Panthers won a must win game over Houston and gives them a strong shot at the playoffs

By Roy J. Akers

The Michigan Panthers started the 2024 UFL season with a three game homestand. After splitting their first two home games, their third home game was a must win against the winless Houston Roughnecks. The Panthers barely survived their opener against the St. Louis Battlehawks and a Jake Bates 64-yard field goal with three seconds left in the game allowed the Panthers to escape in the opener. The two-time defending USFL champions Birmingham put the Panthers back to reality and they entered game three with an even record.

Houston came to Ford Field winless, but with plenty of fight.

Then they experienced Michigan quarterback EJ Perry. Perry had a lot to prove coming into the game. Sitting near the bottom in QB ratings and stats after the first two weeks, Perry led several high quality efforts for the Panthers. He ran for two scores and passed for another with a 16-19 passing performance. His timely running on designed plays and scrambling accounted for 268 yards in the game. The offensive line had a much better game against the winless Houston Roughnecks. They allowed zero sacks after allowing 7 sacks and 12 hurries in week 2.

Perry’s biggest help comes from wide receiver Marcus Simms. The line on Simms is posted below as he had four catches for 84 yards. He was targeted four times and had four receptions. For me, its the 67 Yards after the catch (YAC). Simms has had two long catches this season. One on a fly pattern and a second on an underneath route.

The Michigan defense made important stops against Houston in the game and Kai Nacua’s interception was important in turning the tide in the game. Michigan had seven tackles for loss (TFL) Carter and Speaks had two sacks and three (TFL’s) in the game and Reid Sennett had a rough day at Ford Field.

Finally, the fans have spoken. Jake Bates added two more long fields goals in the game from 46 and 55 yards out. Bates is a star and the Detroit Lions are among the teams that have been rumored to have made contact with him.

 Panthers Notes:

• E.J. Perry finished 60 yards rushing on nine carries in the game. He is tops amongst quarterbacks in the league with 102 rushing yards this season and leads all players with four rushing touchdowns.
• Perry finished the game with a completion percentage of 84.2 percent (16-of-19). It’s the best completion percentage by a quarterback with at least 15 pass attempts in the UFL this season. 
• Jake Bates was perfect again, going 2-for-2 on field goal attempts from distances of 46 yards and 55 yards. He joins DC’s Matt McCrane and Houston’s J.J. Molson to remain perfect on the season. As a league amongst eight kickers, only four field goals have been missed in 52 attempts.
• Kedrick Whitehead Jr. blocked the first punt for the Panthers this season. It is also the first blocked punt in the UFL this season.
• Kai Nacua recorded his first interception of the season. That was the only turnover in the game and is the first game this season where the Panthers didn’t turn the ball over.

MICHIGAN PANTHERS VS SAN ANTONIO BRAHMAS

Saturday, April 20 | 7:00 PM ET | San Antonio, TX | The Alamodome | FOX* | FOX Sports on SiriusXM