Wave after wave.
Gusts of wind, one stronger than the last.
However,
Li Wei, unshaken, continued to accelerate, 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—
First down, secured.
At the same time, the second safety's tackle was also in place.
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, completely relying on the momentum of the run to break the tackle, flipping the opponent, and regaining space to advance."
"McCoy, that's completely 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 accelerating, 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 Clark: I've seen this episode! We've all seen it!
This gentleman is Ronnie Clark'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.
"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—
That's it?
He was genuinely just aiming for the first down, thinking of playing 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 player, 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 black 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 play?
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, combined 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 players who weren't quarterbacks, they clashed in their respective roles.
Zhu Zhu's expression suddenly brightened, and he knew how to make a comeback.
"Sam?"
"Sam!"
Zhu Zhu called out to Danord enthusiastically and earnestly, his eyes full of emotion.