Panthers overcome 10-point 4th quarter deficit to beat Roughneck

HOUSTON– Facing a double-digit deficit in the fourth quarter of their Week 9 game against the Roughnecks (1-8), the Michigan Panthers (7-2) got two rushing scores from Bryce Perkins to take the lead before the defense only seals the 26. -22 victory.

Perkins’ touchdown was made possible by a brilliant, game-saving play from Siaosi Mariner, who snatched a potential interception out of the defender’s hands to keep the Panthers’ drive alive.

Nolan Henderson and the Roughnecks had a chance to regain the lead with one final possession, but Breeland Speaks’ third-down sack brought Houston to third-and-26, and Nate Brooks broke up Henderson’s fourth-down pass to end the game. .

Now, three necessary thanks after Michigan’s thrilling victory.

Speaks continued his campaign for Defensive Player of the Year with a dominant performance on Sunday. His three sacks put him ahead of Birmingham’s Carlos Davis for the most in the league (8.5), and he finished the game with six total tackles, four solo, four tackles for loss and one breakup. also passes.

Perkins replaced Danny Etling (12 of 18, 110, 1 INT) in the second half and brought the offense to life with a trio of touchdowns, starting with a 4-yard pass for Trey Quinn’s first score of the season .

He completed 12 of 15 passes for 121 yards, also contributing 76 rushing yards on six carries and two rushing touchdowns.

Mariner had 95 yards on eight receptions, none more important than the one he snatched from the hands of Jimmy Moreland in the fourth quarter.

Michigan still has a chance to become the top seed in the USFL conference after Birmingham’s loss on Saturday and will face the Stallions for it in Week 10. Unfortunately for the Panthers, the conference championship game The USFL will still take place in Birmingham, due to scheduling. conflict at Ford Field.

You can find Kacy Sager on X (Twitter) at @THESagerbomb.

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