Saturday saw the kickoff of Week One for the newest name in spring football, the United Football League (UFL), bringing together teams from the USFL and XFL for the most hotly touted spring league to date.
Following an impressive showing from two-time champions Birmingham Stallions to start the day, Ford Field hosted the first-ever matchup between the Michigan Panthers and the St. Louis Battlehawks.
The first half was not what one would call an inspired performance from the Panthers offense.
Starting quarterback EJ Perry, who led the Panthers to a postseason appearance last season, was off his game for much of the opening frames. Perry’s first completion for positive yardage didn’t come until under three minutes remained in the first quarter. On his biggest pass play of the half, he faked a handoff to Wes Hills, providing a clean backfield and ample time to locate Devin Ross for a 42-yard completion that planted Michigan at the Battlehawks 6 yard line. But on the very next play, Perry’s pass (intended for Marcus Simms) bounced off Dravon Askew-Henry (in coverage) and into the hands of his teammate, safety Qwynnterrio Cole. It was Perry’s second interception of the half.
The Battlehawks would helm their strongest drive to that point towards the end of the second quarter, resulting in 36-yard field goal that ended the first half.
Whatever fans may have been thinking about Perry at halftime, it changed in a hurry in the second half.
After the Panthers defense got St. Louis off the field on their first possession, Perry led a 93-yard drive to give Michigan their first trip to the endzone. This was highlighted by strong offensive concepts and keen timing, as well as a pro-level, tight window pass by EJ to Simms for 30 yards – Perry’s best throw of the day. At the half, the Panthers lead signal caller had only 70 passing yards. On the opening drive of the third quarter, he added 87 passing yards and ended the drive on a 4-yard touchdown run, giving the home side their first lead (and points) of the game.
All game, the Panthers defense proved to be a reliable strength – especially their front four. While standouts like Speaks and Wise racked up stops and sacks, it was backup tackle Walter Palmore who scored the most crucial hit of the game – stopping Battlehawks lead back Wayne Gallman on 4th-and-1 from the Panthers 4-yard line to start the fourth quarter.
Down 9-7 with just under eight minutes left in regulation, the Panthers leaned into their run game. Wes Hills started the drive with back-to-back carries for 14 and 27 yards, respectively. Perry would get in on the ground game action himself, ending the drive with an improvised 8-yard touchdown run. On the conversion, the Panthers would go for two – and Perry connected with an open Devin Ross to give Michigan a 15-9 lead.
On their final drive of the day, St. Louis started at the Panthers 45-yard line with all three of their timeouts. However, the home defense found their way off the field just as the two-minute warning hit, with AJ McCarron failing to connect with Jacob Saylors on 3rd-and-10. On 4th-and-10 from the Michigan 29, McCarron let it fly to receiver Marcell Ateman for 24 yards, setting St. Louis up with first and goal from the 5-yard line.
Michigan’s defense would force the Battlehawks into another fourth-down stand, and again, McCarron found Ateman – this time in the endzone, to draw even with the Panthers. A completion to tight end Jake Sutherland would break the tie, giving St. Louis a 16-15 advantage.
With no time outs remaining and facing a 4th-and-6, Perry found John Hightower to reach the St. Louis 46. After drawing another fourth down with just eight seconds left to play, head coach Mike Nolan opted for a 64-yard field goal from place-kicker Jake Bates – who nailed it not once, but twice, sealing the victory for the Panthers.
Final Score: Panthers 18, Battlehawks 16
