By: Mike T Bell
Michigan Panthers (7-2) @ Birmingham Stallions (8-1)
The Michigan Panthers traveled to Birmingham Saturday to face the Stallions in a battle for the division title. Going into the matchup, Michigan was 4-1 in the division with their only loss to the Stallions. The Stallions were a perfect 5-0 in the division. To win the division, the Stallions simply needed to win or lose by 22 or less. The Panthers had the steep task of winning by 23 points or more to take the division crown. No matter the outcome, the Panthers will be back in Birmingham to face the Stallions for the Conference Championship. Ford Field previously booked the Motor City Pride Festival for next weekend and would not be able to host the game if Michigan were to win the division.
The Stallions struck first as UFL MVP favorite Adrian Martinez led a game opening drive of 62 yards and hit Tight End Jace Sternberger on a 48 yard pass into the redzone. Sternberger would fumble the ball near the goal line but get the recovery. CJ Marable would punch it in to make the score 6-0.
The Panthers started the game with Danny Etling back at QB1. The Michigan Panthers have had the double edged sword of having to use 4 QBs this year but also having 4 capable guys of starting any game. Bryce Perkins has shown the last 2 games he can get the job done in the air and on the ground. He would be the QB2 for this matchup.
Danny Etling would hit Cole Hikutini for a big gain of 15 yards and Nate McCrary had a big run of 17 yards to set up Jake Bates for a 39 yard field goal to make the score 6-3 Stallions. The Panthers would hit their stride on defense with 2 sacks on the next drive by Marino and Torneden. Danny would then find Siaosi Mariner 14 yards and Devin Ross for 18 yards before rushing up the middle for a 23 yard touchdown. Newly signed Toa Taua would punch it in for the 1 point conversion to make the score 10-6.
After another brilliant defensive stand and another sack by Javin White, the Panthers would march down the field for a 46 yard touchdown to Siaosi Mariner. Siaosi Mariner has been hot the last few weeks as a replacement for Marcus Simms. Last week he had 8 receptions for 95 yards and a touchdown. Siaosi would have his best game of the season today with 7 receptions on 12 targets, 110 yards and a touchdown. 1 point conversion would fail and the score was 16-6 Panthers going into halftime.
T-Bell Perspective: At this point in the game, the Panthers were dominating in the run game and on the defensive front putting Adrian Martinez under tremendous pressure. Going into halftime with a 10 point lead and Bryce Perkins coming into the game to start the half, it truly felt like the Panthers had a chance to not only win the game but possibly win by 23 points to take the division crown.
Second Half, Panthers up 16-6
As the second half started, the Stallions woke up and found their rhythm. Adrian Martinez would lead the Stallions on a penalty fueled drive as on a 3rd and 9, Martinez underthrew Amari Rodgers deep and Rodgers had the awareness to hug Bryce Torneden into him to cause the 15 yard PI to extend the drive. This led CJ Marable to scamper for a 20 yard touchdown and a successful 1 point conversion attempt to make the score 16-13.
Bryce Perkins would make his entrance and immediately move the ball with his legs for a 14 yard gain. He pleaded with Coach Nolan to go for it on 4th and 1 but Coach Nolan decided to punt the ball and put his trust into the defense to get the ball back.
Garrett Marino would answer Coach Nolan’s call as he helped cause a 3 and out on the very next drive. Marino was back at home in Birmingham for the first time since he played his college ball as a UAB Blazer. He had his best game yet with 1 sack, a 12 Yard TFL, a pass break up and 3 tackles.
Unfortunately, Bryce Perkins would get injured on the very next drive as he cascaded across the defense for an 18 yard gain but landed awkwardly trying to hurdle a defender and took a helmet to the knee area. Bryce Perkins would not return to the game. Danny Etling came back in and was hoping to pick up where he left off in the first half. Unfortunately, the offensive line would come unglued as they allowed a whopping 4 penalties on 1st and goal. The Panthers would settle for a Field Goal and make the score 19-13 early in the 4th quarter.
Both defenses would go back and forth forcing punts as the Stallions went 3 and out two straight times and the Panthers would go 6 and out and 3 and out respectively. Finally, with the game hanging in the balance, Adrian Martinez used his legs and a couple clutch passes to get the Stallions into the endzone with a catch by a wide open Jace Sternberger. Former Michigan Panther, Marcus Baugh, who had a temper tantrum in Ford Field after being taken out of the game after a holding penalty and subsequently released from the team, would make a bobbling catch on the goal line to put the Stallions up 20-19 with a minute to play.
It is almost cinematic to see the Week 10 game for the Panthers end the same way the season started against the Battlehawks. Under a minute to play, down by 1 and just needing to get to at least the opponents 46 yard line to win the game. In Week 1, Jake Bates put himself into the Pro Football Hall of Fame with his record breaking kick and set the UFL world on fire for weeks with his leg strength and talent. Unfortunately, as the old adage says, all good things must come to an end as Jake Bates missed a 53 yard attempt Wide Right and the Stallions get the victory 20-19 and the division crown.
Adrian Martinez had a rough day through the air as he was sacked 5 times and threw 14/28 for 163 yards and 1 touchdown. Danny Etling would throw for 16/31 for 195 yards and 1 Touchdown. The leading rusher for the Stallions was CJ Marable with 56 yards and 2 Touchdowns.. The leading rusher for the Panthers was surprisingly Bryce Perkins with 37 yards on just 3 carries.
Defensively, the Panthers had 5 sacks on the day and held the Stallions to a season low 120 yards passing. The Stallions would get only 1 sack and hold the Panthers run game to 135 yards on the ground.
Next week, the Michigan Panthers (7-3) travel back to Birmingham Stallions (9-1) for the USFL Conference Championship. The game will be played at Protective Stadium at 3pm EST. Game coverage is available on ABC/ESPN.Â