Technically, the Michigan Panthers did utilize a two-quarterback system on Sunday in Memphis.
Bryce Perkins earned the official start against the Showboats, leading the Panthers through the first quarter. On their opening drive, Perkins went 2-of-3 from the pocket, connecting with Marcus Simms both times for a combined 36 yards. Perkins also carried the ball for six yards before B.T. Potter notched a 43-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead. The Panthers’ second drive took them through the remainder of the first and into the second, with Perkins finishing the drive.
Perkins ended up finishing that drive himself after he fumbled the snap, recovered it and rushed home for the touchdown. He then carried the ball himself again for the one-point conversion.
Then it was Danny Etling’s time to shine.
He led the Panthers on two stalled drives before leaving the game midway through the third drive of the second quarter. With five seconds left, Etling was hit square in the chest by a Memphis defender, forcing coach Mike Nolan to put Perkins back in to finish the drive.
Etling didn’t return to the game after the hit, but even before his exit, it was clear who the Panthers’ starting quarterback should be.
Perkins finished the day 16-of-19 for 163 yards and a score — a short pass to Samson Nacua that turned into a 25-yard touchdown in the third quarter. Perkins finished with just 14 yards on the ground, but was highlighted by the aforementioned fumble, recover and score.
In his brief appearance, Etling finished 4-of-6 for 30 yards with two carries for 15 yards on the ground. None of the drives he appeared in ended in a score.
That first half may have painted the picture for the Panthers: it should be Perkins as the field general moving forward with Etling serving in a complimentary role.
But it doesn’t appear to be set in stone yet.
“The quarterback situation, I think, is a good one for us going with the two guys,” Nolan said in Monday’s press conference. “Obviously Danny got dinged yesterday a little bit, not necessarily mentally but he got the wind knocked out of him and had to come out for a little while.”
