A punt, simply put, occurs when the special teams kicker from the offensive side boots the football as far as possible into the opposing half of the field. The return team on defense positions itself to catch the ball and then push forward in a play called a "return."
The offensive special team must then try to stop the returner because wherever he is tackled is where the opposing offense will start its drive.
A great punt can pin the opposing team at their own 1-yard line near the end zone.
A disastrous punt can allow the returner to run the entire length of the field, scoring a touchdown, a play known as a "punt return touchdown."
Of course, there are various outcomes in between.
If the punt lands out of bounds, sails through the back of the end zone, or drops into the opponent's end zone, the result is the same: the opponent's offense starts from their own 25-yard line, known as the "standard starting position."
Previously, this standard starting spot was the 20-yard line, but the rules were changed in 2016, and both the NFL and NCAA adopted the 25-yard line rule.
Just now, after the starters failed on three consecutive downs, they were stuck around their own 35-yard line. To avoid failing on a fourth-down conversion and giving the substitutes an excellent field position near their own end zone, they chose to punt.
The starting team punted the ball out of the back of the substitutes' end zone, meaning the substitutes would begin their drive from the 25-yard line.
Roar!
Roar! Roar!
Though it was early in the game, the Bryant-Denny Stadium was already throbbing with energy. Fans weren't just cheering for the starters—they were rooting for the substitutes too.
Who knows? By the time the season kicks off in September, some players from the substitutes might just make the starting lineup.
Lance stepped onto the field.
It felt different—completely different.
Having always fought his battles alone, Lance could instantly feel the power of the crowd. The sheer magnitude of the experience was new.
And this was "just" a crowd of 70,000. What would it feel like with all 100,000 seats filled? He couldn't help but imagine, and the thought sent adrenaline coursing through his veins.
Jogging onto the field with light, quick steps, Lance stood tall, savoring the moment. He enjoyed this atmosphere, relishing every second of it.
He wondered, What would it feel like to have the entire stadium cheering for me?
He planned to find out.
The substitute team's quarterback, Cooper Bateman, whose name sounded like "Batman," even had a similar build to the superhero—224 pounds (102 kg). He was a bit heavy for a quarterback, so teammates had given him the nickname "Batman."
Unfortunately, Bateman's future in football was uncertain.
Now in his junior year and soon to be a senior, Bateman had spent his college career as a backup. He'd even lost the spring quarterback competition to a high schooler, Hurts, dimming his hopes of going pro.
Still, Bateman was a solid, hardworking guy. He continued to train diligently, ultimately securing the number two quarterback spot.
"I think we should start with a ground game," Bateman said.
Kneeling on one knee, the rest of the substitute team huddled around him. He wasn't commanding; he was more tentative, seeking feedback from his teammates. His flickering gaze revealed a mix of nerves and excitement.
His eyes landed on Lance—
Because Lance was a running back and, during the spring camp, had earned a reputation for not just his talent and hard work but also his intelligence.
From knowing nothing about football to now becoming the team's unofficial strategist, Lance had been the go-to for teammates seeking clarity on tactical lessons. If anyone was confused after practice, they would approach Lance, knowing he'd explain things in a way that made everything click. This had become an open secret within the team.
Bateman himself had sought Lance's help several times, and Lance never withheld advice. In fact, he never called it "teaching," preferring to frame it as discussion and collaboration.
It wasn't just Bateman watching Lance. Across the field, the starting team's defense had its eyes on him too.
Lance looked up and met the gaze of Allen and Foster.
Allen was bouncing lightly on his toes, practically trembling with anticipation, his eyes gleaming with excitement, clearly ready for action.
Lance knew Allen was eager to face him—
As the defensive end, Allen's job was to sack the quarterback and running back. For the defense, a sack is the ultimate display of dominance, and defensive ends are often the sack leaders of the team.
Ever since Lance had joined the Crimson Tide, Allen had been waiting for this scrimmage. Not for revenge, but for the chance to face Lance head-to-head in a proper game. This time, there would be no underestimation.
Noticing Lance's gaze, Allen flashed a wide grin, dramatically dragging his thumb across his throat in a mock execution gesture while continuing to hop up and down. He shouted across the field at Lance.
"How about it? Ready to get slammed?"
Lance grinned mischievously, playing the part of the innocent rookie. "Not quite ready yet."
"Haha!" Allen and his nearby teammates burst into laughter.
Allen was someone to be cautious of, but Lance's focus was on another player—
Number 10.
Specifically, Reuben Foster.
Lance couldn't remember his name, but he recognized the unremarkable-looking number 10 as the linebacker from the tryout. Back then, he didn't think much of him, but after just three weeks of training, Lance realized Foster's excellence.
Low-key. Focused. Serious. Dependable.
Foster wasn't a man of many words, but he was one of the defensive team's captains. And the linebacker position is akin to being the quarterback of the defense.
Positioned like a mirror to the quarterback, the linebacker also had an earpiece in his helmet to communicate with the defensive coordinator. He would observe the offense's formation and make adjustments if needed. While the offense called the shots, it was up to players like Foster to react and adapt the defense on the fly.
Foster's strength was his calmness and his strategic insight.
Moreover, linebackers were the true nemesis of running backs.
The Crimson Tide's 3-4 defense, featuring four linebackers, was something Coach Saban specialized in coaching.
At the moment, Foster didn't appear to be paying Lance any special attention, but Lance could sense it—that subtle, lethal focus coming from number 10.
His fighting spirit was already ablaze.
It wasn't just Allen—Foster had clearly marked Lance as a target.
Returning his attention to Bateman, who still looked a bit uncertain, Lance understood why Allen and Foster were both on high alert. After all, they knew each other's strengths and weaknesses inside out.
Besides, they'd been sharpening their blades for three straight weeks.
It was time.
Lance took a deep breath and turned to Bateman.
"Alright."
Without hesitation, he accepted the challenge head-on—
Ready to face whatever was coming.