The more intense a game is, the more thrilling it becomes; the more difficult it is, the more valuable the victory.
And because of this, such games often give rise to superstars.
This time, it was Lance.
Looking back at the game, it's clear that the Crimson Tide faced immense pressure this week, and their victory was far from easy.
Lance played a pivotal role—
148 rushing yards, two touchdowns.
The stats were already impressive, though slightly below Lance's season average. However, it was the parts that stats can't capture that made all the difference.
Whether it was the powerful run that broke through the impenetrable defense in the third quarter, or the game-sealing run in the fourth quarter, both moments left the audience in awe and showcased Lance's complete skill set.
Tough, determined, and smart—while other NCAA teams began adapting to his speed and explosiveness, Lance proved through his actions that his success wasn't just a flash in the pan.
If there had been a vote for the game's MVP, Lance would have won it unanimously.
Unlike Derrick Henry, Lance was still raw—his limited experience in football was undeniable. But even now, his understanding of the game, his ability to seize opportunities, and his balance between technique and power were already at an elite level.
Just imagine, if Lance could play this well without fully grasping football yet, what heights could he reach with more time and experience?
The season was halfway over.
Since the start, Lance had taken the college football world by storm, but the doubts and debates surrounding him were constant: Some believed his exceptional performances were just a flash in the pan; others thought it was more due to opponents being unfamiliar with him. Some attributed his success to the Crimson Tide's offensive line rather than his own talent. Regardless, Lance was under constant scrutiny.
In the case of running backs, the NCAA—and the NFL—are notoriously strict. In fact, running backs are judged more harshly than quarterbacks, or any other position for that matter. This has become a trend in the sport.
Running backs must put on performances ten to twenty times better than others to prove their worth. On a 100-point scale, other players can score 80 and be considered excellent, while quarterbacks scoring 70 would be praised. But a running back must score 120 just to be deemed good enough.
Just look at the Heisman Trophy odds. Despite Lance's stellar performances, he was only ranked fourth. McCaffrey and Fournette weren't even in the top five, and with Derrick Henry just winning the Heisman last year, this season's standards for running backs were even more stringent.
But now, Lance had finally hit that 120-point mark. With his game-changing performance, he had truly proven himself—
From the season opener, people had realized Lance was a potential superstar.
But geniuses are not rare in the world of sports. In fact, talent is just the baseline for entry. To truly convert potential into on-field success, athletes must go through countless trials and tribulations.
No one expected that in just under three months, Lance would repeatedly deliver awe-inspiring performances, and now, facing one of the toughest defenses in the nation, he had shined brighter than ever, cementing his place as a rising star in the NCAA.
While we don't yet know how the professionals in the NCAA and NFL reacted to this, the crowd at Tiger Stadium certainly erupted.
After the game, reporters swarmed the players' tunnel.
From a distance, Hurts saw the throng of people, and his heart skipped a beat. After such a heated and exhilarating game, it was hard for a young player not to feel excited.
With his head held high, Hurts walked forward confidently, and sure enough, the reporters didn't miss him.
After all, quarterbacks are always the stars of the team, even if they're just workhorses. The quarterback is always in the spotlight, no matter their performance.
But as Hurts began to passionately recount the challenges and difficulties of the game, he noticed something strange—fewer and fewer microphones were pointed his way. Reporters were slowly drifting away.
Hurts: What's happening?
Following the reporters' gaze, Hurts spotted Lance, laughing and chatting with Humphrey. The reason for the reporters' exodus was clear.
Hurts couldn't help but chuckle.
It made sense. In the Crimson Tide, running backs would always overshadow the quarterbacks. Besides, Hurts knew he still had a lot of growing to do. Compared to Lance, who was also a rookie, Hurts still had some catching up to do. This game had only highlighted that reality further.
Even so, he couldn't help feeling a little disappointed, a bit bitter.
But before the feeling could settle in, Hurts saw Humphrey step in front of Lance, blocking the reporters with a straight face.
"I know you're all here to interview me. I really appreciate it, but unfortunately, I can't do all the interviews. So how about this—if you want to interview me, you have to interview Lance too. Let's give the rookie a little taste of the spotlight, let him feel what it's like to be under the superstar glow."
The entire group burst into laughter.
Hurts couldn't hold back and joined in the laughter too.
The reporters looked at Lance, who stood obediently in the background, playing the role of a sidekick. Out of respect for Humphrey—who was one of the standout players today, and a defensive star for the Crimson Tide—they agreed.
After some more lighthearted exchanges, Humphrey finished the interview, made sure the reporters didn't make things too difficult, and then sauntered over to Hurts, swaying his head and sighing dramatically.
"Sigh, it's a young man's world now."
He couldn't hold back a smile, and his mood brightened once again. Looking at Lance, Hurts clenched his fists. Lance had earned this attention with his performance, and Hurts would keep working hard to win his own applause.
Meanwhile, surrounded by reporters, Lance remained calm and composed as he faced the barrage of microphones.
"Lance, it was an incredible game and an incredible win. You seemed to have extra motivation today. Was it because of Fournette?"
"Currently, you, Fournette, and McCaffrey are regarded as the three top running backs in college football, and you're all in the running for the Heisman Trophy. Was today's game a personal showdown for you?"
"What are your thoughts on Fournette's performance today?"
The questions flew in from all directions, with microphones and recorders thrust toward Lance.
Lance blinked innocently, his eyes wide with purity. "Who?"
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