The Alex Haupert-Corey Brown connection scored twice while Saarland’s defense and special teams continue to dominate with two interceptions, one score, and a handful of devastating kick returns.
Tom Smythe’s Saarland Hurricanes remain undefeated in the 2nd game of the German Football League 2017 season and home opener, handling the Stuttgart Scorpions 31-21.
The ‘Canes offense continues to improve as the season progresses. Quarterback Alex Haupert had more time to connect with his receiving corps, making two touchdown strikes through the air to Corey Brown. Brown terrorized the Scorpions defense all day with long catches over the middle, scrapping for yards after catch and also taking carries from the backfield. Leon Helm also made a significant impact on a handful of carries, plunging through the middle for the Hurricanes last score of the day from 2 yards out.
General Manager, Torsten Reif:
“What a great start into the season! We had 1640 visitors, which is the most ever in Ellenfeldstadion! The ‘Canes fans were fantastic again, making noise and pushing our team to the win. It’s only our second year in that stadium and it already feels like home.”
Defensively the ‘Canes were tested in a different way as the Scorpions lined up in heavy sets, trying to bully their way to the end zone with their run game and mobile QB. The Hurricanes defensive line and linebacker corps stood tall and stuffed the powerful run attack. As usual, the ‘Canes secondary did their ‘No Fly Zone’ thing, netting two interceptions; one from Darius Marmol Carmona and the other from Hurricane Charles Clay, which he returned for a touchdown from 51 yards out.
Defensive & Special Teams Coordinator, Paul Motzki:
“Again we had day and night performances on defense and special teams. The defense played tough, but we had too many missed tackles and gave those scores to them. We have to fix the kickoff team. Again both units had big plays when we needed them to seal the win.”
Running back David Oku (Tennessee, Arkansas State) saw limited action on offense as he only got into Saarbrücken on Thursday. However, Oku made his intentions with the GFL clear through some dazzling carries out of the back field, spectacular catches from the slot and kick returns that all crossed midfield. Oku’s last return stretched to the Scorpions 30 yard line where he was seemingly brought to the ground only by jetlag. That return and his next two runs did however set up the final touchdown by the ‘Canes offense.