A promise that was kept, if not exceeded. Around 300 spectators didn’t want to miss this hit in 27 degrees and sunshine.
Photo: Robin Ehrenhöfer
After a good start the Bears offense was able to Benjamin Hummelberger (since this season he has worked as a safety, no longer as a WR) thwarted the Bears’ first drive with an interception in his own end zone, but did not return the ball further than the 2-yard line. With this poor starting position, the Knights offense, led by quarterback Niels Weber, do not write down after a first down is called back. This was followed by several punts and unsuccessful 4th downs as both defenses were just as hot as the weather.
Shortly before the end of the first half, the Knights offense had a long drive to the Bears’ goal line. However, due to a strong defensive tackle, this drive also had no points as the play clock expired after the Knights had no more timeouts. The end of the first half was supposed to be an omen for the end of the second half. Halftime score 0:0.
After a long off-season and an intense first half, both sides were able to briefly recover and pool their strengths.
The Knights offense once again failed to finish a good drive, which was sealed by a turnover on downs in Bears territory. In return, the Styrian Bears’ appetite increased after two opposing possessions of the ball in a row, and points were put on the scoreboard for the first time in this game. After an excellent long pass and another connection from the QB Nick Begins on WR Jakob Begander in the end zone, it was after a good PAT (Stefan Gottfried) 0:7 for the Bears.
And once #3 lukas moyzisch
Photo: Robin Ehrenhöfer
But the Knights also had enough of good drives without points, so this time things happened very quickly. An explosive run from Matteo Scalambra and a deep pass from Weber Maximilian Plachy and it stood 7:7 (PAT good). The two teams had finally arrived in the season and the tension was rising. At the beginning of the fourth quarter, the Styrian guests wrote again and increased after a long pass Lukas Moyzisch on 7:14 (PAT Stefan Gottfried good).
The unusual April heat slowly took its toll on both teams and the game developed into a battle for every yard. This time the Knights were granted the next interim success: After another explosive run by RB Scalambra, he escaped the Bears secondary for a big touchdown run. Since the PAT was good this time too, everything was in place for an exciting final phase – 14:14.
Photo: Robin Ehrenhöfer
After both defenses were able to hold, the Bears established themselves in the Knights’ half on the following drive with good individual plays. The clock ticked and ticked and the Styrian offense was able to keep the spirits of the Viennese team and spectators dampened with first down after first down. The two-minute warning came and went, but it didn’t change the Styrian will to bring home a hard-fought victory. The Styrians were only one field goal away from the 10-yard line from winning the game. Most football fans already put the game aside after the Bears QB attempted a Styrian tush push twice to allow a field goal as time expired. However, one component was apparently not taken into account by the Bears coaching staff…
Out Of Timeouts
Foto: Robin Ehrenhöfer
The Styrians had already taken two of their timeouts in the 3rd quarter and used up their last one during the 4th quarter. This crucial mistake would affect the game in unexpected ways. Without timeouts, the Bears offense’s third and final QB sneak led to a running out clock, a lot of confusion and a surrender on this crazy football afternoon in Ottakring: overtime. Memories of the 2023 Knights vs. Blue Devils semi-final came back, as it also went into overtime after the clock had expired, despite the opposing team being in front of the end zone.
Photo: Robin Ehrenhöfer
The Knights won the coin toss and gave the ball to the Bears, so they had to fight for points first. But the Knights had tasted blood and didn’t seem to let this “turn of events” be taken away from them. A deep ball from the Bears QB was missed by Alexander Hofer intercepted, meaning the Knights offense only needed a field goal to win the game. Déjà-vu?
Two first downs from Scalambra and Plachy and a kick from Florian Hirschl later it was sealed: The Knights win their second home game in a row after overtime (17:14) and get a perfect start to the season. The term “Red Star Platz Magic” seems to be establishing itself.
AFL Division 1 Week 1
Vienna Knights vs. Styrian Bears 17:14
(0:0/0:0/7:7/7:7/OT 3:0)
SUN April 7, 2024 3:00 p.m. · Red Star Square Vienna
More games:
Styrian Reavers vs. Cineplexx Blue Devils 19:28
(3:0/9:7/0:8/7:13)
SAT April 6, 2024 2:00 p.m. · Solution Point Arena Ragnitz
St. Pölten Invaders vs. Steelsharks Traun 27:14
(6:7/8:7/7:0/6:0)
SAT April 6, 2024 4:00 p.m. · Invaders Field St. Pölten
Red Tigers vs. Carinthian Lions 7:27
(0:7/0:20/0:0/7:0)
SUN April 7, 2024 3:00 p.m. · Football center Ravelinstrasse Vienna
Fehérvár Enthroners vs. Amstetten Thunder 27:40
(7:12/17:6/0:7/3:15)
SUN April 7, 2024 3:00 p.m. · FIRST Field Székesfehérvár
2024-04-08 16:15:14
#Vienna #Knights #win #crazy #overtime #thriller #start #season #Austrias #Football #Portal
