Chapter 225 223: Expanding the Advantage
The moment he released the ball, Lu Ke frowned and grit his teeth. 'The pass was off.'
Both the power and direction were slightly off from his expectations. The muscles in his arm were still a bit tight, and the feel of the ball was different. The instant the football left his hand, Lu Ke could feel his control slacken as the ball strayed from its intended path.
'He couldn't help but feel frustrated. His lack of game experience was creating problems. With his muscles in a different state, he hadn't made any major adjustments to his throwing motion or power. He was still too green. When time was tight, he wasn't thinking things through completely.'
His peripheral vision quickly scanned the End Zone. Besides Ted Ginn Jr., Logan Newman and Michael Crabtree had also found open space. One was the Tight End, the other a wide receiver, and both had a size advantage. When a pass's accuracy was off, using the receiver's personal abilities and physical talents to make the catch was one of the marks of a quarterback's intelligence.
'If he could choose again, he would have thrown to Logan—Crabtree's opening was too narrow, and Logan's was much better.'
'He had to sear this experience, this lesson, into his memory.'
His gaze swept over and landed on Ginn. He watched, eyes wide, as Ginn's fingertips grazed the football, altering its trajectory. Then, Ginn secured it firmly and controlled his feet, hovering on the edge of the boundary line like a ballet dancer on a precipice.
His heart leaped, suspended in mid-air. Then, the referee's whistle sounded, and two hands raised high gave the clear and unmistakable answer: "Touchdown!"
"Yeah!" Lu Ke clenched his fists and leaped into the air, unleashing his joy and relief. He then let out a wild roar, a cathartic release of all the frustration and pressure he'd been holding in. "AHHHHH!"
This Touchdown had been so difficult, so hard-won.
After being sacked four times in a row, it would have been a lie to say Lu Ke's heart was untroubled.
On one hand, he needed to be more comprehensive in his tactical thinking and more meticulous in his command of the Offense Line to prevent another pocket breakdown. On the other hand, at the moment of release, he couldn't help but subconsciously check his blind side. This subtle lapse in focus was magnified by his tense muscles.
On this drive, Lu Ke played with meticulous care, as if walking a tightrope. Yet, he executed without a shred of hesitation. The more intense the confrontation, the tougher the response required. Only then could he seize control of the game's momentum and take it, step by step, toward victory. And he had done it!
Of course, Ted Ginn Jr. deserved immense credit.
"AHH!" Lu Ke clenched his jaw, all the pent-up air rushing from his lungs. This Touchdown was more joyous, more vindicating than any before. His teammates swarmed him, slapping his shoulders and patting his helmet to celebrate their second Touchdown of the game.
"Touchdown! Touchdown! Touchdown!"
Deafening cheers swept through Paul Brown Stadium. Looking up, you could see the visitors' section, where a mere five thousand spectators erupted with volcanic passion. They jumped, shouted, and celebrated with wild abandon, the torrent of intermingling red and gold creating fierce waves of excitement.
Meanwhile, the home fans were somewhat deflated.
It wasn't that the Bengals' Defense Team had played poorly; it was that the 49ers' offense was simply better. Today, the Cincinnati Bengals' Defense Team had shaken off their slump from the previous two games and played exceptionally well. Aside from the brilliant Geno Atkins, the other defensive players had also performed admirably, with even the weaker secondary coming up with crucial defensive stops.
But in the end, they still couldn't stop the offense led by Lu Ke.
To lose ground after such a clash of titans was a heavy blow. The home fans slumped their shoulders, dejected and dispirited. Watching the opponent storm their territory was a feeling that was hard to describe. But gradually, the glaring sea of gold and red before them reawakened their passion and energy—it was time to cheer for their own offense!
"Absolutely brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!" During the play, Kirk's commentary had been a seamless flow, with Teddy not getting a word in. Only now, as the tension broke, did Teddy finally exclaim, "After being sacked four times, the 49ers' rookie quarterback still chose to pass! And he was a step ahead with his play call, easily harvesting a Touchdown in the red zone! That was truly brilliant!"
A huge smile spread across Kirk's face, his eyes full of disbelief. No words of praise were necessary; his passionate commentary moments ago was the best proof of his excitement.
After calming down, Kirk began his analysis methodically. "After scoring another Touchdown, the San Francisco 49ers have solidified their advantage. Now, for the Cincinnati Bengals, all the pressure is piling onto Andy Dalton. Not just to win the rookie quarterback battle, but also to win the game."
"On this next offensive drive, Dalton and his offense must come out strong and lead the team to a Touchdown! Only then can they suppress the 49ers' momentum and win more opportunities for their own Defense Team." As an observer, Kirk actually had a clearer understanding of the shifting dynamics on the field.
Teddy, rubbing his hands together in anticipation, agreed. "The duel between the two number fourteens today has finally reached a critical moment. Just now, Lu Ke showed unprecedented toughness and veteran poise, which is truly rare for any quarterback, let alone a rookie. Now, it's up to Dalton."
Both teams' special teams units came onto the field for the extra point kick. At the same time, the 49ers' Defense Team and the Bengals' offense were making intense preparations to take the field.
"Bambi, look." Logan patted Lu Ke's shoulder and gestured with his chin.
Lu Ke stopped and looked back, his eyes immediately finding the player in the number fourteen jersey on the other side of the field. With his short red hair, he stood out in the bustling crowd—his nickname was "Ginger Head." Right now, his gaze was locked on Lu Ke, staring firmly and openly from across the entire stadium.
The entire width of the field lay between them, making it impossible to see the other man's expression clearly. But Lu Ke could decipher the soaring fighting spirit and firm resolve in that intense gaze. That unyielding belief in victory was so familiar, so relatable.
At this moment, Lu Ke could clearly feel the curtain rising on the "duel of the number fourteens." His opponent wasn't just Geno Atkins from the Defense Team, but also Andy Dalton from the offense. This game was far from over.
Without showing any weakness, Lu Ke met Dalton's gaze. As the game entered the latter half of the third quarter, the level of excitement seemed to climb another notch.
*TWEET*. The referee's whistle sounded on the field, signaling that the San Francisco 49ers had made the extra point. The score widened to 3-17, further cementing their lead. Both Lu Ke and Dalton broke eye contact, refocusing completely on the jobs ahead of them.
Aldon Smith was the first to walk up. He clapped Lu Ke on the shoulder. "Man, you okay?"
Looking up, Lu Ke noticed Aldon wasn't the only one. At least a third of the other Defense Team players behind him were also glancing over with concern. He could even spot Vernon Davis in the crowd; though Davis was watching the field, his ears were clearly pricked for news from their side.
"I'm fine," Lu Ke said with a smile, striking a Popeye-like muscle pose to show how strong he was. His teammates chuckled. Afterward, the Defense Team took the field, and the offense got a brief rest.
During the short break, team doctor Walter Hudson came over immediately. He saw the resigned smile in Lu Ke's eyes. Walter raised his hands in surrender. "If you're fine, I'll leave right away. But right now, my job is to make sure you're unharmed."
Walter had performed a quick check on the field earlier, but Lu Ke's subsequent pass had gone off-target. Granted, that was perfectly normal in football—quarterbacks weren't robots, and inaccuracies and mistakes were bound to happen. Nevertheless, to be on the safe side, Walter decided to do a few more checks.
After saying this, Walter didn't elaborate. He just gave a wry quirk of his lips and seemed to gesture toward something behind him.
Looking up, Lu Ke saw Alex Smith jogging and warming up, with Scott Torsin alongside him.
Their eyes met, and Scott actually gave a small smile and a vigorous wave, his expression asking, 'You okay?' There was no hint of the tense rivalry between competitors in his friendly concern.
Scott was a good-natured person. In truth, his own backup spot was in jeopardy. If Colin Kaepernick returned next week, the 49ers' 53-man roster would be bloated with four quarterbacks. To bolster the team's defensive lineup, the coaching staff would very likely move Scott to the practice squad in exchange for a defensive player.
Scott was currently facing a severe crisis, one even tougher than Lu Ke's or Alex's. Yet he remained optimistic and positive, never showing any impatience—a truly rare quality in competitive sports.
And then there was Alex—the seemingly calm yet utterly determined Alex.
He showed no elation, no anxiety about his position. He simply warmed up at his own pace, methodical and completely focused, seemingly ignoring everything around him. He radiated a fiery fighting spirit and belief. It was obvious he was prepared, ready to take the field and compete at a moment's notice.
The quarterback competition had arrived ahead of schedule.