LIVESTREAM: Germany – Ingolstadt Dukes @Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns, Sat. June 29, 5p CEDT (11a EDT)
The Ingolstad Dukes (0-6) will try to earn their first win of the year in the worst place possible Saturday, June 29 when they enter the unfriendly confines of Optima Sportpark in Schwäbisch Hall to face the undefeated and Europe #1 Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns (8-0) as the German Football League hits midseason.
The two teams met early in the year with the Dukes putting up stiff resistance to the Unicorns juggernaut, dropping a 24-0 decision.
The Unicorns enter the game on a 42 game winning streak stretching back to the 2016 German Bowl and have looked just as impressive as ever this year. Last week, they disposed of the Kirchdorf Wildcats 56-0 and the week before beat the Stuttgart Scorpions 63-21 after whipping their German Bowl opponents and chief rivals the Frankfurt Universe, Europe #4, 31-0. Prior to that, they overwhelmed the Marburg Mercenaries 52-9, the Ingolstadt Dukes 24-0, the Munich Cowboys 35-3, Kirchdorf Wildcats 51-12 and Stuttgart Scorpions 63-13.
Unicorns QB Jadrian Clark is the second most efficient passer in the GFL with a rating of 188.8. He has thrown for 2,005 yards and 28 TDs in the eight wins this year. His top receiver so far has been Tyler Rutenbeck with 26 catches for 675 yards and 11 TDs while Nate Robitaille has 652 yards receiving and 9 TDs. As a team, the Unicorns are averaging 170.9 yards rushing a game, second best in the country with RB Maurice Schuele the top rusher with 366 yards.
Defensively, the Unicorns lead the GFL giving up just 7.2 points a game and top the league in yards allowed with 179.
Ingolstadt were soundly beaten last week, 63-13 by the Frankfurt Universe and the week before dropped a tough 28-26 decision to the Allgäu Comets to remain without a win. They had lost 43-13 the week before that to the surging Marburg Mercenaries after losing 37-13 to the Universe the week prior to that. They had dropped 24-0 decision to the the Unicorns to open their 2019 season. But they then suffered a disappointing 37-30 loss to the Stuttgart Scorpions.
The Dukes had been alternating at quarterback between Anthony Gardner and Cedric Townsend but for the last three weeks, new addition, Cory Benedetto has started, throwing for 398 yards and four touchdowns. He will likely get the start today. His chief target was Normen Schumm who had 280 yards receiving on three catches while Anthony Mella caught four touchdown passes from Benedetto. The running game has begun to improve the Dukes are averaging 78.3 yards a game with Phillip Ponander the leading rusher with 159 yards.
The Dukes badly need a win. Schwäbisch Hall will not be accommodating.
Watch the game live here. Ingolstadt Dukes @Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns, Sat. June 29, 5p CEDT (11a EDT)
