Sunday’s slate of UFL action kicked off at Ford Field, with the Michigan Panthers taking on the DC Defenders in what was a clash of two of the league’s best.
Heading into this one, the Panthers were coming off of a tough loss on the road to the St. Louis Battlehawks. It was a game they felt they could win, but came up just short, 32-27.
Meanwhile, the DC Defenders were riding the coattails of a double digit comeback on the road against Arlington, improving to 4-1. They were searching for revenge against Michigan, as they lost to the Panthers at home last season, 22-9.
DC wasn’t ready for the smack in the face they received from Michigan today, though. Let’s take a look at what went down, as the Panthers absolutely dominated en route to a 38-14 victory.
First Quarter
The game opened up with a very strange sequence of events for the DC Defenders. They got into scoring range, and on 4th and 1, committed a penalty which resulted in a field goal attempt. Matt McCrane’s kick was blocked – but offsides gave DC another down. The weird thing here is that Garrett Marino was charged with unnecessary roughness, but it could not be enforced because offsides is a “dead ball penalty”.
With it once again being 4th and 1, DC decided to go for it. This time, Garrett Marino stuffed Deon Jackson up the middle, and the Panthers got a defensive stop.
Michigan’s offense would come out swinging. Despite starting at their own five yard line, the Panthers set the tone early, with their offensive line play. Bryce Perkins was in a rhythm from the very first snap, as Michigan pushed the ball down the field with ease.
Big completions to Malik Turner and Jaylon Moore set up the Panthers in the red zone, and then the drive was finished off by Toa Taua with a one yard rushing score. Perkins rushed for the PAT, and Michigan led 7-0.
Second Quarter
As the second period got underway, DC was finding their stride as an offense. They have a great…