The Michigan Panthers (3-1) hosted the Memphis Showboats (0-4) on Friday night from Ford Field in a USFL Conference matchup. This was their second and final meeting of the season.
Memphis got things started when Deneric Prince rushed up the middle for a three-yard touchdown. They did not get the two-point conversion and led 6-0 with 8:37 left of the first quarter. Late in the first quarter, Michigan responded when Toa Taua followed his offensive linemen to score a 15-yard touchdown. They got the one-point conversion to take a 7-6 lead.
Late in the second quarter, Michigan running back Nate McCrary rushed up the middle on his way to scoring a 19-yard touchdown. Michigan successfully made a one-point play to extend their lead 14-9 with 41 seconds left. As time was running out, Memphis kicker Matt Coughlin made a 52-yard field goal and the Showboats trailed the Panthers 14-9 at halftime.
Memphis’s offense struggled for the rest of the game. They continued to use the two-quarterback system which both Troy Williams and E.J. Perry have been unable to move the offense down the field. It was not a good night for either Williams or Perry.
Michigan blew the game wide open in the fourth quarter when quarterback Bryce Perkins threw a 27-yard touchdown to Jaylon Moore. They got the one-point conversion making it 21-9 with 11:52 left of the game. Then, Perkins completed a 13-yard touchdown pass to Jalen Wydermyer and the Michigan Panthers defeated the Memphis Showboats by the final score of 27-9.
Michigan had 369 yards of offense led by quarterback Bryce Perkins completing 15 of 22 passes (68.2%) for 200 yards, two touchdowns, and seven carries for 45 yards. Michigan rushers had 169 yards led by running back Nate McCrary with 11 carries for 60 yards, and one touchdown, while Toa Taua had 10 carries for 53 yards, and one touchdown.
Wide receiver Jaylon Moore led the receivers making three catches for 39 yards, and one touchdown, while Jalen Wydermyer made three catches for 37 yards and one touchdown. Michigan’s defense made 57 tackles, six tackles for loss, two sacks, one interception, three pass breakups, and one forced fumble.
Memphis had 150 yards of offense led by backup quarterback E.J. Perry completing 8 of 16 passes (50%) for 74 yards, one interception, and nine carries for 30 yards, while starter Troy Williams completed 4 of 8 passes (50%) for 13 yards, and one carry for four yards.
Running back Deneric Prince had seven carries for 24 yards, and one touchdown, while Jacob Kibodi had seven carries for 10 yards. Wide receiver Kwamie Lassiter II led the receivers making three catches for 33 yards, and Jonathan Adams made two catches for 21 yards. Kicker Matt Coughlin made one field goal for 52 yards. Memphis’s defense made 55 tackles, and one tackle for loss.
Next week, the Memphis Showboats visit the Birmingham Stallions on Friday at 8 pm on Fox. The Michigan Panthers visit the St. Louis Battlehawks on Saturday at 7 pm on ESPN. Purchase UFL tickets today on StubHub and Viagogo.
