The Stuttgart Surge (1-0) dominated the Frankfurt Galaxy (0-1) 33-20 in their European League of Football season opener at Gazi-Stadion auf der Waldau in Stuttgart showcasing their playoff pedigree with a balanced offensive attack and stifling defense.
Surge’s offensive dominance
Quarterback Reilly Hennessey (14-19, 197 yards, 1 TD) dissected Frankfurt’s secondary with precision, connecting with Jeff Cotton Jr. (4 receptions, 57 yards, 1 TD) for the game’s decisive score. Irish running back Tomiwa Oyewo validated his offseason signing, grinding out 122 yards on 21 carries to wear down the Galaxy’s front seven.
Galaxy’s red-zone resistance
Despite offseason reinforcements, Frankfurt struggled to contain Stuttgart’s rhythm. Quarterback Matthew McKay (21-32, 177 yards, 1 TD) and running back Sandro Platzgummer (10 carries, 48 yards, 1 TD) provided brief sparks, but three stalled drives inside the 20-yard line proved costly. Receiver Paul Kavadia-Lenhardt (7 receptions, 62 yards) emerged as a reliable target but couldn’t bridge the scoring gap.
Road ahead
The Surge aim to solidify their contender status in Week 2 against the Paris Musketeers, while Frankfurt faces a must-win clash against the Madrid Bravos to avoid an 0-2 start. Stuttgart’s ground control and Hennessey’s efficiency position them as early Central Conference favorites, while Galaxy must address red-zone execution to salvage their revamped roster’s potential.