Jadrian Clark and Ben Holmes: ELF Semifinal QB Showdown
The Vienna Vikings’ balanced attack, led by Ben Holmes, clashes with Jadrian Clark’s high-octane Nordic Storm air raid in a European League of Football semifinal defined by contrasting quarterback philosophies.
Passing volume vs. efficiency
Clark, the 2023 ELF MVP, dominates statistically: 3,708 yards (2nd in ELF), 47 TDs (2nd), and a 125.10 QBR. His 65.08% completion rate fuels the Storm’s league-leading 310.9 passing yards per game. Holmes counters with precision: 40 TDs (3rd) against just five interceptions (1.50% INT rate), translating to a 123.60 QBR. The Vikings’ 239.7 passing yards per game complement their ELF-third-ranked 38.6 PPG offense.
Mobility and red-zone impact
Holmes adds dual-threat versatility, rushing for 291 yards and four TDs alongside 2,787 passing yards. His 38 red-zone completions (72 attempts) underscore Vienna’s balanced scoring approach. Clark’s arm drives the Storm, with 57 red-zone completions (98 attempts) and 183 first-down throws.
Experience and pedigree
Clark, 31, honed his craft at Weber State (2013–2016), earning Third Team All-Big Sky honors and cementing himself among the program’s all-time greats. After 33 collegiate games, he transitioned to Europe playing for a number of teams, winning titles with the Braunschweig New York Lions (BIG6) and Vienna Vikings (Austrian league) before joiningthe Rhein Fire, where he claimed back-to-back ELF championships (2023–2024) and MVP honors. A stint with UWE Bristol in 2023 added an undefeated university league title and Finals MVP to his résumé.
Holmes, 30, played for the Tarleton State Texans (NCAA DII), leading the team to a 23–2 record over two seasons. As a senior, he threw for 3,338 yards, 34 touchdowns, and three interceptions, adding a rushing score. His collegiate success preceded a journeyman’s resilience: stints with the Arizona Rattlers (IFL), Sea Lions (Spring League), and brief CFL tenures (Montreal Alouettes, Edmonton Elks, Toronto Argonauts) led to his 2023 arrival in Vienna, where his 34-TD 2024 campaign solidified his ELF standing.
Playoff implications
Clark’s MVP-caliber arm tests Vienna’s secondary, which allows 21.1 PPG. Holmes must exploit the Storm’s 25th-ranked rushing defense (142.3 YPG) to control tempo. With Clark’s 9.32 yards per attempt vs. Holmes’ 8.37, the duel hinges on big-play execution versus mistake-free consistency. Clark’s Rhein Fire legacy of dominance adds pressure, while Holmes seeks his first ELF championship to cement his rising profile.
