The Michigan Panthers continue to play well on the road, carrying that over from the 2024 season, as they defeated the Memphis Showboats, 26-12, at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium Sunday afternoon.
It was the first half of a doubleheader on ESPN on Sunday; the second half is in progress now: the D.C. Defenders hosting last year’s UFL champion Birmingham Stallions, also on ESPN.
The Panthers created turnovers (two interceptions, one for a score), rushed the passer (three sacks on Memphis quarterbacks) and also played fairly well on offense.
Michigan scored first, a 32-yard field goal by B.T. Potter, to make it 3-0.
The defense forced a Showboats punt, and on Michigan’s second possession, quarterback Bryce Perkins would score on a 2-yard run. He got the conversion, as well, and made it 10-0 Panthers.
Memphis (0-1) got onto the scoreboard with a 50-yard field goal by Matt Coughlin.
On Memphis’ next drive, quarterback E.J. Perry was pressured by T.J. Carter, and Michigan’s Arnold Tarpley picked Perry off. The Panthers would take their 10-3 advantage into the half.
Coughlin got the Showboats a little closer with a 45-yard field goal (10-6) in the third quarter.
But Michigan hit right back with another touchdown, a 25-yard pass from Perkins to Samson Nacua (17-6), and then in the fourth quarter, more Panthers: a 43-yard field goal by Potter.
The Showboats added a score, a pass from Perry to receiver Jonathan Adams, a 6-yard score (20-12), but Michigan finished off the game with the insurance score: the interception for the touchdown by Kia Nacua and returned 80 yards.
Next weekend’s games has Birmingham at Michigan on Friday night at Ford Field, an 8 p.m. Eastern / 7 p.m. Central kickoff on Fox; Memphis at D.C. on Saturday, also at 8 / 7 on ABC; and two games on Sunday: Houston at Arlington at noon ET / 11 Central on ESPN, and San Antonio at St. Louis on Sunday evening, a 6:30 Eastern / 5:30 Central kickoff on Fox Sports 1 (FS1).
