The Novi Sad Dukes beat the Kragujevac Wild Boars 17-16 in SELAF`s biggest upset this year. Similar to their last game against Vukovi Belgrade, the Dukes caught up with their rival, but this time even taking the lead and keeping it until the end for their second win of the season.

The Wild Boars were in control early on, suggesting a different ending. They scored for a 7-0 lead on a touchdown catch by Žarko Đorđević, followed up by another good opportunity to score after a fumble by the Dukes` QB Čaba Juhas. But their field goal attempt was blocked and soon the Dukes gave some early signs of their better play. They didn`t score immediately but did not long after on a field goal cutting the deficit to 4 points.

Kragujevac missed another field goal before the half, but made no mistakes early in the 3rd quarter when running back Aleksandar Ristić scored for a 14-3 lead. The Boars appeared to be taking control, and the Dukes didn`t do a lot to convince around 3000 spectators otherwise, which made what followed even more surprising.

The Wild Boars quarterback Đorđe Đorđević passed the ball directly to one of his opponents – Miloš Nikšić who went all the way for the score even though he made contact with probably every Kragujevac player who in the end failed to tackle him.

Confusion among the players in black and white resulted in another unsuccessful drive, and a bad punt added more uncertainty. There was no uncertainty if you ask the Dukes` running back Marko Đanić who went over 40 yards for the score and a very surprising 17-14 Novi Sad lead. Five minutes before the end Kragujevac scored two points on a safety, but poor play on offense continued. Unlike them the Dukes made a few plays to keep their drive going, and even though they didn`t score, they took just enough minutes off the clock for Kragujevac to be unsuccessful.

The Dukes` offense coach Predrag Nikolić, as the entire Dukes team, was more than happy with the win. “We expected a close game. Unlike the last game, we had a little bit more luck and won in the end. The offense wasn`t great, but we won in the end”, said Nikolić.

Kragujevac`s running back Aleksandar Ristić wasn`t too surprised with the Dukes good play. “After playing against them in a practice game, and also the matches they have played so far, we knew that the team from Novi Sad is a lot better now, that they have made a lot of progress. We practiced to play against them, but didn`t do what we agreed on before the game.”

“A fantastic win, Kragujevac is a very good team. I think my interception was decisive, after that the moral of the team went up, and soon after we scored another TD”, said Miloš Nikšić in the end.