Germany: #6 Frankfurt Universe outclass Marburg Mercenaries

If the 2-0 Frankfurt Universe, Europe #6, are facing an uncertain financial future in the German Football League, you certainly could not tell it from the team’s play as the Universe completely dominated the Marburg Mercenaries (1-1) whipping them 63-7 at PSD Bank Arena in Frankfurt.

Frankfurt rolled up 608 yards in total offense with 338 yards rushing and 270 passing.

Quarterback Steve Cluley threw for 214 yards and four touchdowns while backup Sonny Weishaupt  completed five of six passes for 57 yards and a touchdown. Wide receiver Timothy Thomas caught 11 passes for 154 yards and three touchdowns while teammate David Giron caught seven for 57 and a touchdown. Harry Innis caught the other touchdown pass. The Universe ground game was more than impressive and led by Joe Bergeron and Andreas Betza. Bergeron had 16 carries for 129 yards and a touchdown while Betza rushed for 159 yards and two touchdowns. Cluley was also impressive with 80 yards rushing and a touchdown.

Marburg quarterback Alexander Thury completed just eight of 22 passes for 115 yards and a touchdown while running back Silas Nacita, in his first game against his former team, was held to 45 yards rushing on 11 carries. Nacita was pressed into service briefly at quarterback but threw an interception which John Tidwell returned 80 yards with Nacita making a touchdown-saving tackle.

So dominant was the Frankfurt defense that the Mercenaries managed just six first downs the entire game despite a time of possession which was almost the same as Frankfurt’s.

Frankfurt scored on every possession in the first half with Giron, Thomas (2), Bergeron and Innis all scoring touchdowns as the Universe took  35-0 lead. They scored twice more in the third quarter before Marburg finally found the end zone making it 49-7 at the start of the fourth. Betza then broke loose for two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, the first on a 97 yard run.

Not only was Frankfurt head coach Brian Caler obviously delighted with the win but bankruptcy lawyer Thomas Rittmeister also weighed in stating he was happy about the win and not unhappy with the crowd which was sparse by Universe standards (1,672). It was not even certain there would be a game a week ago.

Next up for Frankfurt are the Ingolstadt Dukes May 19 in Ingolstadt while Marburg will face the Munich Cowboys May 20.

Watch the game highlights here.