The Michigan Panthers (7-2) visited Rice Stadium on Sunday afternoon against the Houston Roughnecks (1-8) in front of 6,527 fans. The Panthers trailed 22-12 to start the second half and battled back to beat the Roughnecks by the final score of 26-22 for their fifth straight win which is now the longest winning streak in the UFL.
Michigan had 352 yards on offense. Quarterback Danny Etling completed 12 of 18 passes (67%) for 110 yards, one interception, and two carries for 10 yards. Quarterback Bryce Perkins completed 12 of 15 passes (80%) for 121 yards, one touchdown, one interception, six carries for 76 yards, and two touchdowns.
In the third quarter, Perkins threw a four-yard touchdown pass to Trey Quinn cutting Houston’s lead down to 16-12 with 5:26 left. In the fourth quarter, Perkins rushed for an 11-yard touchdown making it 22-19 Houston with 11:45 left in the game. Later, Perkins rushed for a five-yard touchdown to give Michigan a 26-22 lead with 3:36 left in the game.
Running back Nate McCrary led the rushers with six carries for 21 yards and one touchdown. In the first quarter, McCrary rushed for a one-yard touchdown giving Michigan a 6-0 lead with 1:15 left. Michigan’s rushers finished the day with 20 carries for 121 yards and three touchdowns.
Wide receiver Siaosi Mariner led the receivers making eight catches for 95 yards while Trey Quinn made four catches for 17 yards and one touchdown. Michigan’s receivers finished the afternoon making 24 catches for 231 yards, and one touchdown.
Kicker Jake Bates missed one field goal for 39 yards. Michigan’s defense made 54 tackles, four tackles for loss, four sacks, six pass breakups, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries.
Houston had 278 yards on offense. Quarterback Nolan Henderson completed 7 of 18 passes (39%) for 150 yards, two touchdowns, and nine carries for 66 yards. In the third quarter, Henderson threw a 63-yard touchdown pass to Justin Hall to take a 9-6 lead with 14:04 left. Later, Henderson threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to Justin Hall extending Houston’s lead to 16-6 with 9:29 left. Quarterback Reid Sinnett completed 6 of 11 passes (55%) for 57 yards.
Houston running back Mark Thompson had 11 carries for 38 yards, one touchdown, and one catch for three yards, In the third quarter, Thompson rushed for a two-yard touchdown giving the Roughnecks a 22-12 lead with 1:08 left. The rushers finished the game with 22 carries for 110 yards, and one touchdown.
Wide receiver Justin Hall led the receivers making six catches for 109 yards, and two touchdowns. The receivers finished the afternoon making 13 catches for 207 yards, and two touchdowns. Kicker J.J. Molson made one field goal for 39 yards. Houston’s defense made 52 tackles, two tackles for loss, two interceptions, and four pass breakups.
Next Saturday, the Michigan Panthers visit the Birmingham Stallions at 2 pm on ESPN, while the Houston Roughnecks visit the Memphis Showboats next Sunday at 7 pm 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.
