This weekend’s UFL games opened with a dominant performance Friday night by the Michigan Panthers over their division rival, the Memphis Showboats. The battered “boats“ are regrouping after coach Ken Whisenhunt’s departure last week. But the team encountered rough seas Friday night with a stunning 27-9 loss to the Panthers.
Panther’s quarterback Bryce Perkins had his best performance of the season, passing 15/22 for 200 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. He added another 45 rushing yards on seven carries. Perkins’ outstanding performance earned him the UFL News Hub’s Player of the Week honors.
The Panthers Offense
While D.C. Defenders quarterback Jordan Ta’amu and Arlington Renegades quarterback Luis Perez have more passing yards than Perkins, his efficiency rating is 98.3%. Perkins completed 60/87 passes for 688 yards with four touchdowns. He’s added 26 rushes for 129 yards with three touchdowns. Perkins’ number one receiver has been Malik Turner, who has 15 receptions for 140 yards. Siaosi Mariner is next with 12 receptions for 171 yards. However, Perkins’ three passing touchdowns were scored by Samson Nacua, Jalen Wydermeyer, and Jaylon Moore. A UFL rookie, Wydermeyer scored his first touchdown on Friday night.
The Panthers Defense
The Panthers’ defense, led by Frank Ginda with seven tackles and Arnold Tarpley with two tackles and an interception, kept up a relentless pressure to shut down the Showboats’ offense.
Honorable Mention -UFL News Hub Player of the Week
Two players from the San Antonio Brahmas earned an honorable mention nod this week. New UFL rookie running back Aidan Robbins scored two touchdowns on four carries in the team’s first victory this season. Making his debut with the Brahmas on Sunday, Robbins had a two-yard rushing touchdown and a five-yard score as the Brahmas beat the D.C. Defenders by a score of 24-18.
In addition to Robbins, punt returner Mathew Sexton scored on an 83-yard return to give the Brahmas a 12-0 lead late in the first quarter. It was one of the most explosive and exciting plays this season, and Sexton receives an honorable mention.
Next weekend, the Michigan Panthers will travel to The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis, MO, to take on St. Louis Battlehawks on Saturday, April 26th at 7:00 p.m. EDT. The game will be televised on ESPN, and tickets are still available.
The Brahmas return home to the Alamodome, where they will try to earn their second win of the season against the Houston Roughnecks on Sunday, April 27th, at 2:00 pm CDT. The game will be televised on ESPN, and tickets are still available.
