ELF: Paris Musketeers stage defensive masterpiece to shut out Stuttgart Surge in Paris

The Paris Musketeers (1-1) conducted a masterclass in defense, blanking the Stuttgart Surge (1-1) 6-0 at Stade Robert Bobin in Paris to claim the lowest-scoring victory in the European League of Football’s brief history and announce their emergence as a stifling postseason contender.

Defensive dominance keeps Stuttgart off scoreboard
Paris’s only touchdown, and the lone score of the game, came late in the first quarter as quarterback Jaylon Henderson (10/16 for 113 yards, 1 TD) threaded a nine yard touchdown pass to receiver Rémi Bertellin for his only catch of the day. Though the extra point sailed wide, the Musketeers’ defense rendered the six-point cushion insurmountable the rest of the way.

Paris’ trench warfare sets tone
The Musketeers’ defensive front including Stanley Zeregbe, Aslan Zetterberg, Randy Abandzounou and Mamadou Sy dominated Stuttgart’s offensive line, collapsing the pocket with a relentless rotation of power and technique. Sy’s interior penetration disrupted running lanes, while Zeregbe and Zetterberg exploited the edges to harass quarterback Reilly Hennessey into rushed throws. Their collective effort stifled the Surge’s ground game (2.6 yards per carry) and produced four sacks.

Lockdown secondary fuels red-zone stands
The Musketeers’ defensive secondary mirrored the physicality of the defensive line, denying separation to Stuttgart’s receivers and contributing to nine forced punts. Their disciplined coverage, paired with the front’s pressure, held the Surge to 0-3 in red-zone efficiency.

Playoff implications emerge from defensive identity
While questions linger about Paris’s offensive consistency, Del Rio’s defense has cemented itself as the ELF’s most formidable unit. The Musketeers now ride momentum into Week 3, their physical brand of football resonating as a playoff differentiator. For Stuttgart, the loss exposes vulnerabilities in offensive execution, demanding urgent adjustments.

Historic note

Stuttgart was held scoreless for the first time since 2023, and managed just four third-down conversions on 20 attempts and punted nine times in a futile offensive display.

Road ahead
Paris travels to face the Barcelona Dragons, aiming to build on this landmark win. Stuttgart hosts the Vienna Vikings, seeking redemption behind a sputtering attack that mustered just 212 total yards in Paris.