A pep talk (Photo courtesy of Ron Jenkins/UFL/Getty Images).
Saturday’s game in Arlington, Texas, had both fanbases on their toes. It was a close game that could have gone either way until the very end. Blowout games tend to be boring, so we love both the Michigan Panthers and the Arlington Renegades playing their hearts out. We also saw Samson Nacua back in week 7 after his one-game suspension for his incident with a fan. It’s good to have the whole crew back. Speaking of a crew, make sure to catch The Forkball’s crew covering every game, every week of the UFL here. Now, let’s get into the game!
It’s Go Time
Arlington headed into week 7 with a little trepidation after getting their can kicked by the St. Louis Battlehawks. They may have gotten half the points of their opponents, but frankly, against a team as good as the Battlehawks, that’s almost a moral win. Michigan was coming in on a high after their 38-14 win against the DC Defenders.
The game was so good, even Puka Nacua knew he had to get in on the action. And do an interview, of course. Some kind words from Nacua about his mother ahead of Mother’s Day raised the wholesome level of the game to unbearably cute. Make sure you are acquainted with the kickers of both teams since they carry the game every week for every team. You’ll hear from Michigan’s B.T. Potter and Arlington’s Lucas Havrisik a lot throughout this game.
The Beginning Of Greatness
Arlington’s defense arrived before Michigan’s offense did mentally. Optimistic fans groaned when their QB, Bryce Perkins, got sacked and threw incomplete passes twice after. The ball was punted, and Michigan Panthers fans and players alike hoped that that was the worst drive of the game.
Patron Saint of the UFL, Luis Perez didn’t have to play this game along this week. Arlington fans were in high spirits after their defense showed up and showed out in the first quarter and their offense put points on the board first. The Panthers’ defense was working hard too, but no one can stop a UFL kicker. Lucas Havrisik makes his first field goal of the night, leaving the score 3-0 heading into the second quarter.
The 2nd Quarter
Michigan wasn’t going to be caught with their pants down in the second quarter. Bryce Perkins decided he didn’t want to eat the grass anymore, and in his run to a TD, he dodged every tackle. Seconds before making it into the end zone, he fumbled the ball, recovered the ball, and ran in the ball. It wasn’t a pretty touchdown, but it worked. The score was sitting at 6-3, with the Michigan Panthers leading the game for the first time.
While we were all distracted by the NFL intrusion, Potter weaved in a 56-yard field goal into the mix. 9-3! Things are heating up. Seconds before the end of the quarter, Arlington is held to a field goal attempt after a penalty. Havrisik comes in clutch again with a successful three-pointer. As the team heads off for some mid-game lunchables, the fans are abuzz over the 9-6 score.
Almost There
A few minutes into the third quarter, Havrisik comes back out and carries the team with another successful field goal. The fans go wild over the now tied score. Sam Nacua must have had stage fright and fumbled the ball in one of the most embarrassing plays of the game. The haters will think they’re getting to you—pull it together, Samson!
Arlington gets the ball back after recovering the fumble. It goes without saying that Havrisik is brought back onto the field and makes another field goal. The Renegades are leading the game again. In the now most embarrassing play of the game, Bryce Young loses his grip on the ball and loses it. Once again the Renegades are in possession of the ball.
Pull It Together, Michigan
You shouldn’t be allowed to win the game after a third quarter like that. If the Panthers do, it’s more of a reflection of their opponents. Luis Perez works together with WR Tyler Vaughns to get a flashy TD at the beginning of the fourth quarter. A failed attempt at two bonus points left the score at 18-9. It felt like a sure win at this point.
The Panthers redeemed themselves with one of the most lively TDs of the game. Sitting at fourth-and-7, Perkins gave RB Toa Taua the ball. Taua showed his athletic prowess by nimbly running 7 yards and then some. WR Malik Turner made the TD and the successful three-point conversion after a failed attempt that was nullified by an Arlington penalty. Both teams were at 18 with just over five minutes on the clock.
Arlington fans went wild again as Perez returned the TD favor, with a failed two-point conversion. There are two minutes on the clock, and 24-18 is on the scoreboard, with the Renegades in the lead. Toa Taua becomes a fan favorite by running the ball in for a TD at the 1-yard line with one second on the clock. A successful one-point conversion left the score 25-24. Tuau was emotional over his incredible plays in the game that, with the help of Perkins, clinched the win.
Final Thoughts
Both teams brought it on May 10th. The Renegades are winning slightly less this season, but not by much. The home-field advantage gave Arlington a fighting chance. The Michigan Panthers were able to squeak out one extra point over their opponent, but they need to head back to the drawing board because their week 8 opponents might just give them a run for their money.
Playing against the DC Defenders is like playing against the Birmingham Stallions—if Arlington wants any chance at a win, they’re going to need to channel their inner Memphis Showboats. Only time will tell how the chips will fall. What do we know? The Forkball will be here to cover whatever happens in week 8 of the UFL.
