Dominate the Super Bowl

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, completely losing the relaxed 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 offense completely depended on Derrick Henry. Without their main player 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, comfortably positioned to secure a victory.

However—

Where did that number twenty-three even come from?

Damn.

Watson knew it was just a warm-up game, but for the Tigers, it was not only a chance for revenge for last season’s nationwide championship final but also an opportunity to declare 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 played 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 Black-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 outcome of a warm-up game; perfect, they could use Saban’s mindset to secure a victory—

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—

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 accidentally 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—

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 prior complacency already flown off to Java. This is definitely Li Wei’s credit."

Li Wei then made a welcoming 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—it’s just that in the previous offensive round, Bryant actually played quite well, although he didn’t score, he still pushed forward into the Red Zone. Continuing to use Bryant, playing 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 play more aggressive. This perhaps was a chance for the Crimson Tide Storm Defensive group; even if they didn’t succeed 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—

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.

Experience new stories on ???

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—

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, completing this stunning turnover!"

"Now, the offensive opportunity is in the hands of the Tigers."

"The outcome of the match is still unclear; anything is possible! As expected from the rematch of last 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 a completed 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 players can vie with wide receivers and tight ends, and as long as they don’t commit any fouls, completing 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 placements of the offensive and defensive players, he ended up mistakenly sending the football to the wrong spot, where Foster immediately intercepted it, achieving the interception.

An interception, a turnover—

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 had completely turned around.