The Michigan Panthers (1-0) concluded the UFL Saturday doubleheader at Ford Field hosting the St. Louis Battlehawks (0-1) in their first-ever meeting under the new merger between the USFL and XFL.
This game was all defense for three quarters with both teams combining for ten points until the fourth quarter where there was a total of 24 points scored. The game was decided in the final minute when St. Louis quarterback A.J. McCarron threw a five-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Marcel Ateman and converted the single-point to take a 16-15 lead with 49 seconds left.
Then, Michigan marched down the field to St. Louis’s 46-yard line where kicker Jake Bates, who had not kicked a field goal since high school, made a 64-yarder to give the Michigan Panthers an 18-16 win.
Michigan had 280 yards on offense. Quarterback E.J. Perry completed 12 of 24 passes (50%) for 176 yards, two interceptions, and finished second in rushing with six carries for 17 yards, and two touchdowns. The first rushing touchdown went for four yards, and the second for eight yards. Running back Wes Hills led the Panthers in rushing with 11 carries for 85 yards and Matt Colburn had five carries for 10 yards.
Michigan wide receiver Devin Ross led the Panthers in receiving making two catches for 46 yards, while Marcus Simms finished second with two catches for 38 yards. Michigan receivers finished the game with 12 catches for 176 yards.
Michigan’s defense made 61 tackles led by Kai Nacua with 11 tackles (8 solo, 3 assists), along with recording a sack and two tackles for loss. Defensive tackle Daniel Wise led the team with two sacks as Michigan finished the game with 3.5 sacks, six tackles for loss, one pass breakup, and one forced fumble.
St. Louis had 261 yards on offense. Quarterback A.J. McCarron completed 24 of 37 passes (65%) for 216 yards, and two touchdowns. McCarron’s first touchdown went for five yards to tight end Jake Sutherland and the second was five yards to wide receiver Marcell Ateman all in the fourth quarter.
St. Louis running back Wayne Gallman II led the Battlehawks in rushing with 13 carries for 40 yards. St. Louis finished the game with 20 carries for 62 yards in rushing. Wide receiver Marcell Ateman led the team in receiving yards making six catches for 60 yards, and one touchdown, while Darrius Shepherd finished second with five catches for 34 yards. St. Louis’s receivers finished the game making 24 catches for 216 yards, and two touchdowns.
St. Louis’s defense made 38 tackles led by Willie Harvey making seven tackles (5 solo, 2 assists), two tackles for loss, and two pass breakups, along with one sack, four tackles for loss, two interceptions (Qwynnterrio Cole, and Mike Rose), and six pass breakups.
Next weekend, the St. Louis Battlehawks host the Arlington Renegades on Saturday at 8 pm on ABC, while the Michigan Panthers host the Birmingham Stallions at 12 pm on ESPN. Subscribe to Fubo to watch all of the 2024 UFL Season and tickets for the game are available today on StubHub and Viagogo.
