"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 players 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 the layers of pressure piling on—
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 player, his physique still had growing potential, and his style of play was much like Watt’s, the NFL superstar.
Watt, what exactly is his level?
2012, 2014, 2015—he had been the league’s best defensive player of the seasons; moreover, when other defensive players 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—
0.5 of those sacks were along with other players.
Stats, hardly enough to showcase the dominance of Watt, whose very presence continuously redefined the limits of defensive players. 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 play was similar, aggressive, and dominating. Being a defensive player, yet displaying 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 inflated rapidly like a pufferfish, and with a spin, he was already speeding toward Li Wei.
Fast!
A single word, that was fast.
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.
One layer.
Then another.
Literally, he could see the defensive shields layering 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 accelerate, 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 accelerating, he first encountered the impact from Number Ninety-Nine and then felt a crowd swarming up ahead, dense and impenetrable, completely obscuring the far end.
It was definitely different.
So, what would Adrian Peterson do?
Li Wei was very calm, having experienced similar defensive pressure multiple times in system model training—there was no need for alarm; but real combat slightly differed from simulation. The sharp and scorching sensations on his skin permeated into his blood vessels through his pores, and then his blood blazed up.
Excited, thrilled, yet remained calm.
His gaze swiftly scanned the field, his brain working at high-speed, and he had already completed observation and judgment in a flash.
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—
It would be laborious 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 linebacker coming 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, slamming hard.
Bang!
A loud noise echoed, with tumultuous air waves rolling.