Panthers Win Over Brahmas

The Michigan Panthers gave the Ford Field crowd something to cheer about with a win over the San Antonio Brahmas.

With 51 seconds left in the game, Panthers kicker B.T. Potter made a 28-yard go-ahead field goal to bring the final score to 26-23.

Quarterback Bryce Perkins and running back Jaden Shirden led the way in the rushing attack. They combined to score three of the Panthers’ touchdowns on the ground.

Let’s take a look at how this exciting game played out.

Panthers Win Over Brahmas- Bounce Back Win

The Panthers’ win over the Brahmas was a nice bounce-back game after losing last week’s tough home battle on Friday Night UFL on FOX to the Birmingham Stallions 21-12.

Michigan scored 17 straight points in the middle of the second and third quarters, which led to their win.

With the game even at 23 all, Michigan’s Devin Ross returned the kickoff 49 yards to San Antonio’s 46-yard line. His return led up to Potter’s tie-breaking kick.

Nevertheless, the Brahmas had one more try to kick a game-tying field goal to send the game into overtime. From 53 yards out, Donald De La Haye (Deestroying) had the distance, but unfortunately, it went wide left.

There’s only ONE Jake Bates

Deestroying misses the 53-yard game tying FG & the Michigan Panthers secure the home W

Another VERY entertaining game in the UFL

San Antonio Brahmas showed some levels of competence & fight we haven’t seen this season

Michigan Panthers… https://t.co/FN6i2jeNDf
— Sebastian Fearon DPT, CSCS, OCS (@TheDegenDoc) April 13, 2025

This preserved the win for Michigan 26-23.

Panthers Win Over Brahmas- QB change

The Panthers’ starting quarterback, Danny Etling, who started the game, suffered a concussion, which knocked him out for the rest of the game. Perkins stepped in, and with his legs, he provided a spark for the Michigan offense.

The dual-threat quarterback finished the game 17-23, with 193 passing yards and two rushing touchdowns.

Additionally, Perkins played a significant role in driving the Panthers down to set up Potter’s big kick.

Despite the losing effort, Brahmas quarterback Kellen Mond acquitted himself by going 19-31 for 152 passing yards and one touchdown.

Panthers Win Over Brahmas- Running Game

In addition to the quarterback play, Michigan got it done on the ground. Shirden had seven carries for 59 yards and a 43-yard touchdown to flip the momentum to the Panthers’ side.

San Antonio Brahmas’ ball-carrier Anthony McFarland touched the ball 7 times for 54 yards.

Panthers Win Over Brahmas- Key Stats

While this was a battle between two teams on opposite ends of the spectrum, the stats were a mixed bag.

For example, Michigan outgained San Antonio in yards 314-258, but San Antonio had more rushing yards (121-115), whereas Michigan had more in passing yards (199-137).

The possession time was very close, with the losing San Antonio Brahmas holding the ball for 31:26 to Michigan’s 28:34.

In addition, Michigan lost the turnover battle 1-0 but still won the game. Red zone efficiency was even in percentages: Michigan was 2-6 (33.3%) while San Antonio was 1-3 (33.3%).

Panthers Win Over Brahmas- Effect on Standings

The Panthers are now (2-1), tied with the Birmingham Stallions for first place in the USFL Conference. Birmingham holds the tiebreaker after defeating Michigan in Week 2, 21-12.

At the same time, the Brahmas are now (0-3) and are sitting in last place in the XFL Conference.

Did you miss some of the other game highlights? If so, click below to check out Phillip Riggs’ St. Louis Battlehawks vs DC Defenders article from the Forkball.

Battlehawks Fall to Defenders, Are Now 2-1

Next Week

The San Antonio Brahmas (0-3) will travel to Audi Field in Washington, D.C., to take on the DC Defenders (3-0) on Sunday, April 20, at 5:00 p.m. ET on FOX.

The Michigan Panthers (2-1) will stay at Ford Field for their second Friday Night UFL game against the Memphis Showboats (0-3) on Friday, April 18 at 8:00 p.m. ET on FOX.