By Roy J. Akers (Detroit, Michigan)
The inaugural UFL game for both Michigan Panthers and the St. Louis Battlehawks at Ford Field in Detroit was a test of nerves for both teams entering the game.
The Michigan Panthers are hoping to capitalize on a 2023 season that saw them make the playoffs and in their matchup against the Battlehawks, the franchise is looking to build an identity and a crowd to Ford Field. The Panthers are looking to build on a 4-6 last season and a first-round exit in the playoffs in the USFL last season. Head coach Mike Nolan was the coach in 2022 and returns for a second stint with the franchise. The XFL and USFL merged in 2023 and rosters are a fusion of players from both leagues.
A low scoring and evenly matched football game was three zip at the half and ended 16-15 as AJ McCarron’s arm heated up with a long drive after the Panthers took a six-point lead late in the fourth for their only lead of the game. McCarron completed a do or die 4th and four throw to Blake Jackson to tie the game and a extra point throw to give the Battlehawks a 16-15 lead. The Panthers could do very little on their final drive but do not tell their kicker Jason Bates the game was over. He had plenty of leg and booted through a 63-yard field goal with three second left for their first win of the season and beat the visitors 18-16.
Here is how the game unfolded.
First Quarter
Devin Ross of the Panthers takes the kickoff at his own 11 and the UFL kickoff 30 yards and Michigan had it first and ten from the 41. Michigan was on their way to a three and out but the Battlehawks were charitable with a 15-yard face-masking call. Michigan followed up their first three and out with their second. The drive took up 4:28.
St. Louis had a fair catch and took over at their own 11 yard-line. On Second and 11, Breeland Speaks put a huge hit on AJ McCarron. After a third-down incomplete pass, The Panthers got a short punt return to the St. Louis 44.
Being charitable, E.J Perry threw an interception in the flat. St. Louis took over the football at their own 37. Score after quarter one, Michigan-St.Louis tied at 0. Key Stat: QBs’s McCarron and Perry had 29 yards passing between them.
Second Quarter
As both teams traded possessions, Michigan had the best scoring opportunity.
The Panthers went on the prowl as EJ Perry connected to Devin Ross and he scampered to the St. Louis six. On the very next play, Perry throws a pick his second of the day wasted a prime scoring opportunity.
Getty Images: Garrett Marino of the Michigan Panthers and teammates run onto the field prior to a game
This is when St. Louis went to work. Starting at their own five. Using the short passing game with between the tackle runs, McCarron and company drove 69 yards in 12 plays and 36-yard field goal by Andre Szmyt gave the visitors a 3-0 lead as teams headed to halftime. Halftime: St. Louis 3, Michigan 0. Key Stat- St. Louis goes 69 yards in 13 plays to take the three point lead. Michigan. Perry- two interceptions.
The Panthers went on the prowl midway through the third quarter. A pair of Perry connections got the Panthers knocking at the door just outside the goal line. A 36 yarder to Marcus Simms and a 20-yard completion to Cole Hikutini got the Panthers out of the swamp. Finally, on second and six, Perry with the keeper and Michigan took the lead 7-3. Culver runs in the conversion.
The Panthers score rejuvenated the Battlehawks. marched down the field and when the third quarter ends, St. Louis is on the Michigan five as time runs out in the third. Score after 3 Quarters. Michigan 7. St. Louis 3. Key Play: Michigan 36-yard completion from Perry to Simms. Bonus stat: Michigan- 3 sacks.
Starting the fourth quarter, St. Louis, like Michigan in the second quarter, lost steam and had a turnover of downs. A run play was stuffed by the home team. Michigan’s march brought up a a third and long. Wes Hills took care of that with a 18-yard run for a first down. Michigan ended up taking a big sack of his own losing nearly 20 yards.
AJ McCarron and company used the clock to their advantage to drive in scoring possession. With McCarron seemingly having a minute to throw the ball on the 25-yard line, he finally connected with Hakeem Butler for a 16-yard connection and a first down. Two plays later saw McCarron hit Jake Sutherland with a four yard pass for the TD. The two-point conversion failed and St. Louis leads Michigan 9-7.
Using razzle dazzle on the kickoff return, Wes Hills kept the fake and got the Panthers out near midfield. He then scampered for a first down rushing on the first play of the drive. On the next play, he runs for 24 more. Two plays later on third and four, Perry eludes multiple pursuers and scores. The Panthers convert the two point conversion as Perry throws an out to Devin Ross. Mich. 15- St. Louis 9 with 5:01 to play.
St. Louis once again went on the march alternating their inside running with short passes under ten yards on most plays for the former Alabama quarterback McCarron. McCarron stretched a pass out with a 26-yard completion to Darius Jackson to the Michigan four. Four plays later on fourth and five McCarron connects with Blake Jackson who uses second effort to tie the score. A misdirection throw for the one-point conversion to the TE Sutherland gave the visitors a one point lead. The Panthers drive was going nowhere. Then the miracle by Jake Bates on a kick that traveled more than 64 yards. The result is Michigan is wins. They are (1-0). St. Louis is (0-1)
Attendance for the home opener is 9,444 before a crowd that is into the action. Michigan plays the second of a three game homestand on Sunday, April 7th against Birmingham.
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