The Ljubljana Silverhawks (4-4) took full advantage of an injury-depleted Dacia Vienna Vikings (6-2) team kicking a fourth quarter field goal in beating the Vikings 24-21 at Hohe Warte stadium in Vienna, Austria.
Silverhawks quarterback Zach Cavanaugh threw for 399 yards and two touchdowns to lead his team to a much-needed victory in the tight Austrian Football League playoff race.
This was the Vikings second straight loss of 2018 and only their first loss at home since 2014.
The line of scrimmage of tough. Photo: Peter Kramberger
Playing without quarterback Garrett Safron, who has accounted for 174 of Vienna’s 312 points so far this year, the Vikings seemed to lack big play ability when they needed it. Although back up Yannick Mayr was an efficient 18 of 25 for 227 yards and a touchdown, he missed a couple of throws down the stretch that could have turned the game around.
Nevertheless, Ljubljana did what they had to do to win in the hostile environment of Hohe Warte. Receiver Matic Tomse caught six passes for 154 yards and a touchdown while Eugen Sumic hauled in four for 119 yards. Cavanaugh added another 62 yards on the ground and a touchdown.
WR Maurice Wappl led Vikikngs with 84 yards receiving Photo: Peter Kramberger
With the game tight for most of the game, the Silverhawks held a slim three-point lead when Vienna’s normally reliable kicker Chris Kappel missed a 34 yard field goal attempt with seconds to go and Ljubljana began celebrating.
With the win, the Silverhawks improved to 4-4 while Vienna drops to 6-2 and is now in second place in Austria behind the Swarco Raiders.