The Birmingham Stallions (1-1) visited Ford Field on Friday night to take on the Michigan Panthers (1-1) in a rematch of last year’s USFL Conference Championship game. This was a defensive battle for the majority of the game. The Stallions led the Panthers 6-0 at halftime and the game picked up in the second half with the Stallions coming away with a 21-12 win.
The Stallions are now 6-0 against the Panthers all-time dating back to 2022. There were two majority injuries for both teams. Birmingham quarterback Alex McGough injured his right shoulder in the first series of the game.
McGough had one carry for one yard and did not return. Matt Corral played the rest of the game for Birmingham. On Michigan’s side, defensive end Breeland Speaks injured his shoulder.
Birmingham had 271 yards of offense led by quarterback Matt Corral completing 18 of 29 passes (62.1%) for 198 yards, one touchdown, two interceptions, and two carries for 16 yards. Running back Ricky Person Jr. led the rushers with 17 carries for 53 yards, including a nine-yard touchdown, and one catch for -1 yard.
Wide receiver Deon Cain led the receivers making four catches for 84 yards, including a 52-yard touchdown, and tight end Jace Sternberger made three catches for 35 yards. Kicker Harrison Mevis made three field goals with a long of 36 yards. Birmingham’s defense made 57 tackles, five tackles for loss, three sacks (2 by Bradlee Anae), one interception, four pass breakups, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.
Michigan had 252 yards of offense led by quarterback Bryce Perkins completing 12 of 22 passes (54.5%) for 132 yards, one touchdown, one interception, and three carries for 30 yards. Backup quarterback Danny Etling completed 3 of 4 passes (75%) for eight yards.
Running back Nate McCrary led the rushers with 14 carries for 53 yards, and one catch for 11 yards, while Matthew Colburn II had eight carries for 44 yards and two catches for nine yards. Wide receiver Siaosi Mariner led the receivers making three catches for 44 yards, while Marcus Simms made three catches for 12 yards, including a nine-yard touchdown.
Kicker B.T. Potter made one field goal for 39 yards. Michigan’s defense made 53 tackles, six tackles for loss, two interceptions by D.J. Miller Jr., and six pass breakups.
Next week, the Birmingham Stallions host the Arlington Renegades on Friday at 8 pm on Fox. The Michigan Panthers host the San Antonio Brahmas on Sunday at noon on ABC. Purchase UFL tickets today on StubHub and Viagogo.
