The sun disappears behind a cloud and a cold breeze whips through the stadium, cutting straight through my fur suit, which, spoiler alert, isn’t nearly as warm as I thought it would be.
I need to get moving. It’s the only way to stay toasty since I can’t exactly wear a winter coat under the mascot costume. Not if I want to tumble, anyway.
I jog down the sideline and position myself at the thirty just as Waverly snaps the ball. Reid drops back, scanning the field for an open receiver. He spots someone downfield and fires off a bullet, but it’s intercepted.
“And Austin Reid is picked off!” the announcer bellows, words barely audible over the groans of the fans. “I can’t believe it!”
The Michigan defender runs it back and my stomach drops.
Nononononono.
He covers ten yards before Parker tackles him from behind.
More angry shouts go up from the crowd and I cover my eyes with my paws.
When I look again, the Michigan offense is taking the field and Coach Collins is ranting like a madman, gesticulating wildly with his clipboard. Someone snatches it from his hand just as he approaches the ref.
Smart move.
That thing could do some real damage.
On the sideline, Parker claps Reid on the back and they exchange a few words. I’m too far away to hear what’s said, but I can read their faces easily enough.
This is it. The moment of truth.
If Michigan scores, it’s all over. The game. The championship run. Everything.
The hopes and dreams of Wildcat Nation permeate the air, making it hard to breathe. It’s like being trapped inside a pressure cooker, the weight of expectation pressing down.
Imagine how Devin feels.
Mierda. This must be torture for the guys on the team.
Every eye in the stadium is fixed on the defense as they settle in at the line of scrimmage. They can’t afford to give up another touchdown. There’s not enough time left on the clock. They have to hold the line.
Michigan snaps the ball. It’s a running play and they pick up three yards.
Not enough for a first down, but it’s a start.
On the second down, they attempt to pass, but the receiver can’t pull it down.
“Incomplete!” the announcer declares. “But what a play by Michigan.”
Whose side is he on, anyway? It’s a freaking home game. He should be rooting for the Wildcats.
“Michigan is third and long. They need to convert here or they’ll be forced to go for it on the fourth down, giving Waverly strong field position.”
Thanks, Captain Obvious.
I can’t bear to watch.
You don’t have a choice.
Okay, fine. I have to watch, but there must be something more I can do.
That’s the whole point of the mascot, right? To influence the fans.
I turn to survey the crowd. The student section is on their feet, refusing to accept defeat.
