Sixty-nine seconds, the last chance to score.
For a quarterback, it's not just about completing a pass; time management is equally important, making the combination of plays even more difficult.
In a drive, many receivers, after making a successful catch, often get greedy and want to continue running with the ball. However, even without defenders, a player's running speed is not as fast as a football's flight speed. In other words, in the time it takes a player to run with the ball, the quarterback could have completed the next pass, making it a far less efficient use of time.
So, a receiver's greed is fatal for time management.
Similarly, the defenders' strategy also changes. If they lose their coverage and the opponent completes a catch, they will choose to tackle the receiver, forcing them to stay in bounds and keeping the clock running. Two or three seconds consumed with each play, and the game time will quickly run out.
Now, Lu Ke was repeatedly emphasizing not to be greedy and to get out of bounds.
After giving his instructions, Lu Ke felt a burning gaze. He looked up and saw Vernon Davis.
Vernon seemed to want to say something, his expression hard to read. But after mumbling a few words, he said nothing. He averted his gaze and pretended to listen intently.
Lu Ke didn't look away. Starting with Vernon, his gaze swept across every player. For this game, 69 seconds was their last chance for victory. For Lu Ke, 69 seconds was his last chance to secure his position as the starting quarterback.
Sixty-nine seconds, or one minute and nine seconds, is less time than it takes to get a glass of water in real life. But on the sports field, it's enough time for a world-changing event!
His blood began to boil.
"Any questions?" Lu Ke's firm and passionate gaze showed a powerful, decisive confidence. The desire and determination to win were chilling. "Then, let's go get some touchdowns."
He said "touchdowns," plural, not singular. The casual confidence and authority instantly triggered an adrenaline rush!
Then, everyone started getting ready. They smiled as they watched Lu Ke extend his right hand first. Their hands piled on top of his one by one. The offensive linemen in the back also joined in. Lu Ke shouted, "Let's go!" and everyone raised their arms high, pointing toward the end zone!
On the field, the punt began.
But the San Francisco 49ers didn't try to return it. The moment the returner caught the ball, he immediately called for a fair catch. This was because returning the punt was too difficult and would consume too much time, and time was what the 49ers could least afford to lose right now.
The Dallas Cowboys' punt was high and long, consuming three seconds, so there were only 66 seconds left. The starting position for their offense was their own 30-yard line.
Chris Wilson felt like he was going to vomit. The extreme tension and excitement made his stomach churn, and even his stiff muscles started to cramp.
Today's game was truly too thrilling. The plot was a roller coaster ride, with ups and downs, one play after another. His heart was close to giving out. After the panic and anxiety reached their peak, the urge to run away became overwhelming.
But Chris didn't turn and leave. Regardless of the outcome, he knew he had to witness the end of the game with his own eyes.
On one hand, he told himself not to have too much hope. The team's quarterback's performance was inconsistent, and he was still a rookie. It was too much to ask a rookie to lead the team to a comeback with only 66 seconds left.
But on the other hand, he couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope. What if they scored a touchdown? What if they turned the game around? What if they defeated the Cowboys? What if... a miracle happened?
The conflicting thoughts were like a roller coaster, going through three centuries in just three seconds.
"Go! Kid! Go!" Chris clenched his fists tightly. His muscles were so tense that his voice was stuck in his throat. Only a jumble of unintelligible sounds gurgled out, and no one but himself could understand it.
Of course, no one was listening anyway.
The entire stadium was restless and tense. There were no cheers, but it wasn't completely silent either. Roars tried to escape from throats but were suppressed by tense muscles. So, a muffled, indistinguishable noise hung in the air, like the roar of a jet engine flying low.
Today's game had reached a life-or-death moment!
Sixty-six seconds, starting from their own 30-yard line.
After getting on the field, Lu Ke was calm and collected, showing no signs of nervousness or anxiety. He seemed oblivious to the time running out or the fact that his team was still trailing. This was just another ordinary drive.
Calling the play, setting up the formation, reading the defense. Lu Ke went through the entire process meticulously. The noisier the stadium became, the more tense the atmosphere became, the calmer his mind was. It was clearer than ever before.
At this moment, the eyes of the entire world were on him. Not just the fans and commentators, but every single Dallas Cowboys player as well. Countless intense gazes were focused on Lu Ke alone. Could this rookie quarterback turn the tide?
The 49ers' offense used an empty backfield formation.
An empty backfield is a shotgun formation, but even more extreme. There were no players behind Lu Ke. The running back was either to the side of the quarterback, standing parallel, or in front of him, acting as a receiver or a blocker. This was an extreme passing formation.
Five offensive linemen were lined up. On the left was Michael Crabtree, and on the right were Kyle Williams, Ted Ginn, and Logan Newman, in a staggered formation, with Logan at the tip. Marcus Lynch was to Lu Ke's right, just two steps behind Ted.
The entire right side was stacked with four potential receivers, heavily tilted.
The Cowboys' defense was pressing forward, abandoning run defense. Seven players were lined up on the front, but on their left, to match the 49ers' single-wing formation, they had two linebackers to strengthen the defense, and a cornerback five yards behind them.
The other cornerback, Orlando Scandrick, was standing one-on-one in front of Michael Crabtree, in man-to-man coverage.
In the backfield, the two safeties were positioned on the left and right sides, one in front of the other. One of them was clearly pressing forward, which meant the other one was covering the deep backfield.
The defensive formation was very clear. Lu Ke could vaguely predict where the players would go next. It was tempting. The entire deep passing area was like a ripe strawberry, luring the quarterback to pass. So, should he go for a deep pass? Should he go to the right side? Should he go to the tight end?
The problem was that there were only 66 seconds left. Even if there was an open space for a deep pass, he couldn't risk it.
The reasons were simple. First, a deep pass takes longer to prepare. A short pass might only take one or two seconds, while a deep pass could take three or four seconds, plus the time the ball is in the air and the time it takes to catch it, making it a huge time consumer.
Second, a deep pass has more uncertainties. The quarterback's deep pass route is mainly in the middle. If he throws it toward the boundary, it could easily go out of bounds, wasting time without completing the pass. Also, if the ball is caught in the middle, the receiver can't immediately go out of bounds, which is bad for time management.
Of course, if a deep pass is successful, it's a fatal blow. But the risk was too high.
The Dallas Cowboys wouldn't be careless in such a crucial defensive play. More accurately, the Cowboys' entire defense wouldn't be complacent. Lu Ke hadn't forgotten their restraint and pressure in the first half. For either the Cowboys or the 49ers, a small mistake could be the end of the game!
So, how should he choose his pass?
"Hut!"
Without hesitation, Lu Ke started the play. After catching the ball, he dropped back, a quick drop back.
Lu Ke didn't even look to the right, where four receivers were gathered. He just adjusted his posture, without any thought or pause, and raised his hand to throw to the left. The pass was adjusted almost at the same time as the snap, during his drop back.
The defensive line didn't have time to blitz or cover him. They could only reflexively follow the offensive players' routes, moving in close coverage, but in their peripheral vision, they caught a glimpse of Lu Ke's passing motion. At this point, trying to adjust their balance and cover the pass was almost impossible.
So, it was one-on-one, "Michael Crabtree versus Orlando Scandrick."
At the same time as the snap, Crabtree started quickly, charging forward with his head down toward the sideline, running a diagonal route at top speed.
Scandrick ran quickly, sticking close to Crabtree while constantly looking back to watch the quarterback's passing route and motion.
In his peripheral vision, he caught the quarterback's motion. The football was flying toward him. It was a bullet pass, with a very flat trajectory and almost no arc, aimed at a position near the sideline.
Scandrick was highly focused, sticking to Crabtree, but he was a half-step slow. He stretched out his hand to try and break up the pass, but the next second, he realized something was wrong.
The pass... seemed to be off track. It wasn't thrown to Crabtree's chest but was a little higher and farther, flying over Crabtree's shoulder like an arrow!
Could it be an incomplete pass? Had Lu Ke made a mistake?
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