Chapter 100: Head Held High
"21:0."
The game was over. Everything had concluded, and the final whistle had blown.
Adams stood frozen, staring up at the massive scoreboard hanging over the field.
The numbers shone brightly, almost mocking all their efforts, reducing them to nothing. The vast sea of purple in Tiger Stadium had yet to leave, loyally remaining to support their team, just as they had done four weeks earlier when they lost to Auburn.
Memories surged back like an unstoppable tide.
The scene before his eyes, illuminated by the harshness of the scoreboard, only made the moment more painful and disorienting.
A bitter taste filled his mouth.
But this is the reality of competitive sports—
Victory feels like the highest of highs, but defeat cuts deep.
And it hurts even more when it's against your archrival.
Before the game started, they had truly believed they could beat the Crimson Tide. It wasn't just about taking down their rivals; it was about salvaging a season full of hardships. But while dreams are lofty, reality can be harsh.
Not only did they lose, but they were shut out—and on their home field at Tiger Stadium, no less.
Adams couldn't even remember the last time LSU had been shut out at Tiger Stadium. And to make it worse, it was against the Crimson Tide.
It was humiliating. Truly humiliating.
His nose stung with the onset of tears.
But—
With a deep breath, Adams began to move. From the moment the game ended, his focus had been on Lance. He wouldn't run away or hide like a coward. He would face defeat with grace.
Yes, they lost to Auburn and were now crushed by Alabama, but that didn't mean they would keep losing. Absolutely not.
He could face the player who had beaten him with his head held high.
In no time, Adams found himself standing right in front of Lance.
Lance was already preparing to leave the field. Having just joined the Crimson Tide, the concept of bitter rivalries wasn't something he fully grasped yet. He lacked the emotional connection that came with these long-standing feuds. He left the salt-rubbing to his teammates—Humphrey was already doing a fine job of that—
Humphrey was out there, dancing his goofy "Elephant Dance" like Shin-chan again.
Then, Lance noticed Adams standing before him.
Lance looked a bit puzzled. He glanced around, making sure Adams was addressing him. The problem was, with the helmet off, Lance had no idea who this person was. He blinked a few times and asked, "Can I help you?"
Adams: Damn it!
Adams nearly exploded right then and there. Just barely, he held his anger in check. Still, he wasn't about to explain himself. Instead, he extended his right hand, "Good game."
Lance, ever straightforward, took his hand with a firm grip. "Good game."
The tension and pressure had lasted until the very end. Lance didn't belittle the Tigers just because the Crimson Tide had won. That would have devalued his own victory. In fact, the Tigers had played remarkably well, making this a crucial win for the Crimson Tide's growth this season.
Their handshake tightened, the grip firm and unyielding.
Adams noticed how strong Lance's handshake was, a reminder that Lance was originally a mixed martial arts fighter. The last shred of defiance left in Adams faded, and he stood a little taller, pride restored.
"Next time we meet, we will beat you."
"Oh, good luck with that."
The way Lance casually brushed it off hit Adams hard in the chest.
And then, Lance added, "But I think it'll be difficult, so you might need some luck. Oh, and a little luck might not be enough. So, I wish you lots and lots of good luck."
Adams: ...
Lance loosened his hand, flashing a dazzling smile with perfectly white teeth. "Keep trying."
Adams took a deep breath. Another deep breath. Finally, he managed to keep his cool. "Looking forward to next time."
Lance nodded seriously.
Adams turned and walked away without further words.
In the distance, Adams could hear a conversation behind him—
"Did you just make friends with the Tigers' star?"
"Who?"
"You know, Adams."
"Oh, that's Adams?"
Adams nearly tripped on thin air and almost face-planted into the turf, but he managed to hold it together. All he could think was:
Get out of here. As fast as possible.
But even though his mind screamed for him to leave, his body betrayed him, making him stop and glance back at Lance one last time. Adams had a feeling they'd meet again.
Though they were fierce rivals, the post-game interactions were always more genuine and heartfelt. The intensity of their battles forged a unique respect between players. On the field, they were mortal enemies, but off the field, they could exchange these brief but sincere moments, knowing they'd be back to settle things again.
For now, it looked like the Crimson Tide was headed for bowl games and likely the national championship, but the Tigers would need to push harder.
So, what exactly happened in this game? How did it all lead to this?
The Crimson Tide had not only shut out the Tigers, but they had won this defensive showdown with absolute dominance, leaving Tiger Stadium with a flawless victory. This was not the outcome anyone had predicted before the game.
NCAA experts were likely baffled—
If you hadn't watched the game and only saw the final score, you'd likely dismiss it. "LSU? Nothing more than a paper tiger. Tennessee and Texas A&M couldn't handle the Crimson Tide, so why would LSU be any different? Saban probably breezed through this game—nothing to see here."
But those who actually watched the game would strongly disagree.
The score alone didn't tell the full story of how intense this battle was. The Tigers had put immense pressure on the Crimson Tide, making it the toughest game Alabama had faced this season—even tougher than the one against Mississippi. The Crimson Tide had been pushed to their limit.
The tension of the game lingered until the fourth quarter. If it hadn't been for Lance's 75-yard touchdown run that extinguished the Tigers' last hope, Ed Orgeron and his team were not ready to give up.
Behind the seemingly one-sided score was not just the Crimson Tide's dominant defense, but also an offense that had passed its sternest test yet—proving itself against one of the top defenses in all of college football.
For now, the doubts and criticisms could rest.
Faced with three consecutive matchups against powerhouse teams, Alabama had emerged victorious in all three, now standing shoulder to shoulder with the Clemson Tigers as one of the only two unbeaten teams left this season.
Clemson had flown under the radar due to weaker opponents, remaining undefeated but ranked only fifth in the nation. However, after beating a series of tough teams, including Louisville, led by Lamar Jackson, their ranking had steadily risen. After defeating Florida State, who had fallen to twelfth, they now held the second spot.
Both teams that clashed in last season's national championship remained dominant.
With half the season behind them, the smoke of competition thickened, and the challenge for the reigning champions only grew. LSU wasn't the last obstacle, but this battle had certainly brought the Crimson Tide more confidence.
Fierce. Hard-fought. Bloody.
This is how championship teams are forged.
And because of this, Lance had now become a household name.
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