The UFL | Perkins leads Panthers to 26-22 win over Roughnecks

HOUSTON, Texas (May 26, 2024) – Panthers quarterback Bryce Perkins entered the game in the second half and was a man on a mission, recording 121 passing yards, 79 rushing yards and three total touchdowns (one passing, two rushing) during Michigan’s 26-22 victory over Houston. Roughnecks Sunday at Rice Stadium. The Panthers overcame 16 unanswered points from Houston and a double-digit deficit in the fourth quarter. Michigan extends its winning streak to five games.

Perkins scored the game-winning touchdown with a five-yard rushing score with 3:36 left.

Two Panthers contributed their first touchdowns of the season in the comeback win: running back Nate McCrary, stepping up in Wes Hills’ absence, and wide receiver Trey Quinn.

Defensive end Breeland Speaks also recorded three sacks and four TFLs to continue his dominant campaign, becoming first in the league in both categories (8.5 sacks and 12 TFLs). Speaks now has two games with three sacks this season.

Michigan heads to Birmingham next week with its winning streak against a Stallions team coming off its first loss of the season. The Panthers and Stallions will face off in the final regular season slate in addition to the USFL Conference Championship the following week.

Quarterback Danny Etling made the start for Michigan, his first appearance since Week 6. Etling looked like his old self, completing 12 of 18 passes for 110 yards in the first half.

Both teams traded punts on their first possessions. It was the first time in the last five weeks that the Panthers didn’t open the game with a touchdown.

Etling settled in shortly after, throwing a 20-yard pass to Devin Ross. Three plays later, Etling connected with Siaosi Mariner for a 19-yard gain. Michigan came up empty-handed on the drive, as Jake Bates pushed a 39-yard attempt to the right.

The Panthers got the ball back with a fumble recovery by Kenny Willekes. Jesus Gibbs forced the fumble on Mark Thompson and Willekes returned it to the Houston 16-yard line. Michigan found the end zone this time for the game’s first points with a three-yard rushing score from McCrary. The one-point attempt failed and the Panthers led 6-0 after the first quarter.

Houston responded with points of its own, a 39-yard JJ Molson field goal to cut Michigan’s lead in half.

The Roughnecks had their own advantage with a D’Juan Hines interception against Etling with 4:21 left before halftime. However, Breeland Speaks thwarted Houston’s opportunity to capitalize with a sack to force a punt.

Michigan was unable to keep Houston out of the end zone, as the Roughnecks only needed two offensive plays to hit the field and open the third quarter. Nolan Henderson connected with Justin Hall for a 63-yard touchdown. The two-point attempt was no good, but Houston got its first lead 9-6.

Perkins replaced Etling in the second half, but threw an interception four plays into his first drive. The Roughnecks capitalized on the takeaway with another Hall touchdown, this time on a seven-yard reception. Hall also converted the one-point attempt to give Houston a double-digit lead.

Perkins kept the drive alive on the ensuing possession with a 33-yard run on third-and-long. Three plays later, Perkins threw a four-yard touchdown to Trey Quinn. It was the first touchdown of the season for Quinn, the team’s second leading receiver. Michigan couldn’t score any extra points, but they made it a 16-12 game.

Houston continued to drive and made plays when they needed to. Henderson completed a 33-yard pass to Emmanuel Butler on third-and-long. The Roughnecks found the end zone once again with a two-yard rushing score from Thompson to regain their 10-point lead.

Perkins scored his first rushing touchdown of the season early in the fourth quarter to cut Houston’s lead. Michigan’s one-point attempt succeeded with a pass to Cole Hikutini, putting them within a field goal.

With the Panthers defense needing to shut down, Ron’Dell Carter and Mika Tafua stepped up, collapsing on Henderson for a sack. Houston was then forced to punt, giving Michigan a chance to take the lead. Tafua picked up his first credited sack of the season, while Carter now has 4.5.

Facing 3rd-and-14, Perkins got his legs going again, rushing 25 yards to keep the drive alive with less than five minutes to play. Perkins gave Michigan the lead with his second rushing touchdown of the game, Michigan’s first lead since the first quarter. Perkins found Hikutini for the one-point conversion to lead by four.

The Roughnecks had one last chance to win the game, but the Panthers were able to make a stop and complete the comeback.

Perkins completed 12 of 15 passes for 121 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Etling completed 12 of 18 passes for 110 yards and one interception. This is a new team play, record for passing yards (231). Houston completed 7 of 18 passes for 150 yards and two touchdowns for Houston.

Perkins was Michigan’s leading rusher with 79 yards and two touchdowns on seven carries. Henderson was the Roughnecks’ leading rusher with nine carries for 66 yards.

Michigan’s leading receiver was Mariner with eight receptions, a new Panthers individual game high, for 95 yards. Hall caught six balls for 109 yards and two touchdowns for the Roughnecks.

The Panthers (7-2) will conclude the regular season next Saturday on the road against the Birmingham Stallions (8-1). Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. ET on ESPN. The Roughnecks (1-8) will be on the road in their season finale against the Memphis Showboats (1-8), kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.