The practice squad was starting to falter.
Ultimately, there was a skill gap. Even though their opponents were only the third-string team, the difference between being on the roster and not was a very real thing in their lives.
In their first drive, the practice squad, with Lu Ke's stunning long pass, scored a touchdown. This not only gave the offense confidence but also boosted the morale of the defense. As the practice squad's confidence grew, Kevin's performance for the third-string team suffered. His offense was constantly thwarted, giving the practice squad an advantage.
But as the game went on, the skill gap began to show. Once Kevin got his composure back, he showed why he was a third-string quarterback. His offense was much more efficient at advancing the ball than the practice squad's, and the momentum slowly began to shift.
From 3:11 to 6:42 in the game, Kevin consistently drove his team down the field, making 10-yard gains and reaching the opponents' 16-yard line. The practice squad fell back but finally held strong, defending against two passes and stopping a third run play. The third-string team was forced to settle for a field goal, closing the score to 7-3.
At 11:45, Kevin found his rhythm again, connecting with a wide receiver for a 23-yard run and a touchdown. After the extra point, the third-string team took the lead, 10-7.
The scrimmage was only 15 minutes long, which meant the practice squad had just 3 minutes and 15 seconds left. Lu Ke led the team back onto the field. Their first attempt at a long pass failed and was almost intercepted. The opponents were clearly on guard after the first long pass. Lu Ke had no choice but to try to advance the ball slowly and steadily.
Even with Lu Ke's short and medium pass accuracy at only 64 points, it was just enough for a scrimmage. Most importantly, he wasn't alone. Derek had a great game, making several effective runs and helping Lu Ke out of trouble. The balance between passing and running threw the third-string's defense off rhythm, allowing the practice squad to narrowly make 10-yard gains and advance to their opponents' 30-yard line.
At this point, they were within field goal range. A successful kick would tie the game. For the practice squad, a tie would be as good as a victory.
But it wasn't that simple. There was still 1 minute and 43 seconds left. If they kicked a field goal now, the third-string team would still have about a minute to drive down the field, and the opponents would have the final say in the outcome.
Moreover, every member of the practice squad knew that a tie or a loss in this scrimmage was meaningless to them. Only a victory could get them noticed by the coaches and break the barrier between practice players and official team members.
They had to go for it.
Lu Ke looked at his teammates, his eyes firm. They had no coaches, only a quarterback and each other. After they exchanged glances, Derek was the first to clench his fist. "Let's keep going!" Then John, and then the others. Everyone nodded, their eyes on Lu Ke.
"What? They're going to keep going?" The players on the sidelines were shocked again. A field goal would tie the game, which would be an unimaginable victory for the practice squad. But they weren't satisfied and were going for a touchdown? Were they going for it all, for the win?
Kevin spat on the ground nearby. "Arrogant clowns. A bunch of hot-headed idiots." He stared at Lu Ke with a vicious look of disdain, but his body language betrayed his nervousness. The muscles in his crossed arms were completely tense, his fists clenched tight, his knuckles white.
That practice player, he only got one lucky touchdown because of John! John caught the unbelievable pass, and John broke away for the touchdown. Lu Ke had nothing to do with it. Without John's fleeting moment of talent, not only would there have been no touchdown, but the pass wouldn't have even been completed. Now this clown wanted to score a game-winning touchdown and be a hero?
Ridiculous!
Kevin gnashed his teeth, his chest about to burst.
On the field, Lu Ke was focused and concentrated. He directed the offensive line to get into position and started the next play. The first short pass was read by a defender who knocked the ball away. Luckily, it wasn't an interception. The second pass was a medium-range attempt to John, but the accuracy was off, and it was a half-arm's length away, resulting in an incomplete pass.
Two plays, zero yards gained. They were still at the 30-yard line, needing 10 yards to get a first down. They had failed to get 10 yards in two attempts, and now they had only one chance left. The task was far more difficult than imagined.
Lu Ke was breathing heavily. Both times, opposing defenders broke through the offensive line and hit him hard. It felt like being hit by a bus.
The system's scores were right. His short and medium passing accuracy was still terrible. Back during his freshman tryouts, he had a hard time completing passes. His feel for the ball was limited, and he wasn't strong enough to withstand the physical contact. That's why he was just a practice player, not even a substitute. A long pass could win a game, but short and medium passes were the core of the game.
At this moment, Lu Ke understood that better than anyone. The offensive line couldn't give him enough time to throw a long pass. Once the defenders read the play, a long pass was just a quick way for the opponent to break up the pass, make a stop, or even get an interception.
He needed a short or medium pass, but he had failed twice.
Lu Ke knew he was a long way from being a good quarterback, but that didn't mean he would give up. He took a long breath out and looked up to see the hopeful eyes of his teammates. It was just a scrimmage, but he could feel the weight of their trust pressing down on his shoulders. They were a team. They fought together. They trusted each other. And together, they would win!
"Guys, I have an idea!" Lu Ke called everyone over and quickly laid out the play. No one questioned Lu Ke's plan, and no one hesitated. Once he was done, they all turned and went to their positions. They were a bunch of practice players no one believed in or paid attention to. All they had was themselves and each other.
Lu Ke stood behind Tevin again, his eyes sharply scanning the defensive formation. The opponents were no longer taking them lightly. They were focused, and Lu Ke could even see several players' eyes locked on him. They were clearly still making the quarterback their primary target.
"Hike!"
Lu Ke shouted, felt the football in his hands, and the team charged forward. Lu Ke caught the ball, took two steps back, and raised his right hand to pass. As expected, the defenders spread out. Only two players rushed the offensive line, while all the others covered the receivers and tight end.
It was the final down, and they needed to gain 10 yards. A pass was the best and fastest option. In college football, there wasn't as much deception as in the pros. The tactical systems were relatively simple, so they made a quick judgment. And Lu Ke had guessed correctly.
Lu Ke made a turn and handed the ball off to Derek. Derek tucked the ball under his arm and charged forward like a bull.
Only two defenders were rushing the offensive line of five, so the five practice players easily blocked the two defenders, pushing them aside to create a wide-open path in the middle.
Derek lowered his head and charged forward, weaving past his own teammates and the other defenders trying to tackle him. He pushed forward, and then pushed again.
The rest of the third-string defenders finally realized what Derek was doing. The defensive perimeter immediately began to tighten. Although the practice squad's wide receivers and tight end tried their best to block the defenders, the majority of the defenders were waiting to cover passes. Their numbers gave them an easy advantage in forming a tackle circle.
As Derek broke through, the circle closed in quickly, and the final two defenders converged, tackling Derek and ending the successful run.
The unexpected play call allowed Derek to break through the defense and make a huge gain. All the practice squad players erupted in cheers, both the offense on the field and the defense on the sidelines. The third-string players looked flustered and couldn't believe their eyes.
The highlight of the play was Derek's run, but it was even more about Lu Ke's play-calling! At the right time, he chose the right play, and he put himself and his teammates in the right position. There was no excessive heroics or reckless decisions. It was an incredible breakthrough. He truly was the brain of the team.
But the question was: did Derek gain the 10 yards they needed?
All eyes were on Anthony, who was officiating the game. He took a quick measurement, sighed to himself, but then calmly announced, "One more yard!"
Derek had gained nine yards. They had one yard to go on the final down. What would their choice be?
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