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The Michigan Panthers are victorious in Week 1 of the 2025 UFL season.
The Panthers defeated the Memphis Showboats 26-12 in their season opener Sunday afternoon inside Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Memphis, Tennessee.
Quarterback Bryce Perkins had the hot hand for Michigan, completing 84% of his passes (16-for-19) and throwing for 104 yards.
Here's what stood out from the game:
The Panthers defense halted the Showboats offense from the opening play only allowing them 13 yards on six plays in the first quarter. Cornerback Adonis Alexander committed a hard hit to former teammate, quarterback E.J. Perry, that forced Memphis to punt.
Perkins got the first-half start for the Panthers and led the team a 56-yard drive to bring them within striking distance allowing B.T. Potter to kick a 32-yard field goal for the teams' first points of the game.
Michigan's second drive of the game would see Perkins perform similar to what he did what he did in the first. On second and goal, the quarter would rush for the touchdown after a near fumble during the snap, followed by the extra point to put the team up by 10.
The Showboats made a change at quarterback entering the second quarter and put in Troy Williams to start the quarter.
Williams would open the drive with a 14-yard completion to receiver Jonathan Adams and later on with another 10 yard pass to bring Memphis to the Michigan 16 yard line. The drive would see the team get as close to the 12-yard line, before Panther's defensive end Kenny Willekes caused Williams to lose 17 yards.
Memphis kicker Matt Coghlin completed a 50-yard-field-goal attempt to put the Showboats on the board.
Perry would led the attempt during the team's second drive, but threw an interception to Panthers' safety Arnold Tarpley, with Michigan leading at the half.
The Showboats' defense stepped up in the second half allowing the Panthers to complete nine yards in the open drive of the quarter.
Perry would find some redemption from his interception leading Memphis on 48-yard drive in nine plays. Coghlin completed another long field (45 yards) to bring the team within four with eight minutes left in the quarter.
The Panthers spent four minutes of the quarter with possession of the ball, completing a nine-play-65-yard drive. Perkins threw a 25-yard pass to Samson Nacua to put the team up by 10, followed by the extra point, sending the game into the final quarter with a core of 17-6.
Michigan would start the quarter at their own nine yard line. Perkins would push the team 66-yards on 13 plays setting up Potter for 43-yard field goal to put the Panthers up 14.
The Showboats would pick things up start at their own 27-yard line, and pushed the ball down five yards. Interim Head Coach Jim Turner made the decision to go for it on 4th-and-5 and Perry would complete an eight-yard pass to Dee Anderson.
Deneric Prince caught a 24-yard pass to bring the ball to the Panthers' 24. Memphis continued to push the ball and Perry completed to six-yard pass to Adams to bring the Showboats within eight. The team attempted the a two-point conversion but the pass intended to Anderson would be ruled incomplete.
The Panthers would fail to score on their next drive and gave possession back to Memphis with 51 seconds left on the clock.
Memphis would put Williams back in on the drive and threw a 37-yard pass to Adams and who was pushed out of bounds at the Panthers' 23. Williams attempted another pass, but Kai Nacua would complete the pick-six, locking things up at 26-12.
Michigan heads home for a three game home stand, including its home opener against the Birmingham Stallions.
Contact Eric Guzmán: [email protected]; 313-222-1850. Follow him on X: @EricGuzman90.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan Panthers sink Showboats 26-12 in UFL Week 1
Continue reading...
The Panthers defeated the Memphis Showboats 26-12 in their season opener Sunday afternoon inside Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Memphis, Tennessee.
Quarterback Bryce Perkins had the hot hand for Michigan, completing 84% of his passes (16-for-19) and throwing for 104 yards.
Here's what stood out from the game:
Michigan Panthers shutout Showboats in first half
The Panthers defense halted the Showboats offense from the opening play only allowing them 13 yards on six plays in the first quarter. Cornerback Adonis Alexander committed a hard hit to former teammate, quarterback E.J. Perry, that forced Memphis to punt.
Perkins got the first-half start for the Panthers and led the team a 56-yard drive to bring them within striking distance allowing B.T. Potter to kick a 32-yard field goal for the teams' first points of the game.
Michigan's second drive of the game would see Perkins perform similar to what he did what he did in the first. On second and goal, the quarter would rush for the touchdown after a near fumble during the snap, followed by the extra point to put the team up by 10.
Memphis finds grove in second
The Showboats made a change at quarterback entering the second quarter and put in Troy Williams to start the quarter.
Williams would open the drive with a 14-yard completion to receiver Jonathan Adams and later on with another 10 yard pass to bring Memphis to the Michigan 16 yard line. The drive would see the team get as close to the 12-yard line, before Panther's defensive end Kenny Willekes caused Williams to lose 17 yards.
Memphis kicker Matt Coghlin completed a 50-yard-field-goal attempt to put the Showboats on the board.
Perry would led the attempt during the team's second drive, but threw an interception to Panthers' safety Arnold Tarpley, with Michigan leading at the half.
Blow for blow
The Showboats' defense stepped up in the second half allowing the Panthers to complete nine yards in the open drive of the quarter.
Perry would find some redemption from his interception leading Memphis on 48-yard drive in nine plays. Coghlin completed another long field (45 yards) to bring the team within four with eight minutes left in the quarter.
The Panthers spent four minutes of the quarter with possession of the ball, completing a nine-play-65-yard drive. Perkins threw a 25-yard pass to Samson Nacua to put the team up by 10, followed by the extra point, sending the game into the final quarter with a core of 17-6.
Pick-six seals the deal
Michigan would start the quarter at their own nine yard line. Perkins would push the team 66-yards on 13 plays setting up Potter for 43-yard field goal to put the Panthers up 14.
The Showboats would pick things up start at their own 27-yard line, and pushed the ball down five yards. Interim Head Coach Jim Turner made the decision to go for it on 4th-and-5 and Perry would complete an eight-yard pass to Dee Anderson.
Deneric Prince caught a 24-yard pass to bring the ball to the Panthers' 24. Memphis continued to push the ball and Perry completed to six-yard pass to Adams to bring the Showboats within eight. The team attempted the a two-point conversion but the pass intended to Anderson would be ruled incomplete.
The Panthers would fail to score on their next drive and gave possession back to Memphis with 51 seconds left on the clock.
Memphis would put Williams back in on the drive and threw a 37-yard pass to Adams and who was pushed out of bounds at the Panthers' 23. Williams attempted another pass, but Kai Nacua would complete the pick-six, locking things up at 26-12.
Michigan heads home for a three game home stand, including its home opener against the Birmingham Stallions.
Contact Eric Guzmán: [email protected]; 313-222-1850. Follow him on X: @EricGuzman90.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan Panthers sink Showboats 26-12 in UFL Week 1
Continue reading...
