He took the snap and went into a five-step drop, eyeing a post his receiver was running on the left side of the field. He started his throwing motion to throw a deep pass, and then it happened: His helmet got blasted off and the ball was out of his hands.
Moments later, former Sun Devil quarterback Mike Bercovici found himself on the receiving end of the headline clip for the Alliance of American Football's introductory highlight reel.
Bercovici, who now plays for the AAF's San Diego Fleet, struggled during the rest of that game versus the San Antonio Commanders. He was sacked six times and threw two interceptions before being replaced by Philip Nelson.
However, Bercovici took the massive hit he received in stride and even said to the San Diego Union Tribune that he would, "take the bullet," if it meant raising excitement for the AAF.
Overall, Bercovici maintains his support for the AAF and wants people to enjoy the brand of football played within it.
"All of us just want to have great football," Bercovici said.
Currently, the AAF is in danger of not surviving for a second year, according to reports from the league's majority owner.
Bercovici, along with many of the AAF's players, is a fan of the league as a whole, and he said that many players are supportive of each other.
"Absolutely. We all are in the same situation," Bercovici said when asked if he watched the rest of the AAF. "Everybody’s rooting for one another’s success."
Two games after Nelson was named starter, he went down with a fractured clavicle, placing Bercovici back in the starting role.
He then commanded a game that many view as the league's best so far.
Bercovici completed 22 of 43 passes for 304 yards, throwing a touchdown and an interception all before he led a game-winning drive to defeat the Salt Lake Stallions 27-25.
Bercovici credited his great performance to the amount of preparation he and his team go through for each game.
"The biggest thing is that we practice really hard. I believe we are out there longer than anyone in the entire league," he said. "No one is going to be prepared more than us."
Bercovici said he isn't entirely focused on making it to the NFL, rather giving his attention to the situation at hand. He also noted that the league wants to push people to the NFL.
"I’m not worried about what’s next," Bercovici said. "I’m just taking it week by week."
Bercovici said he still closely follows the ASU football team and all of Sun Devil sports.
After the Fleet played the Birmingham Iron on March 17, Bercovici and his team traveled to Tempe to face the Arizona Hotshots on Mar. 24.
Even though the game was a week ahead, Bercovici displayed excitement over returning to Sun Devil Stadium.
"It’ll be the most excited I'll be for a football game all season," Bercovici said. "I hope to see all the fans there. It’ll be interesting to see how it’ll be since it's an away game."
However, Bercovici's return to Tempe didn't go quite as planned.
The Fleet lost to the Hotshots 32-15, with Bercovici completing 22 of his 43 passes. He threw one touchdown and two interceptions.
Bercovici said that he heard some "mixed" reactions from the crowd when on the field, but overall, he loved the atmosphere and is already itching for the next opportunity to play in Sun Devil Stadium in 2020.
"I love those fans," Bercovici said. "You never (think) you get the opportunity (again) ... The second you go for your senior night, you think it's the last time. So, this was pretty cool."
Reach the reporter at jhorst2@asu.edu and follow @HorseySeven on Twitter.
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Jeffrey Horst is the digital editor-in-chief of The State Press. He previously served as the publication's sports editor and worked at Cronkite News and ArizonaSports.com.
