The portly referee started to run. He took small steps, taking the football from Marcus's hands. Then, with small steps, he handed the football to the center, Jonathan Goodwin. Finally, with small steps, he backed away to make enough space for the offense to line up. His round figure was like a panda, charmingly completing his job as quickly as possible.

Every second counted.

At this moment, for the San Francisco 49ers, every second was precious. The previous play had taken up too much time. If they wasted any more, they might not have enough time for a field goal, let alone another play. Literally, every second was precious!

"Get in position! Position! Position!" Lu Ke yelled, roaring at every red jersey he could see. "Position!"

In just four seconds, the offense had lined up. Lu Ke snapped the ball and immediately spiked it to stop the clock, setting the game time at 14 seconds. Spiking the ball to stop the clock is very simple. After the snap, Lu Ke, with the ball in both hands, throws it directly at the ground, giving up the down to stop the clock. When there are no more timeouts, this is the most desperate but also the most direct way to stop the clock. In the last drive, it was a first-and-10, and Marcus gained five yards, so it became a second-and-5. By spiking the ball and giving up the second down, they were now facing a third-and-5.

Third-and-5 on the 35-yard line with 14 seconds left. This was the San Francisco 49ers' current situation. If they stayed on the 35-yard line, it would be a 51-yard field goal, a serious challenge for Akers. The risk was too high and completely unpredictable. The live broadcast on Fox kept showing Akers on the sideline, and the commentators constantly emphasized that this player could very well decide the final outcome of this game.

For the 49ers, the best-case scenario would be to advance a bit more. Even if it was just one more yard, it would increase Akers' chances of making the field goal. Naturally, a third-and-5 play was a must. But with only 14 seconds left, to save time for a field goal, the pace of the offense had to be sped up again, and they couldn't be greedy. The play call became even more important.

Lu Ke left the 35-yard line, quickly retreating and gathering all the offensive players. He could see that Ginn looked like he wanted to say something, and his expression was still a little frustrated. If he hadn't been so greedy, the situation might have been completely different. But there was no turning back now.

"We will still..." Lu Ke's voice was completely drowned out by the noise of the crowd. He couldn't get his message across. He stood up again and left the huddle. Facing the crowd, he made a 360-degree turn, constantly pushing his hands down, signaling for everyone to be quiet so the offense could call a play. Lu Ke wasn't holding out too much hope. He just hoped the noise would be a little less severe. Then, he turned back and returned to the huddle, quickly calling the play.

"We'll stick with the same play as before," Lu Ke said. As soon as his words fell, Ginn looked at Lu Ke in surprise. A flash of light flickered in the depths of his eyes. The urgency and excitement were almost impossible to hide. Then, he saw Lu Ke look up and meet his gaze, nodding firmly in confirmation.

"The defense still won't change its tactics, because their numbers advantage is working for them," Lu Ke said calmly. In such a critical moment, Lu Ke remained calm. Not only was he not flustered, but his thoughts were becoming clearer. His mind was more focused than ever before. He went over the previous offensive play again and again, then rearranged it, quickly deciding on the play call for the final pass.

"But we need to make some adjustments to our routes," Lu Ke said, looking at Ginn again, his eyes filled with confidence. With a concise and clear play call, Lu Ke quickly passed on all the information. Then, he held out his right hand, making a fist. "On three, victory!"

"One! Two! Three!"

"Victory!"

As the offense's collective shout roared out, a deafening noise, they noticed that the entire Candlestick Park had fallen silent. The excitement and passion were all hidden beneath the surface, surging silently. You could feel the restlessness in the air, but there was no sound. So their chant was amplified to the extreme. Suddenly, a voice shouted, "Go, Bambi!"

That faint voice was insignificant in the huge stadium, like the buzzing of a mosquito. But the entire stadium immediately responded with a sound of "shhh" that was so deafening that it instantly silenced the shout, cleanly swatting away the mosquito.

On the field, every player, including Lu Ke, looked up at the serene, vast, and majestic red ocean. The passion and excitement in their chests began to boil once again. A feeling of indescribable emotion and excitement instantly ignited all their adrenaline. The massive red wave began to flow through their veins.

Even someone as calm as Lu Ke couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion. He clenched his fists, suppressing all the excitement, then turned around and led the offense back to the 35-yard line, one step at a time. They lined up quickly and in an orderly manner, ready for their last drive!

The entire stadium was silent. It seemed that even the air at Candlestick Park had completely frozen. But never before had they felt such support and encouragement from the whole world in an environment of complete silence. On a silent and still field, they felt the encouragement and awe from the depths of their souls.

Taking a deep breath, Lu Ke calmed his mind and began to prepare for the play step by step: reading the defense, bending down, adjusting his feet, observing the field, and calling the snap.

"Hut!"

That steady and powerful voice echoed through the stadium. Then, you could see Lu Ke taking a quick step back, intentionally moving laterally to the right. One step, then another. The pocket movement was steady and light. His calmness at this critical moment showed a rare general-like demeanor, like a divine needle that could steady the stormy seas of the game and control the entire field!

In just two seconds, or less than two seconds, as he moved, he raised his right arm, drew an arc, and made a throwing motion. And at the moment the ball was released, he gave a slight twist of his waist and a flick of his wrist. The pass to the right side was slightly off its original trajectory, but there was no hesitation. The ball was released in an instant.

The speed of the pass was unexpected to everyone. Just as everyone was worried that at this critical moment, a rookie quarterback would hesitate and hold on to the ball for too long, or even risk his throwing motion being distorted in the midst of the storm, Lu Ke's speed and decisiveness were so sharp that before anyone could react, the ball was already gone.

The entire stadium held its breath. The speed of the pass was also unexpected to everyone. It was a bullet pass! It was not a lob pass but a standard bullet pass that created a wave of air. It was straight and fast. In a flash, it had broken through the blockade and was looking for its target. It was clean, sharp, and had a clear goal.

This meant that the quarterback's entire plan was incredibly clear and firm. The footwork and throwing motion were seamless, without any hesitation or pause. From the snap to the release, from the movement to the pass, it took only 2.03 seconds. Before the defenders could get into position, the final pass had already been successfully released. So, who was the target?

It was the same.

The Saints' defense immediately noticed that the 49ers' receivers' routes were identical: Crabtree's diagonal cross on the left, Marcus's lateral movement in the short pass zone on the left, Vernon and Logan's straight sprints on the right, and Ginn's quick diagonal movement from right to left. Although the specific routes couldn't be a perfect copy, the subtle differences were there. But those subtle changes were harmless. The entire offensive formation was still exactly the same.

The defenders' observations and judgments quickly led them to a conclusion. It was almost a conditioned response based on muscle memory from the previous drive. Three players immediately rushed toward Ginn, and the defense on the right side was still airtight. With the same offensive routes, they had already made their judgment. The main threat points were exposed, and the defense's strategy became clear. This was the classic mistake of a rookie quarterback. When they lack experience and composure, they are more likely to repeat the same mistakes in a crisis. Their throwing habits and tactical habits are completely exposed and very unpolished.

This is why most teams in the league are reluctant to start rookie quarterbacks. This is also why, even after Lu Ke had an excellent rookie season, reporters were still asking about the possibility of Alex Smith playing. It was for moments like this, when a single second could decide the entire season.

This was the Saints' defense's opportunity! If they could get an interception...

The defenders quickly moved, and then they saw Ted Ginn's fierce and powerful running route. The eyes of the three defenders lit up. They moved quickly, and as they made small adjustments, they not only had to make a successful defensive play but also aim for an interception!

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