu Zhu was panicking.

    Clearly, the start of today''s game had gonepletely off track. Even though Trojan''s head coach Hayden had emphasized never to underestimate the defending champions, the Crimson Tide Storm was now dominating both the offense and defense, not only gaining the upper hand but also showing absolute dominance.

    A crisis gripped his heart tightly.

    However.

    There was still a chance for a turnaround; in the midst of the absolute chaos, the only silver lining was that everything had happened so quickly that not much game time had been used up. This meant that as long as the Trojans could stabilize their footing soon, there was still a chance to salvage the situation.

    Taking a deep breath, Zhu Zhu managed to steady himself and ran back to the resting area with quick, small steps, eagerly looking towards the Defensive group and continuously clenching his fists to cheer them on¡ª

    We are all Trojans, fighting side by side; now it''s your turn to shine.

    "Come on! You can do it!"

    "Keep going, keep going, keep going!"

    To the side, Danord was somewhat stunned.

    It was his first time ying as a quarterback in his career, and before he could catch his breath, he had already been intercepted. So this was what the Crimson Tide Storm was like?

    The game continued.

    Since the Crimson Tide Storm had justpleted an interception and thus secured the ball on the spot, there was no need for the Special Duty Group to enter. The Offensive group took over directly, starting from their own 37-yard line.

    The running back, Jacobs, entered the game.

    In the season opener, Saban also hoped that the running backs could get their chance to adapt to the game atmosphere; they couldn''t put all the pressure on Li Wei alone.

    Actually, during the first ground attack of the game, including Saban, everyone was quite surprised. It was a regr run, but it relied on Li Wei''s individual ability to break free from tackles and ultimately turn into a seventy-five-yard touchdown dash.

    It''s not to say that this was bad, but it left no opportunity for other running backs to feel the game.

    No worries, Saban, being experienced, quickly adjusted for the second wave of the offense.

    Saban consciously arranged a more stable and tactically coordinated run, to cover for the passing offense, hoping that Hertz''s passes could also open up the game. Jacobs and Li Wei took turns entering the game, steadily advancing.

    At the same time, the solid thickness of the Trojan''s ''5-2'' formation also came into effect, not just for Jacobs but also Li Wei''s ground advances which were continuously caught in encirclements, as the Trojans fully utilized their numerical advantage on defense.

    This was the norm; massive yardage gains in ground offense were after all in the minority.

    In the back-and-forth confrontation, the Crimson Tide Storm consumed a total of five minutes and thirty-three seconds and finally reached the edge of the Red Zone, thirteen yards from the end zone.

    Turning around, Saban looked over, "rk."

    The obedient rk, who was busy cheering for the team, was startled and stood up abruptly, so excited that other defensive yers'' helmets ced on the bench scattered all around.

    rk, however, could not be bothered, his body stiff as he eagerly looked to Saban.

    Saban shed a smile, "Get on the field."

    rk nodded repeatedly and had only taken two steps when Li Wei''s shout came from behind, "Helmet! Master, your helmet!"

    ''Master'' was Li Wei''s private jest for rk, not so much because rk was extraordinary, but because most of Li Wei''s knowledge about Football and running back skills came from rk, who never skimped on sharing.

    It is no exaggeration to say, without rk''s help, Li Wei couldn''t have integrated into the team so quickly.

    Yet after almost half a year, rk still hadn''t fully adapted, never considering himself a master. Every time Li Wei called out, he seemed reserved and shy.

    This time was no exception.

    Hearing the call, rk''s steps faltered slightly, nearly stumbling into the ''Cindere'' scene notorious for face-nt fumbles; amid theughter and apuse of the Crimson Tide, rk quickly turned around, grabbed the helmet from Li Wei''s hand, quickly trotted off, and high-fived Jacobs as they swapped out.

    Tyree rk was the first to notice¡ª

    "Ronnie!"

    "That''s Ronnie, hey, guys, that little one is my son."

    "rk, Ronnie rk!"

    "Go, son, go, ah! Ah ah ah!"

    Tyree couldn''t control himself anymore, he jumped and cheered wildly, his eyes blurred by a brilliant tear, but happiness bloomed at the corners of his mouth.

    Perhaps, to others, Tyree seemed like a madman¡ªafter all, it was just one appearance, really no need for such a fuss.

    But Tyree didn''t care and didn''t listen, knowing only how much his son had sacrificed for this moment, enduring day and night training, countless minor and major injuries, endless waiting and fading hopes, all while embracing the passion to hold on until now, to fulfill a dream.

    More than one person had told Tyree that there was no need to insist so vehemently¡ªafter all, it was the Crimson Tide Storm and being a part of it, even just a substitute, was already an umon honor; even if he couldn''t y, there was no need to be too obsessed, they should be content, they should learn to give up.

    Even Tyree himself couldn''t help but think in the deep of night, would giving up be better? Was rk bearing Tyree''s own dreams with his persistence?

    In the end, Tyree still shut his mouth, silently cheering for his son in his own way, proud of him no matter the oue.

    Until now.

    Tyree knew he was like a madman, his vision blurred with hot tears, but it didn''t matter, none of it mattered.

    Because he knew, he wasn''t alone.

    On the sidelines, Li Wei was also waving a towel and cheering for rk, and other offensive group yers joined Li Wei, shouting together.

    "Roar, master!"

    "Roar!"

    rk was a bit stunned, but he still took a deep breath and controlled himself, concentrating as he listened to Hertz''s tactical arrangement, then lined up behind Hertz.

    Saban called it once... a fake run and true pass strategy.

    rk yed the decoy, and Hertz confused the Trojans'' defensive group with a fake hand-off, turning around to pass the ball, connecting with wide receiver Calvin Ridley to advance.

    Immediately, rk quickly stepped up, blocking any gaps in the offensive line, standing in front of Hertz, ready to intercept any escaping opponents.

    Even though this time, the Trojans did not opt for a blitz, the pocket wasn''t torn, but rk still diligently maintained a hundred percent focus until he caught the parabolic flight of the football with his peripheral vision, then his heart soared with the trajectory of the football.

    Touchdown?

    Could Crimson Tide Storm achieve a touchdown?

    In his sight, figures intermingled, forces collided.

    Ridley, sessfully caught the football and with a turn, continued to advance forward, gaining a little space in the short-pass area with a very firm step.

    However.

    Regrettably, within the Red Zone, the Trojans'' dense defense didn''t falter, tightly covering the whole area, firmly securing the channels. Three yers converged, stopping Ridley at the one-yard line.

    No touchdown.

    Then.

    In a daze, rk was once again taken off the field¡ª

    He still had not grasped what had happened.

    This, was it already over?

 Chapter 68: 068 Online code

    rk was somewhat dazed.

    His long-awaited debut had arrived in such a muddled way and ended just as confusedly, like a dream.

    It ended even before he had a chance to fully savor the moment.

    Despite this, a smile still fully bloomed on rk''s face as he cheered for Li Wei who was taking the field, clenching his fists and leaping into the air.

    "Ah! Ahhhhhh!"

    There were no words, just an unrelenting scream, but that was enough¡ª

    He, Ronnie rk, had finally made his debut for the Crimson Tide Storm after two whole years, not in a practice match, not in a warm-up, but in an official game.

    The season opener at AT&T Stadium.

    Even though he didn''t know what the future held, that moment was the happiest time for rk.

    Tyree was the same, raising his fists high into the air and steadfastly chanting amidst the overwhelming shouts of the crowd.

    "Ronnie! Good job!"

    "Ronnie! Excellent work!"

    This, this is Football¡ª

    There are yers who stand in the spotlight and receive apuse, yers who change the course of the game with their own strength, and also yers who work in the shadows, dealing with the dirty and tiring jobs to ensure the smooth execution of the tactics.

    They should p for those superstars, but they should also cheer for these blue-cor workers because football is a team sport, and every single yer is indispensable.

    Tyree, like rk, was jumping up and down on the spot.

    With a shift of tone, his smile bloomed at the corner of his mouth, switching channels.

    "Go! Li Wei! Go!"

    Li Wei high-fived rk as they crossed paths, a swift exchangepleted without any time for conversation, and Li Wei had already joined the team to quickly get into formation.

    In football games, trench warfare is the norm, and the Red Zone is especially cmitous. The struggle over a single yard on the line often decides the oue of the game, and more often than not, the defense has the upper hand.

    At this moment, the offensive group was on the one-yard line before the End Zone, meaning all the defenders were congregated in the End Zone, guarding this narrow and crowded space, leaving little room for the offense to adjust.

    Like the penalty area in ser, the closer and more dangerous it gets, the more difficult it is.

    First Gear and one yard.

    Saban tried to change up the rhythm. Hertz chose a quick short pass to starting Tight End O.J. Howard, attempting to break through with Howard''s personal ability, but the Trojan''s Defensive Line performed exceptionally well.

    The Defensive End managed to p away Hertz''s pass while being blocked, as it was a short pass within five yards; Hertz couldn''t arc it, and the low pass trajectory was directly intercepted by the opponent.

    The connection failed.

    The crowd gasped¡ª

    Fortunately, it was just the pass knocked down, a little closer and it might have turned into an interception.

    Nevertheless, this meant that the Crimson Tide Storm''s offensive tactics had been read by the opponent; even without an interception, the exposed passing route was clearly not good news.

    Saban needed a clearer and more incisive offensive tactic; otherwise, cases of failing just one yard before the End Zone in football games are not just a one or two-time urrence.

    To be precise, countless.

    Second Gear and one yard.

    Such is the offensive and defensive showdown in the Red Zone; a mere yard or two away, the touchdown seems within arm''s reach, but somehow you just can''t cross the End Zone Line.

    At such times, a tank-like running back like Derrick Henry is perfect for breaking through; but if the intent of a ground attack is foreseen, even Derrick Henry isn''t up to the task, especially against the Trojans with their five-man Defensive Line. So, tactical strategy is still needed.

    Now, Saban and Hayden, the two head coaches, were engaged in a strategic showdown on the one-yard line.

    Tick tock, tick tock!

    Time wasn''t stopping, and the Crimson Tide Storm finally got into formation, ready to attack.

    They were still in the Shotgun formation!

    The air, subtly igniting, as the Trojan Defensive group unified with resolve, their eyes zing with determination, knowing they must stop this Third Gear offensive.

    Even at the cost of a penalty, they couldn''t let the touchdown happen again, as it would be a heavy blow to the Trojans'' morale.

    Conversely, if they could stop their opponent on the one-yard line, even at the expense of a penalty, it would be an equally significant boost to their spirit.

    The surface of the skin could clearly feel the hot wavespping at the hair, a slight scent of burning lingering in the air, the heartbeats almost exploding.

    "Attack!"

    Hertz''s voice pierced through the heavy waves of heat, igniting the air.

    He held the ball.

    He stepped back.

    He observed.

    At a nce, it was clear that Hertz was looking for a passing target in the rear half of the End Zone; he switched ces with Li Wei behind him, as Li Wei continued to step up.

    This was a ssic passing tactic, with the running back serving as the sixth offensive lineman to solidify the Pocket and buy more time and space for observation and passing for the quarterback.

    In an instant, a storm brewed.

    The Trojans'' Defensive group noticeably fell back, their coverage on the Crimson Tide Storm''s potential receivers growing tighter.

    And it was at this instant, a fleeting moment.

    As Li Wei and Hertz crossed paths, and while Hertz, observing his passing targets and offensive positioning, still had his eyes locked on a blind spot to his left, he discreetly stretched the football to his right.

    Li Wei secured the football into his embrace, his feet not stopping for a moment, as he surged forward with his head down.

    One step, he stomped on the ground and sprinted, lowering his center of gravity to break through forcefully.

    Two steps, near the line of scrimmage, the collision of power with power, muscle with muscle, and the temperature of blood and sweat filled the tight space, grasping at Li Wei with wild desperation.

    Three steps¡ª

    Bang!

    The collision had arrived, oppressive like a bulldozer, leaving no space for Li Wei to adjust in the confined area.

    However!

    As the shing forces on either side were about to shut him in, Li Wei leaped sideways, nimbly squeezing through the gap. His staggering steps had yet to find bnce when, in the next second, he could feel multiple forces hammering from different directions.

    He held his breath.

    He touched down, turned, and evaded.

    His actions smooth as silk, he surged through the opposing forces, his upper body once again feeling the rush of cold fresh air, while his lower body was still trapped in a pile of flesh.

    Lunging forward, he fell to the ground.

    Without hesitation, he executed a Thousand Pounds Drop¡ªLi Wei firmly grasped gravity and rapidly descended, his weight tearing through the force of the tackle to reach the ground.

    Then, release¡ª

    Ah!

    The piercing chill of the air exploded around him like a tidal wave, and the dense walls opened up to reveal a whole new world in his field of vision.

    Boom, buzz buzz buzz.

    After the roar, a surge of excitement.

    "Touchdown!"

    "Touchdown!"

    "Touch... down... (Tooooooooooooooouchdown)!"

    The prolonged, resonant tail of the word set the air aze with excitement, and the AT&T Stadium went wild.

    Tyree could clearly hear his own voice harshly striking his eardrums. This touchdown was unlike any touchdown for the Crimson Tide Storm before¡ª

    Because his rk was a part of it.

    "Roar, Crimson Tide!"

    "Roar, Crimson Tide!"

    The AT&T Stadium became an ocean boiling with magma.

    Indeed, the Crimson Tide Storm were the defending champions, their strength naturally anticipated; while the Trojans were the underdogs, having performed poorlyst season.

    But in the first quarter of the game, the Crimson Tide Storm dominated the Trojans on both offense and defense with an absolute show of strength, leaving no room to breathe in the midst of a violent storm, a raw massacre and steamrolling that no one expected, epitomized by the confrontation on the one-yard line in the End Zone.

    The Crimson Tide roared, filling the sky and earth.

 Chapter 69: 069 Sudden Wind and Rain

    "Touchdown!"

    "Number twenty-three, rushing touchdown!"

    "Crimson Tide Storm, often criticized for their offense, firmly seized the opportunity to switch the ball from the defense''s interception finally turning it into a touchdown, continuing to expand their lead and extending the strong and fluid y they had shown since the opening kickoff, scoring their second rushing touchdown of the season''s opening game."

    "Wow."

    "Can you believe it? I mean, wow!"

    "Afterst season ended, Derrick Henry turned professional, and everyone began to worry about the Crimson Tide Storm''s ground game, especially when the new season started, and Crimson Tide Storm unveiled their running back lineup, a rookie, a freshman, and a backup''s backup, the voices of doubt were relentless."

    "Now, Saban and his disciples have responded in such a way."

    "Never underestimate Crimson Tide Storm''s ground game. Never!"

    ABC and ESPN alike, went from skepticism to surprise to admiration in just less than a quarter, all aciming in awe.

    Perhaps some might say, just two touchdowns, what''s the big deal?

    But in ABC''smentary booth, opinions differed.

    "Number twenty-three of the Crimson Tide Storm executed a gamble on the one-yard line in the Red Zone, his nimble and agile steps finding a sliver of a gap amidst a dense mangle, a mere gasp of breathing space, yet it evolved into a touchdown."

    "Beautiful!"

    "Maybe this number twenty-three isn''t Derrick Henry; they are two very different yers, but now number twenty-three is still opening up the ground game with his skills, staying cool, sensible, sharp, and knowing how to use his advantages¡ªhis intelligence is truly impressive."

    "Two rushing touchdowns, yet in vastly different styles, the performance of this number twenty-three also promises to be exciting, clearly we haven''t seen all of his facets yet, which makes the uing games full of fun."

    "Undoubtedly, the defending champions have maintained their continuous output of firepower on both offense and defense."

    "Now, Crimson Tide Storm has thrown a difficult problem to the Trojans."

    "With such strong defense, how should Saban''s offensive group shine next?"

    ABC, staying neutral as the broadcaster, naturally hopes for the game to be as thrilling as possible to boost the ratings.

    "The Trojans need to find their footing, they need to calm down, focus on themselves, start with their strengths on the offensive end, stabilize the game situation; now is the time to let the new offensive group show their talent, from the head coach to the quarterback to the wide receivers, they need to perk up."

    "A single score would do."

    "Whether it''s a field goal or a touchdown, that''s what the Trojans need right now; there''s no need to worry about their Defensive group, just focus on ying their game and finding their rhythm."

    "Otherwise, not to mention whether the young quarterback can handle such a difficult situation, the confidence of the Trojan''s offensive group might also face a devastating blow."

    "We should bring our focus back, let''s not forget, this is a battle of wills, Trojan''s offense against the Crimson Tide Storm''s defense."

    "Now, let''s see how Hayden sets up the strategy, and then how Saban responds."

    "The pressure, once again back on the Trojans, they need someone to step up, they need a leader to rally the troops, they need a shining moment."

    "Indeed, football is a team sport, but a team sport also needs a leader."

    Zhu Zhu: All right, all right, enough said, I know it''s my time to step up, if the team needs a superhero, it''s definitely me.

    No one else but me!

    However¡ª

    Zhu Zhu''s jaw literally dropped to the floor, shattered all over.

    He forgot one very, very important thing.

    Who is the hero and who is the viin, depends on whom you ask, while the Trojans search for a leader, the leader of the Crimson Tide Storm Defense group won''t just sit by and wait.

    Crimson Tide Storm Defense Team Captain Allen, stepped up and yed the leader role.

    Saban knew the Trojans'' offensive group was ready for the rise, but they still needed to check with the Crimson Tide Storm''s defensive group.

    Saban chose to strike first¡ª

    Blitz the passer.

    The so-called blitzing refers more precisely to raid¡ªthe defense takes the initiative to tear open the offensive line''s pocket, aiming at the quarterback to either exert passing pressure or deliver a direct hit, ideally sacking the quarterback and nipping the attack in the bud.

    If the quarterback cannotplete the pass, then no matter how strong or excellent the wide receivers and tight ends are, it''s all futile because the shells simply cannot be fired.

    The Crimson Storm employs a "3-4" formation, whose main characteristic is focusing on pressure with less emphasis on raiding.

    This means they mainly disturb, bump, and pressure to disrupt the quarterback''s pass but very rarely tear open the pocket to sack the quarterback.

    However, "rarely" does not mean theyck such ability.

    The old saying rings true: experience counts.

    Saban urately grasped the game''s pace, starting with a blitz in the first wave of defense,pletely unannounced. Four linebackers stepped up, dispersed, and converged with the defensive line, forming a numerical advantage with a six-yer blitz that instantly burst open the pocket. Then, Allen showcased his ability.

    A step forward, a tiger pouncing down the mountain.

    Sack!

    Allen, with an absolutely dominant and sudden manner, violently broke through the Trojans'' offensive line''s block as if the pocket were merely made of paper. With just one step forward, he leaped towards Danord and fiercely pinned this young yer to the ground.

    Friction.

    And more friction.

    Caught off guard, Danord was left dazed, every bone in his body howling in pain, darkness curtained his eyes, and the entire world seemed to fracture before him.

    Not just Danord¡ªthe slightest tremble touched Hertz''s knees as he watched from the side of the field, seeing Allen roar ferociously like the Hulk.

    Zhu Zhu: ...

    He had just started getting ready to contend with Humphrey once more and then witnessed this tragic scene, ending up petrified on the spot.

    Meanwhile, the young Trojans attempted to sound a counterattack.

    On the other hand, the savvy Crimson Tide Storm promptly snuffed out the glimmer of resistance.

    First down ten yards, a sack, not only failing to gain yardage but also forcing the Trojans to lose five yards.

    Second down fifteen yards, everyone thought the Trojans would opt for a pass, but Hayden unexpectedly chose to run the ball. The Crimson Tide Storm defensive group stayed alert, with number ten Foster making a beautiful tackle close to the scrimmage line, pinning the running back down and allowing only two yards of advance.

    Third down thirteen yards, cornered, the Trojans had no choice but to go for a pass, not even bothering with a decoy run.

    Nevertheless, Hayden made a tactical adjustment, using Zhu Zhu to draw attention, attempting to connect with other wide receivers, relying on Danord''s strong arm to turn the tide.

    The Crimson Tide Storm executed an unmatched secondary defense, denying Danord''s pass, a clean and powerful performance that struck the Trojans out.

    Wave after wave, a fierce flurry of attacks left the Trojans gasping for air, bewildered as they left the field, each one dumbstruck.

    Young Danord''s eyes were filled with confusion, unable to focus.

    Total suppression, total domination.

    The game, and the scenario they had envisioned, waspletely different. So, what should they do next?

    As the Crimson Tide Storm''s offensive group was gearing up yet again for the ughter.

    Wait, the Crimson Tide Storm''s offensive group isn''t going to score again, are they?

    No way!

 Chapter 70: 070 Rabbit Bites

    The Crimson Tide Storm went into a frenzy¡ª

    Of course, part of the reason was that the young Trojans hadn''t recovered, and their rigid, changeless defensive strategy was starkly exposed; the wily Saban firmly grasped their weakness, and the gap suddenly became evident.

    When the Crimson Tide Storm''s offensive group took the field again, Hertz''s passing fully opened up the game, and outside of Li Wei, Jacobs''s running back y also found its rhythm. With a full opening of firepower on both the passing and running fronts, they aggressively pushed past midfield like a burst bamboo.

    Before you could even blink, the Crimson Tide Storm was already standing at the opposing team''s thirty-five-yard line, quietly entering field goal range, with the Trojans as fragile and defenseless as dodder in a storm.

    Seeing that the Crimson Tide Storm''s giant wave was about to whoosh over once again and overwhelm with a fifth seamless rush since the start of the game, Hayden finally showed his mettle and disyed the wisdom and demeanor of a head coach.

    Everything happened very suddenly.

    The Crimson Tide Storm continued methodically, insisting on advancing with their own tactics and rhythm. The running backs continued to rotate, including rk, who won more opportunities to y, and it was Li Wei''s turn this time, with nothing special about it.

    First down, ten yards.

    Saban decided to catch the opponents off guard with a pass. Li Wei entered the field to y the decoy role, employing a fake-run-real-pass tactic that allowed Hertz to boldly aim for a distant area and strike the end zone with a risk at the thirty-five-yard line.

    Compared with the substitute quarterback Beteman, Hertz had a slight edge in individual ability, including the long pass. Though still young and inexperienced and needing improvement under high-pressure moments, his ability was already notable.

    In front of them, the offense was smooth sailing, and the Trojans'' defensive group waspletely disorganized. Throwing a long pass to shatter the equilibrium for a lethal blow was a logical gamble.

    Li Wei, then, yed the role of drawing fire, pretending to make a handoff and then helping the offensive line with blocking to further consolidate the pocket and buy time for Hertz.

    However!

    It was in such an offensive and defensive y that the Trojans disyed their youth and vigor¡ª

    Youth is about boiling blood.

    Blitz.

    For the first time in the game, the Trojans'' defensive groupunched an unannounced blitz, breaking their usual defensive routine and going all out with a gamble.

    Just now, the Crimson Tide Storm had opted for a six-man blitz thatpletely dominated. In a football game with such intense confrontation, even a single person''s advantage can be valuable and break the standoff equilibrium.

    And the Trojans?

    In the "5-2" formation, with already five defensive linemen, theyunched a blitz by all, and both linebackers also stepped up, fierce as tigers descending a mountain.

    Seven-man blitz.

    This was truly a gamble of all or nothing.

    In Hayden''s view, should the blitz fail, it would not make much difference¡ªthey''d lose the first down and possibly the touchdown; but if it were to seed, it couldpletely turn the situation around and shift the momentum; they needed just such audacity.

    In fact, it was reckless.

    This kind of heedless and irrational blitz strategy was purely reckless.

    But an honest person does not lose their temper, and when they do, it''s aplete disaster. Even a rabbit will bite when driven into a corner, let alone the Trojans?

    The Trojans were the so-called "honest rabbits"¡ª

    The pocket, was shattered.

    The absolute numerical superiority of the seven-man blitz made the Crimson Tide''s otherwise top-notch offensive line look as frail as paper mache. At the snap, the Trojans had already ripped the pocket to shreds.

    There, Hertz and Li Wei were still carrying out a fake handoff when they turned and felt an overwhelming heat wave rushing towards them.

    Contingencies, arose.

    Within the tactical maneuvering, Hayden''s brutal force disrupted the bnce, indeed effectively so; now, Saban was powerless, only able to watch how the yers would adjust on the fly.

    Hertz panicked.

    A long pass?

    A long pass!

    Hertz''s mind was filled with the target of the long pass, but now that the pocket was torn apart, there was no time or space to observe his targets, with the tumultuous waves crashing down like a waterfall before him.

    Full of errors.

    What do we do?

    Directly ahead, Li Wei was diligently doing his job, continuing to advance and block the leaks in the pocket after performing a fake maneuver for cover.

    Bang!

    A Trojan, having already crossed the kick-off line, charged directly towards him. Amidst the surging chaos, there wasn''t time to check a face or jersey number, and Li Wei collided with him head-on.

    By body size alone, it should be the defensive line¡ª

    Because a lineman''s build is more simr to that of a running back, but the defensive linemen arerger than the running back by one or even two sizes,pletely in a different league.

    This also meant that the Trojan''s defensive line was likely staggered with the linebackers, allowing the linebackers to fill the position opposite the defensive line so that the defensive linemen could rush the pass.

    Although Li Wei couldn''t make out the situation inside the grinding frontline confrontation, with just a quick nce, he instantly observed, analyzed, and took control of the situation.

    Bad news!

    Li Wei raised the rm.

    Naturally, the movement to fill the leak in the pocket changed¡ª

    Running back vs. defensive line.

    You can''t just muscle through; otherwise, it''s undeniable that the defensive line crushing the running back would continue to cut into the pocket.

    If sacrificing himself could buy Hertz time and space to pass, Li Wei would willingly do so; but now the pocket was like a sieve, and for the first time since the start, Hertz faced such aggressive pressure.

    Danger.

    In a sh, Li Wei had made his judgment.

    Step up, hit, rece.

    He had his duties and should still fulfill them, trusting the coach and teammates¡ªthat maybe his move would buy time, and Hertz would thenplete his pass?

    Bang!

    Li Wei shifted sideways, not crashing headlong into the opponent, but using his left shoulder as a pivot, not passively absorbing the blow, but actively colliding misaligned with the opponent''s right shoulder, withoutpromise.

    Boom!

    Force, a tidal wave of power erupted, but Li Wei was not entirely passive; instead, he exploited the distraction of the opponent''s full concentration on Hertz, using his shoulder as a fulcrum to upend the mountain of flesh before him and break the bnce.

    Boom... boom boomed...

    At a nce, the flesh mountain was unprepared for Li Wei''s surprise attack, faltering in his continuous forward stride but capsizing like a clumsy sunfish.

    The dam was starting to burst¡ª

    The line of scrimmage, a dam between the offensive line and the defensive line, was already crumbing, and the fall of the sunfish further broke the bnce.

    Teetering on the brink, hanging by a thread.

    Power, bursting forth.

    But Li Wei did not.

    Having mentally prepared in advance and leveraging the sunfish with his left shoulder, he didn''t stop; instead, he turned clockwise in one smooth motion, simultaneously movingterally and rotating sideways to look for Hertz.

    Just when his back was fully turned to the line of scrimmage, Li Wei saw Hertz, whose pupils shook violently, looking around in panic, but his gaze was unfocused¡ªhe couldn''t find a passing target at all.

    The overwhelming pressure of the dam copsed onto him, forcing Hertz to retreat continuously with nowhere to escape, surrounded by figures on all sides.

    Chaos, danger, a desperate situation.

    At that moment,

    Hertz finally saw it¡ªin the split second he felt his knees weaken and his steps falter, as two figures hurled towards him, he lightly tossed the football away.

    Li Wei!

 Chapter 71: 071 Iron-hearted

    Block shedding task, cleared.

    Advancement task, ready!

    Amidst utter chaos, Li Wei calmlypleted his block shedding task and used the momentum from a hit to spin, shouldering a new task.

    A nce back¡ª

    Just as expected!

    Li Wei saw the panic and terror in Hertz''s eyes, revealing a sense of despair with nowhere to turn. In the moment their gazes intersected, Hertz desperately clung to a lifeline, subconsciously tossing the hot potato to Li Wei. The football had barely left his fingertips, and the tackle was already barreling down on him.

    An overwhelming force!

    Hertz, sandwiched by two defenders, had no chance, hit the ground hard, and the world plunged into chaos, with only one thought in his mind:

    Li Wei!

    Like a torrential wave stirred up by the Trojans, the Crimson Tide Storm was engulfed, disintegrated, everything teetering on the brink of copse.

    So, what about Li Wei?

    Focused. Concentrated. Calm.

    No time for fear, not even time for excitement, his attention remained 100% focused, his mind and body''s responses pushed to the utmost.

    nt feet, spin.

    Despite his center of gravity shifting and his steps faltering, this was undoubtedly the most dangerous and difficult situation Li Wei had encountered in his brief football career. He had thought the Trojan''s defensive group was fragile, but now he truly understood the power of tactical coordination; however, his resolve did not waver.

    Spinning with the momentum, he continued the rotational movement until he was fully-turned 360 degrees, facing forward once more, the disarray unraveling before his eyes.

    Advance? Break through?

    No.

    Li Wei did the opposite, retreating as a way to advance.

    He did not blindly charge forward into a wall, but instead, took two small backsteps.

    Firstly, to adjust his center of gravity, maintain bnce, and recharge his power.

    Secondly, to calmly observe.

    Without a doubt, the Trojans had disrupted the equilibrium, senselessly overturning all the Crimson Tide Storm''s offensive strategies. After Hertz was thrown into disarray, the wide receivers and the tight end were equally confused. The current match-up of offense and defense was a convoluted mess with no discernible patterns or structure.

    So, how to find victory in chaos?

    In the blink of an eye, Li Wei''s gaze quickly swept across, ready to capture the figures in white jerseys as well as the red figures trying to find direction. It was hard to urately grasp the movements and patterns amid the chaos and disaster, but conversely, they could not anticipate Li Wei''s movements either.

    Counter every move, cover every angle.

    All of this happened in the fleeting milliseconds, and then, Li Weiunched into action.

    His feet felt the solid touch of the turf, his heels lifting, toes pushing off, his calf muscles explosively releasing their power.

    Launch, elerate.

    However, in the brief moment Li Wei adjusted and observed, the Trojans'' defensive group had also re-engaged, pouncing towards Li Wei with a ferocity akin to wolves and tigers.

    Additionally, with the Crimson Tide Storm not far from the Red Zone, the backfield space shrank, and sightlines were jam-packed with people, every nook filled with figures.

    To his right front, a force like a tiger bursting from its cage, a white figure lunged at him like a swift wind.

    Hah.

    Li Wei held his breath, his muscles tensed, countless nerves extending from his brain, controlling the muscles with precision and appropriateness.

    A pause, a spin¡ª

    Whoosh.

    Then, Li Wei nted his left leg, using his right leg as a pivot, spun clockwise, narrowly dodging the trajectory of the white storm, the two of them brushing past each other.

    Wind howls, rainshes.

    In his peripheral vision, he could catch a glimpse of that distorted face generated by effort, body tilting to the right, using the body as a weapon, attempting to roll over Li Wei, trying to disrupt or even destroy Li Wei''s bnce.

    A force, like a log rolling down the river, collided with, squeezed, and pushed against Li Wei''s back.

    Stride.

    Li Wei took advantage of the momentum from the force on his back to change direction, breaking to the left, but after only taking one step, he saw the second wave of white surge towards him.

    Pause, spin¡ª

    This time, his footsteps were moreposed as he rotated counter-clockwise, waltzing through the dense and tumultuous crowd.

    With a turn, he had left the storm behind him.

    His side-to-side movements didn''t stop, continuing to advance in a "Z" shape, and in the next second, he saw the third white figureing straight at him¡ªnot from the left, nor the right, but directly head-on.

    Wave after wave, over and over.

    There was no time to catch his breath.

    In the tiny five-yard space, packed with people, moving sideways or forward was extremely difficult.

    Then one could see Li Wei''s daring sudden stop, his steps inexplicably pausing, causing the white figure before him to hesitate, almost spilling questions out of his head, but before he could even blink, Li Wei had darted away.

    Right side.

    Sideline.

    He tore a gap, a breath of fresh air, the fake movespletely deceived the white figure, whose steps wobbled. The misstep in startup during the sudden start and stop led to a failure in shifting bnce, and he ended up standing rigidly in ce like a stake.

    "Hah."

    In the studio, they sucked in a breath of cold air, eyes widened, not daring to blink and miss any detail.

    In the chaos and the dire straits, the guts, courage, calm, and talent disyed by Li Wei quieted down the entire AT&T Stadium:

    Including the Crimson Tide Storm fans.

    "...Number twenty-three, in an impending sack, Hertz barely throws the football to his running back, yer number twenty-three, Li Wei."

    "However, Li Wei himself is in trouble now. He just helped the offensive line execute a block, then after a frontal collision, he could hardly stand steady, spinning like a top with high velocity. The desperate choice of Hertz is not wise, but at least it helped him dodge a sack¡­"

    "Uh."

    "Is this¡­ the Marseille Turn?"

    "Hah!"

    "The second Marseille Turn!"

    "The third!"

    "God!"

    "Li Wei shakes off tackles with three consecutive Marseille Turns within an imprable defensive matrix, showing off top-tier abilities of stopping and turning on a dime. Jesus Christ, what are we witnessing?"

    "Sideline!"

    "Li Wei is breaking down the sideline! Oh, the flying tackle, Trojans'' safety McQuay is trying to make up for it; he was just shaken on the spot by Li Wei''s emergency brake, like a stake, but his secondary reaction is timely, trying to push Li Wei out of bounds, but!"

    "Li Wei!"

    "Beautiful, an eleration, a sprint, a stride, Li Wei barely dodges McQuay''s tackle by a hair''s breadth, shaking him off with sheer speed."

    "Unbelievable!"

    "Li Wei, Li Wei, Li Wei, Li Wei is moving forward."

    "The twenty-five-yard line!"

    "Danger, Li Wei''s center of gravity is out of control; after multiple Marseille Turns and then a sudden burst of speed, Li Wei''s bnce is unhinged; and now Li Wei is walking a tightrope, his feet charging along the sideline, teetering on the edge, ready to fall out at any moment."

    "The twenty-yard line!"

    "But Li Wei hasn''t given up, Li Wei is still sprinting, Li Wei is still advancing."

    "Li Wei!"

    "Whoa, severe lean, perfectly replicating Michael Jackson''s 45-degree nt against gravity, but Li Wei maintains his body with speed and continues forward, running wildly on a tightrope, sprinting on the line between life and death."

    "The fifteen-yard line!"

    "Ten-yard line, oh, oh oh oh, God, the Trojans have finally caught up, the leap! The flying tackle!"

 Chapter 72: 072 Dominating the Game

    Teetering on the brink.

    On the verge of copse.

    Li Wei was sprinting.

    He knew he was like a stack of blocks about to topple, everything had already fallen apart, merely maintaining bnce by the inertia of speed. Any slight touch of force, any little imbnce in speed, and he would scatter all over the ground, like a dismantled skeleton.

    Not even one more second.

    elerate. elerate. elerate more.

    Now, like a runaway train, his body was burning, speed soaring, the speed even slightly exceeding what his body could endure. Yet, there was no way to stop, only to keep elerating, stumbling into destruction amidyers of speed.

    The only hope was that he would cross the End Zone Line before he was engulfed in destruction.

    But.

    The Trojans'' Defensive group hadn''t given up.

    Marvell Tell, ying as Free Safety¡ªthest line of defense for the Trojans¡ªshould have been the first to step up to defend, but another Safety, Strong Safety Leon McQuay, took the initiative to try to force out of bounds.

    Unfortunately, he failed.

    As a result, Tell was still thest line of defense for the Trojans.

    Just five seconds ago, Tell had been joking with McQuay that in today''s game they might just be lounging around, but the Defensive group''s performance was truly terrible; they should seriously consider stepping up early and joining the ranks of the Cornerbacks and Linemen¡ª

    At least, the front line could help out.

    After all, the quarterback of the Crimson Tide Storm didn''t dare try a long pass.

    Unexpectedly, the opportunity appeared right then.

    Tell, of course, hadn''t forgotten the opening rush of the ground offense¡ªit was number twenty-three who took everyone by surprise, charging straight forward to score. But that was the beginning when they weren''t prepared, which allowed number twenty-three to exploit an opening. The same mistake wouldn''t happen twice.

    This time, Tell was ready.

    Stomp, sprint, exert force.

    Tell''s eyes shed with a fierce killing intent, ruthless and ferocious, unreserved, charging toward number twenty-three like a rhinoceros,pletely indiscriminate.

    Charge! Charge, charge!

    Leap, dive, crash.

    Tell broke free from gravity''s hold, soaring through the air.

    However!

    But!

    Tell froze, what... what happened? Number twenty-three had also jumped up, adopting the same leaping and diving posture.

    Not just Tell, the entire audience''s eyes widened in shock:

    Gasp.

    In their sight, Tell aimed for Li Wei''s knees, intending to disrupt his center of gravity from its base, forcing Li Wei to fall out of bounds with a low flight, but unexpectedly, Li Wei, in his teetering crisis, used the momentum of the sprint to jump, breaking through the air like a circus performer leaping through a ring of fire.

    So, below was Tell, flying horizontally; above was Li Wei, soaring vertically.

    Their paths crossed in a cross, and like this, their forms misaligned.

    Tell, shocked, with a startled look in his eyes devoid of any other emotion, just a baffled stare, dull and wooden as he watched the figure above his head,pletely at a loss for how things had developed to this point, and how number twenty-three could think of such a breakthrough path.

    There wasn''t even time to panic or fear, the gears in his brain jammed, constantly repeating on the spot, all brutality and arrogance frozen in that moment.

    Huff huff, huff huff huff, the wind howled, all sounds of breathing and heartbeats gone, breath held as they watched Li Wei continue to leap through the air.

    Stretching, graceful, light, agile¡ª

    Then, curling up, preparing to meet the impact with his shoulder,pleting aplex somersault action, andnded in the End Zone in a dive from the ten-meter board.

    The move, a perfect ten.

    Technique, a perfect score.

    Difficulty, a perfect score.

    Ssh, a perfect score.

    Completion, a perfect score.

    wless.

    Touchdown, achieved.

    "Wow."

    Speechless and stunned, the ABC broadcasting studio waspletely astonished. Even though they had seen countless storms, they were still shocked by the scene before them at this moment. Their brains froze, unable to find the right words to describe what had just happened.

    So, they exchanged nces, the smiles on their faces uncontrobly rising:

    What had they just witnessed?

    Just then, AT&T Stadium, amidst its excitement and frenzy, regained a hint of sanity. Tyree was the first to feel the power bursting from deep within his soul:

    Edgerunner!

    Once again, Li Wei performed a ground run with unmatched courage, dancing on a tightrope, testing the edge between life and death. He perfectlybined skill and strength, his tiptoeing feet and fluid movement weaving through the Defensive group''s encirclement, piercing their hearts.

    Danger and thrill, toughness and strength, stimtion and spectacle.

    A performance, a feast.

    Then, one after another, countless shouts joined Tyree''s, instantly igniting the madness and passion of the scene.

    In the studio, after exchanging another look, they realized theycked much information. They should have been fully prepared for this game, ready to take control and educate the audience, but now they looked like confused fledgling birds.

    "Is AT&T Stadium now shouting for ''Edgerunner''?"

    Someone asked, but no one answered, as everyone had a "you''re asking me? How should I know?" expression and frantically started flipping through their documents.

    But seeing Li Wei''s pitifully brief personal file ended too quickly on a mere sheet of A4 paper, which had never seemed so spacious.

    "Edgerunner!"

    "Edgerunner!"

    The roar, overwhelming, rising like a tide.

    In the end zone, after spinning head over heels, Li Wei stood up from a forward roll, standing tall and firm like a war god.

    Quietly, directly, he watched the Trojans'' fans in the stands. His fierce aura alone pressed down the tens of thousands of fans, grinding their cheers to the ground without a clenched fist, a roar, or a venting scream¡ªa single nce was enough, filling the entire stadium with his presence.

    Tough, dominant, and mighty, everything was perfect.

    Three touchdowns, three different methods.

    Li Weipletely dominated the game with his performance, cutting off all worries and doubts about Derrick Henry transitioning to a profession by rewriting the game.

    Especially that recent touchdown.

    Were the Trojans ineffective? Was Hayden caught empty-handed? Did the Trojans'' Defensive group fail miserably? Was the capability of this team insufficient?

    No, none of the above.

    The Trojans had already created opportunities through surprise attacks, and their airtight short-pass defensive zone was like a maze blocking the path.

    But!

    Li Wei still relied on his individual abilities to forcefully carve open a path of survival, his continual stunning directional changesbined with the Edgerunner''s breakthrough and final dive over the top created jaw-dropping "wow moments" one after another, truly elevating the game to a whole new level.

    Everything else was just a backdrop.

    This was simply "showtime" ¡ª

    Wait, are they sure? They just used showtime to describe Crimson Tide Storm''s Offensive group, not the Defensive group, this Offensive group?

 Chapter 73: 073 Sprint All the Way

    Zhu Zhu was a bit stunned.

    "Is this still the Crimson Tide Storm?"

    The Crimson Tide Storm that built its dynasty on defense? The Crimson Tide Storm that hobbles without Derrick Henry on offense? The Crimson Tide Storm that relied solely on ground assaults for its running game?

    "Are you sure?"

    Since the start of the game, the Crimson Tide Storm offensive group had made three appearances and scored three touchdowns, disying absolute dominance that left the Trojans'' defensive group unable to cope.

    Originally, after winning the coin toss, Hayden had unhesitatingly chosen to let the Crimson Tide Storm start on offense; but now, the Crimson Tide Storm had firmly seized the opportunity to increase their advantage, their overwhelming offensive overwhelming the Trojans'' morale, not even waiting for a second-halfeback¡ª their focus was already scattering.

    Once or twice might be called luck, but three consecutive times left no room for excuses; the Crimson Tide Storm offensive group showed incredible strength, working in tandem with the already excellent defensive group.

    "How can we even y this game?"

    Zhu Zhu turned his head to look around, trying to find a footing or a lifeline, anything or anyone that could help settle the floating anxiety and confusion, and regain focus and bnce.

    Then, Zhu Zhu saw Danord¡ª

    Poor Danord, staring nkly ahead, devastated to the point of shutdown.

    Zhu Zhu: "..."

    It wasn''t just Zhu Zhu and Danord to me, even the broadcast studio was left speechless and dumbstruck by the Crimson Tide Storm''s first, second, and third waves of furious output, resembling rookies watching a football game for the first time.

    At that moment, Zhu Zhu''s nk gaze caught a figure:

    Humphrey.

    It was Humphrey again!

    There he was, standing across the field, dancing the elephant dance again amidst the cheers of the Crimson Tide Storm yers, his twisting butt particrly provocative.

    From afar, the sound ofughter and singing carried.

    "...Elephant, why is your nose so long."

    Now, Zhu Zhu was shutting down too.

    Certainly, this opening game was unlike anything the Trojans or all the professionals and spectators had anticipated.

    Even though it was foreseen that the reigning champions should be able to easily defeat the Trojans, no one had anticipated such a rout in just the first half; the gap was too big.

    The young Trojans were paying a painful price for theirck of experience, barely finding their footing before being dizzyingly rushed again and again by the Crimson Tide Storm, growing more frantic and sloppy as the game went on, leading to basic errors.

    In stark contrast, the Crimson Tide Storm waspletely in their element, fully exploiting their initial gamey.

    Especially the offensive group.

    Not just Li Wei, but also Jacobs and rk''s ground advancements performed well. The Trojans'' defensive group,cking in tactical flexibility and rigid in their routines, repeatedly exposed gaps and mistakes, utterly unable to defend against the ground offense¡ª

    Retreating in panic and confusion.

    Meanwhile, protected by their strong ground offense, Hertz''s passing game finally began to show style and momentum, disying his capabilities and talent; even for the Crimson Tide, the starting quarterback was no slouch.

    Different passing tactics, different passingbinations, opening up the aerial path as well; the Trojans, already weak in pass defense, were pushed into a predicament.

    For the Trojans, It was a dilemma.

    Offensively, they were tentative, as if sleepwalking.

    Defense was utterly suppressed, riddled with vulnerabilities.

    By the end of the first half, Crimson Tide Storm had secured an unbelievable six touchdowns, leading the opposition with an inconceivable "42:0" and heading into the locker room.

    AT&T Stadium was in utter shock.

    For a moment, no one knew whether to be more shocked that Crimson Tide Storm had shut out the Trojans or that the Crimson Tide Storm''s offensive group had gone wild in the first half.

    Without a doubt, Li Wei was the brightest and most outstanding presence in the entire first half, even though, as the second quarter started, Saban deliberately controlled Li Wei''s time on the field, giving more opportunities to Jacobs and rk. Nevertheless, Li Wei still easily ran for 177 yards and scored three rushing touchdowns.

    Given the situation, Li Wei should be able to clock out early.

    However, Hayden hadn''t given up.

    During the halftime break, Hayden regained hisposure to boost his team''s morale. Even if not for victory, the Trojans couldn''t simply surrender. The season had just kicked off, and there was a long way to go. They had to take a long-term view and still needed to fine-tune their tactics on both offense and defense in the second half.

    "The game hasn''t ended, nor should it end during the halftime break."

    "This is a new season, and we should forget everything that happenedst year and start from scratch. It doesn''t matter if our opponents are the defending champions. They are just like us now, with a season record of zero wins and zero losses."

    "So what if we''re behind by forty-two points? We can still y our own style of football. Once we score one touchdown, then another, the game will change."

    "Don''t forget, inpetitive sports, anything is possible!"

    Young and passionate.

    Hayden''s call finally awakened the Trojan''s fighting spirit. They returned to AT&T Stadium, perhaps for the first time since the start of the game, they stood their ground and managed to regain theirposure amidst the instability.

    But football is a contact sport, and while Hayden had his strategies, Saban was no exception.

    In the second half, Li Wei did not y.

    The season was long and football was highly physical. Injuries were inevitable, and Saban needed to consider the bigger picture for the entire season. With such a substantial lead, there really wasn''t any need to continue depleting Li Wei''s energy.

    In his ce, the team''s fourth running back, Emmons, who also partnered with Li Wei in the reserve team, got the chance to y.

    At the same time, the defensive group also rotated their yers.

    Saban didn''t rece all the starters; he mixed half starters with half reserves, then rotated the lineup. Does this scene seem familiar?

    The season opener was forcibly turned into a preseason warm-up game.

    Because of this, the Trojans finally got a bit of breathing space. Though limited, the spirit lifted during the halftime break helped them to stand their ground and recover some form. The confrontation in the second half was noticeably more intense.

    However¡ª

    Experience still counts.

    Even with only half of the starting lineup, Saban''s ability to deploy his yers was still among the elite in the NCAA. Even in rtively simple tactical situations, Saban could still fully leverage individual yer skills and rely on excellent strategic movements to achieve team coordination.

    The youth and inexperience of the Trojans were fully exposed.

    Whether it was Danord or Zhu Zhu, they had talent, but how to trante that talent into performance on the field was still a subject that required deep study.

    In the second half, the Trojans had some opportunities but wasted even more. The young Hayden and yers paid their tuition in front of Saban, and with thest attempt of three yards on fourth down failing, the entire game ended.

    "55:3".

    The merciful Crimson Tide Storm, allowing the Trojans only one field goal while their own offensive group continued to score relentlessly. Without Li Wei''s help, they still secured one touchdown and two field goals, firmly taking control in their hands.

    The game ended, and Crimson Tide Storm began their title defense with a crushing victory.

 Chapter 74: 074 Hot Topics

    On the field, the Trojans and the Crimson Tide Storm were shaking hands after the game to show respect, regardless of the oue¡ªmanners are always mandatory.

    Zhu Zhu took a deep breath, calmed down, and mustered the courage, continually telling himself that he was the bigger man and that he could face a minor setback calmly. He needed to confront number twenty-three and then challenge him head-on:

    Next time they met, he would defeat him.

    Imagining the scene, Zhu Zhu suddenly felt elevated in stature. If the media caught this, he was sure to receive widespread praise fromizens. Head held high, chest out, even his walk seemed to carry the breeze.

    However, after searching through the crowd, Zhu Zhu was unable to spot that figure.

    Zhu Zhu began to panic. His perfect n covered every detail, yet he had overlooked the most critical one. As he watched reporters start to leave one after another, he began to sweat anxiously.

    He ran around the field like a tadpole searching for its mother, looping round and round.

    Still, he found no one.

    Where was he?

    Zhu Zhu was exhausted and drenched in sweat. Things weren''t going as he had pictured. What was going on? Wait, what about the media? Socialworks? Netizens'' praise?

    What was he to do?

    So, what about Li Wei?

    Li Wei was checking the system.

    As the game ended, a notification of apleted task chimed in his mind, which intrigued Li Wei since the training system had not issued any tasks before the game. It had always been a purely training-assistive system.

    During the post-game handshake, Li Wei also went onto the field, but traditionally, all the focus was on the head coach and the quarterback''s handshakes after the game. The other yers'' interactions were more casual, so Li Wei greeted briefly and left, walking away¡­ nonchntly.

    Upon checking, the system indeed hadn''t issued any tasks; Li Wei''s memory was urate.

    The notification indicated that the system automatically recorded Li Wei''s growth trajectory. This was Li Wei''s first official football game, and he achieved his first ground advance and his first running touchdown, among others. Correspondingly, he was given experience rewards¡ª

    That was what the progress bar at the bottom signified; it had risen a notch.

    After careful analysis, Li Wei concluded:

    The tougher the game, the more outstanding the performance, the faster the progress.

    Every milestone reached alsoes with bonus rewards.

    For example, ground advances of five hundred yards, a thousand yards, three thousand yards.

    Like ten, thirty, fifty running touchdowns.

    And so on.

    This meant the system encouraged Li Wei to unleash his potential and deliver top-notch performances in games. The faster the progress bar moved, the more challenging the opposition he faced, granting more opportunities to level up.

    It was slightly frustrating that he hadn''t yed more in the second half of the game, missing the opportunity to rack up stats, but from another perspective, it might be better to focus on improving the quality of gamey rather than padding early stats which would maketer improvements more challenging.

    Looking at it this way, short but effective appearances were the best choice.

    It also meant that Li Wei needed to think about how to improve his running efficiency. If each appearance allowed him to make significant ground or even score, that would be perfect.

    For the next chance to level up, charge!

    Thoughts were swirling in his mind as Li Wei considered how to enhance his running efficiency. Obstacles stretched across the yers'' tunnel, blocking his path¡ª

    Oh, they weren''t barriers but reporters.

    The game was over, but work was far from done.

    Unlike the NCAA and NFL, there wasn''t an official post-game press conference here, however, the reporters'' attention was no less than in professional leagues. Reporters always waited near the yers'' tunnel, ready to seize the fleeting opportunity for interviews.

    Today, there were numerous points of interest on the pitch, and unquestionably, Li Wei was the hottest topic. This was evident from the jostling throng of reporters vying for his attention.

    Crowded. Dense. Enthusiastic.

    They were like sharks that had caught the scent of blood.

    Subconsciously, Li Wei nced at the reporters'' faces¡ªsomewhat unfamiliar.

    It seems that it shouldn''t be ABC TV.

    "Hello, Li Wei, ''Houston Chronicle''."

    "May I ask, in the season opener, Crimson Tide Storm crushed the opposition with a score of ''55:3'', starting the title defense journey with an absolutely dominant performance, and the often underestimated offensive group performed exceptionally well. What are your thoughts on this?"

    Li Wei slightly lifted his chin, his face full of sincerity, "Not bad."

    All the reporters: ...

    Not bad!

    Not bad?

    This game not only created the biggest point spread since the Cowboys'' ssicunched in 2009 but also set the record for the biggest point spread in USC Trojans'' history, surpassing the original record of "0:51" when they were crushed by Notre Dame University in 1966.

    And Li Wei''s response, just this?

    Those who didn''t know any better thought they were reading the score of a basketball game, and Li Wei''s casual andposed demeanor suddenly silenced all the reporters.

    I''ve seen the arrogant, but never this arrogant!

    But the problem is, Li Wei''s expression was too calm, too sincere, and too peaceful, with no arrogance, no provocation, no mockery, nothing at all. For a while, the reporters couldn''t figure out what this guy was up to.

    Li Wei himself also looked puzzled.

    To be honest, he had no concept of football scores, and it was college games that were prone to lopsided scores, which could easily happen if one wasn''t careful, and he just assumed such scores weremonce; besides, in thend of Oriental etiquette, humility is paramount, even in victory one must keep a low profile.

    Now looking at the reporters'' expressions, he was even more innocent:

    What, he was just telling the truth, was there anything wrong with that?

    As everyone looked at each other in bewilderment, finally, a reporter broke the silence, one after another getting up after falling down.

    "Li Wei, ''The Das Morning News''."

    "Before the season began, everyone was worried about how Crimson Tide Storm''s offensive group would perform without Derrick Henry. Do you think today''s running back group performance has filled the void left by Derrick Henry?"

    Pfft.

    Li Weiughed¡ª

    The whole room was shocked.

    This question was clearly a trap, difficult for any yer to answer.

    After all, Derrick Henry left behind a peakst year at the NCAA that was hard to surpass, and whoever took over the position he left behind was stepping into a thorny path.

    Unexpectedly, Li Wei actuallyughed.

    Reporter: ???

    This guy is definitely an expert, mysterious and unpredictable!

    But Li Wei remained full of sincerity, "Why do you speak as if Derrick Henry has ascended to paradise early? Derrick has just turned to the professional league and is embarking on all-new challenges. We all look forward to his performance in the league, so please don''t use expressions that can easily lead to misunderstandings, okay?"

    Haha.

    That was the reason why Li Weiughed out loud.

    "As for Crimson Tide Storm, we don''t intend to rece Derrick''s position because nobody can rece him, believe me, we tried, but the result was very bad. So, we will work together to create a new offense."

    "We fight side by side, aiming for victory as a team and facing difficulties as a team as well."

    Brilliant!

    Without a doubt, Derrick Henry''s void was the most difficult and dangerous issue, yet Li Wei nonchntly resolved it.

    The whole room was silent as the grave.

 Chapter 75: 075 Golden Quotes Frequently Emerge

    ```

    The court fell silent.

    In an instant, the reporters felt they had been ambushed.

    They had been attacked! They had been blindsided! They had been set up!

    Not only did they know nothing about Li Wei, the running back, but they also knew nothing about Li Wei, the person. They thought they were in for a bare-knuckled brawl, yet Li Wei stepped in with a machine gun, rattling off a barrage that left the unguarded reporters with no chance to retaliate, effectively annihted.

    It was brutal, truly brutal.

    The atmosphere turned slightly bizarre.

    But would the reporters surrender just like that?

    Of course not!

    Many hands make light work. As one reporter fell, another stood up, silently united¡ªthe reporters themselves unaware of their own camaraderie¡ª

    to bully an eighteen-year-old; a young man facing the professional media for the first time.

    "May I ask what you think of the Trojans'' offensive group''s performance?"

    "This season, the Trojans'' offensive group has been praised for their outstanding talent and high expectations. Sam Darnold, Donald Jones, and Juju Smith Schuster, all boast potential first-round draft prospects. This team is considered to be one of the most noteworthy in NCAA this year and likely to spring surprises."

    "What do you think of their performance?"

    Who?

    This was the first question that popped into Li Wei''s mind, but it didn''t matter that all those names were unfamiliar; he could consider them as a whole.

    Li Wei thought that, given the strong and impressive defensive group of the Crimson Tide Storm, this young offensive group hadn''t copsed¡ªat least they hadn''t been shut out¡ªand had fought until the end. Their performance wasn''t bad, and for a young team, their fighting spirit was the most valuable asset.

    So.

    "Not bad," Li Wei said.

    Looking into Li Wei''s clear, bright eyes, full of honesty, the reporters, however, felt a tsunami of emotions. Could they curse?

    In the second half, the Crimson Tide Storm had almost treated it like a warm-up, substituting more than half of its main yers and ending the game in a leisurely fashion. As a result, the Trojans only managed to score a free kick, with their young and inexperienced offensive group showing a collective breakdown of focus.

    And what did Li Wei say?

    Reporter: Beast.

    "Li Wei, may I ask, how do you think Juju performed?"

    Li Wei: ...

    Blinking his eyes, Li Wei was not sure who the central figure of the reporter''s question was, but the reporter thought Li Wei didn''t understand why Juju was being mentioned here.

    So, the reporter exined, "Just now, in the on-field interview, Juju said he was impressed with your performance, leaving no doubt that you were the MVP of this game."

    Li Wei lightly lifted his chin, now he got it, "Thank you."

    Reporter: And then?

    The reporters waited eagerly for more, but Li Wei looked back innocently, his eyes seemingly asking: So what?

    This made the atmosphere awkward.

    Understanding the situation, the reporters refrained from pressing further and smoothly moved on, asking, "Then who do you think was the standout yer in this game for the Trojans?"

    Li Wei: ...

    He felt a bit troubled, as he really couldn''t remember names for the life of him, honest to God.

    When the reporters didn''t get an answer and Li Wei remained silent, someone couldn''t hold back and tentatively threw out a name, "Sam Darnold?"

    Li Wei breathed a sigh of relief and immediately nodded, "Yes, that''s him, Sam¡ª" a pause, "right, Sam, impressive performance, good job."

    After speaking, Li Wei even pumped his fist to cheer for "Sam," wearing an awkward yet polite smile on his face, filled with capitalist niceties.

    The reporters looked at each other, at a loss for words for a moment, until the Houston Chronicle''s reporter once again broke the silence.

    ```

    "Li Wei, ording to the information, you first came into contact with football during the spring training camp in April this year, is that true?"

    "Yes."

    "Do you mean to say, before that, you had never yed football nor watched it, and knew nothing about the game?"

    "Yes."

    "Wow."

    The reporter from Texas appeared to be very surprised and shocked, unable to hide his astonishment. His expression was as if he had seen an alien, "So, as aplete outsider, you stepped onto the football field and even delivered a solid performance in today''s game. How do you feel about football? Do you think you can adapt to this sport?"

    The "Houston Chronicle," the highest-selling newspaper in Texas, has such a wide audience that it can evenpete with the "New York Times" and the "Los Angeles Times."

    And this reporter in front of Li Wei, with one question at the beginning and one at the end, seemed to follow all the rules yet urately pinpointed the hottest topics; the probing between the lines had a touch of mischief, making it hard to know how to respond for the moment.

    Scrutinizing gazes sporadically fell on Li Wei, feeling slightly hot and prickly.

    Li Wei thought, so this must be what it''s like when people see a giant panda: big and precious.

    A hint of a smile appeared in his eyes as Li Wei actively looked at the reporter, maintaining direct and upright eye contact, even returning the measure with some scrutiny of his own.

    "So far so good."

    Atst, Li Wei didn''t just respond with a "not bad." The profound look in his eyes and his confident smile endowed the concise words with tremendous energy.

    Confident and calm, poised and graceful.

    So¡ª

    Was Li Wei truly a once-in-a-century football genius?

    Just then, Burns made his entrance, like a hen protecting her chicks, shielding the big and strong Li Wei behind him, and scolded the media to back off.

    "yers are not giving interviews."

    "If you have questions, please ask the head coach."

    "Please do not harass my yers."

    Burns signaled to Li Wei with a look to return to the locker room, then he blocked the way, dispersing the reporters, allowing the other yers to leave as well.

    Although the reporters were reluctant, they had alreadypleted the real scoop, so they only went through the motions before eventually stopping their pursuit.

    However, that was already enough¡ª

    Highlight moments felt almost too numerous to keep up with. For a while, they didn''t know whether to be more astonished by Li Wei''s attitude towards Juju Smith Schuster or by his confidence in the Crimson Tide Storm. But in the end, all the focus paled inparison to the two phrases uttered by Li Wei that were already considered ssic.

    One "not bad," one "so far so good"¡ª

    Absolute catchphrases.

    If it had been just about winning a game, it would not have been news. The defending champions, Crimson Tide Storm, winning a game, wasn''t that to be expected?

    Even with a score of "55:3"¡ªokay, indeed, the score seemed a bit crazy, but considering the strength of the Crimson Tide Storm, it wasn''t something to make a big fuss over. Yet, the key was in Li Wei''s response.

    Not bad.

    The Crimson Tide Storm performed not bad, the Trojans didn''t do poorly?

    Then everyone fell silent.

    Those who didn''t follow football might think this was some usual tactic.

    But those who followed football didn''t recognize this twenty-third number yer of the Crimson Tide Storm at all. Given that there are many yers in the NCAA, it''s normal not to know one or two yers, and it''smon for an unknown yer to suddenly have an explosive game, but for this yer to have an Asian face, that was not normal.

    Very much not normal.

    Wait, he only started ying footballst April, and he''s saying that so far, it "feels good"?

    This...

 Chapter 76: Listing Remarks

    Brief version:

    It¡¯s live, please subscribe, please enable auto-subscription, with a hundred chapters in reserve, seeking monthly tickets, seeking rewards.

    Verbose version:

    Dear time-precious readers, there¡¯s no need to go further; for those who have time to spare, feel free to casually flip through.

    Finally, it has gone live.

    If all goes well, the book will officiallyunch tomorrow at noon.

    Though this isn¡¯t my first time, everyunch is a brand new challenge, especially following a previous flop, which leaves me anxious, bubbles forming at the corners of my mouth, and my heart racing.

    Football, is definitely a niche within a niche, and the youth is very aware of this. During the new book¡¯s preparation phase, he originally nned to write about F1, but after much back and forth, he eventually decided to write about football, and to tell a story of aplete outsider gradually getting involved with football; albeit, with some special twists.

    Clearly, the position of running back in the League isn¡¯t very optimistic at the moment, but precisely because of this, an outsider, a rookie, identally enters the League and stirs up trouble, even managing to reverse the fortunes of running backs. This kind of challenge is what makes it all the more interesting. Please join Li Wei on his footsteps, and experience this adventure together.

    Writing about Bambi was already incredibly difficult¡ªif interested, you can refer to the young author¡¯s previous works, focusing on the quarterback in "King of the Bay Area" and on the coach in "Green Bay Miracle." And now, writing about Li Wei, the situation remains tough, with the new book¡¯s journey being as tumultuous as a roller coaster, filled with agonizing highs and lows.

    But I truly appreciate that my readers are willing to apany and support me all the way. Thank you all for your patience and loyalty.

    Even so, the situation remains tough. Being a niche within a niche isn¡¯t just a saying. Currently, this book¡¯s subscription hovers around the brink of five thousand¡ªa low base, meaning subscriptions are all the more crucial, as each one can decide life or death.

    Here, I earnestly plead to all you lords out there, please support the official subscription, and if you¡¯re willing to enable auto-subscription, I would be even more thankful.

    As mentioned earlier, after theunch, I n to burst update, and I¡¯ve already prepared the manuscripts for it.

    The additional update rules are as follows:

    Alliance Hierarch, ten thousand words; Helmsman, one thousand words; Hall Master, two thousand words. Every ten-thousand reward, add an extra thousand words, and so on.

    Monthly tickets, one hundred tickets equal a thousand words, and this includes all the monthly tickets up to now.

    Let the eruption be even more ferocious!

    Lastly, once again, thank you to every reader who supports this book. Thank you, I truly appreciate it!

 Chapter 77: 760,000 people are watching

    Football, North America''s number one sport, outshines baseball, hockey, and basketball in market share, making it the absolute ruler.

    Not only are the NFL''s professional games dominant, but the NCAA''s collegepetitions also boast unparalleled supremacy, causing envy among other professional leagues.

    Numbers don''t lie¡ª

    "Crimson Tide Storm VS Trojans" this season''s opening game not only set new records for in-person attendance, but ABC''s TV viewership numbers also easily surpassed twenty million.

    It was 2016, and with the rise of online streaming, social media, and varied entertainment options, television ratings across all categories¡ªincluding dramas, sports, and talk shows¡ªwere in decline. Ten million viewers had already be a significant threshold.

    Yet, in such circumstances, the NCAA''s 2016 season opener still attracted over twenty million viewers, blowing away all other shows.

    Result!

    In such a high-profile battle, who was dominating the front pages of major newspapers and bing the darling of social media? A stranger?

    Apletely unfamiliar face.

    Moreover, it was an Asian face!

    What was going on?

    Although the spring training camp''s warm-up games were televised on ESPN and indeed drew some attention to Li Wei, at the end of the day, it was just a warm-up match, its value limited and its subsequent impact equally limited. The name "Li Wei" and that face still remained unfamiliar in the world of football.

    Li Wei didn''t know them, and they didn''t know Li Wei¡ª

    Mutually unknown, perfect!

    But now, the situation was utterly different; in the season opener, Li Wei, by the strength of one man, decided the game, undoubtedly bing the most dazzling yer.

    "177 yards, three touchdowns."

    As people read these stats, they couldn''t help but be dazzled; it was truly a dominant performance, enough to make anyone''s heart race.

    When people read the note that said, "only yed in the first half," excitement turned to frenzy, brains went offline,pletely losing the ability to think.

    So, who was he?

    Not just the NCAA, but also the NFL''s attention was drawn. A yer who could advance 177 yards and score three touchdowns in just one half was absolutely sensational; but more importantly, professional team scouts'' reports had no record of this yer at all, which was utterly uneptable.

    Draft, crucial for the NFL.

    Since football teams consist of numerous personnel and have to deal with the limitations of a hard sry cap, relying solely on the free market to create apetitive lineup is neither realistic nor possible. They must rely on drafts. Affordable rookies are the direction for teams'' development, aiming for championships with rookie bonuses as the mainstream.

    Naturally, every year''s draft is of utmost importance to the teams.

    But now, a dominantly powerful yer suddenly emerges and they know nothing about him?

    Unforgivable!

    Although it was just one game, and despite that the new season hadn''t even kicked off and the teams weren''t sure if they would need this yer next year, they at least needed to be informed.

    Even if it wasn''t their team signing him, they should at least know whether the rookie their opponents signed was a mule or a horse.

    In an era where information is king,ck of information means falling behind, it means being passive, something the Professional League is well aware of.

    However!

    Now there was a new star who popped out of the blue?

    Amidst the hustle and bustle, all eyes gathered.

    That brief, rough piece of yer data disying the beauty of minimalism appeared at lightning speed on the desks of NFL team managers and head coaches.

    It is no exaggeration to say that of the thirty-two professional teams, not a single one was an exception.

    Yet¡ª

    In less than a mere three seconds, more than half of the teams had put down the information, disinterestedly diverting their gaze, their previously high spirits instantly plummeting below freezing.

    The reason was very simple.

    "Position, running back."

    Just this one keyword was enough to diminish their interest, to the point where they were unwilling to even give it a second nce.

    This was a reality, as well as a dilemma.

    The specific situation required in-depth analysis; itsplex historical causes were not so simple, but overall, it could be summarized in two points.

    First, the league trend.

    In the 1980s and 1990s, the running back was a vital core of each team, on par with the quarterback, with ground and passing attacks dividing the realm, and some teams preserving the good tradition of favoring ground attacks, naturally making the status of the running back significant.

    After entering the new millennium, the league changed a series of rules under the premise of "preventing injuries," increasing protection for the quarterback; even though this reason was indeed factual, the real motive was television broadcast revenue.

    After all,pared to the cumbersome and slow ground offensives, in the twenty-first century¡ªwhere the pace of life kept increasing and the visual stimuli grew more numb¡ªthe dazzling and thrilling passing attacks, akin to the Gctic Battleship, were the ones that could win the cheers of the audience, somewhat simr to the development of ser.

    Once, there were no shortages of top teams focusing on defense, but gradually, the fans'' preference shifted to favor offense over defense, causing the value of offensive yers to soar.

    Though the scenarios were not exactly the same, the essence was simr.

    After the league changed its rules, more space was given to passing, reducing the difficulty of breaking through with passing attacks, and teams'' tactical ybooks gradually began to shift; after 2010, it distinctly entered the "era of passing attacks," with no signs of diminishing but only intensifying over time.

    Naturally, the quarterback and associated passing positions soared in value; for example, the wide receiver and the offensive guard.

    Conversely, the running back was the victim.

    Ground attacks were undervalued in all the teams, leading to a drastic decline in both value and status of the running backs.

    Second, the injury scenario.

    Although in football, every position except the quarterback must endure countless impacts¡ªit''s part of the game¡ªno position endures them like the running back.

    The running back must constantly use his body to absorb impacts to forge new territories, making it the most wear-prone position in football.

    ording to statistical data, the average professional career span across all positions in the NFL is 3.3 years, whereas for running backs, it''s only 2.57 years, rankingst among all positions.

    And those Hall of Fame legendary running backs have somewhat longer careers, but their peak performance oftensts only three to four years, and without injuries, they start to decline due to the deterioration of physical functions.

    Moreover, countless legendary running backs have fallen from grace due to injuries.

    That is to say, the cost-effectiveness is not high.

    If a team signs a running back with a high sry and he gets injured the next year, then that sry turns into bad debts,pletely wasting the sry cap space.

    Combining these two situations, along with various other factors, the league has left less and less development space for running backs.

    In reality, the best coaches knew this:

    Without ground attacks, passing offenses couldn''t open up the game; without excellent running backs, offensive tactics couldn''t proceed effectively.

    However, reality is just that harsh.

    So much so that when team managers saw "running back" as the position, their boiling blood also cooled down.

 Chapter 78: 077 Cruel Reality

    Rome wasn''t built in a day, and the difficult situation of running backs in the League also wasn''t caused overnight, but rather by various contributing factors.

    Firstly, after top running backs deliver a top-season performance, securing a lucrative contract bes increasingly challenging.

    Teams worry that running backs can''t sustain top performances and also believe their contribution to the offense is limited. Therefore, while quarterbacks, wide receivers, and offensive line yers keepnding record-breaking contracts, star running backs are often left "begging for crumbs."

    It''s hard to renew contracts, especially long-term or high-value ones.

    Secondly, the draft prospects for rookie running backs are getting worse.

    The NFL has strict regtions for rookie contracts, specifying clear-cut minimum wages for each round and each draft position, which means teams must consider cost-effectiveness¡ªwhether to choose running backs or yers at other positions with the same amount of money.

    Instead of selecting running backs in the first three rounds, professional leagues have gradually started to favor choosing running backs in the sixth or seventh rounds, or even from undrafted rookies¡ªas if bargain hunting.

    A real value for money, since running backs are treated just as "draft animals."

    What if the rookie running backs aren''t skilled enough?

    No worries, after all, it''s just a sixth or seventh-round pick; it''s cheap, no harm in wasting, and after being discarded, it''s always easy to pick up some blue-cor backups.

    As a matter of fact, the current League stillcks excellent running backs or top running backs. Many teams struggle with insufficient running back capabilities, which hampers their offensive performance, but due to cost-effectiveness and sry cap issues, team managers often refuse to admit this and are even more reluctant to spend big money on top running backs.

    They would rather focus on other positions in the offensive group to change the situation than be seen as the sucker who gives a top contract to a top running back.

    Naturally, the prospects of running backs at the draft are getting dimmer, and as time progresses, there seem to be no signs of improvement.

    The same is true now.

    "Crimson Tide Storm vs. Trojans" ended, and Li Wei made a strong impression, with team managers'' eyes lighting up at the data. If this had been a quarterback, or perhaps a wide receiver or a tight end, that would have been considered a treasure trove, attracting attention even from teams that don''t need yers at those positions.

    However, taking a closer look, realizing it''s a running back, their enthusiasm quickly waned; besides, this running back had only risen to prominence in one single game, providing limited reference value. It wasn''t even necessary to keep watching him¡ªmore than half of the team managers had already closed their eyes and threw his resume straight into the trash.

    Reality is just that cruel.

    It''s the same with the NFL, as it is with the NCAA.

    Strictly speaking, the NCAA is slightly better.

    Since colleges don''t need to consider sry caps or cost-effectiveness, the value of running backs often receives more attention. There are still many traditional colleges insisting on ground offenses like the Crimson Tide Storm, and they still manage to climb to the top and win championships.

    Take one statistic for instance: the Heisman Trophy.

    As the highest award in college football, the Heisman Trophy is given to the yer with the most outstanding performance of the season. Although quarterbacks are undoubtedly the stars of football, out of the sixteen times the Heisman has been awarded since the millennium, thirteen have gone to quarterbacks and the other three to running backs.

    Looking at the long stretch of history up to 2023, running backs, including halfbacks and fullbacks, hold a dominant position with forty-six winners, with quarterbacks closely following with thirty-nine winners.

    In the NFL, however, it''s a different story.

    Up to 2016, running backs were the second mostmon position chosen for the first overall draft pick, a total of twenty-three times; just behind quarterbacks, who have been selected first twenty-nine times.

    But the reality is that thest time a running back was selected with the first overall pick in the first round was way back in 1995.

    And it''s not just the first overall pick; even looking at first-round picks as a whole shows the severity of the situation.

    In the millennium era, the number of running backs selected in the first round in 2000, 2001, and 2002 were five, three, and three respectively.

    Coming to the present, in the past three years, the number of running backs selected in the first round was one, zero, and two respectively.

    The decline in numbers is obvious.

    Just this April, at thetest draft party, Derrick Henry of the Crimson Tide Storm, the new Heisman Trophy winner celebrated by fans as "Emperor Henry," a dominant running back, was not selected until the second round, forty-fifth overall by the Tennessee Titans, and didn''t even make it into the first round.

    This is the reality.

    But does that mean teams don''t need running backs?

    No, absolutely not.

    In fact, the opposite is true; there are many teams thatck quality running backs, and there are several coaches who appreciate them.

    Take, for example, the Carolina Panthers.

    This is a strong team, a very, very good team that became a major leaguepetitor ever since they picked Cam Newton, a quarterback from the University of bama at Auburn in 2011 with their first overall pick. Since the 2012 season, they have made it to the yoffs four consecutive times, their formidable performance consistently on disy.

    Last season they had an outstanding record of fifteen wins to one loss, entered the yoffs as the number one seed, and charged all the way to the Super Bowl; unfortunately, they performed poorly on the Super Bowl stage and werepletely dominated by Peyton Manning-led Denver Broncos, sadly missing out on the championship.

    Now, under the leadership of Coach Ron Rivera, the Carolina Panthers are still seen as strong contenders thising season.

    But Rivera knows his own issues, he is worried about the condition of quarterback Cam Newton.

    Newton is a typical mobile quarterback, ranked alongside Russell Wilson, Robert Griffin III, and Colin Kaepernick as one of the new generation''s top four mobile quarterbacks. Last season, Newton clinched the regr season MVP award and topped the NFL''s Top 100 yers list for the first time, perfectly riding the crest of sess.

    So, what is Rivera worried about?

    Injuries.

    New generation mobile quarterbacks, having the ability to pass and run, pose a dual threat, but just like running backs, mobile quarterbacks need to carry the ball themselves, which means collisions, confrontations, and a high risk of injuries.

    Look at Griffin, who had suffered four severe injuries over the past three seasons. The 2011 Offensive Rookie of the Year haspletely turned into a spent force, andst year he was entirely ruled out for the season.

    Back in the day, the Washington Redskins (renamed Washington Commanders in 2022) paid a hefty price of three first-round picks and one second-round pick to secure Griffin as the second overall pick, but this offseason they offloaded him to the Clevnd Browns like a clearance sale.

    Rivera doesn''t want to see this happen; after all, he believes a quarterback''s job should be passing, while running should be left to the running backs.

    Rivera thinks the team needs an excellent running back to support Newton, however¡­ the team''s General Manager David Gettleman disagrees.

    This year at the draft, Gettlemanpletely ignored Rivera''s request; he didn''t pick a running back for the team by the end of the draft, which infuriated Rivera; this on top of having just renewed Newton''s contractst year, a five-year deal worth $103.8 million US dors, leaving no sry cap room to pick up yers from the free market.

    Thus.

    Rivera''s ns had to be shelved.

    When Rivera saw Li Wei, his mind became active once again.

 Chapter 79: 078 Eight Directions View

    Ron Rivera urgently needed a running back.

    At the beginning of this year, during the 50th Super Bowl, the ck Panthers¡¯ offensive group was brutally dominated by the Broncos¡¯ defensive group, getting thrashed to the point of helplessness.

    The general criticism outside was that the ck Panthers¡¯ offensive line provided poor pocket protection, and quarterback Newton¡¯s tactical choices at critical moments were also questionable.

    But as the head coach, Rivera¡¯s thinking was very clear; he knew that they couldn¡¯t always rely on Newton¡¯s legs¡ªnot only because Griffin¡¯s predicament was a warning from the past but also because the team¡¯s offensive strategy relied too heavily on Newton¡¯s read option. Once it was figured out, they would be doomed.

    They needed an excellent running back to share the pressure, shift the focus, and enrich the tactics.

    Li Wei was just right.

    The reason was very direct; those unfavorable factors on Li Wei, in Rivera¡¯s eyes, were advantages¡ªwhat being Asian, what only getting in touch with football in April, whatcking in match experience.

    These factors that might affect the draft position were actually advantages that Rivera could use to convince Gettleman to pick a running back through the draft¡ªperhaps in the sixth or seventh round, they could select a running back with an exceptionally high cost-performance ratio.

    They needed to seize such an opportunity.

    The only thing to consider was whether this running back truly possessed potential?

    Rivera trusted Saban¡¯s ability; what was more important was his trust in Burns¡¯s judgment. Li Wei¡¯s emergence and his mysterious aura were backed by the trust of these two fine judges of talent. If they didn¡¯t believe in Li Wei¡¯s ability, he wouldn¡¯t have been able to be the main running back of the Crimson Tide Storm.

    Immediately, Rivera felt a surge of excitement and picked up the phone.

    "Connect me to the scouting office."

    Meanwhile.

    In the Jacksonville Jaguars¡¯ general manager¡¯s office, David Caldwell couldn¡¯t contain his excitement and agitation as he examined the document more closely, feeling more and more satisfied with it.

    Knock knock.

    Right at that moment, someone knocked on the door. Upon Caldwell¡¯s permission, a figure pushed the door open¡ªit was none other than the head coach, Gus Bradley.

    "David?" Bradley¡¯s expression was somewhat serious, and seeing Caldwell¡¯s excited face upon entering, an ominous premonition arose within him.

    Caldwell slid the document toward him, "What do you think about us selecting a running back next year?"

    Bradley was startled, then overjoyed. Could there be such good fortune? He had been emphasizing since the year beforest that they needed an excellent running back, but clearly, the team always had other positional needs that were higher priority than a running back. They picked a running back in the third roundst year, but he didn¡¯t even make it through training camp before getting cut.

    Bradley was truly fed up with such situations.

    Now, Caldwell was actually taking the initiative to pick a running back? And just when the new season was about to kick off?

    After the surprise, Bradley became cautious, and his words were more careful, "I have no objections. ke could indeed use some help."

    The current quarterback for the Jacksonville Jaguars is ke Bortles, the third overall pick in the 2014 draft. Soon to enter his third season in the Professional League, but Bortles¡¯s performance was still unsatisfactory and showed no improvement.

    The Jacksonville Jaguars were strong contenders for being second-tost every year. Withst season¡¯s record of five wins and eleven losses, the results were truly unbearable to watch, and Bradley had been considering solutions. But it¡¯s difficult to cook without rice, and while he wasn¡¯t inherently downcast, he genuinely couldn¡¯t summon a smile.

    The problem with Bortles was that the passing pressure was too much. Alreadycking pocket protection and receiving targets, the offensive burden fell on his shoulders every time. If the ground attack could provide some help and give the pass offense a chance to breathe, the situation might improve.

    In a league where passing prevails, Bradley believes that without a running game, there¡¯s no passing offense. Now the league, for the sake of broadcasting ratings and advertising fees, has gone mad, to the point where general managers no longer value running backs.

    Coaches like him, without decision-making power, are like marites, endlessly moring for a "bnced pass-run" offense, but it has be empty talk.

    Bradley had emphasized this point more than once, but now Caldwell had an air of "I¡¯m a genius foring up with such a brilliant idea." Bradley was beyond being able toin.

    However, Bradley wouldn¡¯t mind if Caldwell reaped the credit, as long as Caldwell truly could bring an outstanding running back to the team.

    He was really tired of being at the bottom year after year, and tired ofpeting for the number one draft pick year after year. He didn¡¯t want to tank, but always ended up hopelessly in a position where he had no choice but to do so.

    And he knew, in the end, he would be the scapegoat for the team¡¯s disaster.

    Damn it!

    He was truly fed up.

    So, if things could improve, Bradley wouldn¡¯t mind Caldwell showing off his stupidity.

    Bradley calmed down and read through the resume carefully¡ª

    It wasn¡¯t long, even somewhat sparse.

    Nevertheless, Bradley was very serious, and interest slowly thickened in his eyes:

    He was curious about this running back¡¯s game footage, just looking at the stats, he indeed seemed dominant, but he was more curious about how he dominated the games.

    "How did you find him?" Bradley looked up and asked.

    Caldwell revealed a smile, "It appears you haven¡¯t read today¡¯s newspaper. NCAA opening game, also today¡¯s hot topic in football, this kid is the running back for Crimson Tide Storm."

    Bradley¡¯s eyes lit up, "Saban!"

    Caldwell nodded, "More importantly, this is a Hua Xia native."

    Bradley was stunned: So what?

    Caldwell expressed regret and frustration at Bradley¡¯sck ofprehension, "The Hua Xia market."

    Bradley: ...Can he curse?

    The Jacksonville Jaguars had been performing terribly for several seasons in a row now, the team never showed improvement, the roster was aplete mess, filled with either veterans past their prime or young troublemakers. Those yers who truly had ambition and aspiration did not want to stay here any longer, it was simply a disaster.

    As a result, the team manager didn¡¯t contemte how to build apetitive roster, instead considering how to market the team, trying to get a piece of the big pie¡ª

    No wonder!

    No wonder the League pushed for the expansion of the overseas market, holding regr-season games in cities like London, Munich, Mexico City, Tottenham, and the Jacksonville Jaguars were the first to respond enthusiastically, signing a series of participation contracts with the League!

    Now, Caldwell had set his sights on the world¡¯srgest market.

    Bradley was so choked up he almost passed out.

    But Bradley still controlled himself¡ª

    Maybe his calctions differed from Caldwell¡¯s, but as long as the final effect was the same, there was no problem.

    Bradley decided to ignore Caldwell, as long as the running back could satisfy.

    "Haha, a smart move." Bradley said with a stic smile, then quickly shifted the subject, "But if we can think of it, so can others. We need to move quickly."

    Caldwell smiled mysteriously, not at all hiding his smugness, "Of course. I¡¯ve already made the calls. Scouts nearby are on their way; we must seize the opportunity."

    When Joshua Brand stood at the entrance of Bryant Denny Stadium, he looked around and let out a long sigh:

    Weren¡¯t they saying running backs didn¡¯t get much attention? So what was with this spectacle before him?

 Chapter 80: 079 Charge forward with a high song

    Joshua Brand, a Baltimore Ravens scout, had been in the league for a full twenty years, having seen many storms and endured countless challenges. His keen and critical eyes were well known within the industry.

    This year, from spring training camp to the kickoff of the new NCAA season, he had been keeping an eye on quarterbacks, noting a few young yers worth marking:

    Louisville¡¯s Lamar-Jackson, Wyoming¡¯s Josh-Allen, Ohoma¡¯s Baker-Mayfield, among others.

    Result!

    A sudden phone call, and he had to travel thousands of miles to bama to observe a running back.

    A running back?

    Brand rolled his eyes, not out of disrespect for running backs¡ªhe, as a scout, cared little about position, as long as the yer had potential; rather, this particr running back had yed so few games that his data didn¡¯t hold much value, hardly necessitating any fuss.

    They were all professionals, they all knew that shining in one or two games meant nothing; some yers exploded in their contract year only to blend back into the crowd after securing a lucrative deal. This was not umon. How could anyone get overly excited about one game? It was utterly unprofessional.

    Who knew? Perhaps the next game would reveal his true colors? Maybe after three or five games, he would disappear without a trace?

    In Brand¡¯s view¡ª

    Interest was the original sin.

    From what he heard, the media craved novelty, while the league aimed at the big cake of the Hua Xia market. It seemed that the teams were the same.

    "Chinese descent."

    Everything hinged on that keyword.

    Since 2005, the NFL had been positioning itself in the Hua Xia Market. After ten whole years, results were finally showing. Now, all they needed was a superstar to boost the entire market, just as the NBA had done years ago, tond the final kick, culminating in aplete transformation.

    So, as long as this running back wasn¡¯t a total flop, a third or fourth-round pick should be achievable. After all, the public¡¯s interest was already there.

    If so, what was the need for a scout? Wouldn¡¯t it be enough simply to look at the post-game statistical data, since it was all just a show?

    However, upon reading the information more thoroughly, Brand developed a hint of interest¡ª

    The warm-up game had defeated Clemson Tigers led by DeShaun-Watson, and the opener had triumphed over USC Trojans led by Sam-Darnold.

    Interesting, since both quarterbacks were also on Brand¡¯s watch list.

    But that was just slightly.

    After all, Li Wei was a running back, with no directpetition with quarterbacks; it wasn¡¯t fair topare them as such. They should be evaluating the strength of the Defensive group.

    Indeed, both Clemsons Tigers and USC Trojans were strong offensive teams. As for their defenses, it was better left unsaid: Clemson was somewhat better, but USC was practically made of paper, no wonder bama had rushed over three hundred yards against them, taking whatever they wanted as if it was their own backyard.

    So, do those game data hold any reference value?

    Yes, but very limited.

    Brand knew that this was the actual reason why Baltimore Ravens head coach John-Harbaugh had sent him to Tuscaloosa.

    In the 2012 season, Baltimore Ravens defeated the San Francisco 49ers to be Super Bowl Champions, with quarterback Joeo clinching the Super Bowl MVP, unmatched in his glory at the time.

    But those who truly familiar with the Baltimore Ravens, those familiar with John Harbaugh, would know that they didn¡¯t rely on offense to top the championship; defense was their foundation¡ª

    John Harbaugh, a disciple of Nick Saban, is currently the most outstanding disciple in Coach Saban¡¯s coaching tree, having carved out a niche for himself in the NFL.

    After topping the Super Bowl, Baltimore Ravens legendary lineman "Thor" Ray Lewis retired, which led to the disappearance of the most intimidating threat in the defensive group and forced Harbaugh to rely on Joeo as the core to establish a team that would conquer through offense.

    The problem is that after the nerve-racking peak of the 2012 season,o¡¯s inconsistency in passing uracy gradually became apparent, often making wrong choices when facing rush pressure, and his number of interceptions remained high.

    Compared to his peers, quarterbacks Eli Manning, Ben Roethlisberger, and Philip Rivers,o¡¯s decline was indeed rapid; he was already struggling to keep up with the league¡¯s pacest season.

    Everyone knows that excellent quarterbacks are hard to find, and top-tier quarterbacks are even rarer, hence even average quarterbacks are still in demand.

    o had gradually fallen out of the excellent category, yet still above average. The Baltimore Ravens had no ns to rece him in the short term, especially since the offensive group built aroundo was maturing, and Harbaugh believed they should not abandon it midway but continue to improve the offense.

    Thus, utilizing running backs to assist the quarterback became the simplest and most efficient method.

    Last season, the Baltimore Ravens prioritized filling other gaps in the draft, giving up thepetition for Derrick Henry, and only chose a running back in the fourth round; this year, they could make room for that.

    Moreover, that was the Crimson Tide Storm, Coach Saban¡¯s team, Harbaugh thought it deserved special attention.

    Then.

    Joshua Brand packed his bags and came here first thing.

    Standing at the entrance of Bryant Denny Stadium, Brand looked around and could spot at least seven or eight other scouts.

    Seven or eight scouts may not sound like many, but Brand knew that this setup was significant; after all, it was just one game, yet it attracted so much attention,rgely due to its Chinese heritage¡ª

    Just like a panda had arrived.

    Brand took out a cigarette from his pocket, lit it, and took a deep drag.

    For the next while, it was probably going to be bustling, yet it was uncertain how much real talent would be seen.

    But on second thought, the Crimson Tide Storm defensive group was worth paying attention to. Right here, there were several defensive group yers that needed careful observation, so he might as well switch modes and see how the quarterbacks perform against the formidable Crimson Tide Storm defense.

    Maybe, things might not be as dull as imagined.

    As it turned out, Brand¡¯s prediction was correct.

    The Crimson Tide Storm indeed demonstrated their powerful dominance, singing all the way to a six-game winning streak after a victorious season opener, firmly holding their position as the NCAA¡¯s top seed.

    The defensive group was still the star, with an average of only 14.33 points lost per game, undoubtedly the most dominant team in the NCAA at the moment, truly intimidating.

    Indeed!

    Saban was still Saban, the Crimson Tide Storm was still the Crimson Tide Storm, relying solely on the defensive group to be a strong candidate for champion, and clinching a six-win streak without any suspense.

    However, the real surprise was the offensive group, scoring an average of 45.8 points per game across six games, leaving other traditional offensive powerhouses behind and leading by a wide margin as the NCAA¡¯s highest-scoring team this season, truly astounding¡ª

    Is this still the defensive powerhouse Crimson Tide Storm they knew?

 Chapter 81: Like taking something out of a bag

    Crimson Tide Storm?

    By the seventh week of NCAA games, the number one defense was the Crimson Tide Storm, but surprisingly, the number one offense also belonged to the Crimson Tide Storm.

    Is that certain?

    Are the statistics correct?

    But no matter how many times one rubbed their eyes and checked, the result was the same.

    Logically, with such a dominant offense, the quarterback would undoubtedly be in the spotlight, but this is the Crimson Tide Storm, where the running back is the focal point.

    Li Wei! Jacobs!

    The twin stars shine.

    Jacobs, a highly-regarded four-star high school athlete, proved his worth. Appointed as the starting running back during spring training camp, he was far from being unworthy of his reputation and under Burns'' guidance, he rapidly grew, undergoing a splendid transformation to be an essential part of Crimson Tide Storm''s top-tier ground offense.

    Averaging 88.3 yards on the ground per game, he amassed seven rushing touchdowns across six games, a powerful performance that attracted a lot of attention.

    However, withoutparison there is no harm.

    Jacobs'' performance was already impressive, but Li Wei was even better.

    This rookie, who seemingly emerged from the cracks in the rocks, like an alien bursting onto the football field, continued to bring surprise after surprise with his iparable performance, proving with his actions that the opening game had not fully unleashed his energy.

    Averaging 133.8 yards on the ground per game, he had already scored thirteen touchdowns in six games.

    Though slightly less than Derrick Henry''s beast-like performancest year, he was almost there, disying an unbelievable dominance with apletely different style, perfectly filling the void left by Derrick Henry''s departure and pushing Crimson Tide Storm''s ground offense to new heights.

    So far, Crimson Tide Storm''s toughest and most dangerous game had been against the NCAA''s neenth-ranked University of Mississippi.

    Initially, everyone thought it would be an easy win without any suspense, but the University of Mississippi made its voice heard.

    Without the lead of a star yer, this team ying at home showed the right way to y football, relying on teamwork. They performed divinely on offense, severely challenging Crimson Tide Storm''s formidable defensive group, and kept the score close and unresolved throughout the game.

    The deadlock continued until the fourth quarter.

    In the end, Li Wei stepped forward.

    A third gear, four-yard ground attack turned into a seventeen-yard rushing touchdown, and a sessful fourth down, two-yard strong y with a fake run turned into a real pass for a cover touchdown, helping Hertzplete a passing touchdown.

    "48:43".

    Crimson Tide Storm won by a hair''s breadth.

    In a critical moment, facing the dilemma of ying away, Li Wei disyed a tough style and high fighting spirit, dramatically extending the Crimson Tide''s Undefeated Golden Body.

    Strictly speaking, Crimson Tide Storm''s ground offense this season was even better than the past two seasons.

    In thest two seasons, Crimson Tide Storm relied solely on Derrick Henry''s arduous support, but this year, the healthypetition between Li Wei and Jacobs unleashed even greater strength in Crimson Tide Storm''s ground offense, as they swept through six victories as if Like taking something out of a bag, advancing aggressively and unstoppably.

    Exciting, no doubt about it, thrilling even.

    But as Bran had expected¡ª

    Lack of challenge.

    The opponents were not strong.

    Due to the NCAA schedule, the highest-ranked adversary in Crimson Tide Storm''s six consecutive victories was the University of Arkansas, only at sixteenth ce.

    These teamsckedpetitiveness, and their defensive groups were generally weak, not putting enough pressure on the Crimson Tide Storm so that Saban''s ground attack went full throttle, and the young Li Wei and Jacobs hadn''t faced a real test yet.

    However, challenges were about toe, and moreover, they wereing in waves; the death schedule was rapidly approaching.

    Week 7, University of Tennessee, currently ranked seventh.

    Week 8, Texas A&M University, currently ranked sixth.

    Week 9, Louisiana State University, currently ranked thirteenth.

    Three consecutive strong opponents, the test had just begun.

    This was the real moment for scouts to assess the true value of the Crimson Tide Storm''s offensive group.

    Not just Brand, other media were no exception, one after another, fearing the world was not chaotic enough, they had already been stirring and brewing from a month ago, with expectations climbing higher and higher.

    The main event was about to begin, and reporters were all stirred up, surging in groups, unable to contain their excitement and agitation, gathering at the gates of the stadium.

    They crowded together bustlingly, just waiting for the training to end so they could start their interviews at the earliest opportunity.

    "Here theye," "here theye"...

    In the rustling of voices, all the recorders charged toward the person in front of them, as if they couldn''t wait to shove the recorders deep into his throat.

    "Lamar, people generally believe that Li Wei is a better and more outstanding yer, and it seems that his Heisman calls are catching up to you. What do you think?"

    Lamar Jackson looked at the recorders poking into his nostrils and the corners of his mouth with a face full of destion.

    Wait a minute.

    Is it Jackson who''s appearing before the reporters at this moment? Not Li Wei, but Jackson? Are you sure you''re not at the wrong ce?

    Of course not.

    After all, Li Wei was in bama, and Jackson in Kentucky, with a Tennessee in between¡ª even if the navigation was wrong, it could not possibly be so wildly off course.

    Lamar Jackson, the quarterback of the Louisville Cardinals, a sophomore this year, is widely considered the frontrunner for the 2016 Heisman Trophy.

    Why?

    Naturally, it''s due to his performance on the field.

    In the season opener against the Charlotte 49ers, Jackson set an NCAA record with eight touchdowns in a single game, bing the yer with the most touchdowns in a single game.

    For reference, the personal record for the most touchdowns in a single NFL game is still seven touchdowns as of 2023.

    Moreover, what''s more astounding is that all eight of Jackson''s touchdowns came in the first half, clocking out early from work, a scene that was very simr to someone else''s.

    At that time, people did notpare Li Wei and Jackson:

    One quarterback and one running back, one already hailed as a potential new star sincest season and one who only popped out this season, one from the Antic Coast Conference and the other from the Southeastern Conference, one the darling of the heavens and the other a rookie rising from grassroots¡ª there was no basis forparison between the two, no need to force a connection.

    But!

    As time went by, attention gradually converged, and the names of both yers began appearing frequently in Heisman Trophy discussions, with talk bing more and more heated.

    Week 3, the third-ranked Louisville Cardinals against the second-ranked Florida State University, this game was also touted as the battle for the contender for the Crimson Tide Storm''s throne.

    Jackson yed like a man possessed,pleting 13 of 20 passing attempts for 216 yards, scoring one passing touchdown, and giving one interception; while rushing for 146 yards on the ground, scoring four rushing touchdowns, dominating the game in the manner of a king, andpletely taking control of the oue.

    "63:20," the Louisville Cardinals demolished Florida State University.

    It was precisely because of this game that Jackson''s odds in the Heisman Trophy prediction jumped to first, bing the frontrunner of NCAA this year.

    And on that list, one could also see the name of Li Wei.

 Chapter 82: 081 Sowing discord

    The NCAA season kicked off, and with it, the Heisman Trophypetition officially began.

    In the third week, Louisville Cardinals'' quarterback Jackson made a name for himself in one battle, suddenly bing the strongest contender for the Heisman Trophy and leading the pack.

    In the fourth week, Crimson Tide Storm faced an unexpected tough battle against the University of Mississippi, but Li Wei remained calm in the crisis and turned the tide, once again igniting a media frenzy.

    This caused Li Wei''s odds in the Heisman Trophypetition to skyrocket, currently ranking fourth, only behind Lamar Jackson, DeShaun Watson, and Baker Mayfield¡ª

    Fourth, not very high.

    But the focus is that the top three are all quarterbacks, and Li Wei, as a running back, rose to fourth ce, and as the dark horse of this season, he easily attracted all firepower, with reporters nationwide watching his every move.

    All eyes are on him,yer uponyer.

    Naturally, as Crimson Tide Storm continued their triumphant advance, maintaining their Undefeated Golden Body, Li Wei''s poprity continued to rise, and Jackson also felt the crisis.

    "Lamar, people now generally think Li Wei is a more excellent and outstanding yer, and his call for the Heisman Trophy seems to be catching up with you. What''s your take?"

    Jackson lowered his lids, nced at the recorder pressed against his cheek, and showed a slight smile, unhurried, not even bothering to lift his eyelids.

    "Congrattions. I''ve also noticed his performance."

    "However, perhaps because of position, I''m more concerned about Jalen Hurts'' performance; I think Crimson Tide Storm found their quarterback."

    Running back?

    Please, any sane person knows that in football, you should pay attention to the quarterback, and only the quarterback. As for the running back, no matter how well they perform, they are ultimately just¡­ a running back.

    Those who know, know.

    From start to finish, Jackson had never truly cared about that running back''s performance. Could he surpass Derrick Henry? Last year was because he was just a freshman, not yet mature, which is why the Heisman Trophy went to Henry.

    Don''t even think about it this year, not to mention that the Heisman Trophy definitely won''t go to a running back two years in a row, especially when there''s him this year.

    To Jackson, he needed to keep an eye on quarterbacks like Clemson''s Watson, Ohoma''s Mayfield, and others who could really challenge him; other yers weren''t worth his time and energy.

    Running back?

    Haha, what a joke. Let''s not talk about that again.

    However, the reporters still caught the disdain and mockery in Jackson''s words¡ª

    Hurts, from anyone''s perspective, is not a top-tier quarterback; maybe with some time, he could be a good quarterback, but this freshman still seems too immature.

    So, a reporter followed up immediately.

    "Then what do you think about Li Wei''s performance going forward, can he maintain his momentum?"

    Jackson might look down on Li Wei, not really considering a running back worthy of attention, but the Crimson Tide Storm led by Saban is a different story.

    Crimson Tide Storm still holds the first seed in the NCAA, undoubtedly the strongest contender for this year''s nationwide championship, while the currently third-seeded Louisville Cardinals is also aiming for their first-ever nationwide championship, so Jackson keenly monitored hispetitors'' performances.

    Jackson showed a meaningful smile, slightly schadenfreude, "Oh, for the uing games of Crimson Tide Storm, I sincerely wish him luck, that guy..."

    A pause.

    Jackson swore it wasn''t intentional¡ªhe genuinely did not know the running back''s name; anyway, it was a yer he didn''t need to bother remembering.

    He felt that after this period, he might never hear that name again.

    "That boy." Jackson found a name, nothing could be more precise.

    The reporters looked at each other; even an idiot could taste the depth of his words, but they did not continue to pursue it and soon moved on to the next question.

    "This week, first seed bama will face seventh seed Tennessee; at the same time, third seed Louisville will also face fifth seed Clemson. Are you confident about this game?"

    The fierce battle ising.

    The Crimson Tide Storm is about to face a tough battle, and the sh between Louisville Cardinals and Clemson Tigers is the center of attention, with Heisman favorites Jackson and Watson about to meet¡ªevery media outlet is buzzing with excitement.

    Unlike the just mentioned Li Wei, Jackson''s spirit had obviously lifted at this moment, and from his eyes, one could feel the murderous intent surging out¡ª

    Watson, this is his real opponent.

    "We will win."

    Jackson looked into the reporter''s eyes and expressed his confidence, word by word.

    Seeing the reporter was about to ask more, Jackson repeated his statement.

    "We, will, win."

    Direct.

    Resounding.

    Then, Jackson had already walked away, no longer paying attention to the reporters.

    The contrast in attitudes before and after speaks for itself.

    With a turn, the reporters surrounded Li Wei at Bryant Denny Stadium, who was about to head to an away game, and quickly threw out the question.

    "Li Wei, who do you think will win this week between Jackson and Watson? What will be the oue of this direct confrontation between two Heisman favorites?"

    Li Wei: Huh?

    Not catching on, Li Wei couldn''t keep up; who were those two again? He remembered hearing something about Heisman runners-up, so they are¡­ quarterbacks?

    Seeing Li Wei''s confusion, the reporters had to exin the backstory, "Jackson thinks that the Crimson Tide Storm has been ying spectacr games continuously, but he believes Hertz''s performance deserves more recognition than yours."

    So that''s it¡ª

    Stirring the pot.

    Suddenly, Li Wei saw through these reporters'' ambiguous words and realized that the media battle for the Heisman Trophy had already started, even though the season wasn''t halfway over yet?

    Everything, is just a game.

    "They need to fight for their victory, and we also need to fight for ours. I think, games shouldn''t be yed with mouths, otherwise, I should be preparing for the Super Bowl right now."

    Pfft.

    Watching the wordse out of Li Wei, confident and poised, diverting attention with a turn of phrase, his final quip caused lowughter.

    However, the reporters weren''t easily fooled. One fell, another stood up, immediately asking further.

    "In a previous warm-up match, you faced Watson. What do you think of his level, how does hepare to Hertz? Could he contend for the Heisman Trophy? Do you think Watson could beat Jackson?"

    Undoubtedly, this season''s Jackson was indeed sizzling hot, exhibiting top tier capabilities in both passing and running, even surpassingst year''s Watson, who led the Clemson Tigers to the nationwide championship final¡ªcountless reporters put the two quarterbacks in the same discussion.

    Now, it was Li Wei''s turn.

    Li Wei slightly raised his eyebrows, "Hey, give me a beer and a te of peanuts, and I''ll stand on the same line with you."

    Spectators united front.

    With that, Li Wei had already turned and boarded the bus, leaving behind a crowd shouting "Li Wei" with no response.

 Chapter 83: 082 A Fine Line

    The seventh week of the 2016 NCAA regr season saw one marquee game after another, with the smoke of battle thick in the air and excitement running high, easily matching the NFL.

    The current top-ranked bama faced off against seventh-ranked Tennessee, as the bama Crimson Tide Storm, after six straight wins against weak opponents, faced doubts about the quality of their victories and met a strong adversary for the first time.

    Before the game started, there was endless bustling discussion and analysis. Although bama was still favored to win, experts generally believed that the University of Tennessee, in good form this season, could cause trouble for Saban''s team and be a test for Li Wei.

    However.

    "49:10".

    bama in front, Tennessee behind.

    The game was a blowout, and the defending champions responded to all skepticism with an absolutely dominant performance, extending their winning streak to seven games.

    Li Wei, quietly standing under the spotlight, once again turned in a perfect performance:

    180 yards rushing. Three rushing touchdowns.

    Li Wei, along with Jacobs and rk,pletely destroyed Tennessee''s run defense. Everyone knows the Crimson Tide Storm is a traditional powerhouse for running backs, but only those who have experienced it firsthand know what it feels like to face the Crimson Tide Storm''s running back corps¡ª

    It''s truly terrifying.

    The Crimson Tide Storm''s running back group scored a total of five rushing touchdowns, their overwhelming disy leaving Tennessee''s defense dazed and breathless.

    People were expecting a hard-fought battle, or at least a test of how bama would fare under pressure.

    But the game turned out to bepletely one-sided, with the suspense lost by halftime. The Crimson Tide Storm was a whole level above in both offense and defense, making the seventh-ranked Tennessee look like mere children.

    The crowd waiting for an entertaining game left disappointed.

    Fortunately, this week offered more than one game of interest, and the real focus wasn''t here. People always have faith in a "Jackson vs. Watson" showdown.

    Watson, a junior, was already a Heisman Trophy favoritest season, finishing just third, and this season he improved even more. Clemson, strong in thest few seasons, took another step up bing a super team, boldly aiming for the championship from the start of the season.

    Jackson, a sophomore, a rising star, transformed spectacrly this season like aet, his style of passing and running absolutely delightful to watch. He won countless fans'' hearts, and solely through his efforts, has brought the previously unranked University of Louisville to the pinnacle of the pyramid, making them favorites to win it all.

    Currently, the rankings of both teams in the NCAA were close, one third and the other fifth; but to challenge Saban''s team for the throne, they had to test the mettle of their quarterbacks¡ª

    Offense, whose can break through bama''s shield?

    This matchup was a preview.

    Before the game, the two teams traded verbal blows, the air thick with smoke and sparks flying.

    The game met everyone''s expectations.

    In the first quarter, both teams were so keen to win that they yed erratically, riddled with mistakes, leaving the fans who were expecting an offensive shootout deeply disappointed.

    "0:0".

    From the score alone, one could sense the tension of this matchup, but after this phase, both teams warmed up¡ª

    And the firepower was unleashed.

    "42:36".

    Combined, the two teams scored ten touchdowns throughout the game, six passing and four rushing, along with several field goals.

    With three minutes left in the game, the Louisville Cardinals were still leading "36:34", but Watson showed great poise,pleting a twenty-five-yard pass for a touchdown in thest push, and daringly seeded with a two-point conversion,ing from behind to seal the game.

    The roller-coaster game, with twists and turns, concluded with senior Watson''s victory.

    So far this season, the seemingly invincible Jackson hit his first wall, and the odds for the Heisman Trophy quietly shifted.

    Although Jackson still ranked first, Watson rapidly closed the gap, and their fight became too close to call, undeniably the biggest highlight in this year''s collegiate sports.

    Jackson was also frustrated beyond belief, but what he didn''t expect was that even more irritating and annoying issues were yet toe.

    "Who?"

    Jackson could hardly believe his ears.

    Why was he, one of the strongest Heisman Trophy contenders and a quarterback, hearing the name of a running back in the post-match press interviews?

    A running back! It was a running back!

    But the reporters didn''t care, seeing Jackson''s expression only fueled their excitement.

    On one hand, bama won the game; on the other, the Louisville Cardinals lost. On one side, Li Wei continued to gain more attention with powerful performances, while on the other, Jackson was running into a wall against Watson; Jackson losing to Watson, Watson losing to Li Wei, round it up and doesn''t that mean Jackson lost to Li Wei?

    After all, there''s only a thin line between heaven and hell.

    Now, the reporters couldn''t wait topletely infuriate Jackson.

    "In week seven''s games, the Crimson Tide Storm won, Li Wei scored three rushing touchdowns, and the top seed crushed the University of Tennessee with an absolutely dominant performance. What''s your take on that?"

    Jackson gasped, this... this was utterly unreasonable!

    He was ready to talk about Watson, he was ready to discuss his and Watson''s uing showdown, he was prepared to discuss the oue of this game and his feelings, he nned to talk about the prospects for the Heisman Trophy, he intended to discuss the outlook going forward.

    But Li Wei?

    What the hell is this?

    The rational strings in the mind of the hot-headed Jackson snapped because it was too absurd; he couldn''t hold back and burst into a mockingugh.

    "That was just Tennessee. There''s no need to make such a fuss, right? bama didn''t face Florida State or Clemson. I don''t think their victory is worth discussing."

    "Let me tell you, I don''t think bama is the favorite for the championship. NCAA rankings have never been of any reference value, you guys should know that."

    "Don''t forget, thest time they faced that team, the one ranked seventeenth or neenth, they almost capsized in the gutter, right? In the uing games, their so-called strong offensive teambel will soon be exposed. Trust me, you won''t have to wait long."

    To University of Mississippi, Jackson truly didn''t mean it¡ª

    He really hadn''t paid attention, and he truly didn''t care.

    And because of this, bombarded with questions about Li Wei at this moment, Jackson became increasingly absurd and angrier, unable to believe his ears.

    His eardrums echoed with the sound of burning anger, and Jackson had to use all his strength to control the urge to explode, pulling back at thest minute.

    "Just for now?"

    "I don''t care about other teams or other yers. We will focus on ourselves, sum up the experience from this game, continue to improve and progress, growing into a strong team."

    "By the end of the season, the championship will be ours."

    He spoke lightly, but with a resounding conviction.

    Jackson was truly sincere, one hundred percent sincere.

 Chapter 84: 083 Hit someone in the face

    He rattled off a barrage of bombshells, but Jackson still controlled his urge to curse and didn''t fall into the reporter''s trap by engaging directly¡ª

    Running back?

    Honestly, he didn''t want to bother, didn''t want to have anything to do with that running back, and he even refused toment on that nameing from his own mouth.

    It was an outright insult.

    Everybody knew there was a wall between quarterbacks and running backs, and it was a wall visible to the naked eye, as solid as the East African Rift Valley.

    Unless you were blind, how could you not see it?

    Even though the swear words were on the tip of his tongue, Jackson still shut his mouth; he truly didn''t want to ruin his public image over a running back and affect his draft prospects.

    Jackson knew the NFL didn''t like loudmouthed quarterbacks.

    So, Jackson restrained himself, treated that running back like filth, invisible and unheard, refusing toment andpletely ignoring him.

    Having said that, Jackson didn''t pay the reporters any more attention and quickly turned and left.

    Watson couldn''t escape unscathed either.

    "Watson, the Crimson Tide Storm won again, and Li Wei scored three rushing touchdowns once more, overpowering the currently seventh-ranked University of Tennessee with an absolutely dominant performance. What are your thoughts on this?"

    Watson and Jackson were in the same predicament, but unlike Jackson, Watson didn''t hide his disdain and revulsion, his face full of loathing.

    "I don''t think he''s anything special, everyone says he''s the second Derrick Henry, haha, if Derrick Henrys could be mass-produced, then he wouldn''t be Derrick Henry."

    "Stats?"

    "Of course, the stats look great. But we all know what those NCAA stat padders are all about, they''re simply to boost draft rankings, the result of the whole team''s effort being directed towards one yer. How much weight they truly carry will be revealed soon enough, even without waiting for Rookie Training Camp."

    "So far, the Crimson Tide Storm has never faced a real defensive powerhouse. I don''t think their offensive group''s stats are of any reference value."

    Arrogant, direct, tough.

    Watson showed apletely different face, not beating around the bush because of draft positions, and didn''t hide his contempt in his words.

    However, the reporter immediately touched on a sore point, "But you lost to the Crimson Tide Storm in the warm-up game."

    Watson''s veins throbbed uncontrobly, "That was a warm-up game, a warm-up game! In the second half, I didn''t y, or the result would have been different. Don''t forget, we shut out the Crimson Tide in the first half, leading by three touchdowns, and that''s their true level."

    Reporter: ¡­

    If it was a "meaningless" warm-up game, why remember the details so clearly? What kind of tant double standard is this?

    Since Watson "remembered" so clearly, he should not have forgotten, "Li Wei didn''t y in the first half either; and you yed in the fourth quarter..."

    Seeing that the reporter was about to expose old wounds, Watson cut him off abruptly, furiously stomping, and with an expression that could kill, he said through clenched teeth.

    "We lost to Saban''s Defensive group. Note, it was the Defensive group, not the Offensive group!"

    "Defensive group!"

    "Also, that was a warm-up game, I didn''t y the whole game, victory wasn''t our goal, training and tactics were, we''re not as greedy as the Crimson Tide Storm, trying to win every game. We have our n, we have our pace, and everything is on the right track."

    "Wait until we meet in the nationwide championship, I will prove myself with my performance."

    ```

    "We will."

    Crunch, crunch.

    It wasn''t entirely certain whether that was the sound of Watson''s teeth breaking or not.

    "Never mind us for now. We just defeated the Louisville Cardinals led by Jackson, proving that we are still the favorites for this season''s championship. Unlike Crimson Tide Storm, their real test is only just beginning."

    "Tennessee isn''t a benchmark either. The NCAA rankings are just for reference. Nexte traditional defensive powerhouses like Texas A&M and Louisiana State, which will be the real test. We''ll wait and see."

    Watson''s remarks, forceful as a storm, couldn''t be taken at face value and were only for reference. But, at least one of his points was correct:

    The true test for Crimson Tide Storm was just beginning.

    Texas A&M University, a traditional football powerhouse, was renowned for its defense.

    In the 2012 season, Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel won the Heisman Trophy, bing the first freshman ever to win, which brought instant fame to this traditional football powerhouse. However, their real tradition was in defense.

    At the beginning of the year, the 50th Super Bowl, "Denver Broncos vs. Carolina Panthers," saw the Broncos'' lineman Von Miller terrorize the entire offensive line of the Panthers and leave quarterback Cam Newton scrambling all game. His undisputed performance won him the Super Bowl MVP.

    That Von Miller hailed from Texas A&M.

    Moreover, in recent years, Texas A&M had consistently produced outstanding defensive yers for the professional league, and this season was no exception¡ª

    Myles Garrett, a junior, yed as a defensive end.

    In the 2015 season, Garrett racked up 59 tackles, 19.5 effective pressures, 12.5 sacks, and one interception, disying dominant performance on the defensive line, winning a series of awards and attracting attention from numerous professional teams as the strongest defensive lineman in the NCAA.

    This season, he continued to be powerful. His exceptional talent, diligent attitude, and modest demeanor secured him as a first-round pick early on, and many professionals even believed he had the merit to be the overall top pick.

    Unfortunately, he sprained his ankle in week four, missed two games, and only returnedst week, still in the process of getting back into shape. However, his attitude in the game continued to be praised unanimously.

    This week, the sh between the strong defensive teams of Texas A&M and bama was doubtlessly a highlight.

    Specifically, the collision between "bama''s offensive group vs. Texas A&M''s defensive group" was to be watched even closer; in particr, potential top draft pick Garrett would be the litmus test.

    Up until now, under Saban''s leadership, bama''s offensive group, historically a weak spot, had been performing almost perfectly. They had exhibited top-level capabilities in both passing and rushing. The only downside was that they hadn''t faced any real powerhouses and hadn''t felt the pressure of a first-rate defensive group; their victoriescked a bit of persuasive power.

    Finally, finally!

    Texas A&M and Garrett had arrived.

    Not just the NCAA, but the NFL was also casting its gaze, with numerous focal points in this game that carried countless concerns and curiosities.

    Compared to Tennessee, sixth-ranked Texas A&M had a superiorbined strength in both offense and defense and was undoubtedly one of the seed teams contending for this season''s nationwide championship. They would be bama''s toughest and most troublesome opponent so far this season.

    Everyone was looking forward to a sh as explosive as Mars hitting Earth, to test the mettle of bama''s offensive group; Watson''s views were those of a professional.

    However.

    bama Crimson Tide Storm made their own statement: there was no need to make such a fuss, seriously, no need.

    "14:40".

    The full game ended, with the visiting team in front, the home team behind.

    The field in sight was the familiar Bryant Denny Stadium.

    ```

 Chapter 85: 084 Strong Defensive Team

    "14:40."

    The whistle blew, and the game ended.

    ying at home, bama Crimson Tide Storm once again swept through Texas A&M with an unmatched performance, extending their winning streak to eight games.

    The spectators who hade in high spirits left disappointed, destined to be let down:

    In this game, the Texas A&M Defensive group failed to exert enough pressure on the bama Offensive group. Although they showed the style of a traditionally strong Defensive team in the first and second gear defenses, indeed causing troubles for the Crimson Tide Storm Offensive group, their intensity faltered when it came to Third Gear.

    The reasons were twofold.

    Firstly, Garrett was still apprehensive. Clearly hesitant due to an ankle injury, his Third Gear defense did not exert enough pressure.

    Secondly, the Crimson Tide Storm''s ground game was strong. Li Wei once again showed top-tier skills, breaking through difficulties with several spectacr ground advances.

    Thirdly, the Texas A&M Defensive group did not provide enough support for Garrett. Caught in a situation where he was unable to continue single-handedly, as football after all is a team sport.

    Back and forth, the Crimson Tide Storm''s offense kept going.

    Throughout the game, Garrett, despite being troubled by injuries, still turned in an impressive stat sheet: seven tackles, three effective hits, and one sack; but his invisibility during the critical moments of the game was something the statistics did not show, making it hard to imagine just how embarrassingly Texas A&M lost without watching the game.

    And Li Wei?

    160 yards in ground advances, three rushing touchdowns.

    Still stable and strong, continuing to produce like clocking in for a job; also not visible in the statistics was Li Wei''s Third Gear conversion sess rate¡ª

    100%.

    In the game, the Crimson Tide Storm faced Third Gear situations thirteen times, among which Saban chose to hand the football to Li Wei six times plus one unexpected situation where Hertz passed it to Li Wei at thest minute. Li Wei sessfullypleted all advances, securing the first down every time.

    His robust performance at critical moments became Texas A&M Defensive group''s nightmare andid the foundation for the Crimson Tide Storm''s victory.

    Brand, as a scout, knew from these statistics that there was more than just rush yards and touchdowns; it represented a yer''s talent, the coach''s trust, and the ability to change the game.

    Though somewhat astonishing, the reality was that Li Wei indeed was shouldering the void left by Derrick Henry and doing things Derrick Henry hadn''t managed to do, including boosting the confidence and form of other teammates, with notable performances from Hertz and Jacobs as evidence.

    Moreover, Saban''s trust in Li Wei was increasing.

    Brand felt that this was far more significant than the wins and losses of games or the numbers on the scoreboard.

    Perhaps, one game was not enough to affect Garrett''s draft prospects, considering the impact of injuries. Scouts needed to weigh their assessments, considering physical talent, individual ability,petitive condition, and mental performance¡ªGarrett was without a doubt still a first-round pick.

    However, using Garrett as a stepping stone, Li Wei''s prospects were on the rise, this dark horse who popped out of nowhere continued to deliver.

    Unknown were the feelings of the young talents like Jackson and Watson but Brand knew things were getting more and more interesting.

    All those hoping for bama to stumble, waiting for Li Wei to hit a wall, were struck dumb, one by one silently closing their mouths.

    Ranked seventh, Tennessee, crushed in defeat.

    Ranked sixth, Texas A&M, defenseless.

    In the face of consecutive tough battles against strong opponents, bama brought out their top game, showcasing their irond will, not only securing victories but also dominatingprehensively, and finishing each ughter with absolutely dominant and fierce postures.

    The defending champion was indeed seeing red.

    After that, any team attempting to challenge bama had to measure their confidence, otherwise, the oue could be very bloody.

    For a moment, the onlookers all shut their mouths, a deadly silence prevailed.

    However, in Brand''s view, bama''s challenges had not yet ended. He was not in a hurry to evaluate Li Wei nor rush to conclusions, preferring to let the bullets fly a bit longer. After all, having followed the Crimson Tide Storm for a month and a half, he didn''t mind this bit of extra time, patiently continuing his observation.

    Next up was one more hurdle, often the most dangerous and tense one.

    LSU, currently ranked thirteenth in the NCAA, stands for Louisiana State University Tigers¡ª

    Again the Tigers, but different from the Clemson Tigers. This was another team of Tigers, potentially the most dangerous opponent for bama.

    Firstly, this was thest stretch of bama''s three-week series of tough games against formidable opponents, and after sweeping victories against Tennessee and Texas A&M, the end was within sight, which could lead to a vulnerable state ofcency.

    Secondly, the Louisiana State University Tigers were also a strong defensive team, and unlike any previous opponents, they were essentially another version of... the Crimson Tide Storm.

    Simply put, they had both individual skills and team strength.

    Unlike Clemson, who relied entirely on team tactical coordination, they were replete with yers of exceptional individual skill; nor were they like Texas A&M, which shone only through Garrett, and had a tacit team strategy.

    Both individually and as a team, they could produce a result where the sum was greater than its parts.

    Like the Crimson Tide Storm, this was a very formidable defensive group.

    But why was such a strong team currently only ranked thirteenth? This didn''t make sense.

    The reason was the offense.

    At the start of the season, LSU was the fifth seed and also a favorite to win the championship, but their performance was very struggling after the season began, and even their victories seemed sloppy and disorganized, with their offense aplete mess.

    In the fourth week, they lost to their sworn enemy, Auburn University, a loss that ignited a powder keg and directly led to the firing of the head coach Les Miles, who had led the team for twelve seasons, along with the offensive coordinator, while the defensive coordinator, Ed Orgeron, was promoted.

    Orgeron, who had originallye from a defensive line background and had been coaching in the college arena for many years, had just joined Louisiana Statest season and had never served as a head coach. However, when the opportunity arose, Orgeron grabbed it and showcased his capabilities, revamping Louisiana State anew.

    Being skilled in defense, Orgeron started from there, and in just three weeks, he sessfully unleashed the defensive group''s potential of Louisiana State, not only securing a three-game winning streak but also drastically improving their performance¡ª

    In these three games, the average points lost were controlled to below 13. Although still unable to match the Crimson Tide Storm, taking over mid-season and showing immediate results still established Orgeron''s authority.

    At the same time!

    Orgeron was bold in offense as well, coborating with his newly appointed offensive coordinator, Steve Ensminger, to explore possibilities. Over three games, the team''s average score soared to 41.67, more than doubling the score under the former head coach Miles.

    Stimting offense with defense and driving defense through offense, Orgeron managed to quickly get Louisiana State back on the winning track in minimal time.

    Perhaps, as of now, Louisiana State is only ranked thirteenth, but in Brand''s view, abination of various factors shing together made Louisiana State an even more dangerous opponent. Crimson Tide Storm had to be extra cautious, otherwise, there could be an upset.

    Indeed, this was proven to be true.

 Chapter 86: 085 Copper and Iron Walls

    Bang!

    Violently, heavily, Li Wei felt as if he had been hit by a truck¡ªa ruthless force blindsided him, causing his organs to churn tumultuously, involuntarily making him groan.

    But!

    Before he had a chance to steady himself, a second force came crashing down head-on, toppling thest bit of strength supporting Li Wei''s body, then his control was lost, and he copsed with a boom.

    Boom, he hit the ground heavily, like a meteor crashing into Earth.

    Pain, like a tidal wave, instantly engulfed his brain; every muscle, every cell in his body felt the impact and the pressure, and all surging emotions werepressed into his chest¡ªoppressed, further oppressed¡ª

    Muffled, stifled, angry.

    Huff!

    His lungs, zing.

    His blood, boiling.

    Yet he couldn''t vent it out, hitting the wall, again and again, all the passion suppressed, making him seem clumsy and somber.

    Li Wei had never been so miserable.

    Since his first step onto the football field at the spring training camp, this was a first.

    Although Saban had anticipated a tough and bitter fight, the reality still exceeded expectations; it was undoubtedly the toughest test for the Crimson Tide Storm this season, surpassing even the fierce battle against the University of Mississippi.

    Of course, the situation wasn''t that simple¡ª

    With eight consecutive victories, the team might have grown a bitcent, plus both mentally and physically they had reached a tipping point; the effects of dopamine and adrenaline were waning, fatigue began to show, steps became heavier, reactions slower, and even high spirits were hollow.

    In the long season, fluctuations in performance were inevitable.

    But to Li Wei, there was no need for excuses; so far, the opponent had performed better, not only well-prepared but also executed brilliantly; it was that simple.

    The Louisiana State University Tigers, like the Crimson Tide Storm, chose a "3-4" defensive formation, with three defensive linemen and four linebackers.

    Clearly, their head coach, Orgeron, had studied the Crimson Tide Storm seriously and made targeted adjustments, fully realizing the talent of his defensive group, who had been outstanding since the start of the game.

    Orgeron''s defensive strategy was crystal clear¡ª

    Cut off the ground offense.

    In terms of pass defense, Orgeron used two cornerbacks, one linebacker, and one safety to man-mark, matching up with the four receiving points of the Crimson Tide Storm without deploying arge number of troops.

    But for the ground defense, Orgeronmitted a substantial force for backup; he not only used two linebackers and one safety to mark the running back but also constantly resorted to a linebacker to ambush and harass the quarterback with passes, maintaining pressure at the front line.

    It was evident that this was a tactic specially tailored against the Crimson Tide Storm; they would rather be defeated by the passing offense than concede ground in the battle of rushing.

    Orgeron''s confidence stemmed from the individual abilities of his yers, as well as from team coboration.

    The current Tigers Defense Squad of Louisiana State University had a number of exceptional yers, with the biggest star undoubtedly being Jamal Adams.

    Adams, a junior, safety, explosive in physical fitness, with both speed and power, capable of ying both strong safety and free safety, had a terrifying coverage ability.

    Whether under the former head coach or the current one, Adams'' capabilities were evident for all to see, having locked in a spot in the first round of the next year''s draft, and was even considered by many scouts to be the strongest safety in this NCAA season.

    Orgeron''s defensive tactics revolved around Adams.

    As previously mentioned, the main task of a safety is to guard the backfield, responsible for defending against long passes; however, the strong safety is often tougher, matching up against the tight end and, on very rare asions¡ªteams will use a strong safety or cornerback to assist in run defense.

    Orgeron did just that.

    Adams''s positioning was advanced, even more advanced, virtually standing just behind the linemen. His duty was to mark the tight end and running back, with an emphasis on the running back.

    If Crimson Tide Storm opted for a pass y, Adams was ready to cover; if they chose a run y, Adams would step up immediately.

    To put it simply, the entire defensive strategy was orchestrated around Adams as the core.

    At the same time, Adams had the support of a group of excellent teammates.

    Linebackers Duke Riley and Kendell Beckwith, whose abilities were not top-notch¡ªakin to third or fourth-round picks¡ªbut these blue-cor yers were professional and reliable, utterly trustworthy.

    Riley and Beckwith had one task: to cover the running back.

    No matter the situation, their first step was always to follow the running back, unless the quarterback had already thrown the ball, then they would assist in pass defense.

    Moreover, when adding the possibility of a sudden attack from the defensive line, that is to say, Orgeron used at least three and sometimes even four yers to mark the running back, piling up airtight numbers for defense, thoroughly severing the ground offense, and in such a manner, forcing Crimson Tide Storm to pass.

    Orgeron was betting that Crimson Tide Storm''s passing offense couldn''t break the deadlock.

    First, he bet that Hertz wouldn''t dare to go long.

    Therefore, both safeties moved up their positions, effectively abandoning the deep pass zone altogether, desperately deploying heavy forces at the confrontation line.

    Second, he bet that Hertz''s short passes might be challenged¡ª

    Orgeron was not casually letting Hertz pass the ball. Cornerback Tre''Davious White had first-round talent, and Cornerback Donte Jackson, slightly inferior but still presenting third-round level, were responsible for man coverage.

    Unlike run defense, in pass defense, Orgeron relied more on the individual abilities of his yers, relying on them to stick to their assignments in man coverage.

    Even if the defense failed, it did not matter; they needed to tightly mark Hertz''s intended targets, forcing him to pass under pressure.

    Third, he bet that Hertz would fluster under pressure.

    Orgeron yed to the strength of his four linebackers; besides two of them covering the run, the other two''s positions were unpredictable.

    Sometimes, they assisted in short pass defense; sometimes, they supported run defense; sometimes, they would merge with the defensive line tounch a blitz, applying enough pressure to Hertz.

    Under such a strategy, Hertz''s inexperience and naivety were starkly exposed, and his pass defense faced a series of serious challenges.

    In the past, Crimson Tide Storm always resolved problems with their ground offense, relying on the running back to advance and disrupt the formation, easing the pressure on Hertz and thereby carving out space for the passing offense; but today, Orgeron''s specifically targeted mass strategypletely blocked the ground offense, and Crimson Tide Storm''s offense was paralyzed.

    Whether it was individual ability or team coordination, Louisiana State University truly demonstrated a resolve that was unified in spirit and purpose.

    "0:0".

    The second half had already started, but the score remained stuck in ce.

    Although Louisiana State University''s offensive group also hit wall after wall, facing the fierce treatment of bama''s defensive group and being aggressively ground into the turf; simrly, bama''s offensive group was unable to find a breakthrough.

    Just now.

    Li Wei''s run was blocked again, double-teamed, the standard setup, over and over again.

 Chapter 87 086 Morale is low

    "Li Wei, sorry..."

    Jonah Williams, the starting right tackle for Crimson Tide Storm, extended his right hand to Li Wei and helped him up.

    On his face, Williams wore guilt and embarrassment, difort and frustration, with a thousand words on the tip of his tongue, not knowing how to express them.

    So, in the end, it all turned into one sentence.

    "Sorry."

    Clearly, Williams felt that he had not done his job; he should have blocked the lineman, at least held him off for a moment, instead of letting Li Wei constantly be exposed to the opposition''s hunting circle. Besides anger and annoyance, what was more prevalent was a sense of powerlessness and helplessness, his cheeks written with irritation and disappointment.

    Li Wei tried tofort Williams¡ª

    It wasn''t his fault. Louisiana State University really came prepared today and executed impably, following through with their n from the start.

    Everything was, in a word, perfect.

    But as Li Wei was about to speak, he noticed that not only Williams, but the other members of the offensive group too were panting heavily, their gazes slightly lost.

    The atmosphere was oppressive.

    Crimson Tide Storm was not a team that couldn''t handle pressure. Under Saban''s irond management, this team''s mental fortitude was supposed to be unbreakable. Otherwise, they would not have been able to turn the tide with just Li Wei alone against the University of Mississippi; the triumph had stille from teamwork.

    The issue was, having had a smooth season so far, the team didn''t get discouraged after hitting a sudden wall at the start. Instead, they were spurred with high morale to mount a frontal assault, presuming that the opponent surely wouldn''t withstand their charge, only to run into consecutive walls again.

    A forceful effort could wane after a while, and be exhausted at the third encounter.

    Crimson Tide Storm didn''t just hit the wall once, twice, or three times, but multiple times over a dozen until now, from the first until the second half of the game, and even after half-time adjustments, they still hadn''t managed to find a breakthrough.

    Even the most steadfast and resilient will could not help but waver, as the seeds of self-doubt silently took root and sprouted; the situation and the mindset had begun to change imperceptibly.

    How should they break the deadlock?

    They racked their brains, but no answers came. They were trapped like this, even seeking Saban''s help yielded no solution¡ª

    Saban wasn''t adept at offense.

    Even though Saban was always seeking changes and trying, he was ultimately just a coach; the game still had to be yed by the yers.

    With one look around, one could see Saban standing on the side of the field, expressionless, his face severe; though not panicking, he didn''t show any negative emotions, but anyone truly familiar with Saban could tell that the situation was grim, very grim indeed.

    Even someone as experienced as Saban was dealing with a tricky situation at this moment.

    At such a time, they needed a leader, a spiritual leader, a tactical leader, a field leader, to step forward and turn the tide.

    Indeed, football is a team sport, and relying solely on individual heroism ultimately cannot dictate the oue of a game. Whether it''s a quarterback or a running back, they need the support of their teammates, or else, if they fall into disarray, there''s only one path left to follow: continuing to sink and crumble.

    But!

    Team sports need a leader, a pir, a cornerstone, like the North Star guiding through the long night, to lead them out of distress and unite the team firmly. To make every yer y their role in their position and move forward shoulder to shoulder.

    Subconsciously, the yers were all searching¡ª

    Hertz?

    Generally speaking, the quarterback is indeed the soul of football, themander on the field, but... the young Hertz was also looking bewildered now.

    Cam Robinson?

    This left tackle was the captain of Crimson Tide Storm''s offensive group, responsible for protecting the quarterback''s blind side.

    Without a doubt, Robinson was the mostposed, seasoned, and calm yer in the offensive group, but he wasn''t showy, passionate, or extroverted. More often than not, he stood behind the team like a support system. He was the team''sst line of defense, guarding the final sanity of the offensive group, ensuring it wouldn''t scatter into disarray.

    At this moment, Robinson didn''t know how to begin.

    To be precise, he knew he should be shouting, he knew he should be boosting morale, he knew he should be igniting passion, but he didn''t know what to say.

    Still tongue-tied.

    When he looked up, Robinson saw Li Wei¡ª

    He didn''t know why, it was just instinct, he subconsciously looked towards Li Wei.

    Li Wei was in a sorry state, very, very sorry indeed.

    His cheeks were flushed, he was sweating profusely, his damp hair stuck to his forehead as if he had just crawled out of water, panting like a bull. His white away-game jersey was already marked green and ck from the grass, no different from a rag, clearly showing the traces of rough treatment and friction.

    Like medals of honor.

    But, Li Wei was not discouraged.

    Far from it, his eyes sparkled with excitement and joy, like a cheetah, his tongue tinged with the scent of blood, his murderous intent flowing forth.

    ¡ªSeven times.

    A total of seven times, that was how many times Li Wei had hit the wall head-on, and that was just the first half of the game, already surpassing the number of times in any game this season; to be exact, it was more than the total of thest three gamesbined. Stay connected with empire

    Running into a wall was not the same as being tackled.

    Being tackled was part of a running back''s daily grind, encountering double-digit tackles in a game was not umon; but running into a wall was different, it meant the running back met an unyielding barrier head-on without being able to advance, unable to start, break through, or dodge, being firmly denied by the defensive group.

    Without a doubt, these were very ugly and dire numbers.

    For an average yer, they might have been so demoralized by hitting the wall that their confidence copsed, even bing afraid to look the opposing defenders in the eye, developing a heart demon.

    However, Li Wei hadn''t.

    For the better part of the season, things had gone smoothly for Li Wei, and he hade to think that football was simply like this, but now, a new challenge had arisen before him¡ª

    Things were finally getting interesting.

    A formidable opponent?

    Yes, a formidable opponent, how exhrating, how exciting, the world ofpetitive sports is about continually challenging powerful adversaries, pushing limits, challenging oneself¡ªit''s the most interesting part, differing disciplines and sports all lead to the same path, interpreting the meaning of life in such a way.

    Strong, truly strong, but beautifully so, marvelously so, they needed just such an opponent!

    If Crimson Tide Storm wanted topete for the championship, wanted to be an even better team, they had to face such trials and tests.

    Li Wei noticed Robinson''s gaze, looked up, and his smile gently lifted at the corners of his mouth, only then noticing the taste of blood on his tongue, probably from being hit in the lips during the double tackle. Li Wei couldn''t help but savor it, his smile bing even more radiant and bright.

    Involuntarily, Robinson was taken aback.

    Strangely, without uttering a word, Li Wei''s gaze and actions seemed to steady Robinson''s wavering spirit, serving as a pir.

    Then Li Wei walked toward Hertz, bumped him with his shoulder, encouraged Hertz with his eyes, reminding him to get into formation.

    Robinson took a deep breath, called for his teammates to prepare for formation, but found there was no need to speak; the Crimson Tide Storm''s offensive group was already spontaneously starting to form up. No one spoke, yet the air was filled with a subdued and tragically beautiful atmosphere.

    The wind howls, Yao waters are chilled!

 Chapter 88 Human sea tactics

    The air, aze; the heatwave, surging.

    Tiger Stadium was showcasing its devil''s home field power to the visiting Crimson Tide Storm, not only with unique and varied rallying cries for each and every offensive and defensive y but also with a jam-packed stadium of a hundred thousand seats, all taken, reflecting a splendid peacock blue in the sky with its overwhelming sea of purple.

    The roar, the surge, wed violently at the Crimson Tide Storm, descending upon them without mercy. Clearly, the Tigers'' fans particrly reveled in moments like these¡ª

    bama Crimson Tide Storm and the Louisiana State University Tigers were mortal enemies, the kind that could not coexist under the same sky.

    Since 1960, the two teams have met annually, gradually turning the event into an annual extravaganza. The Louisiana State University Tigers once maintained a fifteen-game home-winning streak at Tiger Stadium against the Crimson Tide Storm, a record that is one of the NCAA''s most astonishing and difficult to surpass.

    Tigers'' fans took pride in it, and even now, they would bring it up frequently to mock the Crimson Tide Storm.

    However, as a traditional powerhouse, the Crimson Tide Storm still held a lead in the overall record¡ªfifty-five wins, twenty-seven losses, and five ties¡ªand maintained an absolute advantage in key matches such as the Conference Championship and nationwide Championships, always blocking the Tigers'' path to championship glory.

    Among a series of fierce rivalries, Crimson Tide Storm had a longer and more entangled history, and deeper roots with Auburn University and the University of Tennessee; but, in 2007, the shift happened when Nick Saban, the acimed coach from Louisiana State University, joined the rival Crimson Tide Storm.

    Since then, each encounter between bama and Louisiana State University has been explosive and has grown increasingly heated as Saban led the Crimson Tide Storm to defeat the Tigers repeatedly, peaking after the 2012 Conference Championship victory over the Tigers to im the title.

    Now, "Crimson Tide Storm vs. Tigers" has evolved into a fierce, die-hard duel in the Southeastern Conference of the NCAA.

    Today was no exception.

    Top to bottom, the Louisiana State University Tigers were as if injected with chicken blood, disying 120% of their capability, and have brutally oppressed their opponents since the kickoff.

    The hundred thousand fans at Tiger Stadium also refused to be outdone, summoning the Crimson Tide Storm''s painful memories of the fifteen straight losses they suffered on this field.

    "Tigers, charge (Tiger-Bait)"

    "Tigers, charge!"

    The chanting, relentless and omnipresent, transitioned from offense to defense, from defense back to offense. Throughout nearly two hours, the home fans'' energy was incredibly explosive, ruthlessly overwhelming the visiting team.

    The heat, wildly dancing upon the eardrums, skin nearly melting.

    Clearly, in such a predicament, this game environment did nothing to aid the Crimson Tide Storm; it only trapped them in irritation and oppression.

    To remain calm, to stay rational, became exponentially difficult.

    Hertz was panicking, unable to hide it¡ªpale as death, pupils shaking, at a loss with his limbs, even forgetting the right way to breathe.

    Li Wei noticed it, and after setting himself up, he patted Hertz on the shoulder before heading to his own position¡ªthe rookie freshman was still too green.

    "We can do it," Li Wei said.

    Hertz was unsure.

    Li Wei repeated, "We can do it."

    Hertz looked into Li Wei''s eyes. The incessant noise was distracting, yet the calmness andposure in those eyes anchored the drifting chaos of his thoughts, pulling them back down. Feeling the solid ground beneath his feet, he involuntarily nodded in agreement.

    Then, Li Wei turned to his own spot¡ª

    The standard pistol formation.

    He took a deep breath, ready to go.

    From the start of the game, it wasn''t that Li Wei was just running into wall after wall in an endless cycle, like a hamster spinning in ce¡ªfar from it.

    He was observing, he was scrutinizing.

    Actually, Saban had realized that the Tigers were specifically targeting Li Wei, so he tried to change the pace using Jacobs, rk, and even Emmons; but it must be said, the ground defense of the Tigers was truly tough, and the most effective advancement was stilling from Li Wei.

    Don''t think that Li Wei was just hitting a wall, if it were any other yer, they would have copsed by now. However, Li Wei hadn''t. His push forward was still the only hope in the Crimson Tide Storm''s predicament, and the calmness and fighting spirit he disyed in the face of adversity and setbacks made Saban choose him to continue bearing the burden of the ground offense.

    Li Wei noticed a detail.

    When Jacobs or rk came on the field, the step-up of the two linemen, Riley and Beckwith, was noticeably slower. They were willing to leave some space, letting Jacobs and rk start up; at the same time, they devoted more energy to helping defend against the pass.

    But when Li Wei was on the field, Riley and Beckwith''s strategy was simple and clear, stepping up immediately to try topress Li Wei''s starting space as much as possible, attempting to tackle him before he could pick up speed; at the same time, Safety Adams also stepped up, filling the void left by the linemen.

    Again, the word¡ª

    The Tigers would rather the Crimson Tide Storm open up the game with a passing attack than let their ground offense get into rhythm, even at the cost sacrificing defensive yers to pile up a human wall on ground defense.

    Determined and ruthless enough.

    This was something the Crimson Tide Storm had not encountered in previous games.

    Originally, the passing offense of the Crimson Tide Storm was not very rich, consisting of just a few ys, and now, with the ground offense being restricted, it was even more difficult.

    Football is like a chain, with each link connected to the next, and a problem in one area often leads to trouble throughout.

    Saban was adjusting and trying as well, but in the end, Li Wei still needed to break through head-on¡ª Explore stories at empire

    The offense of the Crimson Tide Storm couldn''t do without the ground offense.

    So, they could no longer wait and no longer avoid, they needed to reverse the situation through direct confrontation.

    Li Wei was ready.

    Third and six.

    This was the predicament that the Crimson Tide Storm had found itself in time and again, repeatedly facing third and long, and if the pass failed, it was time for a fourth down punt.

    The offense waspletely unable to unravel the situation.

    There were no exceptions this time either.

    Slowly, Li Wei bent down, ced his hands on his knees, and stood behind Hertz, bringing the defensive groups'' positions on both sides into his field of vision.

    The Tigers, responding to unchanging circumstances, had not changed their entire defensive formation much.

    Li Wei couldn''t see Beckwith''s face but could see Riley.

    Generally speaking, the position of the linebackers would ovep with the defensive line, clear to the quarterback, but obscured to the running back due to their position.

    However, Riley was different, deliberately standing out and not caring about the other yers, fixating his gaze on Li Wei, a hunter clearly targeting his prey.

    Riley, a lineman with the strength of a third-round pick, though not a genius, if his only task was one thing and he could get the support of two or even three teammates as a backup, then the confrontation would turn into a cat and mouse game, and he was absolutely confident.

    Looking at Li Wei, Riley''s eyes were like Tom''s, eyeing Li Wei the Jerry, revealing a cruel smile, eagerly ready to step forward.

    He had already made Li Wei hit the wall more than once, and this time would be no different, so the Crimson Tide Storm had bettere up with some new tactics, like a fake run and real pass, otherwise, he would not be polite.

    "Attack!"

    The sound of Hertz starting the y filled the air, and Li Wei took off.

 Chapter 89 088 Head-to-head confrontation

    ```

    What is the core strategy of the Louisiana State University Tigers'' ground defense against Li Wei?

    Speed.

    Because they knew Li Wei excelled in speed and burst, but his weakness was in confrontations and strength, they adopted a double-linebacker man-marking tactic, with Riley and Beckwith providing double insurance, disrupting Li Wei''s eleration front and back, ultimately outnumbering him and piling up like sandbags toplete the stack.

    This was also the conclusion they drew from all the games of the Crimson Tide Storm thus far.

    It must be said, they conducted an all-around analysis of Li Wei and came up with targeted tactics, even considering the offensive line and tight end''s blocking assignments and so on, going all in to cut off this point.

    Indeed, whether it was the Peterson training temte or the McCoy training temte, Li Wei''s eleration and speed truly became key to changing the game; but don''t forget, when Burns first took notice of Li Wei, there was another key talent he saw:

    Change of direction.

    Now, Li Wei was ready to enter "Super Saiyan" mode and take it on head-first.

    "Attack!"

    Hertz''s kickoff voice exploded in his ear, and Li Wei instantly elerated, pausing slightly past Hertz before sessfullypleting the reception.

    Saban, faced with the dilemma of Third Gear and six yards, still chose a ground attack, still trusted Li Wei, cing this heavy burden squarely on Li Wei''s shoulders¡ª

    After all, the score was still "0:0"; the Crimson Tide Storm might be in a sorry state, but they weren''t behind, they still had capital, and they should be nning for what came next.

    Li Wei held the ball but did not immediately elerate.

    If he sought speed blindly, given that Riley had alreadypletely locked on to Li Wei, it would still be difficult for Li Wei to break away; it would be better to create space by pulling back.

    Not elerating immediately was not about standing there like an idiot, but about taking continuous small, quick steps to adjust the center of gravity while waiting for an opportunity to moveterally and pull apart the defense.

    Because Li Wei knew that once he created space, Beckwith and Adams would follow; they knew the Edgerunner''s breakthrough ability on the sidelines. Three yers, three barriers, were like the ancient tomb channels from an Indiana Jones adventure, withyers of mechanisms swiftly established.

    Today, Li Wei also tried to break through from the side, but the effect was mediocre.

    The core reasony in the rapid follow-up speed of Beckwith and Adams, leaving no space for Li Wei to rely on speed for a breakthrough.

    Now, Li Wei was ready to try a different method.

    If the opponent didn''t leave him any space, then he would create his own.

    His footsteps continuously shiftedterally behind the kickoff line, calm and collected, and after two sideways crossover steps, Riley had already taken the bait and rushed up.

    ¡ªProactive. Forceful. Aggressive.

    This was also a feature of the Tigers'' ground defense today, pressuring to quickly snuff out the Crimson Tide Storm''s ground game, and because of previous sesses, the confidence of these young men tended to be more aggressive, prouder, and what was once a meticulous and organized defense would start to show cracks.

    In the first step, Riley took the bait.

    He pounced towards Li Wei like a tiger descending the mountain.

    The other linebacker, Beckwith, subtly sensed something was amiss but couldn''t immediately put his finger on it. He was half a beatte and also subconsciously followed.

    However, as soon as Beckwith took a step forward, he saw Li Wei shake off Riley and continue to advance. Theyered defense of Riley and Beckwith became disjointed due to Riley''s aggressiveness and Beckwith''s hesitation, creating three or four steps'' worth of space to the left and right. Beckwith immediately sounded the rm¡ª

    What''s going on?

    Just a second ago, Riley tried to actively tackle Li Wei, confident after multiple sessful attempts that day.

    The next second, Riley saw only an afterimage as Li Wei moved left and right, his nimble center of gravity stopping and turning as if in a tango dance. Riley tried to match the left and right steps but couldn''t keep up, getting firmly nted in ce while Li Wei broke through.

    Riley''s eyes bulged in disbelief, instinctively reaching out with his right hand, trying to catch and disrupt.

    However.

    Li Wei had anticipated this, stepping out in a small arc, dodging at the waist, swiftly passing Riley, and in an instant, he had dashed away.

    Riley, grabbing at air, stood stiff as a mummy, unable to move, watching the silhouette disappear.

    No matter, no matter, there was still backup insurance; after all, Li Wei''s step had not yet crossed the kickoff line. If he were to be tackled here, they would still lose yards, and Li Wei''s deliberate dy and sidestepping Riley was nothing more than cleverness for its own sake, which only made his run more difficult.

    Riley, self-satisfied.

    His thoughts were correct.

    Even though Li Wei had dodged Riley, his foot had not yet crossed the kickoff line, and he could already see Beckwith and Adamsing up ahead.

    Layer uponyer!

    But this time, had Li Wei really just shot himself in the foot?

    ```

    No.

    Of course not.

    Li Wei had fought for three steps of space, and that was his room to start and elerate.

    His brain,pletely focused, held only one thought.

    Push off, Li Wei, push off. Push off!

    Thump, thump, with each push off the ground, he keenly felt the release of power, the drive between the ground and the soles of his feet propelling his body amidst the explosive energy rippling through his muscles.

    One step!

    Two steps!

    Three steps!

    And then¡ª

    Boom.

    Li Wei didn''t dodge; he charged straight into Beckwith''s embrace, a sh of force against force, a ripple effect from the instantaneous release of energy.

    Beckwith: Hmph.

    Li Wei: Ah!

    One was active and the other passive, Li Wei reversed the situation, letting out his power in a burst that kept burning, and from deep within his Dantian, energy erupted.

    "Aaaaah!"

    One step, and another.

    Li Wei harshly pushed Beckwith right out of the way.

    Beckwith only felt as if a bullet train crushed his chest, losing his bncepletely, and without even the chance to resist, he was already sent flying with a muffled grunt.

    Ripping through like a hot knife through butter!

    Beckwith could hardly believe his own eyes, who said Li Wei''s strength was a weak point? Damn!

    And Li Wei?

    Still vignt.

    With a bump and a shove, he flopped Beckwith, the world in front brightened, but Li Wei didn''t let his guard down because he knew it wasn''t over yet.

    As expected, with a lunge and a wrap, Adams precisely grasped Li Wei''s waist¡ª

    Got him!

    Adams, truly the star yer of Louisiana State University, the core of the defensive group, had noticed the space for eleration created by Li Wei straight away, his step was clearly faster than Beckwith''s, so by the time Beckwith was flipped, Adams had already rushed over.

    Taking advantage of Li Wei''s unstable center of gravity, Adams had alreadypleted the tackle.

    Fast. urate. Ruthless.

    Tackle, hitting its mark.

    But would Li Wei just surrender meekly?

    Of course not.

    Li Wei was mentally prepared as well, having just flipped Beckwith when he already felt the force bearing down on him, and not only did he not shrink back, he met it head-on.

    After all, this wasn''t the first time in this game a situation like this had urred, and if Li Wei hadn''t learned his lesson, he might as well go home and sell sweet potatoes.

    Push off, collision, head-on charge.

    Bang!

    Be it Li Wei or Adams, both exerting force, the sh of power made both wobble, chests heaving, blood boiling.

    But this time, Li Wei, who had been advancing and exerting and pushing, held a slight edge.

    The strength, originating from the Dantian, flowing into the legs, driving against the ground¡ª

    Release the power.

    Ah! Aaah!

 Chapter 90 Steel Body 089

    Against Riley, skill triumphed.

    Against Beckwith, leverage prevailed.

    Against Adams, a head-on sh.

    Three challenges in a row, three methods, three strategies, from changing directions to speed and then to strength, Li Wei entered a state of total focus, disying all of his ace abilities. In the end, he collided with Adams fiercely, with no fancy footwork, no tricks, and no cover¡ªjust a straight confrontation to decide the winner.

    Crash into a wall!

    Stomp the ground!

    Exert strength!

    Even if a mountain like the Taihang Mountains stood before him, Li Wei wouldn''t flinch. The raging energy within his Dantian surged into his legs, erupting in full force.

    Ah!

    One step.

    Ah!

    Two steps.

    Ah Ah Ah!

    Unbelievably, Adams held on tightly to Li Wei, refusing to let go. But with Li Wei pushing against Adams¡ªan attempt akin to a Guinness World Record strongman pushing a truck forward, friction between his soles and the ground flung upyers of turf, with billowing gun smoke rising from his heels as he continued to advance.

    Adams still didn''t release his grip, the entire world shaking violently around them. In the chaos, his footing went out of control, retreating helplessly like a rootless duckweed, unable to grab hold for support or exert full strength. In the tumbling mess, Adams firmly grabbed Li Wei''s waist and forced himself to exert strength.

    ¡ªLean back, exert strength.

    Adams attempted aplex judo throw, using his waist and abdominal strength to forcefully arch back, sping Li Wei in a move that would result in an over-the-shoulder throw.

    Hmph.

    A muffled grunt.

    Adams'' power wasn''t fully unleashed. Instead, Li Wei managed to perform a Thousand Pounds Drop, appearing to be pried off bnce but then settling back down. The direct collision of strength broke the equilibrium, and both men lost their footing, tumbling to the ground.

    Li Wei realized this, continuously stamping the ground, constantly pushing, both he and Adams copsing forward with a thunderous fall.

    Boom!

    A wave of air billowed, exploding into a mushroom cloud.

    The stadium fell silent.

    Even the fans at Tiger Stadium were stunned, their voices stuck in their throats by the unreserved sh they had witnessed.

    Then¡ª

    A figure stood up, fists clenched, face flushed, veins bulging, roaring like a bloodied god of war, an explosive thunderp ringing out on the in.

    It was Li Wei.

    "Ah! Ah Ah Ah!"

    Roar.

    Powerful, domineering, piercing¡ªa murderous aura burst forth, igniting the entire stadium.

    Li Wei didn''t dodge or bow his head, slightly lifting his chin, his gaze resolutely sweeping across the crowd, epting the challenge:

    Let this storme even more fiercely.

    Third Gear, six yards¡ªconversion sessful.

    More than six yards. With his own might, Li Wei pushed forward a full eight yards, like a siege engine, carving two disheveled white lines on the field.

    Behind him, a river of blood, bodies strewn everywhere.

    Even though the Tigers still deployed three men to mark him, specifically targeting Li Wei, he still carved a bloody path, literally fighting his way through, flinging Riley aside, overturning Beckwith, and confronting Adams, with unparalleled performancepleting the Third Gear conversion, sounding the counterattack horn of the Crimson Tide Storm.

    That fierce momentum unbelievably suppressed Tiger Stadium.

    Next second.

    "Charge! Tigers!"

    Tiger Stadium erupted with the ferocity of a sudden storm, as a hundred thousand people stood in opposition to Li Wei, unleashing a tidal wave of intimidation, eager to engulf the solitary figure on the field.

    "Go, Tigers!"

    The air pulsated with a thunderous roar as the rivalry escted to unprecedented heights.

    Riley turned to Beckwith and Adams, his gaze wavering slightly, but Adams red back at Riley fiercely, reigniting their fighting spirit.

    They could not show weakness.

    "Three against one" was already embarrassing enough, and now Li Wei had broken through for a third gear conversion. They couldn''t back down any further, absolutely not.

    Otherwise, they would be aughingstock after the game, being unable to suppress Li Wei even with a three-to-one advantage; what''s more, their draft prospects could also be cast in a shadow.

    They couldn''t show weakness, they couldn''t retreat, and they certainly couldn''t be afraid.

    "Wake up. We have three people here," Adams barked at Riley and Beckwith, and the morale that had been suppressed was lit once again.

    The game continued.

    Despite the difficulties, Crimson Tide Storm finally got the first down again, opening up the game for this round of offense, finally seeing a glimmer of hope amidst the adversity.

    In the roaring of Li Wei, the Crimson Tide Storm offensive group regained some momentum. One by one, they came up to high-five Li Wei. There was no time for celebration, but at least they could pass on some tacit understanding.

    "Good job, Li Wei!"

    "Beautiful!"

    "We can do it!"

    One by two by three... even Robinson was no exception, shaking hands and bumping shoulders with Li Wei, celebrating with such gestures and awakening their passion.

    Hertz, too, was visibly thrilled, unable to help but clench his fist and cheer.

    Li Wei noticed Hertz and looked at his teammates, his gaze finally settling on Hertz.

    "Hey, I know I''m outstanding, but we are a team. Don''t forget, we win games as a team and face difficulties as a team."

    "I do my part, and you all need to do yours."

    "Now, their focus is further concentrated on me. Good, I''ll be the bait, making their defensive group''syout seriously imbnced."

    "We should make the most of this opportunity."

    Hertz noticed Li Wei''s gaze turning entirely towards him and instinctively replied, "Fake run, real pass?"

    Li Wei nodded in agreement, "We must open up our offensepletely, so we can catch the opponent off guard." He also wanted to ease the pressure on the running game.

    Li Wei was aware of his condition. The running just now had taken a heavy toll on his stamina and concentration. At his current level, two or three times weren''t a problem, but any more than that, and the impact would significantly diminish, leaving Crimson Tide Storm''s offense in trouble again. They needed to open up the game.

    "But not now," Li Wei said, leaving his sentence unfinished, with a twist that drew all attention back to him.

    "If we start using the fake run, real pass strategy right away, such a straightforward tactic could easily be exposed, and the opponent''s defensive group isn''t a bunch of fools."

    "As it stands, we need to disrupt the opponent''s predictions, create chaos, and avoid falling into their rhythm. Instead, we need to get into our rhythm."

    "The key lies with you."

    The focus shifted to Hertz, whose pupils shook violently with panic, "Me?"

    Before Hertz could object, Li Wei swiftly continued.

    "Yes, you."

    "We need to figure out how to open the running game routes. Maybe we should try a fake run, real run."

    "Pretend it''s me running the ball, but actually, it''s you."

    ¡ª¡ªThe real or fake Monkey King?

    Hertz was taken aback. As a quarterback, he understood the y, "Wait, isn''t that the Read Option Offense?"

    No sooner had he spoken than Hertz realized Li Wei might not be familiar with the Read Option Offense, given his limited experience with football, and was about to exin.

    However, Li Wei shed a smile, "I know what the Read Option Offense is. That strategy that Mr. Watsons had us on the defensive end, running around like headless chickens during the warm-up match, right?"

    When it came to learning, Li Wei had never feared anyone.

    "In the first half of the game, we also tried the Read Option Offense, but it was mediocre, right? Here, we''re not going for the Read Option."

 Chapter 91 090 Fight side by side

    Here, it''s necessary to exin, what is the Read Option Offense?

    First, the Read Option and Read Defense are two different things.

    Read Defense is the job every quarterback has toplete before the snap, like Peyton Manning, a top strategic master, can often break down the opponent''s tactics by reading the defense and temporarily modify his tactics ten or fifteen seconds before the snap, thereby creating passing opportunities for himself.

    This action urs before the snap.

    But the Read Option urs after the snap.

    The so-called Read Option means the quarterback, by closely watching the movements of the opposing linebackers after the snap, decides his offensive strategy in a sh:

    If the linebacker covers the running back, then the quarterback will carry the ball and advance on the ground himself.

    If the linebacker covers the quarterback, then the quarterback will hand the football to the running back, who will then advance on the ground.

    Additionally, there''s a special situation; if the quarterback chooses to carry the ball but discovers that the opposing Defensive group has concentrated its forces in the short pass area, often the midfield and backfield will be rtively empty, and the quarterback can still choose to pass, temporarily finding a reception point toplete the advance with a medium to long pass.

    Simply put, the "Read Option" is actually about reading the linebacker''s options to formte an offensive strategy.

    This tactic is only applicable to the new generation of mobile quarterbacks¡ª

    It capitalizes on the strengths and avoids the weaknesses, sidestepping the quarterback''s weak Read Defense capability, and uses the quarterback''s own athletic talents to make choices after the snap based on the situation.

    Overall, this tactic is very rough and very aggressive, extremelymon in the NCAA, but scorned in the Professional League.

    Not until Robert Griffin III, Cam Newton, Colin Kaepernick, and Russell Wilson, the four top new generation mobile quarterbacks, entered the league did the Read Option Offense begin to flourish in the NFL.

    Last season, Newton''s Read Option Offense was very sessful, even earning him the regr season MVP honors.

    But the prowess of the Professional League lies in itsplex tactics; coaches are always able to devise ways to counter them, and in the Super Bowl, the Denver Broncos relied on linebacker Von Miller and the Defensive line''s exceptional performance topletely cut off Newton''s Read Option Offense, ultimately bing Super Bowl Champions.

    Of course, in the college games, as opposed to theplicated tactics, relying on physical fitness and innate ability is still mainstream, and the Read Option Offense remains a puzzle¡ª

    From Lamar Jackson to DeShaun Watson to Baker Mayfield, all current Heisman Trophy front runners are mobile quarterbacks, and the Read Option Offense is a very important part of their games, with Jackson, who has the best physical fitness, undoubtedly being the most formidable.

    Hertz, the starting quarterback for Crimson Tide Storm, is also a mobile quarterback.

    Although Saban doesn''t favor the Read Option Offense and is quite traditional, his updates to offensive tactics slightlyg behind the times; however, asionally, Saban is willing to use Read Option Offense to change the pace and enrich the offensive tactics, not because he is ignorant of them.

    Today, in the first half of the game, Crimson Tide Storm''s offense continuously hit a wall, and Saban used the Read Option Offense; moreover, more than once.

    But the results were not good.

    The fundamental reason lies with Adams.

    As thest line of the three-tier blockade covering Li Wei, Adams fully utilized his capabilities, appearing unpredictably in different positions. Even if Hertz chose the Read Option Offense, Adams and the other two linemen could embrace Hertz without any worries.

    After all, Li Wei always had Riley and Beckwith guarding him. Stay tuned with empire

    The "Read Option" reads the movements of linemen, but Adams, ying as a Safety, disrupted Crimson Tide Storm''s offensive strategy.

    Orgeron, the new head coach of the Louisiana State University Tigers, was able topletely revitalize the team''s defense in just three games, really showing his skill.

    Now, Li Wei wasn''t ready to challenge Orgeron''s defensive strategy.

    For one, he wasn''t the head coach, not responsible forying out tactics.

    Secondly, he wasn''t a quarterback, not responsible for adjusting tactics on the field.

    Li Wei was confident, but not arrogant. He did not believe his tacticalyout was superior; however, he might bring some inspiration.

    "If it''s a read option, after the snap, you need to step back, observe, make a judgment, and then decide. Adams will notice," he said.

    "But this is not a read option. Before the snap, we''ve already decided to run the ball. You''ll feint a pass but actually hand off the football to me," he exined.

    "I be the decoy, drawing attention while you rely on your running abilities to create space and advance," he added.

    Simply put, it was a double running back tactic.

    Initially posing as if going for a running y, but making the opponent lose judgment, unclear on who would actually carry the ball.

    And the hidden surprise here was the identity of the second running back.

    It wasn''t a read option offense, yet it fully utilized the power of the read option offense, tailored against Louisiana State University''s defensive strategy, making full use of Hertz''s running capabilities and employing Li Wei as a decoy to demonstrate Crimson Tide Storm''s profound strength in ground offense.

    Of course, Li Wei had his own calctions.

    After all, football is a team sport. It''s impractical for him to carry the whole team forward alone, at least not at this stage.

    He needed to get Hertz involved and to bring creativity to their ground offense.

    "Hey, Shorty," he called out.

    This was Li Wei''s nickname for Hertz, who wasn''t actually short at 6.1 feet (185 cm), the same height as Li Wei, but for a quarterback, it was slightly on the shorter side.

    In the game, once the ball was snapped, the offensive line and defensive line collided like grinders, and the quarterback needed to navigate around barriers to control the field. Vision was crucial; otherwise, finding a passing target was impossible.

    At 6.1 feet, he wasn''t short, but it still wasn''t enough.

    In the NFL, Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints, at 6 feet (183 cm), was one of the few shorter quarterbacks who still managed to create miracles and achieve brilliance, his read defense and passing uracy, among other skills, were top-notch.

    Hertz, clearly, did not yet possess the abilities of Brees.

    "I''m not prepared to rece the coach and tell you what to do, nor am I prepared to rece your job and make decisions. I''m just reminding you not to forget your abilities," he said.

    "Brain. Right hand. Legs," he listed.

    "We need all of them working to stand a chance against the iron wall in front of us, you got that?" he said.

    Li Wei knew that a quarterback and running back''s roles were different, as were their ways of thinking and responding. He couldn''t make decisions for Hertz, but importantly, he and Hertz were fighting shoulder to shoulder; they should be each other''s support.

    Hertz''s thoughts finally cleared, he took a deep breath, and nodded firmly at Li Wei.

    Li Wei bumped Hertz''s shoulder with his own, "Roar."

    It wasn''t a scream, nor was it a release, but this simple phrase reignited the Crimson Tide Storm within their blood.

    First down, ten yards.

    Hertz, through the headset, carefullymunicated his thoughts to Saban¡ª

    Saban''s eyes lit up slightly, giving Hertz a look but focused more on Li Wei, shing a hint of surprise.

    His shoulders widened slightly:

    This kid is growing faster than he thought.

 Chapter 92 091 The True and Fake Monkey King

    The atmosphere among the Louisville State University Tigers Defense Squad subtly changed, not just because of Li Wei''s recent advance.

    Clearly, they had not expected Li Wei toplete a frontal breakthrough through their tight coverage and forcefully push forward for eight yards with such ferocity.

    As they exchanged nces, one could distinctly sense the murderous intent in Adams''s eyes. He didn''t make any special gestures, but his gaze towards Li Wei became more focused, more profound. Those familiar with Adams knew he was getting serious. Not just Riley and Beckwith, but the other two linemen also tensed up, with a cold, deadly atmosphere spreading throughout the defensive group.

    Everyone in the Tigers knew about the Crimson Tide Storm''s dominant performance this season, but they would not back down; instead, their fighting spirit was aroused, ready to join forces to halt the Crimson Tide Storm''s winning streak. They were prepared.

    Adams and Riley exchanged a look¡ª

    One, a spiritual leader; the other, a tactical captain. Their gazes met in mid-air.

    Then, both clenched their fists, arranged in battle formation without saying a word, and their momentum rose.

    Their gazes, firmly locked on Li Wei¡ª

    "Attack!"

    Hertz announced the kickoff, and Riley sprang into action immediately, targeting Li Wei without any hesitation, while Beckwith was slightly slower, observing the formation.

    Adams was even a beat slower, watching Crimson Tide Storm''s offensive tactics.

    Li Wei and Hertz brushed past each other, performing a deceptive handoff that fooled Beckwith, who failed to see clearly. His footstepsunched instantly, subconsciously charging toward Li Wei, as fear of Li Wei''s intimidation prevailed, instinctively looking to assist Riley with the defense.

    But not Adams.

    Adams was cooler, clearer-headed. He admitted that much of his attention was on Li Wei, but it was precisely for this reason that he was prone to being deceived by a fake run and real pass. They needed to cut off the Crimson Tide Storm''s ground offense and also prevent their passing attack from taking off.

    Adams hit the brakes on his forward charge, his eyes scanning wide.

    Wait a minute!

    Adams noticed it¡ªthe handoff was fake, Li Wei and Hertz had notpleted the exchange. It was a pass, a fake run and real pass, and he had guessed right.

    Find your next read at empire

    First, Li Wei used his personal ability to open up the ground game.

    Then, Li Wei immediately became a decoy to cover for the passing offense.

    Adams wouldn''t be fooled.

    Halting his forward charge, he quickly scanned the surroundings for potential passing targets and made a split-second judgment, pouncing toward the Tight End Howard.

    Adams''s steps were decisive, with all the other Wide Receivers having their respective man-to-man coverage. Only the Tight End stood out like a Hulk in the short pass area, and with this being a ten-yard y, opting for a short pass to the Tight End to open up the game was another one of Crimson Tide Storm''s typical fake run and real pass tactics.

    Thump, thump!

    Adams caught a glimpse from the corner of his eye; Li Wei alone was tying up multiple yers, causing the Tigers'' pass defense to copsepletely, with virtually every matchup in man-to-man mode. The entire field suddenly buzzed with rm.

    If the Crimson Tide Storm could connect on a pass this time, setting aside how the Tigers'' morale would change, it was certain that the Crimson Tide Storm''s spirit would gradually rise. Adams had to intercept this pass.

    Determined, decisive.

    Then...wait, where was the football? Why hadn''t he seen the arc of the pass yet?

    A quick sweep of his gaze.

    Adams was astounded as a white figure slipped like a swift dragon from the left side of the offensive line, with an open field ahead and not a single purple jersey in sight¡ªthe gate was wide open.

    How... what''s going on?

    Who is that?

    Between the fake and the real, the line blurred between running and passing ys, and it was equally unclear who had the ball. Just a split second of reaction andunch into action, and the Defensive group was plunged intoplete passivity.

    Adams didn''t have time to think as he stopped and pivoted in one swift motion, reigniting his charge to desperately cover ground. It wasn''t toote to mend the pen after the sheep were lost.

    Hertz!

    Hertz?

    Could it actually be Hertz?

    Seeing the number on the jersey, Adams was stunned. Why hadn''t he realized that the Crimson Tide Storm had suddenly chosen the Read Option Offense?

    Damn it!

    Just as Adams was about to catch up, Hertz had taken the initiative to dive to the ground in an advanced move reminiscent of sliding into base in baseball. Not only did he avoid the tackle, but he alsonded safely.

    Adams lunged at thin air.

    First down, secured.

    More urately, it wasn''t just a first down ¨C Hertz had pushed forward a full fifteen yards, marking the fourth time Crimson Tide Storm had crossed the midfield line into the opposing side''s half in this game.

    The Tigers were caught off guard, utterly unprepared for this scene. Not even a single yer was able to touch Hertz or Li Wei before they had lost fifteen yards.

    The situation subtly shifted once more.

    Hertz could hardly believe it; this run was like taking something out of a bag, as the Crimson Tide Storm''s offense, which had been smooth and overwhelming throughout the season, seemed to have finally returned.

    Hertz tried his best to suppress his excitement, but when he turned his back to the defensive group and faced Li Wei, he still opened his mouth wide in a silent scream, ran up with a quick jog, and high-fived Li Wei in celebration.

    Stay cool; they needed to stay cool. Only by keeping theirposure could they press their advantage.

    So, what next?

    Pass or continue with the run?

    Suddenly, Crimson Tide Storm''s offense found its rhythm, the flow bing smooth again, and the struggle between the opposing teams'' offense and defense once more intensified.

    On the sidelines, both head coaches were busy moving their pieces and trying to seize the initiative.

    First and ten, at the opposing forty-eight-yard line.

    "Attack!"

    Hertz had regained some confidence. Without hesitation, he dered the ball in y, immediately straightened his knees, straightened his back, raised his hand to pass, and looked straight in the direction of Tight End Howard as the likely receiver.

    The pass was not only just a pass but a rapid, short pass that stressed speed over distance.

    Such a short pass focused onpletion rate¡ªthe two or three-yard connections that put the ball in the tight end''s hands before the defensive group could react, then relying on the tight end''s abilities to gain yards.

    In some ways, this bore a simrity to running the ball with no frills, just relying on pure strength for a head-on collision.

    Crimson Tide Storm aimed to catch the Tigers unprepared and take the tactical lead once again.

    But this time, Orgeron made an urate prediction.

    From Riley to Beckwith to Adams, even though their sights were still set on Li Wei, they ensured their attention was sharp and redirected their forward momentum, swerving immediately towards Howard.

    For a moment, the atmosphere was charged with anticipation.

    However.

    Just then!

    Adams was shocked, wait, wait!

    Hertz hadn''t thrown the ball.

    Despite Hertz''s passing action being convincingly deceptive, as though he had already let the football fly, in thest moment before the release, Hertz drew the football back.

    In the blink of an eye, Hertz spun around and lightly tossed the football¡ª

    Li Wei.

    Still Li Wei.

    But crucially, Li Wei wasn''t positioned on the left wing but remained on the right wing.

    Adams'' gaze followed the action like a puppet on strings, his attention shifting from Hertz to Howard and back to Hertz and then to Li Wei in less than a second.

    The change was too sudden; his feet had yet to adjust, his mind hadn''t caught up with the Crimson Tide Storm''s tactical y, and his body tensed in anticipation.

    Li Wei, advancing with the ball.

 Chapter 93 Icebreaker Collision

    Strategy, countermeasure¡ª

    Orgeron and Saban, the two head coaches, engaged in a tactical duel, but this time the seasoned Saban had the upper hand. Taking advantage of two consecutive ground advancements, he created an opportunity using quick short passes concealed as fake runs, seizing the initiative.

    The Tigers Defense Squad immediately realized that the Crimson Tide Storm''s offense seemed to be breaking through, causing their reaction speed tog and vulnerabilities to emerge.

    However!

    But!

    After enduring the grind of the first half, the Tigers Defense Squad also faced a severe test. True gold is not afraid of fire, and the tactics ingrained in them had a quick secondary response. Riley immediately charged forward.

    Li Wei.

    In Riley''s eyes, there was only Li Wei, firmly remembering his task. The tricks and smoke bombs had not fully deceived him.

    Step forward, sprint, a tiger descending the mountain.

    Riley hadpletely locked onto Li Wei, and with two big steps, he had already sprung forward to pounce, a sh of surprise in his pupils. They had uncovered the Crimson Tide Storm''s different smoke bomb attempts with this tactic in the first half, and this time was no exception; he would tackle Li Wei, just as before.

    ¡ªBang!

    A figure burst out from Riley''s left side, blocking him mid-tackle with the force of a truck collision, flipping Riley off bnce with a mountainous force, the surging centrifugal force flinging his body away.

    Riley: ¡­

    What happened?

    In sports, situations change in the blink of an eye; even a slight hesitation or doubt in start-up speed could alter the situation. The Crimson Tide Storm''s quick short pass for cover hadn''t changed Riley''s motion but created a moment of stupor, and then¡ª

    Tight End Howard, with calcted ease, sessfully executed a block.

    Riley was directly hit and sent flying by Howard.

    The Tigers'' first barrier to stopping Li Wei disappeared.

    The field closed up, Orgeron''s heart contracted: bad news, the first gate controlling Li Wei''s explosive speed failed, and the pressure on the Tigers Defense Squad instantly intensified.

    Indeed, that was the case.

    Li Wei movedterally, relying on Howard''s cover, and with a flick to the right, a clear path of five to seven yards opened up in front of him,pletely empty, a ne could take off.

    Sprung from the ground, step forward, sprint.

    In an instant, Li Wei''s continuous powerful steps burst his speed out like a gust of wind, moving forward vertically, elerating within two to three steps.

    Brain, stay calm.

    Vision, stay clear.

    Li Wei hadn''t forgotten the continuous struggle of hitting walls in the entire first half. Even though they had opened the first gate, the Tigers Defense Squad surely had contingency ns. He couldn''t becent; he had to seize every hard-earned opportunity.

    Sure enough!

    To the right, another figure appeared, none other than Cornerback Tre''Davious White from the Tigers Defense Squad, stepping forward very promptly.

    Speed up.

    Bend at the waist.

    Li Wei didn''t slow down; instead, he increased his speed, bending his waist to the left to dodge White''s attempt to disrupt and pressure him with both hands.

    Whoosh.

    The howling gale brushed past, and from the corner of his eye, Li Wei could see White''s clumsy, staggering figure falling behind, stirring up a storm in his wake.

    On the left, Beckwith and Adams were approaching rapidly, one after the other.

    During the first half, Li Wei had advanced some yards, but Tiger''s second and third lines of defense quickly followed up, cutting off Li Wei''s path to further breakthroughs; this time, Beckwith and Adams were no exception.

    The difference was, this time Li Wei''s speed had fully picked up.

    Catching a glimpse in his peripheral vision, Li Wei didn''t avoid them but collided head-on with Beckwith.

    Beckwith thought Li Wei was repeating an old trick, and he was immediately ready to endure the collision and withstand the strong confrontation, slowing down his speed and lowering his center of gravity, sidestepping with a shoulder push.

    However, the expected collision didn''te.

    Beckwith: Huh?

    A gust of wind shed before his eyes, a whirling twist, as gentle as a tornado brushing across his face, yet in the next second, it had swept past his left side.

    Graceful, agile, and fluid.

    This was the spectacr performance of Li Wei throughout this NCAA season.

    Beckwith didn''t even have the time to cry out before his body was already thrown out, without sustaining any impact, his center of gravity lost its bnce, and instinctively, he reached out his left hand, trying to grasp that fleeting figure.

    s. Readtest stories on empire

    Raising his leg, leaping, continuing to high-step, Li Wei seemed to have eyes on his back, the ongoing changes in his footsteps made Beckwith miss his target.

    The green grass magnified in his pupils. Beckwith only managed to nce at it. Adams was closing in, and Li Wei recklessly threw himself into the lion''s den, evidently running out of strength to change direction again. It seemed like the oue was no longer in doubt.

    Beckwith rejoiced, then a roaring noise filled his ears.

    Li Wei indeed had no strength left to change direction.

    After forcing two direction changes and using high steps to shake off Beckwith''s interference, both his center of gravity and speed were in a state of flux, unsustainable.

    Stumbling, Li Wei just crashed into Adams''s embrace.

    So, just like the countless attempts in the first half?

    No.

    Of course not.

    Pushing off the ground, pushing off the ground again, continuously pushing off, Li Wei was not only not surrendering, but his calves exploded with power, unreservedly releasing the remaining energy in his body, elerating as he hurled himself into Adams''s embrace.

    The same trick again?

    Was Li Wei nning to deceive Adams with the same move he used on Beckwith?

    This time, however, Adams was prepared and had already moved to collide with Li Wei before he could take a step.

    A leap, a grab, a collision!

    Bang!

    A loud noise.

    Li Wei and Adams collided.

    However, one could see Adams flying out like a kite with its string cut.

    Aha!

    The entire field gasped in shock.

    But instead of avoiding, Li Wei met Adams head-on in a collision, but he braced with his left hand, performing a Straight Arm Block upon contact, and instantly exerted force.

    Everyone knows about the NCAA''s highest honor, the Heisman Trophy, but few notice that the pose of the Heisman Trophy, is the iconic action of John Heisman holding the ball and finishing a block with a Straight Arm Block.

    This, indeed, is one of the souls of football.

    Adams collided; Li Wei exerted force.

    Both yers were trying to take the initiative, trying to exert force first. This time, Li Wei got there first¡ª

    The Straight Arm Block, not just for support, but alsobined the weight and power from above in the collision.

    His teeth clenched, fully erupting.

    "Power VS Power."

    Li Wei instantly broke through head-on in a brute-force manner, overturning Adams.

    Adams''s shoulder took a heavy hit, lost bnce, and his body was thrown off, panic and fear swirling in his eyes. However, his body lost control, spinning rapidly like a top, a brilliant halo of light dispersing  forcefully in a tempest, with nothing but a roar.

    Boom.

    A muffled sound exploded between Li Wei and Adams, blood surged and the earth shook.

    Then,

    a solid, copper wall that had staunchly blocked the Crimson Tide Storm was finally forcefully broken through, much like ice breaking, and the heavy solid iron arm opened up.

    A sliver of light fell, and a whole new world was slowly unfolding before his eyes, limitless vistas just ahead.

    Atst!

    Li Wei could see that splendid and magnificent scene on the distant horizon.

 Chapter 94 093 Qi and Blood Churning

    "Power vs. Power."

    "Collision vs. Block."

    No fancy moves, no tricks, just pure frontal crash, the shockwave instantly detonated, sending Li Wei and Adams flying backward due to the recoil.

    Adams fell to the ground, Li Wei staggered.

    Neither was any better off.

    Even though Adams waspletely suppressed, twisting like a ballet dancer, totally losing his bnce, Li Wei, who remained standing, was not faring much better.

    His entire left hand numb, the surging force so intense that even the football cradled in his right arm began to violently tumble and roll, his chest boiling with blood, his knees trembling as if drunk, his steps floating mid-air, shaky, with centrifugal force pulling his body outward.

    But still.

    In the chaotic whirl of the wind, Li Wei did not give up, kept thrusting his feet down, kept squatting, trying to regain his center of gravity and bnce, tightly grasping the direction.

    Step. Step, step, step.

    His steps were as if treading on marshmallows, unevenly flying to the right, barely time to breathe when the sideline was already just a couple of steps away.

    Finally!

    He caught his center of gravity but did not brake, instead following the centrifugal force he had flung out, his body naturally pulled forward, already charging along the sideline.

    Thrust the ground.

    His lungs burned, his blood boiled, his muscles exploded, but Li Wei had entered apletely forgetful state, the murderous look in his eyes no longer suppressible.

    The thirty-five-yard line.

    Thrust the ground.

    Speeding ever faster, but from the corner of his eye, he could see another purple figure sprinting horizontally from the left¡ª

    Corey Thompson, another Safety for the Tigers.

    The twenty-five-yard line.

    Thrust the ground.

    Li Wei didn''t slow down, not only did he not, but he was also continuing to elerate, as the preceding sprinting and recent head-on collision left him with no strength to withstand more impacts, he continued speeding up by following the inertia, the only way.

    Meanwhile, Li Wei had noticed Thompson.

    Thompson did not take risks, nor was he in a hurry, but sprinted alongside Li Wei, then gradually closed in, trying to overtake and squeeze the space for Li Wei''s sprint.

    Nearer, ever nearer, Thompson''s presence was a threat, even without any action, exerting physical and psychological pressure on Li Wei.

    What to do?

    The fifteen-yard line. Experience more on empire

    As the end zone neared, Li Wei still did not know when Thompson would strike, but he could not wait. The end zone was within reach, and he would not stop here.

    He, refused.

    His gaze swiftly scanning, he could see Adams and White leading a surge of purple haze rapidly closing in, like a swarm of bees forming a surround, turbulent airwaves ferociously lunging at him, but his speed had already reached a breaking point, impossible to maintain, at any moment it might fall apart.

    Ahead, the end zone was close yet unattainable.

    With a grit of his teeth, Li Wei decisively dashed out, crossing the ten-yard line, he could feel the pressure of Thompson rapidly closing in, the heat wave hitting his face, the sweat on his skin starting to burn, the next second the collision was upon him.

    A shove.

    Thompson was upsetting Li Wei''s bnce.

    Li Wei stood teetering as if on a tightrope, seemingly about to fall apart, but he did not give up. Deep within his Dantian, a fierce fire zed, unbelievably increasing his speed by a fraction.

    A little bit, just a little bit, but it was precisely because of this slight burn that Li Wei shook off Thompson, pulling ahead by a small half-step.

    Thompson''s heart tightened, trouble.

    Thompson immediately lunged, trying to tackle Li Wei and take him down in a desperate move, they maintained side-by-side alignment for a brief while, matching frequencies, Thompson''s tackle was urate.

    However.

    However!

    Thompson surprisingly missed, grinding his teeth in frustration, his eyes showing an inconceivable astonishment as he watched Li Wei leap into the air, shaking off his grip and breaking their rhythm; he had already flown out.

    Damn!

    Thompson wanted to curse.

    Li Wei, having jumped, crossed the fifteen-yard line with a daring dive because he knew his speed and strength had reached their limits and that he couldn''t sustain thest five yards. Those mere five yards seemed like a chasm, so he chose the riskiest method possible.

    Before Thompson could tackle him, he took a running jump into the air.

    Whoosh, the hurricane roared, unleashing a purple tsunami across the field, turning the world into a tumultuous wave of heat while Li Wei cut through it like a sharp sword.

    In his sight, only the orange pole at the corner of the end zone.

    Leap.

    Extend.

    Glide freely, embracing the fierce wind.

    His body was like a cloud,zily and easily floating above the azure sea and blue sky with only the wind and sunlight, as the shackles of gravity were setpletely aside, soaring on the wind.

    For that second, time stopped, and everything paused.

    Then, just before gravity pulled his body back to embrace the earth, he reached out with the football to touch the pole.

    ck.

    The pole fell over.

    Immediately after, Thompson lost his bnce over Li Wei, and the two, like a whirlwind of sand, rushed out, crashing harshly outside the boundary of the field.

    A tumultuous force engulfed both men, with only the football and the pole rolling on the ground.

    The entire stadium was silent, the vast Tiger Stadium evencked the sound of breathing, amidst the deadly quiet, all eyes hectically gathered on the referee, time seemed to pause in a gap, the air was still, all waiting for the referee''s verdict-

    In football, crossing into the end zone usually means a touchdown, but there are special cases.

    For instance, if the yer''s hand holding the ball crosses the end zone line, then his knee touches ground, it is also a touchdown, even if the feet don''t enter the end zone.

    Or, if a yer loses bnce or is tackled, but before his knee hits the ground, if the football touches one of the small orange poles at the four corners of the end zone, it is also a touchdown.

    Just like what Li Wei had just done.

    Even though his upper body was already out of bounds and he was losing his bnce, before his feet or knees touched ground, the football had first touched the pole.

    The pole, not veryrge, merely about the height of two palm lengths and a rectangr prism, was used to mark the boundaries of the end zone. At that moment, it yed a crucial role.

    Li Wei chose a risk.

    And now the referee needed to decide:

    First, whether Li Wei had urately used the football to touch the pole; if the body had knocked it over but the football hadn''t touched it, it would be ruled a foul.

    Second, whether Li Wei had touched the pole with the football before his knee touched ground. Otherwise, it would be out of bounds, not counting as a touchdown, and the y would continue from the spot where he stepped out.

    Eagerly, millions of eyes intensely fell upon the referee''s shoulders.

    Until the referee came back to his senses-

    Raised his hands high, towards the sky, and blew his whistle.

    Whistle!

    Clear, piercing, cutting through the skies.

    Then, a heatwave cascaded from the sky, plunging into frenzy, and the entire Tiger Stadium was swallowed by a roar and chaos, pupils filled with incredible panic and astonishment. The world exploded with energy between the rising and falling tides, instantly pushing the whole game to its climax.

    Touchdown.

    Undoubtedly, a touchdown!

 Chapter 95 094 Surging Emotions

    ```

    Whoosh!

    Suddenly, rk raised his arms high, making the touchdown gesture for the first time, his face full of intense longing as he shot a look at the referee, his ears ringing with the clear, heavy collision, his heart climbing beat by beat, nearly bursting from his chest like exploding fireworks.

    He used all his strength to contain his excitement and tion, but his knees still twitched eager to spring like coils.

    One second, which felt like a century.

    It wasn''t until the referee also raised his arms high, confirming rk''s guess with a mirrored gesture, that reason was utterly consumed.

    "Ah!"

    rk leaped into the air, shouting wildly, then turned to his teammates, mindlessly repeating.

    "Touchdown!"

    "Touchdown!"

    Over and over again, time and again.

    Not only rk but every yer of the Crimson Tide Storm had lost their reason; including Jacobs, one by one, they all raised their arms to make the touchdown signal, caught in a frenzy, they hopped and shouted and celebrated, their pent-up emotions erupting like a volcanic geyser.

    Finally!

    With the game entering the second half, and more than half of the third quarter''s time gone by, the Crimson Tide Storm had finally found their rhythm, a continuous three-minute and forty-seven-second offense finally pushed into the opposing end zone, breaking the deadlock, bing the first to score in this fierce rivalry, seizing the initiative on the away ground.

    It was so difficult.

    The sh of "defense vs defense," both teams exerted their abilities and talents to the utmost, the game utterly intense.

    However!

    Li Wei, after all the twists and turns, still Li Wei, the biggest anomaly and highlight of Crimson Tide Storm''s offensive group this season, broke the bnce.

    His unparalleled performance silenced the entire Tiger Stadium.

    Whoosh.

    Hertz was the first to charge toward the end zone, pulling Thompson aside to dig out Li Wei and hug him fiercely, continually shouting.

    "Touchdown. Touchdown! It''s a touchdown!"

    Not just Hertz, the entire offensive group without exception, the emotions suppressed for a whole half finally found release, one after another, they roared.

    But Li Wei didn''t.

    Huff, huff huff huff.

    Li Wei was panting heavily, that bout of offense had truly drained too much of his energy, the sensation of burning had gutted his body and soul; at the same time, the satisfaction of release surged through his blood, the overwhelming passion bubbling from every pore continued to boil.

    So Li Wei stood there, not roaring, not screaming, but quietly gazing at the Tiger Defense Squad members¡ª

    Readtest stories on empire

    Riley. Beckwith. Adams.

    His gaze gently swept over them like a spring breeze, all of them panting and drenched in sweat, but Li Wei''s eyes fiercely suppressed their momentum, with a thousand words stuck in their throats thrashing violently.

    Ultimately, Li Wei paid them no heed but turned to the Tiger Stadium around him, scanning the surroundings.

    Then raised his right hand to his ear as if it were a megaphone.

    Waiting, patiently waiting.

    The home fans finally realized Li Wei''s provocation; was he mocking the silence of Tiger Stadium?

    Thud.

    Boos erupted, quickly enveloping the entire stadium.

    ```

    But Li Wei was not satisfied. He slowly turned around, summoning more boos and moremotion.

    For the visiting team, these curses, this anger, these attacks were the best kind of awards, signifying that they had finally gotten things right.

    Moreover, they were mortal enemies.

    Li Wei was waiting, waiting for the storm to be even more ferocious and wild.

    Tiger Stadium finally granted Li Wei his wish.

    "Go, Tigers!"

    "Go, Tigers!"

    The shouting twisted into a single rope, climbing higher and higher, causing the entire Tiger Stadium to tremble as the wave of sound rose to new heights.

    In a blink, it flooded the stadium, and Tiger Stadium once again pulsated with vitality.

    The corners of Li Wei''s mouth curled up, revealing a contented smile, and then he walked towards the yer rest area, where he could see his teammates from afar.

    Lined up in a row, they raised their right hands.

    Li Wei jogged over, high-fiving his teammates one by one in celebration. Finally, he made his way to the defensive group''s side and saw an antsy Allen and the others.

    Next, the Special Duty Group would kick the extra point, then they''d kick off, followed by the entrance of the defensive group, but clearly, they could hardly wait.

    Allen bumped shoulders with Li Wei and gave him a hearty p on the back, "Well done. You did your job, we''ll do ours. Trust me, I won''t let them seed. Let those scouts see their true strength, and they''ll realize how wrong they''ve been."

    What exactly was he talking about?

    Running back Leonard Foute.

    Before Li Wei burst onto the scene, there were several running backs who had garnered attention this season, including Christian McCaffrey, who was just behind Derrick Henry inst year''s Heisman voting, and Louisiana State University''s own Foute.

    Last season, Foute showed a dominating performance with 1,953 rushing yards, but unfortunately, he was overshadowed by the even more phenomenal Henry and McCaffrey.

    This season, Foute was widely considered the strongest contender for the Heisman Trophy, but then he suffered a series of injuries. Starting before the season, he was injured three times in just two months, disrupting his gamey, which is why he was now absent from the Heisman odds.

    However, the key point is Foute''s exceptional physical fitness. Even with three injuries in two months, he quickly returned to the field and always managed to perform well. Perhaps the injuries cast a shadow over his draft prospects, but at the same time, they confirmed Foute''s resilience.

    As it stood, even though Crimson Tide Storm was advancing victoriously, Li Wei was still ranked fourth in the Heisman predictions and had not managed to climb further. The primary reason was that experts generally believed Foute was a better running back than Li Wei and had more promising draft prospects.

    Clearly, Allen did not agree¡ª

    In the first half, Foute also faced the fierce storm of Crimson Tide Defensive Group andcked standout performances.

    Now, having finally zed his own trail of blood, Li Wei would definitely provoke Foute, as both were running backs, and this was their first head-to-head confrontation; but Allen had already anticipated this.

    Thus, there had been that conversation just now. Li Wei had finished his job, and next, it was the defensive group''s turn.

    "7:0."

    After the Crimson Tide Special Duty Group steadied the extra point, the defensive group took the field once again.

    Tiger Stadium erupted with incredible energy again, cheering on their offensive group. However, Saban, the old fox, was clearly fully prepared.

    Unlike the Tigers Defense Squad, which focused heavily on ground defense topletely cut off Li Wei, the Crimson Tide Defensive Group showed their dominance in the short pass area¡ª

    Foute took the ball and rushed forward.

    Yet, before he could even get started, Allen had already shaken off his marker, pouncing like a tiger with a precise and vicious tackle, grasping Foute tight.

    Down!

    Foute was mmed to the ground like a heavy sandbag.

    Allen dashed forward, cutting off hope: This route is closed.

 Chapter 96 095 Supreme Hero

    ```

    Nightmare.

    The nightmare returned once more for Louisiana State University quarterback Brandon Harris.

    The offensive group had been under immense pressure due to the dismal performance in the first four weeks of the season. They had finally found a breather after a change in leadership, only to face a devastating blow today. The confidence they had painfully built was once again in disarray and hanging by a thread.

    The slight trembling of his knees did not lie.

    "Brandon..."

    "Brandon!"

    The calls exploded next to his ear, and Harris was abruptly pulled back to reality; turning his head, he saw Foute''s sweat-drenched but resolute face capturing his senses amid the chaos.

    "We can do it."

    Harris''s gaze was still wavering. Just moments ago, Foute had hit a wall. He could understand Foute''s fighting spirit, but today was different, really different. The Crimson Tide Storm defense showed no mercy, with every move lethal and the onrush leaving no room to breathe.

    Foute noticed the uncertainty in Harris''s eyes and understood his thoughts. It was precisely because he had just experienced Allen''s crushing tackle and running straight into a wall that a sense of humiliation erupted, making his will more determined than ever. He repeated himself.

    "Believe me, we can do it!"

    Foute patted Harris''s shoulder forcefully and turned to line up¡ª

    There was no other choice; it had to work.

    Up until now, Foute had never taken Li Wei seriously. He believed that he was the number one collegiate running back and that not even McCaffrey was worth mentioning.

    In Foute''s view, Li Wei''s impressive performance was simply due to novelty; debuting this season, NCAA teams were not familiar with Li Wei, which allowed him to have his way. Once they got used to him, Li Wei''s aura of mystery would dissipate, posing no threat.

    The Tiger Defense Squad had already proved this point in today''s first half.

    However!

    Just moments ago, Li Wei''s spectacr performance had silenced Tiger Stadium, and with the sense of crisis never feeling so acute, ity heavily upon the chest. Foute''s entire fighting spirit had changed.

    He needed to prove himself.

    If Li Wei could do it, so could he. Despite close defense and thorny paths, like Li Wei, he could carve out his domain with his own legs.

    There was no room for maneuvering, no space to retreat. He had to outperform, he had to defeat that kid in a head-to-head battle.

    For himself, and for the Tigers.

    It was that simple.

    Taking a deep breath and exhaling forcefully, Foute was ready.

    But then¡ª

    Blitz.

    The Crimson Tide Storm chose to blitz.

    Clearly, Saban had sensed the shift in the atmosphere as well, capturing the rhythm of the game instantly. The defense did not passively wait but took the rare initiative to strike.

    Such tactics were indeed rare for the Crimson Tide Storm, brutally catching the Tiger offensive group off guard.

    Rip.

    The pocket, torn apart.

    Crimson Tide Storm Defense Team Captain Allen charged ahead, darting toward Harris with the speed of lightning.

    Harris was in utter disarray: Damn it! Damn, damn, damn! Help! Legs,e on, faster, even faster, please save me.

    Harris sincerely believed that if he were caught this time, it would surely be disastrous.

    But clearly, Harris still needed to consider Allen''s opinion.

    To this, Allen objected.

    With one step forward, Allen spread his arms wide like a ck bear and lunged at Harris.

    Ah!

    Harris, in a panic, let out a scream and his gaze frantically searched for an option. Seeing a purple figure, he instinctively threw the football.

    Bang!

    No sooner had the football left his hand than the next second, a ferocious force mmed brutally into Harris''s chest. He didn''t even have time to cry for help before everything went dark. Your adventure continues at empire

    ```

    So, Football?

    In Foster''s arms.

    Foster was very calm, and despite being caught off guard by the Crimson Tide Storm''s sudden assault, the crisis adrenaline rush¡ª

    As long as he could make progress, secure the first strike, and even score a touchdown, he''d be like a superhero saving the Tiger Team from doom and bing a legendary hero.

    The more dangerous and challenging the situation, the more passive¡ªthe more precious the sess, the more enthusiastic the apuse and cheers.

    Speed was not Foster''s strong suit, but rather solid and robust offense was his specialty, and he longed for physical contact and strength contests.

    In the first half today, Li Wei held back, and so did Foster, never quite managing to unleash his best performance.

    If Foster wanted to prove himself, now was the perfect time.

    Concentration, more focused than ever, his strength burned and erupted continuously, charging through the front like a bowling ball.

    One, bang!

    Two, bang!

    Foster had truly entered his Godlike State, perfectly triggered by Li Wei, with adrenaline pumping continuously, steamrolling through with the attitude of a bulldozer, step by step,yer byyer, annihting the defenses of the Crimson Tide Storm, apanied by a roar from the depths of his Dantian¡ª

    Break! Break! Break!

    He was unstoppable, marching forward bravely.

    Foster''s eyes were blood-red with fury as he leaned his left shoulder forward to clear the path ahead, pushing off the ground, exerting force, and exploding with the momentum of a deity.

    Tiger Stadium went wild.

    Five yards!

    Ten yards!

    The home crowd, unable to contain themselves, cried out together, "Hold that Tiger," clearly a boast of victory.

    "Hold that Tiger!"

    "Hold that Tiger!"

    Cheers of support became the power that drove Foster into a state of frenzy, his body steaming hot, like a killing god, single-handedly breaking through.

    Fifteen yards!

    Behind himy a trail of destruction left in his wake, and after the missed opportunity to take down Harris, the Crimson Tide Storm''s surprise tactic fell into a passive state, as the short pass area''s yers had all moved forward to the offensive line, in addition to Saban not forgetting pass defense, leaving space for Foster.

    And so, Foster started to run, unleashing the full power of a bulldozer, quickly securing the first strike, and continuing on.

    At that moment, the defensive yers for mid-range and long-range passes from the Crimson Tide Storm finally caught up, a bustling white storm surrounding that single streak of purple.

    Ambush from all sides.

    But who could stop the Hulk in front of them?

    If anyone acted rashly, they might end up like Loki, being swatted aside by the Hulk without standing a chance.

    It was in that instant of hesitation that number ten, Foster, another captain of the Defensive group, stepped up.

    But instead of rushing forward for a head-on collision, he dashed slightly forward, getting half a body length ahead and circled around into a half-moon shape, charging back in from the oblique front.

    Squatting at the knees, anchoring his center of gravity, he aimed to grapple Foster''s waist and lower body, fusing his own weight into the collision and the final push toplete the tackle.

    Bang!

    The sh of strength against strength exploded in an instant.

    Meanwhile, Foster''s right hand targeted the football cradled in Foster''s arms, poking upward from beneath.

    In the midst of surging waves and earth-shattering forces, when power and bnce slipped out of control, and the world seemed to shatter, a reddish-brown blur flew out.

    The relentless chanting of Tiger Stadium instantly plunged into an icy silence, the whole ce frozen¡ª

    Fumble.

    Against all expectations, Foster had fumbled the ball.

    The very next second, a white figure had already charged forward, sweeping up the reddish-brown blur like a gust of autumn wind.

    The boiling point, abruptly returning to freezing, left the entire stadium in dead silence.

 Chapter 97 096 Momentum like a rainbow

    Humphrey was furious.

    He''d noticed Foute right away and tried to shake off the wide receiver covering him, moving up quickly to reinforce the defense. The opponent clung to him like glue, even verging on holding¡ªa penalty. This irritation sounded an rm for Humphrey, but also made him quickly calm down.

    Mustn''tmit a foul. Keep cool.

    With a sudden stop, Humphrey forced his opponent to overshoot due to inertia, allowing their positions to diverge. He immediately took off again, eyes locked on Foute, and he could tell in an instant that Foute was in a state of transcendent excitement, unstoppable.

    As a cornerback, Humphrey''s main task was to cover wide receivers, and asionally, running backs.

    Humphrey could see at a nce that Foute, in such a state, couldn''t likely be stopped by just one or two yers¡ªthey needed to cooperate.

    What else?

    Since the second line of defense was weak, the Crimson Tide Storm probably couldn''t mobilize enough yers, so was there no way to stop Foute?

    No.

    There was a way, one way.

    Humphrey remembered the trick Derrick Henry had told them about: facing a running back with blood in their eyes, an ordinary tackle simply wouldn''t do. So instead of a frontal collision that would be giving away a free score, better to disrupt the running back''s control of the football.

    Running backs undergo specialized training to protect the ball, and maintaining possession under pressure is a critical measure of a running back''s ability.

    Running backs must constantly be under pressure and confrontation. If they can''t protect the ball and fumble frequently, not only failing to advance but also losing possession, then no team would like such a running back.

    As a team with a tradition of strong running backs, the Crimson Tide Storm was all too aware of this. Burns would organize drills during practice to disrupt ball possession, where yers would hit the ball-carrying hand of the running back from above, below, and the side to train running backs to protect the football under various impacts.

    So, if you can''t stop the running back, stop the football.

    Even if they didn''t cause a fumble, the running back would sound the rm, momentarily distracted, and almost instinctively try to shield the ball. Their unstoppable running pose would slow down just a bit, or even show a gap, increasing the defensive yer''s chance of sessfully intercepting the y.

    And then¡ª

    Foster!

    A light went on in Humphrey''s eyes.

    Indeed, the thoughts of a genius were the same¡ªFoster, that kid, was on the same wavelength as him.

    Humphrey immediately moved forward, ready to assist Foster with the tackle, but unexpectedly, just as he started moving, he saw a sh darting out.

    Crimson brown!

    A fumble¡ªFoster had done more than intercept Foute; he''d also caused a fumble!

    The entire Tiger Stadium was frozen in an instant, a hundred thousand eyes focused on that sh of color, mouths agape, shock and fear invading their chests.

    Take off, move up, intercept.

    Humphrey''s second reaction was extremely agile; like a whirling autumn wind sweeping leaves, he gathered the football into his embrace before it hit the ground, securing possession tightly, not slowing down, and instantlypleting a 180-degree spin, sprinting without stopping.

    Thump, thump, thump thump thump.

    Push off, take off, sprint.

    Although Humphrey was a defensive yer and not familiar with offense, at that moment he was fully in the zone. He briefly scanned the chaos and took it all in.

    Just now, the Crimson Tide Storm''s all-in blitz tactic for a rush pass had left the short pass area exposed, subsequently creating space for Foute''s breakthrough.

    But now, the Crimson Tide Storm''s concentration of forces at the line of scrimmage turned to an advantage for Humphrey, clearing the way for him.

    One step.

    Allen had already taken position, blocking off the Tigers'' strong and fierce offensive line; Humphrey''s feet shot out without hesitation.

    One, block!

    Two, block!

    The white figures of Crimson Tide Storm built a dam within the purple fog of the Tigers, and Humphrey could clearly see a pathway¡ª

    Towards the end of the world.

    Running, sprinting, dashing all the way.

    Humphrey felt as if he were back in his carefree childhood days, with no toys, no inte, no television, no game consoles, nothing at all¡ªbut life was still full of joy. All he needed to do was to dash with all his might, feeling the wind rush past his ears, andughter would involuntarily fill his chest.

    It was as though he could hear the call of Crimson Tide Storm circling high above Tiger Stadium for a long time, faint but resilient, "Run! Humphrey, run!"

    Selflessly, with all his might,mittedly, Humphrey pushed his speed to the limit, even clearly hearing his blood boiling in his body.

    To the right, he could see a dagger thrust out.

    It was Harris.

    Perhaps, as a quarterback, he still had room to grow; but as a yer for the Tiger Team, at this moment, he clenched his teeth and disyed his iron-willed fighting spirit.

    Humphrey mmed on the brakes in an emergency stop, skirting past Harris''s attempted tackle and dodging out of ce, a clockwise spin sending the poor kid who didn''t know defense, didn''t know tackling, didn''t know positioning sprawling behind him, the path ahead clearing once again.

    Closer.

    Even closer.

    All the way, unhindered, Humphrey opened his arms and leaped into the end zone, putting a period on this counterattack.

    The entire field fell utterly silent.

    The same situation, a different state of mind.

    The home crowd had anticipated the start of this offensive wave, but they had not foreseen the final result.

    Foster''s fumble meant the ball was a free for all, open for contention¡ªif the Tigers managed to grab it, it would still be considered a sessful conversion of possession.

    However, Humphrey secured the ball, and before his knees hit the ground, he could continue carrying the ball on a counterattack, all the way until he was downed, reached the end zone, or fumbled himself¡ªif he also lost the ball, the same rules would apply, the ball would be free for all again, and whoever seized the offensive rights would take it.

    Luckily, Humphrey avoided a repeat of the chaos, and with a clean and decisive move, he scored a touchdown for Crimson Tide Storm''s defensive group¡ª

    A fumble return for a touchdown.

    Ah!

    Ahhhh!

    The yers of Crimson Tide Storm were immersed in madness, raising their hands high one by one in the touchdown gesture, setting aze surging passions. Find exclusive stories on empire

    Yet, Tiger Stadium was silent.

    The bone-chilling cold of the home ground seemed never-ending, only the small mes of the away team yers burning, weak but tenacious, solitary yet fierce.

    The game waspletely overturned within a mere five minutes.

    Crimson Tide Stormpletely turned the tide, first with the offensive group bearing the pressure to break through the impregnable defense, opening up the game with a siege-like offensive, breaking the deadlock between the teams.

    Then came a forceful counterattack from the offensive group of the Tigers, but Crimson Tide Storm''s defensive group disyed their dominant quality at the critical moment, not only stopping the opponents but alsopleting a possession turnover, finishing with a touchdown.

    Without even time to catch their breath, the evenly matched game that had been deadlocked for three quarters waspletely shifted.

    Seeing their arch-rivals singing and dancing in their own end zone, the home crowd''s hearts turned to ash, struck by the heavy blows and momentarily lost.

    But Humphrey didn''t care.

    After finishing his celebration in the end zone, Humphrey turned around and found Foute in the crowd, lifted the football to point at him, then jogged to the side of the field, shoving the football into Li Wei''s arms, the first to lead the ruckus.

    "Roar! Roar, roar, roar!"

 Chapter 98 097 Like falling into an ice cellar

    Foute was stunned.

    Everything was so unexpected, so sudden, so surprising that he stood rooted to the spot as if struck by lightning. He even forgot to chase back, standing foolishly in the wind, his mind reeling with shock and astonishment, tempering his anger for the moment.

    How did this happen?

    He was dominating the game and was on the verge of breaking through Crimson Tide Storm''s defense. Images of post-touchdown celebrations had already formed in his head, where he, like a peerless hero, saves the Tigers from doom, with the entire stadium cheering, prostrating at his feet in worship.

    He was going to prove himself in an absolutely dominant and dazzling manner.

    Li Wei? Hmph, who is that?

    But...

    But!

    How had everything turned around sopletely, heading in a totally different direction?

    A gentle breeze blew, and Foute felt the pain in his ankle re up again. The next second, he saw Humphrey, so arrogant, so conceited, that it was hard to overlook. His gaze followed Humphrey''s movements, and finally he saw the football being tucked into Li Wei''s arms.

    His blood rushed to his brain and instantly froze into ice.

    Foute felt his cheeks burning with a fierce pain.

    He caught Li Wei''s gaze briefly in midair, a me of rage igniting in Foute''s eyes, wishing he could tear Li Wei apart. But Li Wei, withposure, nonchntly tossed the football up and caught it, juggling it as if to mock Foute''s pride and dignity.

    And then he turned and walked away... just turned away... like that...

    As if Foute wasn''t worth mentioning at all.

    Foute couldn''t hold back any longer: Fuck!

    "14:0."

    With Crimson Tide Storm confidently scoring the extra point, the visiting bama team extended their lead and finally found their footing.

    The audience, witnessing this, almost believed the game had lost its suspense:

    The Louisville State Tigers seemed destined to crumble in defeat just like the other teams that faced Crimson Tide Storm earlier in the season, including powerhouse teams like Tennessee and Texas A&M, falling one by one, offering their heads in a procession of despair amidst Crimson Tide Storm''s crushing power.

    However.

    Orgeron and his Tigers said no.

    They refused to surrender, toy down their arms, to give up.

    The reason was simple, Orgeron knew that the dismissal of the previous head coach was due to ack of fighting spirit and courage during the fourth week''s game against the arch-rival, Auburn University. For Louisville State University, this was more disgraceful than defeat¡ªit was the loss of the team''s backbone.

    Perhaps they were no longer glorious, and they could no longer find the blood and iron defense that once limited their opponents to an average of 143.2 yards per game in 1959. But they still remained the traditional dominators of the Southeastern Conference, especially when facing Crimson Tide¡ªthey couldn''t show weakness.

    They could lose the game, but not their spirit.

    Orgeron, demonstrating his iron-blooded attitude, quickly took control of the situation, swiftly rousing the gging morale and willpower of the Tigers Defense Squad, steadying their stance, and redesigning tactics around Crimson Tide Storm''s ground offense¡ª

    The ground, that was still the key.

    In the previous offensive drive, Crimson Tide Storm had broken through primarily because of Li Wei and also due to Hertz''s unexpectedly deciding to advance the ball himself.

    If the Tigers wanted to maintain some suspense in the oue, their ground defense had to be tough.

    The Tigers had steadied themselves and weren''t thrown into disarray despite conceding two touchdowns in quick session.

    Honestly, this wasn''t easy, because Crimson Tide Storm now had afortable lead, allowing their offense to operate more smoothly. Saban''s offensive strategy had clearly opened up the field, not only giving Li Wei a break but also giving more ytime to Jacobs and rk.

    He boldly let Hertz throw the ball, lightening the load on the ground offense and spreading the attack, with confidence in his pocket.

    For the Tigers Defense Squad, despite Li Wei being off the field, the difficulty of the defense remained as high as ever.

    However, the Tigers held their ground against the pressure. After the Crimson Tide Storm had gotten three first downs past the midfield line, they were struck out on a beautiful tackle and did not allow the Crimson Tide Storm to further extend their lead.

    Tiger Stadium, once again ignited with passion, unleashed the power of the devil''s home field.

    Back and forth, neither side giving an inch¡ª

    Just when everyone thought the oue was a foregone conclusion, the game became deadlocked once again.

    The Tigers, struck out twice.

    The Crimson Tide Storm, struck out twice.

    Halfway into the fourth quarter, the score was still at a standstill. The tough and tenacious Tigers Defense Squad put immense pressure on the until that point smooth-sailing Crimson Tide Offensive group, making the atmosphere impossible to rx in, even with a two-touchdown lead. Overturning andebacks seemed like they could happen in the blink of an eye.

    Here, the Tigers Defense Squad intercepted Hertz for the first turnover of the game.

    The home fans erupted in an unbelievable frenzy, sweeping across the entire stadium.

    There, the Crimson Tide Defensive group once again tackled Foute, cutting off the opponent''s third down conversion and forcefully bringing Foute down at the kickoff line.

    The ball was back in the hands of the visiting team.

    Tense, deadlocked, fierce.

    Saban, on the other hand, calmed down. The fourth quarter was already halfway through, leaving the opponent with less and less time. As long as they could maintain the score advantage, the scales of victory would slowly tilt towards the visitors.

    Saban, experienced as he was, knew that choosing a ground attack to consume game time was the most economical and effective strategy at that moment. The purpose of the ground attack was not to advance the yards but to keep the game clock moving. This was the safest and simplest method.

    Including Orgeron as well.

    Clearly, Orgeron was somewhat shaken and uncontrobly anxious. Time was running out for the Tigers, and their offensive group was not known for its explosive power. Hopes for victory were fading. Stay tuned to empire

    Then, just at that moment, Saban sent Li Wei back on the field.

    Orgeron was alert immediately, but it was different from the first half.

    In Orgeron''s opinion, Saban might be using a smoke bomb because everyone believed Li Wei''s ground attack was a threat. As long as Li Wei was on the field, the Tigers Defense Squad would inevitably focus on him. Then Saban would opt for a pass.

    Meaning Li Wei was a decoy.

    The reason was very straightforward. After consecutive ground attacks to consume time, the Crimson Tide now needed to convert on first down to get three more offensive ys and then continue with ground attacks to consume time and snuff out any hopes of a Tigerseback.

    Thus, Li Wei took the field.

    Thinking this, Orgeron took a deep breath and quickly gestured to Adams and Riley, deploying tactics. They had to make a change.

    "Attack!"

    Orgeron''s gaze was locked on Hertz. Seeing Hertz quickly backpedal, turning around to hand off to Li Wei, but the handoff waspletely unobscured, an obvious y-act meant for the linemen and safety to see¡ª

    A fake run, true pass!

    Orgeron was delighted and immediately looked towards Adams and Riley, hoping his proteges could see through Saban''s ruse. He had already warned them.

    Perhaps they could stop the Crimson Tide Storm this time, as long as they defended this second down with ten yards to go. Then it would be third down with ten yards, and the chances of the Tigers Defense Squad''s sess would soar, and then it would be time for the home team''s offensive group to take the field.

    Indeed, both Riley and Adams noticed. Riley didn''t step up right away but, for once, dropped back to coordinate with the pass defense.

    So what about Hertz? Which pass target would Hertz choose?

    Gaze shifting toward the pocket¡ª

    Wait, where''s Hertz?

 Chapter 99 Gentle Cut 098

    Adams was fully focused.

    As a safety, positioned slightly to the back, he could see everything in front of him clearly. He had all movements under control and noticed Li Wei and Hertz''s exaggerated "fake run and real pass" performance immediately, and then he saw Hertz leave the pocket.

    Shock!

    Generally, a quarterback wouldn''t leave the pocket, for without the protection of the offensive line, he bes extremely vulnerable, totally exposed to the defense; mobile quarterbacks, however, are an exception. When they leave the pocket, their field of vision opens up, and the dual threat of passing and running kicks in fully.

    However, Hertz did not choose the read option, yet he still left the pocket, which meant¡ª

    His gaze quickly swept the field.

    Li Wei!

    Hertz and Li Wei split up, each making a dash as if to run.

    The double running back tactic, Crimson Tide Storm actually employed this strategy again, using Hertz as a second running back in such a critical moment.

    It was neither a passing offense nor a simple running y.

    The Tigers Defense Squad would never forget the first y that broke the deadlock in the second half of the game when the Crimson Tide Storm, relying on Hertz''s feigned running y¡ªnot a read option but a true or false running back¡ªcaught the Tigerspletely off guard, and now they were using the same tactic again.

    Saban yed a trick, but this wasn''t typical of Saban. How could that old fox take such a risk at this critical juncture? What was going on?

    But now there was no time to ponder Saban''s behavior pattern because the Tigers Defense Squad was indeed facing a serious test¡ª

    Hertz to the left, Li Wei to the right, how should they decide, how should they defend?

    Thoughts churned in his mind, yet it was only a fleeting moment, and the yers of the offensive and defensive groups had already sprung into action.

    Adams immediately noticed that Riley''s steps had shifted with Hertz''steral movement; Beckwith kept his eyes glued to Li Wei without blinking.

    The other two linebackers scattered, following the running routes of the wide receivers to stay in close coverage.

    Thepact formation of the Tigers'' defensive front thus dispersed.

    Clearly, Crimson Tide Storm''s offense, with its indistinguishable reality from feint, had caused a difference in judgment among the defense squad that was hanging by a thread.

    Adams didn''t even have time to curse; he needed to stay calm and react.

    Pumping the brakes, Adams didn''t rush to start; after all, this was at least second down and ten yards. If it was a ground y, the defensive group still had some space to fall back; if it was a passing y and the defensive group recklessly moved forward, leaving behind a vulnerable second line, they would fall right into the opponent''s trap. He needed to observe.

    Hertz?

    No, it was Li Wei.

    A moment of calmness, and through the dense crowd, Adams saw Hertz''s running motion. He wasn''t holding the ball, Li Wei was.

    Danger! Danger! Danger!

    An rm, sounding throughout.

    And then, Adams saw Li Wei, amidst the surging crowd and rolling heatwaves; that figure, like a white wave dancing through a haze of purple mist.

    Laterally, on the Tigers Defense Squad''s left side, Li Wei''s right, cornerback White lunged in like a dagger, only to see Li Wei calmlye to an abrupt stop, brushing past White''s tackle with a 360-degree clockwise spin, instantly breaking free and continuing to push forward on the inside.

    Next up, Beckwith''s steps were rapidly closing in, but Li Wei remainedposed, hitting the brakes urgently again, repeating the same 360-degree clockwise spin around Beckwith''s tackle, shedding the tackle with a familiar maneuver and driving forward on the inside, like a tornado.

    Light, agile, and delicately.

    In a mere three yards of space, withinyers of defensive gatekeepers, he danced with effortless grace, that white wave basking in the golden sunshine, leaping atop the purple tide, the momentary gasp left the whole Tiger Stadium engulfed in shock and disbelief.

    Not only effortlessly but alsoposedly, Li Wei moved as if he was in a realm of his own.

    In the nick of time, Beckwith finally made an impact. In the chaos of losing bnce and nearly falling, he stretched his arm backward in a graceful arc, tripping Li Wei''s ankle, disrupting his fluid motion.

    Li Wei, propelled by inertia, lost rhythm and bnce, his knee bent and his steps faltered.

    Then, Adams appeared.

    For a brief moment, that short instant, Li Wei and Adams''s gazes intersected, resembling lone heroes in a Western movie poised for their final standoff, the vast field around them empty of all other yers, all other figures vanished, leaving only them standing atop a metaphorical narrow bridge, facing off in a duel to the death.

    Step.

    Adams made the first move, taking the lead.

    Tug.

    Li Wei, following the forward momentum of his body, continued to surge to the right. He had just cut from the outside back to the inside, and now he was cutting back outside again because he needed the space to elerate, he needed to adjust his center of gravity and bnce, or else he had no chance in a head-to-head confrontation with Adams.

    Like a shadow, Adams stepped up quickly along a diagonal line, attempting an interception before Li Wei could regain his bnce.

    The two figures, along two radiating lines at a thirty-degree angle, rapidly approached the intersection point, with Adams''s urate foresight aiming to cut off the path ahead.

    Closer, even closer.

    Just as the two figures were about to collide, Li Wei suddenly braked hard, controlling his body a step in advance, teetering on the edge of a cliff, reining in just before the precipice, and passed by Adams, who was within an arm''s reach.

    However!

    Adams was prepared, slightly overshooting but quickly braking, spinning around and diving forward, reaching out to grapple Li Wei at the first opportunity.

    He knew Li Wei''s capabilities, having just seen Li Wei shake off White and Beckwith, and he wouldn''t make the same mistake a third time.

    A grip, a hug.

    The tackle, sessful!

    Adams rejoiced.

    But this time, Li Wei had braked hard to control his body, finding his bnce and center of gravity again, and without missing a beat, he started moving again, pushing off the ground forcefully.

    One step, two steps.

    Li Wei intentionally collided with Adams, pressing against him as he continued to move forward, unable to achieve a firm grasp amidst the jostling and bumping.

    Staggering unsteadily, just as Li Wei was about to break free from the tackle, Adams, in a moment of desperation and no longer caring for the rules¡ª

    Pulling.

    The yellow g made its appearance, the referees did not miss this scene.

    But the game did not stop.

    Li Wei felt the pull and collision of the force, not only did he not fall, but he also pushed off the ground more fully, once again increasing his power and speed.

    Thump, thump, thump, thump.

    Jostling, colliding, pulling, squeezing, entangling.

    Li Wei and Adams werepletely tangled up, with Adams refusing to let go, working hard to elerate, trying to match Li Wei''s pace, their speed escting.

    Stride, running, speeding up.

    In the midst of shoving each other, the speed of both men had picked up.

    Ten yards.

    Fifteen yards.

    Twenty yards.

    In the blink of an eye, the two men had tangled and charged some distance, the first down already in hand.

    Thompson, the Tigers'' other safety, had an extremely ugly look on his face, not because Adams failed to stop Li Wei, but because Adams had be confused,pletely forgetting the most important thing at hand¡ª

    Time, the game clock, that was what mattered most right now.

    Damnit!

 Chapter 100 099 Talk Through a Mountain

    Indeed, intercepting Li Wei was crucial; if the Crimson Tide Storm scored again, whether by field goal or touchdown, it would virtually be a death sentence for the Tigers.

    But while intercepting Li Wei, they couldn''t forget another task, controlling the game time; otherwise, even if they stopped Li Wei, the Tiger''s offensive group wouldn''t have another chance to take the field.

    Adams upied his position and had alreadymitted a foul, so he must bring down Li Wei by any means, stopping this ground attack right there. Only then could the Tigers use timeouts to halt the clock and stop wasting time.

    However, Adams didn''t do that.

    In Thompson''s view, the usually calm Adams lost his reason to pride, stirred by Li Wei''s outstanding performance, acting recklessly. Compared to controlling the game time, Adams wanted to defeat Li Wei more, even throwing the Tigers''st hope for victory to the back of his mind.

    But what if Adams failed?

    Not only would the Crimson Tide Storm be able to score, but they could also consume game time, killing two birds with one stone.

    Damn! Damn, damn, damn!

    Thompson acted immediately, his only thought now was to stop the game clock, no matter how proud Adams was.

    Watching the footsteps of Li Wei and Adams move just beyond two steps from the sideline, Thompson made a decision¡ª

    Stop the clock by going out of bounds.

    In football, besides the head coach having three timeouts, there are other ways to stop the game time, and going out of bounds is one of them.

    Thompson charged like a raging bull, sprinting with all his might.

    Because Thompson knew he could not hesitate or show weakness; giving Li Wei any space could lead to an unpredictable situation, a scenario they couldn''t afford to face right now.

    Twenty-five yards!

    From the kickoff line, Li Wei had already advanced twenty-five yards, reaching the midfield line, entering the Tigers'' half. Thompson knew he could not hesitate any longer.

    Stomp the ground, exert force, embrace, collide¡ª

    In that moment, Thompson showed enough decisiveness, urately embracing Li Wei and using the momentum of his run toplete ateral collision.

    Hmm!

    A muffled grunt.

    It was Thompson, and it was Adams.

    Li Wei became the filling of a sandwich.

    On the left was Thompson, and on the right was Adams, with the forceing from the left side, slicingterally like an unreasonably charging truck.

    Li Wei, bearing the massive impact, involuntarily flew to the right side, crashing hard into Adams, who absorbed the main force like a cushion. Because he hadn''t seen Thompson and was unprepared, his center of gravity was not lowered. He was unexpectedly sent flying.

    Literally, flying.

    Even before he could grunt, Adams had already been thrown away.

    Thompson''s physics might not have been good, knocking the wrong target with a force urring elsewhere, but he hadn''t noticed Adams. He just grappled with Li Wei, trying to pull him down.

    However, just then¡ª

    Li Wei, following the direction of the hit, spun, cleverly shedding the impact, and with a series of dazzling steps, he adjusted and shook off Thompson''s embrace.

    Three hundred sixty degrees, counterclockwise.

    The world spun around.

    And then, the fleeting gap between Li Wei and Thompson was exposed.

    From then on, one could see Li Wei staggering forward as if drunk, taking deep and shallow steps, while Thompson, like a withered leaf, felt the pull of gravity and free fell.

    Ha!

    The whole stadium gasped in shock.

    Thump, thump, thump!

    In Li Wei''s mind, there was only one thought: to continuously push off the ground and control his center of gravity, but his body still uncontrobly slid toward the sidelines.

    The forty-yard line of the Tigers'' half was just within reach, and the sideline, too, was not far away.

    Li Wei''s center of gravity severely tilted to the right, as if about to capsize, his chaotic steps in the wind not even touching the ground, floating in midair.

    Push off the ground, thirty-five-yard line.

    Li Wei held his breath, continued to push off, continued to sprint, persistently and consistently running madly without worry, without fear, without hesitation, focusing solely on one thought:

    Run.

    On the side of the field, rk and the others were going crazy; he ran alongside Li Wei down the sideline, his right hand spinning like a windmill, shouting at Li Wei with reckless abandon.

    "Roar, Li Wei, roar!"

    The blood, boiling.

    Continue to push off, twenty-five-yard line.

    His steps were like a mad dance on a tightrope, but the force and speed propelled his body forward relentlessly, tiptoeing, lightly and softly riding the wind, feeling the howling gale with every pore of his being.

    By his ears, he seemed to hear the distinctive support of the Crimson Tide Storm''s home crowd, adrenaline continuously bursting forth, miraculously pulling back his swaying center of gravity, speed increasing more and more rapidly.

    Keep pushing off, fifteen-yard line.

    In the corner of his vision, he could see the splendid and boiling purple mist ferociously steaming toward him, engulfing the space in his field of view, but in Li Wei''s eyes, it was as though in slow motion, those figures striving their utmost to run could not catch up.

    Thus, when his steps entered the Red Zone, he looked back once, turned around once.

    With his back to the end zone, Li Wei slowed down, carefully, slowly feeling this moment ¡ª the burning in his lungs, the boiling of his blood, the soreness of his muscles, and the calls swirling silently above Tiger Stadium, along with the relentless rk rushing over.

    "Roar! Li Wei, roar!"

    Thump, thump, thump.

    His steps hadpletely slowed down, leisurely strolling past the End Zone Line, quietly standing in ce, then pulling out the football, cing it in his palm, lightly tossing it up, catching it, tossing it again, catching it once more.

    Touchdown, within easy reach.

    Smile, just like that crept across his lips, quietly savoring the silent purple sea in front of him.

    The crowd, stunned and disoriented.

    This time, they were rendered voiceless once again; even their anger became void, as the Crimson Tide Storm extinguished the Tigers''st sliver of hope for aeback with their unparalleled performance, putting the final punctuation mark on the game¡ª

    Li Wei, who had been hitting walls in front of the Tigers'' formidable defense the entire first half, finally rediscovered his form from this season, a breath-taking seventy-five-yard dash straight to the heart, cutting off the suspense with unstoppable sharpness.

    The third touchdown, killing the game.

    rk was the first to rush into the end zone, heedlessly embracing Li Wei, jumping and shouting in celebration, followed by all the other Crimson Tide Storm yers joining in.

    Then, Humphrey was the first one in the end zone, mimicking Li Wei''s action, cing his right hand at his ear, provocatively listening to the sounds of the scene.

    Deadly rivals are indeed deadly rivals, and Tiger Stadium surged tumultuously with a wave of curses.

    Unfortunately, it did notst long, unable to gather any momentum, and just dispersed feeble and thin.

    The fiercer the curse, the more heartbroken; the angrier, the more embarrassed.

    Tiger Stadium fell into bewilderment, looking at each other without finding an answer, hardly believing that they were defeated by the Crimson Tide Storm once again.

    And moreover, at Tiger Stadium.

    This stadium, which had witnessed the Tigers defeating the Crimson Tide Storm fifteen times in a row, now witnessed one of the most crushing defeats between these two rivals in thirty years.

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