The 4-9 Ingolstadt Dukes play their final game of the year at home at ESV Stadion against the 6-7 Stuttgart Scorpions, Saturday, September 7 as the German Football League winds up the regular season.
The Dukes have been knocked out of playoff contention and have nothing to play for other than pride. Ingolstadt lost to the Munich Cowboys 24-17 last week in a crucial game, eliminating them from post season play. Stuttgart is still in the driver’s seat to make the quarterfinals though. For the Scorpions to miss the playoffs, the Allgau Comets would have to upset the Schwabisch Hall Unicorns and they themselves would have to lose. In other words, there is a mathematical possibility the Scorpions could be eliminated today but it is very slim.
Still, Ingolstadt could play the spoilers and will no doubt do everything they can to throw a wrench into Stuttgart’s plans.
The Dukes have used a duel quarterback system for the past couple of games with starter Cory Benedetto being replaced by Jake Sisson who they acquired midway through the season. Sisson had guided the Kragujevac Wild Boars to the Serbian championship. Last week, Sisson came in the second half and engineered two touchdowns after the Dukes trailed 10-3 at the half. It was not enough but it would seem he might get the nod today.
Stuttgart QB Michael Eubank has thrown for 3,191 yards in 13 games with an average of 245.5 yards a game, good for sixth in the league. Last week against the Universe, he threw for 298 yards and three touchdowns. Also the ground game picked up and Frankfurt as a team rushed for 104 yards. If they can pound the ball again with running back Giacomo De Pauli who has rushed for 708 yards they should prevail today. Explosive wide receive Tyler Cooperwood was held to two catches for 42 yards last week though, but in the first game against Ingolstadt he had 190 yards receiving and four touchdowns.
This game could go either way as Ingolstadt can surprise.
