Photo courtesy of Pro Football Newsroom.
Can you believe the UFL season is almost over? The league has truly stepped up their game and kept fans on their toes each week. In this article, we are covering the Michigan Panthers and Houston Roughnecks’ week 8 game, with only two weeks left in the season. This will mean that many of our favorite teams will only have a few weeks of play left. Let’s enjoy each game while we have it. Even a blowout like this game. Make sure to look at all of The Forkball’s UFL content here. We cover every game, every week.
The Lone Blowout
In week eight, the only game that had a point differential greater than a field goal was this one. The Houston Roughnecks struggled to get it together this game and this season. However, the team’s long-suffering fans would likely tell you that the team has improved since last season. It’s only further up from here, Roughnecks! A great step forward would be not losing by a large margin in the next two weeks.
PG-13
Although this game wasn’t officially rated, if it was, it likely would be a PG-13 game due to violence present on the gridiron. Michigan took no prisoners with the Panthers pulping the Roughnecks. All is fair in love and war, so let’s get into the carnage that played out in Houston, Texas.
Glimmers of Hope
Chris Blewitt is one of the most important players in this game and on the Roughnecks roster. Despite his last name, the Houston kicker rarely blows it. Without kickers, every team in the UFL would be lost in the sauce. Thankfully, the Roughnecks are cooking with Chris and get the first points on the scoreboard with a field goal.
In the last minute of the half, the Michigan Panthers answer back with a TD thrown to the illustrious wide receiver Malik Turner. You may remember Turner’s career in the NFL, especially his sick touchdown celebration moves.
We love the Nacua brothers here, so this next touchdown warmed our cold hearts. Wide receiver Xavier Malone was on cloud nine running an 88-yard punt return when he was brought to the ground just one yard short of the end zone. Samson Nacua told his teammates to hold his beer; he had work to do, and it wasn’t slapping a fan. Nacua, of course, caught a well-thrown pass and ran the ball into the end zone. Someone really did Samson wrong with the cartoon drawing of his face displayed post-touchdown. The Panthers didn’t deserve those points after that awful art. The score is now sitting at 14-3.
Getting Close
The Houston Roughnecks were on fire in the latter half of the second quarter. Between a fantastic TD and Chris Blewitt not blowing a field goal again, the score was 14-12. Roughnecks fans were elated with this excellent ticket and snack deal and a potential win on the horizon. Michigan Panthers fans were in good spirits as well, reveling in their two-point lead.
Ouch
The second half of the game devolved into a blowout quickly. Michigan scored two TDs in a three-minute period towards the end of the third quarter. The first was QB Danny Etling connecting with wide receiver Devin Ross for a 35-yard TD. Shortly thereafter was the final nail in the coffin.
Michigan Panthers Cornerback Keni-H Lovely put his name back on the map for a beautiful pick-6. A successful three-point bonus elevated the Michigan Panthers to 30 on the board.
It’s not clear if the final Houston Roughnecks touchdown in the last two seconds of the game made the fans feel better or worse. Jalan McClendon stayed focused under the pressure of the clock and threw a pass to Justin Hall for another six points. The game ended with the score 30-18. At least the Roughnecks were close to home so they could wallow in that loss without a return trip.
Final Thoughts
The Michigan Panthers are on fire this year, and unfortunately in week 8 the Houston Roughnecks fell victim to their talent. What the majority of fanbases can take comfort from is that this loss contributed to the Panthers’ standing position over the Birmingham Stallions. The “New England Patriots/Kansas City Chiefs” of the UFL have finally been challenged. We may see a different winner of the championship game this year.
Heading into week 9, we know our post-season competitors. The Michigan Panthers, Birmingham Stallions, DC Defenders, and St. Louis Battlehawks will be progressing to the next level. Panthers fans are riding high on the week 8 win and their shot at the championship. The UFL is heating up; make sure you’re keeping up with it here at The Forkball.
