The Michigan Panthers (2-1) hosted the Houston Roughnecks (0-3) on Sunday afternoon from Ford Field in front of a crowd of 6,952 fans. Michigan scored 22 points in the third quarter after scoring just 12 points in the first half to pull out a 34-20 win over the Roughnecks. Michigan now sits in second place in the USFL Conference behind the Birmingham Stallions.
Michigan had 332 yards on offense. Quarterback E.J. Perry completed 16 of 19 passes (84%) for 208 yards, one touchdown, nine carries for 60 yards, and two touchdowns. Perry’s lone touchdown happened in the third quarter to Marcus Simms for 76 yards which made it 20-11 Michigan. Perry’s rushing touchdowns happened in the first quarter for 11 yards and the third quarter for nine yards.
Michigan running Matt Colburn II had nine carries for 28 yards, one touchdown, and two catches for 14 yards, while Wes Hills had 15 carries for 23 yards and two catches for five yards. Michigan’s rushers finished the afternoon with 36 carries for 124 yards, and three touchdowns.
Wide receiver Trey Quinn led the receivers with five catches for 48 yards, while Marcus Simms made four catches for 84 yards and one touchdown. Michigan’s receivers finished the day with 16 catches for 208 yards and one touchdown.
Kicker Jake Bates made two field goals with a long of 55 yards. Michigan’s defense made 65 tackles including Kai Nacua with 8 tackles (6 solo, 2 assists), one interception, and two pass breakups. The rest of the defense had seven tackles for loss, two sacks, and five pass breakups.
Houston had 250 yards on offense. Quarterback Reid Sinnett completed 19 of 28 passes (68%) for 197 yards, one touchdown, one interception, five carries for 19 yards, and one touchdown. Sinnett’s lone touchdown happened in the third quarter to Justin Hall cutting Michigan’s lead down to 34-20. His only rushing touchdown happened in the first quarter for one yard putting Houston up 8-0. Backup quarterback Nolan Henderson completed 3 of 4 passes (75%) for 12 yards.
Running back T.J. Pledger IV led the rushers with 14 carries for 34 yards and four catches for 35 yards. Houston’s rushers had 20 carries for 53 yards, and one touchdown. Wide receiver Cyril Grayson led the receivers with five catches for 40 yards, while Justin Hall finished second making five catches for 35 yards, and one touchdown.
Houston’s receivers finished the afternoon with 22 catches for 209 yards and one touchdown. Kicker J.J. Molson made two field goals with a long of 35 yards. Houston’s defense made 78 tackles, four tackles for loss, and two pass breakups.
Next Saturday, the Michigan Panthers visit the San Antonio Brahmas at 7 pm on FOX, while the Houston Roughnecks host the Arlington Renegades on Sunday at 2 pm on FS1. Subscribe to Fubo to watch all of the 2024 UFL Season and tickets for the game are available today on StubHub and Viagogo.
