OFFENSE EXPLODES AS PANTHERS MAUL ROUGHNECKS

The Michigan Panthers improved to 2-1 on Sunday, defeating the Houston Roughnecks 34-20. 

 

Defensive prowess had been the cornerstone for the Panthers over the first two games, but it was the offense who took center stage in the Panthers’ third game of the season. 

 

With their starting quarterback and running back out with injuries, Houston had a good plan heading into the game, starting with an opening drive that utilized a no-huddle strategy to work the Roughnecks all the way down the field and into the end zone. The opening drive was capped off by QB Reid Sinnett sneaking the ball in from the one yard line, and the Roughnecks took the early lead. However, that lead was short lived.

 

For an offense that had struggled in the first half of their previous two games, the Panthers going down a touchdown so early may have given the 6,952 fans in attendance reason for concern, but those worries were soon quelled as the Panthers offense scored on six of their first seven drives, including 22 points put up in the third quarter alone.

 

Quarterback EJ Perry looked fantastic all game long, as he went 16 for 19 on passing attempts, for 208 yards, a passing touchdown, and two more rushing touchdowns. Perry’s phenomenal play was in no small part due to the incredible turnaround of the offensive line. 

 

Last week against the Birmingham Stallions, Perry was sacked seven times. Even on plays when he wasn’t knocked down, he faced pressure and a collapsing pocket on nearly every down. This week was a total turnaround, as Perry was never sacked, and had plenty of time to go through his progressions, and tuck the ball and run if his passing options weren’t there. Perry showed the elite level of quarterback he can be if given the time. 

 

Unfortunately for Houston, penalties and negative plays forced them out of their pre-game plan of working a no-huddle style of offense. Houston Coach CJ Johnson explained why the Roughnecks had to abandon that strategy,

 

“We started going backwards, and when you go backwards it's hard to do no-huddle because you want to get back to the chains.” Johnson said.

 

“The offsides penalties really hurt us on back to back drives.” 

 

Playing from behind, especially in the second half, made the Roughnecks one-dimensional, and they could never seem to recapture the momentum of their opening drive. Despite having great starting field position multiple times thanks to kick returner Isiah Hennie, their failure to capitalize ultimately made this game a runaway before the fourth quarter even began. 

 

The Panthers, on the other hand, played their most complete game of the season. They are now starting to show how good this team can be, and that it needs to be in the same conversation as St. Louis and Birmingham when it comes to the best teams in the league. 

 

Most people will leave this game talking about the amazing 66 yard touchdown from WR Marcus Simms, the big interception and blocked punt from the Panthers defense, or the continued success of kicker Jake Bates, who went 2-2 on field goal attempts (46 and 55 yard conversions, which are chip shots by Bates’ standards), but an emerging star may be the recently activated WR Siaosi Mariner. 

 

The Panthers’ receiving core has been banged up. With John Hightower and Samson Nacua inactive for the game, Devin Ross on IR, and Marcus Simms not being able to practice throughout the week, the newly signed WR Mariner made an immediate and surprising impact. Hauling in an impressive 25 yard catch, and a successful 2 point conversion grab was a pleasant surprise for Head Coach Mike Nolan.

 

“I didn’t see that coming…we backed off on practice to get our guys fresh for the ball game. I didn’t see too much out of him, I didn’t see enough to say ‘boy, I knew he was going to do that.’ I’m not going to tell you that at all.” Nolan said of Mariner. He continued, 

 

“I was very pleased with what he did. He plays very aggressive, which is good for a wide receiver. He's not shy about getting the ball in traffic and he made quite an effort. He almost broke [the 25 yard catch]. He looked a little bit like what Marcus did on his play. It’s a big shot in the arm for us. If he can come through like that week in and week out that would help us. That’s a real bonus.”

 

Time will tell if Mariner continues to make an impact for the Panthers, but one thing is certain, the Panthers are on the prowl, and it’s open season on the rest of the UFL.

 

Next week, the Panthers (2-1) will have their first road game, traveling to San Antonio to take on the Brahmas (2-1). That game will air on Sat. April 20 at 7:00 PM EST on FOX.

 

Houston (0-3) returns home next week and will host the Arlington Renegades (0-3). That game will air on Sun. April 21 at 1:00 PM CST on FS1.