Week five of the UFL wrapped up yesterday, with the Memphis Showboats hosting the Michigan Panthers in what was a crucial divisional showdown.
My Texas Tour might be over, but the #UFL Tour sure isn’t!
Memphis vs. Michigan about to kickoff.
Pivotal USFL conference matchup here. #UFL pic.twitter.com/syNrqOmGOh
— James Larsen (@JamesLarsenPFN) April 28, 2024
Heading into this game, the Memphis Showboats were in a downhill spiral. They had lost three games in a row, pushing themselves to the bottom of the USFL Conference with Houston.
Michigan, on the other hand, was 2-2 – and has been relatively inconsistent from week to week. The Panthers needed to get back on track in order to secure their #2 position for another week, and they did exactly that.
It’s impressive that Michigan was able to do everything they did offensively against Memphis, having lost starting QB E.J. Perry for the year. Filling in was QB Danny Etling, making his first UFL start.
First Quarter
John DeFilippo decided to make a quarterback change ahead of this matchup. Troy Williams went on the field on this opening drive, which was his first start since the USFL Championship last year when he was with the Pittsburgh Maulers.
Unfortunately for Troy, things did not get off on the right foot. A few plays into their first possession, Breeland Speaks strip sacked Williams, and Garrett Marino recovered for Michigan.
LETS GO! @Bspeaks9 with the sack, @GarrettMarino_1 with the recovery 👏 pic.twitter.com/s8cL0Blr7r
— Michigan Panthers (@USFLPanthers) April 28, 2024
Wes Hills, who’s name was called quite a bit today, put Michigan in front early. With the solid field position, Hills hurdled his way inside the five yard line, and then finished things off himself with a two yard rushing touchdown. The PAT was successful from Etling to Siaosi Mariner, and the Panthers took a 7-0 lead.
WES HILLS TOUCHDOWN! 🐾pic.twitter.com/wNIAvuoEDT
— Michigan Panthers…