Chapter 102: 101 One Battle to Fame
The more anxious the competition, often the more exciting; the more difficult the game, often the more precious.
It is precisely because of this that in such games, where thousands of eyes are fixed, it is easy for a superstar to emerge.
This time, it was Li Wei.
A review of the game would show that Crimson Tide Storm indeed faced stern pressure this week, and the ultimate victory was not easy to come by.
Li Wei played a key role—
148 yards on the ground and two touchdowns.
The statistics are impressive, but compared to Li Wei's average performance for the season, they appear slightly inferior; however, it's what the statistics don't show that is the focal point.
Whether it was the run that bulldozed through an ironclad defense in the third quarter, or the run that killed the suspense in the fourth quarter, all were breathtaking and showcased the full range of Li Wei's abilities, truly outstanding.
Tough enough, determined enough, smart enough, amidst the struggles when NCAA teams began to adapt and strategize against his speed and explosiveness, Li Wei demonstrated through his actions that he did not rely solely on novelty to capture attention.
If there were to be a vote for the best player of the game afterward, there is no doubt, Li Wei would be the unanimous choice.
Unlike Derrick Henry, Li Wei is still green; his short tenure in football cannot be denied—nor does it need to be. Even now, Li Wei's interpretation of the game, his grasp of opportunities, and his masterful balance of technique and power have already demonstrated first-class standards.
Just imagine, Li Wei already possesses such talent without fully understanding football and can perform at such a level and quality during critical moments. Given more time, where might he grow to be?
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The season is already halfway through.
Li Wei had already burst onto the scene, but there was no shortage of controversy surrounding him:
Some thought his excellent performance was just a fleeting meteor; some credited it more to other teams' lack of familiarity with him; some believed Crimson Tide Storm's offensive line was the true reason for the outstanding ground offense, among other critiques and scrutiny always directed at Li Wei—
When it comes to running backs, the NCAA and the NFL alike are always stricter—not just stricter than quarterback, but in fact stricter than any other position—this has become a kind of trend in the League.
Running backs must prove themselves with performances ten to twenty times better. On a test where 100 is perfect, others scoring 80 are deemed excellent, quarterbacks with 70 are highly praised, but running backs are expected to score 120 just to suffice.
Looking at the Heisman Trophy betting odds tells you everything; with such an excellent performance, Li Wei is only ranked fourth, and McCaffrey and Fournette can't even make it into the top five. Especially since Derrick Henry just won the Heisman Trophy last year, the criteria for judging running backs this year has become even more stringent.
Now, Li Wei has finally scored 120 points, proving himself with a spectacular performance that turned the tide of the battle—
A battle that made his name.
Since the opening game of the season, people had already realized Li Wei might be a genius.
But genius is not uncommon, in the world of competitive sports, there are countless geniuses, even to the point where being a genius is just the entry threshold to this world. For geniuses to truly transform their talents into performance on the field, it often requires numerous rigorous trials and countless challenges.
Unexpectedly, in less than three months, Li Wei has again and again stunned with his performances and finally shone brightly in a tough match against a strong defensive team, effortlessly sparking a frenzy—a genius who has become a star who cannot be ignored by the NCAA.
At the moment, it's still unknown how NCAA and NFL professionals have reacted, but Tiger Stadium erupted into a frenzy on the spot.
After the match, reporters bustled around the sides of the player's tunnel.
From a distance, Hertz could see the surging crowd, and his heart began to beat slowly. After experiencing such a thrilling and exciting game, it was inevitable that the young man would feel his spirits soaring, like a triumphant horse galloping swiftly.
He walked up with his head high, and indeed, the reporters did not miss Hertz.
After all, the quarterback is always the star of the team, even if he is a blue-collar worker. It is a position under the spotlight, subject to judgment and attention. Regardless of how a player performs, the quarterback is always the center of focus.
However, the interview had barely begun, with Hertz speaking eloquently about the difficulties and challenges of the game, when the surrounding reporters began to trickle away. As he spoke, he could see the number of microphones around him noticeably dwindling.
Hertz: Hey, what's going on?
Following the line of sight of the reporters, he then saw Li Wei chatting and laughing with Humphrey. The answer couldn't be more obvious.
Hertz couldn't help but burst into laughter.
He understood the reasoning: in the Crimson Tide Storm, quarterbacks could never compare to running backs. To be fair, he still needed more practice and growth. Compared to Li Wei, who was also a "rookie," he wasn't nearly as impressive, and this game had vividly proved that point.
Yet, it was hard not to feel a tinge of disappointment and bitterness.
Before his emotions could even begin to ferment, Hertz saw Humphrey take a step forward and intercept Li Wei with a solemn nod to the reporters.
"I know you've come to interview me, and I'm very grateful, but sadly, I can't accept all interviews. So here's what we'll do: those willing to interview Li Wei can interview me. Let's take care of the newcomer and let him bask in the starlight for a bit."
Ha ha.
The whole place erupted in laughter.
Hertz couldn't resist joining in the laughter.
Seeing Li Wei standing there with an innocent face playing a supporting role, one by one the reporters gave face, as Humphrey was also a major contributor to today's game and was a star of the Crimson Tide Storm defensive group.
Bustling about, Humphrey ended the interview proactively, signaling to the reporters not to be harsh and adopting the look of a veteran taking care of a rookie, swaggering off the stage and heading towards Hertz, shaking his head and sighing.
"Ah, it's a young man's world now."
Hertz: ???
Unable to contain his brightening mood, as he looked at Li Wei again, Hertz clenched his fist in determination. The attention and treatment Li Wei received were all earned through his performances. He too should continue to work hard and strive, trying to keep up with Li Wei's pace, and win his own applause through his performance.
And Li Wei, surrounded by reporters and faced with an ambush of microphones, looked calm.
"Li Wei, brilliant game, brilliant victory. It seemed like you had extra motivation this game, was it because of Fournette from the Tiger Team?"
"Currently, Fournette, McCaffrey, and you are recognized as the top three running backs in the college league, and direct competitors for this year's Heisman Trophy. This was a head-to-head match today, did that give you extra motivation?"
"What do you think of Fournette's performance in this game?"
With countless microphones and recorders all thrust towards Li Wei.
Li Wei blinked, his eyes the picture of innocence, "Who?"