The Michigan Panthers (2-1) hosted the San Antonio Brahmas (0-3) on Sunday afternoon from Ford Field. The Panthers were coming off a loss last week against the Birmingham Stallions, while the Brahmas were searching for their first win of the season.
This was a very good game. There were a ton of hits including quarterback Danny Etling, who was listed as a backup quarterback but started the game, got knocked out in the first quarter and Bryce Perkins took over for Michigan.
San Antonio kicker Donald De La Haye kicked three field goals to give the Brahmas a 9-0 lead in the second quarter. Michigan responded when quarterback Bryce Perkins rushed for a two-yard touchdown and got the one-point play to cut San Antonio’s lead to 9-7 with 3:47 left of the second quarter.
Michigan kicker B.T. Potter made a 34-yard field goal putting Michigan up 10-9 with three seconds left. Michigan led San Antonio 10-9 at halftime.
In the third quarter, Michigan quarterback Bryce Perkins scored another two-yard touchdown plus getting the one-point play made it 17-9. San Antonio came back when quarterback Kellen Mond threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Anthony McFarland. They did not get the two-point conversion and Michigan held on to a 17-15 lead with 2:01 left of the third quarter.
In what was can be the play of the game, Michigan running back Jaden Shirden spun around to avoid a tackle on his way to scoring a 43-yard touchdown extending their lead to 23-15 with 1:18 left of the third quarter.
San Antonio’s defense stepped up when Jordan Williams intercepted Bryce Perkins’s pass for a pick-six 15-yard touchdown. Jashaun Corbin scored a two-point conversion and the game was tied 23-23 with 4:46 left of the game.
Michigan kicker B.T. Potter made a 28-yard field goal putting the Panthers up 26-23 with 54 seconds left. San Antonio had a chance to tie the game but kicker Donald De La Haye missed a 53-yard field goal wide left and the Michigan Panthers defeated the San Antonio Brahmas 26-23.
Michigan had 314 yards in total offense led by quarterback Bryce Perkins completing 17 of 23 passes (73.9%) for 193 yards, one interception, 10 carries for 30 yards, and two rushing touchdowns. Quarterback Danny Etling completed 2 of 4 passes (50%) for 21 yards.
Running back Jaden Shirden led the rushers with seven carries for 59 yards, and one rushing touchdown, while Nate McCrary had seven carries for 14 yards. Wide receivers Malik Turner and Siaosi Mariner co-led the team in receiving with each making five catches for 54 yards.
Kicker B.T. Potter made 2 of 3 field goals (66.7%) with a long of 34 yards. The defense made 62 tackles, four tackles for loss, two sacks, four pass breakups, and one forced fumble.
San Antonio had 247 yards in total offense led by quarterback Kellen Mond completing 17 of 28 passes (60.7%) for 142 yards, one touchdown, and six carries for 39 yards. Running back Anthony McFarland led the rushers with seven carries for 54 yards, two catches for 21 yards, and one touchdown.
Wide receiver Jacob Harris led the receivers making four catches for 56 yards, while Greg Ward made four catches for 26 yards. Kicker Donald De La Haye made 3 of 4 field goals (75%) with a long of 55 yards. The defense made 61 tackles, four tackles for loss, one sack, one interception, one touchdown, and five pass breakups.
Next week, the Michigan Panthers host the Memphis Showboats on Friday at 8 pm on Fox, and the San Antonio Brahmas visit the D.C. Defenders on Sunday at 5 pm on Fox. Purchase UFL tickets today on StubHub and Viagogo.
