PANTHERS WEEK 8: NO PERKINS, NO PROBLEM

The Michigan Panthers clinched a playoff spot for the second consecutive season, defeating the Houston Roughnecks 30-18. 

 

Just moments before the game, the Panthers announced that UFL MVP frontrunner Bryce Perkins would not start, and only be used in an emergency situation. The start would go to QB Danny Etling. 

 

If you listen to social media, Danny Etling is a bum and every 40 year old, 80 lbs overweight keyboard warrior would be a better option. 

 

Fortunately for all of us, Mike Nolan doesn’t listen to social media. Etling made the start and had his best statistical game since his Senior Day game at LSU. 

 

The game started a little shaky for the Panthers, as Michigan went 3 and out on offense, and gave up a couple of huge runs to get Houston inside of the 5 yard line very quickly. However, the defense stepped up and forced Houston to settle for 3. 

 

On the next drive, Michigan got aggressive and went for it on 4th and 7. A questionable pass interference call allowed them to convert and keep the drive alive. A few plays later, Etling threw his first touchdown pass of the game, hitting Malik Turner on a cross-body throw. The one point conversion was good and Michigan held a 7-3 lead. 

 

After a series of penalties killed Houston’s next drive, returner Xavier Malone took a punt 88 yards down to the one yard line before he was tackled by his hair. On the very next play, Danny Etling hit Samson Nacua for a touchdown. Another successful conversion extended Michigan’s lead 14-3. 

 

The two score lead was short lived, however, as QB Jalen McClendon threw a perfect ball to WR Keke Chism who laid out for a spectacular catch and score. The Panthers’ extra point defense is just as good as their offense, and were able to shut down the extra point attempt. Michigan’s lead shrank to 14-9. 

 

On the next Houston drive, Keni-H Lovely dropped a would-be interception, and Houston took advantage of the mistake by tacking on a field goal. 

 

Michigan’s 2 minute drive came up empty after BT Potter missed a 50 yard field goal, so the Panthers headed into the half with a narrow 14-12 lead.

 

Much as they’ve done all year, Michigan turned up and turned out in the 3rd quarter. 

 

It all started when Houston was faced with a 4th and 1 at mid field and elected to go for it. An easy pass was dropped by a Roughnecks receiver and the Panthers regained possession. 

 

Michigan took full advantage of the great field possession when Danny Etling dropped a dime to Devin Ross for a long touchdown. To nobody’s surprise, the one point conversion attempt was good and Michigan pushed their lead to 21-12. 

 

On the next drive, Lovely made up for his earlier dropped INT by picking off Houston on a bad bubble screen. Lovely took the ball all the way to the house, and in the blink of an eye, the Panthers lead swelled to 27-12 at the end of the 3rd quarter. 

 

Houston needed to play perfect football in the 4th quarter to get back in this game, and for a moment, things were going well for them. A 15 play drive saw Hoston get deep into Panthers territory, but a 4th and 1 run up the middle spelt disaster for the Roughnecks.  

 

In the 2 years of the UFL’s existence, no team has converted against the Panthers on a 4th and 1 run up the middle. History would not be made today, as the dominant rush defense did their job to deny the conversion and get the ball back to Michigan. 

 

Michigan would go on to add a field goal, extending their lead 30-12. Houston tried to make a game of it by scoring a late touchdown to bring the score to 30-18, but they could not convert the 3 point conversion and that was the end of the game. 

 

Elsewhere, the St Louis Battlehawks had a comeback win for the ages against the Birmingham Stallions, which means that the Michigan Panthers are sitting alone in first place in their division.

 

 Next week, the Panthers (6-2) travel to Birmingham(5-3), and if they can FINALLY beat Birmingham, they will have locked up the USFL division. That game will be Saturday, May 24 at 3:00 PM EST on ABC. 

 

Houston will look to play spoiler when they host the DC Defenders on Sunday, May 25 at 4:00 PM EST on Fox. 

 

FINAL THOUGHS 

 

Extra point conversions continue to be a crucial part of the Panthers game. They are far and away the most successful extra point team, both on offense and defense. In a league that has already seen 8 games decided by 3 points or less, this is huge. 

 

Danny Etling proved that when given a proper pocket, he is the best throwing QB on the Panthers roster. He finished the game going 14-for-22 for 167 yards, 3 touchdowns, and no interceptions. However, Michigan can not rely on that, as their pass protection has been one of the weaker parts of their game. Moving forward, Michigan will surely go back to Bryce Perkins, who is the best runner in the league and causes nightmares for opposing D-Lines. 

 

The Panthers once again head down the season stretch with a very banged up team. Frank Ginda and Breeland Speaks, arguably the two best defensive players for Michigan, are out for the year. If Michigan wants to win games, they’re going to have to continue to rely on their offense, which can not only score quickly, but can also grind out games on the ground and prevent the other team from having much time with the ball. 

 

Matthew Colburn returned from injury but didn’t suit up for the game. I’d expect to see the Panthers play with all 3 running backs these last two weeks to reduce the risk of injury to Perkins. 

 

Perkins will likely start against Birmingham, but win or lose, expect Michigan to bench him in what will be a meaningless week 10 rematch against Houston.