LIVESTREAM: Germany: Straubing Spiders @ Saarland Hurricanes, July 16, 17:00 CET (5 PM, 11 AM ET)

After a week-long break, the German Football League heads into the second half of the season with the surprising Straubing Spiders (3-1) who occupy third place in the GFL South taking on the fourth place Saarland Hurricanes (2-3).

The last time the two teams faced off against each other was August 11, 2019, when both played in the GFL2, Germany’s second division. On that day, the Spiders defeated the Hurricanes 21-20. In fact, these two teams played each other four times in GFL2 and are tied at two apiece.

The Spiders enter the game as the top rushing team in the GFL led by running back Lamar Carswell (Trine University, NCAA Div. III) who has rushed for 653 yards and six touchdowns on just 64 carries. Straubing quarterback Raleigh Yeldell occupies fifth among all rushers with 342 yards and five touchdowns.

Saarland has opened the season with a revolving door at quarterback as original starter Jack Lindsey went down with a season-ending injury in the opening game against Schwäbisch Hall and it wasn’t until Daniel Smith (Villanova) arrived in the fifth game against Frankfurt that the problem was solved. In between, three other quarterbacks were used. Smith was used sparingly in the win over the Universe but expect him to start today.

Defensively, the Hurricanes are led by linebacker Teo Knight who is the ninth leading tackler in the GFL with 39 tackles.

The Straubing ground game will be tough for the Hurricanes to deal with as they have been giving up over 163 yards rushing a game, 13th among the 16 GFL teams. Expect the Spiders to get a road win unless Smith has started to sync with his new team and the Saarland defense comes up with a way to neutralize Carswell & co.

Straubing Spiders @ Saarland Hurricanes, July 16, 17:00 CET (5 PM, 11 AM ET)