LIVESTREAM Austria: Znojmo Knights @ Graz Giants, May 7, 15:00 CET (3 pm, 09:00 am ET)

AFI | American Football | 05/07/2022

The Austrian Football League heads into its fourth round of play this weekend as the winless Znojmo Knights (0-3) visit the Graz Giants (1-2).

The Giants beat the Traun Steelsharks 41-25 but then were surprised by the Rangers 26-25 and then lost to the Prague Black Panthers, 31-19. Znojmo lost to the Vienna Vikings 42-14 and Danube 35-28. The Telfs Patriots then edged them 12-9. This team is close to winning a game.

Graz import receiver Darrell Adams is again proving to be one of the league’s most dominant receivers, recording 373 yards and three touchdowns in the three games. He is joined by his college teammate, quarterback Tyrone Willaims (Azusa Pacific), who has thrown for 944 yards and 11touchdowns in the three games, good for second in the AFL. The Williams-Adams school connection definitely adds an extra layer to the bond between quarterback and receiver. Running back Lukas Bauer is the leading rusher for Graz with 31 carries for 135 yards.

Knights head coach Martin Kocian relies on quarterback Christopher Howard who has thrown for 484 yards with his leading receiver, Cory Jones who has caught 17 passes for 235 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Dominik Dvorsky leads the Znojmo ground attack with 205 yards rushing on 35 carries.

Neither defense has stood out with Graz giving up an average of 27.3 points a game and the Knights 30. However, Znojmo boasts the second leading defense against the run allowing only 65 yards a game while the Giants give up 97. The Knights secondary will be under pressure today though as they surrender 287.7 yards passing a game and they will be facing the second-best passing offense.

With the Giants badly needing a win to keep pace for a playoff berth and Znojmo badly needing a win period, this could be an interesting matchup.