PANTHERS WEEK 6: #MVPerkins

The Michigan Panthers avenged their tough loss against St. Louis last week by dominating the DC Defenders, 38-14 on Sunday afternoon. 

 

11,653 people (the largest home attendance for a UFL Panthers game to date) watched MVP candidate Bryce Perkins play a nearly perfect game to take down a DC team that had been thought of by some as the best team in the league. 

 

This was a true statement win for the Panthers. Michigan just didn’t want to avenge a tough loss the week prior, they didn’t just want to take down the “Number One” team in the league, they wanted to prove that they are undoubtedly the team best poised to win the UFL championship this year. 

 

HOT START FOR MICHIGAN 

 

Defenders QB Jordan Ta’amu led his team on a solid opening drive, including a 3rd and 14 conversion with a beauty of a pass. Nearing the end zone, a wild series of plays occurred.

 

Facing a 4th and 1 from the 10, the Defenders lined up to go for it. However a delay of game penalty pushed them back, and DC wisely chose to go for the field goal. The FG attempt was blocked, but an offsides penalty gave the Defenders another chance at 4th and 1. Clearly DC has not watched the tape on teams going for 4th and 1 against the Panthers. DC went for a run up the middle and Michigan’s defense shut them down. 

 

With momentum on their side, the Panthers leaned heavily on their run game and Run-Pass option to take the ball 95 yards down the field, where rising star and all-around good dude Toa Taua punched the ball into the end zone. Following a Bryce Perkins scramble for the conversion, Michigan led 7-0. 

 

A QUICK COMEBACK 

 

Not wanting to fall behind, DC responded with an excellent drive of its own. Their run game quickly got them into the red zone and Ta’amu was able to connect with WR Braylon Sanders for the touchdown. The 2 point conversion was no good and DC continued to trail 7-6. 

 

After Michigan was unable to get into scoring position, the Defenders looked to take the lead, but a huge sack on 3rd down from Mika Tafua shut that down in a hurry. 

 

SELF INFLICTED WOUNDS

 

A punt, which was hindered by a Defenders penalty, gave the Panthers great starting field position for their next drive. A 15 yard run got the Panthers to the DC 35, and Bryce Perkins somehow avoided a sure sack, and hit TE Cole Hikutini who was able to break the goal line for the first of several Sportscenter worthy plays. Nate McCrary punched in the conversion attempt and Michigan was now up 14-6. 

 

Another special teams miscue saw DC shank a punt and allow the Panthers to take over near the end of the half, already in scoring range. BT Potter was able to connect on a field goal, and Michigan took a 17-6 lead into the half. 

 

TRYING TO PUT THE GAME AWAY

 

At the start of the 3rd quarter, the Panthers looked to step on the neck of DC and put the game nearly out of reach. The Defenders thought they were finally going to get a quick stop against Michigan, but Bryce Perkins scrambled on 3rd and 20 for the first down. Two plays later, Nate McCrary ran the ball into the end zone, and Perkins was able to hit Malik Turner with a no-look pass for the one point conversion and suddenly the game was 24-6. 

 

DC had one more gasp in them as Ta’amu hit a wide open Chris Roland for a 65 yard touchdown. A 2 point conversion gave DC new life as the game was now 24-14.

 

A WILD DRIVE

 

Any thoughts for a comeback quickly ended as Michigan went on one of the crazier drives of the UFL season. After Perkins threw a beautiful pass to TE Gunnar Oakes, he was able to hit WR Siaosi Mariner for a touchdown. However, offensive pass interference was called. 

 

Seeing that a Panther was clearly dragged down to the ground, HC Mike Nolan challenged that it was actually defensive pass interference. Upon replay, the officials conceded that defensive holding happened, but not defensive pass interference. Because super challenges have to be extremely specific, the Panthers lost the challenge. 

 

Things kept getting worse for the Panthers as an erratic snap and a backwards run saw Michigan faced with an unenviable 3rd and goal from the 28 yard line. Michigan couldn’t convert so BT Potter came out for his second field goal attempt of the game. The kick was wide left, but a personal foul from DC gave the Panthers a fresh set of downs. 

 

Bryce Perkins made his second ridiculously impressive play of the game when he scrambled into the end zone to extend the Panthers lead. DC was finally able to stop an extra point attempt, so the score stood at 30-14. 

 

THE DAGGER

 

Michigan was able to stop DC once again and drive the ball right down the field. Much as they’d done all game, they relied on tough running from their backs, and great play making from Perkins. Michigan was able to score one more time when Bryce Perkins hit Malik Turner for the touchdown. Michigan then ran in a two point conversion to send the fans home happy with a 38-14 win 

 

POST GAME

 

In the post game press conference, Perkins admitted the no-look throw was probably unnecessary, but it was something he picked up from being Matthew Stafford’s backup QB, and something they play around with in practice from time to time. Coach Nolan spoke of the importance of converting on extra point attempts, something the Panthers have excelled at this year. 

 

“My goal is just to win by one point. So if we score first, we will go for one, and then leave it up to them to respond and try to go for more.” It's a strategy that has worked out well for the Panthers, who are 15 for 21 on extra point attempts. Conversely, their opponents are only 3 for 12 on their attempts. 

 

The Panthers (4-2) are set to face the Arlington Renegades (3-3) in week 7 on Saturday at Choctaw Stadium. Kickoff is set for 1:00 PM EST on Fox. The Defenders (4-2) play the San Antonio Brahmas (1-5) at The Alamodome, kicking off at 8:00 PM EST Friday on Fox. 

 

FINAL THOUGHTS: 

 

This was the most complete game the Panthers have played this year. Both offense and defense seem to be clicking. However, this is the third long touchdown the Panthers have given up in the past two games, something that they will need to shore up before the playoffs. 

 

It was good to see the penalties come down for Michigan, and to see that Coach Nolan has finally decided to hand Perkins the reins. Bryce should be the absolute front runner for MVP this year. 

 

Unfortunately for Michigan, the Houston Roughnecks are getting hot at the right time. If the Roughnecks are able to beat Birmingham this week, Michigan is in for a dog fight for the division, with their last 3 games being at Houston, at Birmingham,  and ending at home against Houston.