By JONATHAN PEAL
EDITOR’S NOTE: Photo package by JACOB LUCAS
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – In a rain-soaked battle between the Memphis Showboats and the Michigan Panthers, Wes Hills scored three times and Danny Etling, in his first start for the Panthers, was efficient, keeping the Showboats winless at home.
Michigan got off to a good start, and left with a 35-18 win.
It was just the second home game for the Showboats, who slip to 1-4 with the loss. And here’s a sobering dose of reality: they’re home again next week, but it’s unbeaten Birmingham (5-0) coming to town, a noon ET / 11 a.m. Central time start on Saturday, on ABC.
The Panthers are now 3-2, and on the opposite end of the spectrum: they get to host winless Arlington (0-5) on Sunday at Ford Field in Detroit, a 1 p.m. ET / noon kickoff on FOX.
Memphis quarterback Tony Williams (11) hurls a pass. The Showboats got off to a bad start, and staged a late comeback. Below: a Showboats flagbearer after the ‘Boats score a second-half touchdown. (Photos by JACOB LUCAS)
At Memphis on Sunday in the rain, the Panthers showcased their offensive prowess in Etling’s first start, but it was the Panthers’ defense that jumpstarted it. Breeland Speaks had a sack on Memphis quarterback Troy Williams, who was making his first start of the season, and fumbled, the first of four turnovers on the day for the Showboats.
Garrett Marino recovered the fumble for Michigan – Speaks had three of Michigan’s seven sacks.
Running back Hill’s determined effort on a 19-yard run, swiftly followed by a successful punch-in by Hills for the score. The one-point conversion was good when Etling connected with Siaosi Mariner. This early surge put the Panthers ahead 7-0, and set the tone for the remainder of the game.
The Panthers continued to apply pressure. A strategic fake punt saw Hills execute what would be a pivotal play in the game: he took a direct snap and ran for the first down on fourth and 12. Michigan capitalized on the opportunity four plays later, with Matthew Colburn’s explosive run resulting in another touchdown on a 35-yard run, extending their lead to 13-0 by the end of the quarter.
As rain continued to pour, both teams faced significant challenges navigating the slippery field. The Showboats fought tenaciously to narrow the gap, with quarterback Troy Williams connecting with his receivers to advance downfield. However, Michigan’s defense got another turnover, this time an interception of Williams by Adonis Alexander.
The Panthers missed out on a scoring attempt after that one, as Jake Bates was wide right on a long 58-yard field goal, the first time he’d missed a kick this year.
On Memphis’s next possession, Lavonta Taylor forced a fumble by Showboats receiver Daewood Davis. Panthers linebacker Noah Dawkins picked up the ball and took it back 80 yards to the Showboats’ 5-yard-line.
Hills would score his second TD of the day, and although the conversion would fail, the Panthers went up 19-0.
Memphis did get a lift. With just 20 seconds before the half, the Showboats forced a punt, and Williams found Davis for what would be an 82-yard pass play – that’s the longest play this year in the league. They trailed 19-6 at the break.
Etling and company would make it a 19-point lead again on the first drive of the second half.
He found tight end Cole Hikutini for a 48-yard pitch-and-catch, all the way down to Memphis’s 3-yard-line, and then on the next play, Etling scored a rushing TD. The one-point conversion from the 2-yard-line failed, but Michigan was back up, 25-6, in the third quarter.
Determined to turn the tide, the Showboats launched a spirited comeback effort. Gavin Holmes of the Panthers muffed a punt on Michigan’s next possession, and Memphis recovered the ball at Michigan’s 7. Williams threw a touchdown pass to Jonathan Adams on the next play. The conversion failed, but Memphis had cut the score to 25-12.
They’d get closer. Williams and Sage Surratt connected for a 4-yard TD as the third quarter ended, and get within seven, 25-18, going into the fourth quarter.
But Michigan just had too much on Sunday. Receiver Marcus Simms and Etling hooked up for a 29-yarder, the key play of their first drive in the fourth quarter, and then Hills scored for the third time in the game. Colburn added the one point conversion to give Michigan a little insurance, a 32-18 lead.
After Memphis’s fourth turnover of the game – an interception of Williams by safety Kai Nacua (the brother of L.A. Rams receiver Puka Nacua) – the Panthers would add a field goal for the final score.
Former Ole Miss defensive end Breeland Speaks (57) runs right at Memphis QB Tony Williams. Speaks had three of the Panthers’ seven sacks, a big day. (Photo by JACOB LUCAS)
For Michigan, Hills finished with 82 yards on 16 attempts, and the three touchdowns. Colburn had 68 yards on 15 attempts, a rushing touchdown and the conversion. Etling finished up 14-of-21 for 175 yards and ran for the 3-yard score. Mariner had four catches for 42 yards. The defense had seven sacks, and the four takeaways.
For Memphis, Williams went 19-of-37 for 248 yards, two touchdown passes, and two interceptions. Davis had six catches for 101 yards and the 82-yard touchdown.
