By: Mike T Bell
Memphis and Michigan would come into Week 5 without their Starting Quarterbacks. E.J. Perry suffered a leg injury late in the game vs. the San Antonio Brahmas and on Tuesday was put on the Injured Reserve, effectively ending his regular season. Danny Etling was named the starter for the Panthers. Case Cookus also got banged up last week against the St. Louis Battlehawks. Former Pittsburgh Mauler Quarterback Troy Williams would get the start for the Showboats.
Starting slow and establishing the run game have been consistent issues for the Michigan Panthers this season. Breeland Speaks helped change the narrative as he strip sacked Troy Williams and Garrett Marino recovered the fumble. The Panthers would continue to change their first half identity as they scored on the very first drive thanks to big runs by Wes Hill and Matthew Colburn. Wes Hill would punch it in from 2 yards out and Siaosi Mariner would catch the 1 point conversion to put the Panthers up 7-0.
Backup Defensive Tackle Walter Palmore would help continue the Panthers defensive success with a big sack to force a 3rd and long and subsequent incomplete pass to give the ball back to the Panthers. Coach Nolan would call a fake punt on 4th down with the same play they did last week against the Brahmas. Just like last week, the Panthers would convert the first down by Running Back Wes Hills. Matthew Colburn had a big run and score to put the Panthers up 13-0 after an unsuccessful conversion attempt.
Adonis Alexander picked off Troy Williams to start the second quarter and the Panthers were on the prowl once again. Unfortunately for the Panthers, Jake Bates would miss his first field goal of the season with a 58 yard try that went wide right. Kenny Willkes would have a second straight week of getting a sack. Levonta Taylor forced a fumble and Noah Dawkins scooped it up and almost scored before Showboats Quarterback Troy Williams would run him down at the 5 yard line. Wes Hills punched it in for his second score of the day to put the Panthers up 19-0.
With 31 seconds to go just before half, Coach Nolan decided to punt the ball rather than take another shot at a long FG with Jake Bates. Unfortunately, the Panthers called a peculiar Cover 2 defense and the Showboats took full advantage as Daewood Davis snuck behind the Cornerback and star Safety Kai Nacua and Troy Williams found him for an explosive 82 yard score to put the Showboats on the board trailing 19-6. After a nice return by Gavin Holmes to the Showboats 44, Jake Bates would get a chance at a 62 yarder but missed his second of the game.
The Panthers came out strong in the second half with big catches by Mariner and Hikutini and Danny Etling ran the ball into the endzone to put the Panthers up 25-6. The Showboats would go 3 and out but new returner Gavin Holmes would muff the punt near the goal line. Troy Williams immediately found Jonathan Adams to put the score to 25-12. Defensive Tackle P.J. Hall sacked Etling for a huge loss on third down and Troy Williams would pass for another touchdown, this time to Tight End Sage Surratt. The Showboats were back in the game down just one score as the Panthers led 25-18.
Four big plays helped the Panthers open up strong in the 4th quarter as Mariner would get a catch for 13 yards, Simms had two catches for 9 and 28 yards and Wes Hills would get his third score of the game with a run of 14 yards. This would put the Panthers up 32-18. Star Safety Kai Nacua would help end the next drive with an interception and Jake Bates would hit the shortest Field Goal of his career with a 30 yarder to put the Panthers up 35-18 with 5 minutes to go.
Coach Mike Nolan would throw a Super Challenge after the Showboats converted a crucial 4th down that got the ball into Panthers territory. Coach Nolan’s challenge to the referee crew was that Daewood Davis was not set before the ball was hiked and the Panthers won the challenge. Breeland Speaks would put an end to the Showboats comeback with another sack and the Panthers take home the win and move to 3-2 on the year. The Showboats moved to 1-4 and tied for last place in the USFL division with the Houston Roughnecks.
The Michigan Panthers will host the winless Arlington Renegades on Sunday May 5th at 1pm EST. The Memphis Showboats will host the undefeated Birmingham Stallions Saturday May 4th at Noon EST.