The Michigan Panthers (6-2) hosted the Memphis Showboats (1-7) on Saturday afternoon in front of 9,370 fans at Ford Field where they watched the Panthers beat the Showboats 24-18. The Panthers have now won four straight games while the Showboats have lost seven in a row.
Michigan had 344 yards on offense. Quarterback Brian Lewerke completed 6 of 11 passes (55%) for 82 yards, and three carries for 13 yards. Lewerke’s touchdown happened in the first quarter to Cole Hikutini for 21 yards to take a 6-0 lead with 12:20 left.
Backup quarterback Bryce Perkins completed 7 of 9 passes (78%) for 106 yards, one touchdown, and 9 carries for 55 yards. Perkins’s touchdown happened in the second quarter to Devin Gray for an 18-6 lead with 35 seconds left.
Running back Matthew Colburn II led the rushers with 24 carries for 93 yards, two touchdowns, and one catch for seven yards. Colburn II’s first touchdown happened in the first quarter for one yard which made it 12-6 with 5:29 left, and his second touchdown happened in the fourth quarter for three yards which made it 24-18 with 7:31 left in the game. The rushers finished the afternoon with 36 carries for 161 yards, and two touchdowns.
Wide receiver Devin Grey led the receivers making six catches for 84 yards, and one touchdown, while Cole Hikutini made one catch for 21 yards, and one touchdown. The receivers finished the game making 13 catches for 188 yards, and two touchdowns.
Kick Jake Bates attempted one field goal but missed it ending his field goal streak at 10. Michigan’s defense made 56 tackles (six tackles for loss, four sacks, one interception, three pass breakups, and one forced fumble.
Memphis had 239 yards on offense. Quarterback Case Cookus completed 10 of 16 passes (63%) for 179 yards, one touchdown, one interception, and three carries for 8 yards. Cookus’s touchdown happened in the first quarter to Daewood Davis for 65 yards which tied the game 6-6 with 12:02 left.
Backup quarterback Josh Love completed 9 of 12 passes (75%) for 56 yards, one touchdown, and one carry for -3 yards. Love’s touchdown happened in the third quarter to Daewood Davis for 14 yards cutting the Panthers lead to 18-15 with 11:16 left.
Running back Darius Victor led the rushers with 11 carries for 33 yards and three catches for 14 yards. The rushers finished the afternoon with 16 carries for 40 yards. Tight end Sage Surratt led the receivers making five catches for 55 yards, while wide receiver Daewood Davis made three catches for 86 yards and two touchdowns.
Kicker Matt Coghlin made two field goals with a long of 55 yards. Memphis’s defense made 74 tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack, and one pass breakup.
Next Sunday, the Memphis Showboats host the D.C. Defenders at 2:30 pm on FOX, while the Michigan Panthers visit the Houston Roughnecks at 2:30 pm on also on FOX. Subscribe to Fubo to watch all of the 2024 UFL Season and tickets for the game are available today on StubHub and Viagogo.
