Stuttgart Surge outlast Frankfurt Galaxy in high-scoring ELF showdown

The Stuttgart Surge secured a crucial 54-39 road victory over the Frankfurt Galaxy in Week 9 of the European League of Football, strengthening their playoff position. Surge quarterback Reilly Hennessey dominated with 360 passing yards and 6 touchdowns, connecting with receivers Mike Harley Jr. (102 yards, 1 TD), Louis Geyer (172 yards, 3 TDs), and tight end Roberto Miranda (2 TDs). Running back Kai Hunter opened scoring with a 5-yard TD, while the defense set an early tone with Raphael Zistler sacking Galaxy QB Jameson Wang.

Frankfurt mounted a comeback through special teams brilliance, with returners Brevin Easton and Bijon Harris combining for 174 return yards. Harris's 74-yard punt return touchdown before halftime narrowed the deficit to 28-20. Wang leveraged short fields effectively, throwing 4 touchdowns amid 62 attempts and connecting with Easton and Kevin Kaya, while running back Gerald Ameln added two rushing scores.

Critical defensive plays shifted momentum decisively. Linebacker Nikolas Knoblauch forced a fumble recovered by Marko Vidackovic, leading to Hennessey's 12-yard rushing TD. Cornerback Nick Wenzelburger's fourth-quarter interception halted a Galaxy drive, enabling Geyer's third touchdown on the subsequent possession. Despite surrendering 456 total yards to Wang, the Surge defense secured three fourth-down stops.

Stuttgart sealed victory with a third-quarter offensive explosion. Coach Jordan Neuman utilized Hunter's ground game (68 rushing yards) to control the clock, while Hennessey dissected Frankfurt's secondary. Geyer's one-handed TD catch and Miranda's acrobatic score extended the lead to 54-27, ultimately weathering a late Galaxy rally.

Postgame, Neuman praised Frankfurt's resilience, noting Wang's "exceptional" performance but highlighted his team's clutch execution. The win positions Stuttgart second in the ELF West ahead of a critical matchup against Paris, while Frankfurt's playoff hopes diminish. Despite amassing 488 total yards to underscore their title credentials, Stuttgart faces defensive adjustments after conceding 39 points.