photo courtesy of theufl.com
UFL Week 6 of the 2025 season saw a Sunday Matinee game at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, in which the Michigan Panthers (3-2) rolled past Jordan Ta’amu and the D.C. Defenders (4-1).
It was a performance for the ages, as the Panthers looked like the better team over one of the best teams currently in the UFL.
Let’s examine how this game played out and how it could be a preview of the 2025 UFL Championship game on Saturday, June 14, in St. Louis, Missouri.
UFL Week 6: First Quarter
After the Michigan defense made an early stop on fourth and one, running back Toa Taua barreled in for a one-yard touchdown. At the end of the first quarter, the Panthers led the Defenders, 7-0.
UFL Week 6: Second Quarter
The Defenders responded, as Ta’amu threw a 16-yard touchdown pass to Braylon Sanders. The two-point conversion failed, keeping Michigan’s lead at 7-6.
With 4:09 left in the first half, Bryce Perkins made an incredible throw, finding Cole Hikutini for a 35-yard touchdown.
The one-point run in by Nate McCrary increased the Panthers’ lead to 14-6. B.T. Potter kicked a 45-yard field goal, and the Panthers led the Defenders at the half, 17-6.
UFL Week 6: Third Quarter
The Panthers scored again as McCrary rushed in for a one-yard touchdown, and Malik Turner caught the one-point attempt. The Panthers led the Defenders 24-6, with 9:18 left in the third quarter.
Moments later, the Defenders crawled back into the game as Chris Rowland hurled in a 65-yard touchdown from Ta’amu, and a successful two-point catch from Briley Moore McKinney made it 24-14, DC with 8:30 left in the third.
Michigan ended the third quarter with Perkins scrambling for a five-yard touchdown. The one-point try was unsuccessful. The Panthers led the Defenders, 30-14 at the end of three quarters.
UFL Week 6: Fourth Quarter
The only scoring in the fourth quarter came from the Panthers. Turner reeled in a second-and-goal pass from Perkins with 4:36 left, and McCrary’s two-point run was good. The Panthers defeated the Defenders, 38-14.
With the win, the Panthers improved to (4-2) and remain in a first-place tie with the Birmingham Stallions (4-2) atop the USFL Conference.
With the loss, the Defenders fall to (4-2) and are tied for first place with the St. Louis Battlehawks (4-2) atop the XFL Conference.
Key Stats
DC
Offense
Jordan Ta’amu (QB) 19-36 for 259 yards, 2 TDs (one 65-yard pass to Chris Rowland for a touchdown in the third quarter)
Chris Rowland (WR) 144 yards on nine receptions, (one 65-yard touchdown from Ta’amu in the third quarter)
Defense
Derrick Roberson (DE) and Anthony Hines III (LB) combined for 24 total tackles and two for TFLs
Kyle Phillips (DE) Led the Defenders’ Defensive Line with 3 TFLs
Special Teams
Chris Rowland (WR) 46 yards on 2 returns (23-yard return)
Jayden Mickens (WR) 38 yards on 2 returns (19-yard return)
Michigan
Offense
Bryce Perkins (QB) 13-18 for 188 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INT (142.8 QBR)
Toa Taua (RB) 94 yards on 19 carries with 1 touchdown (longest run 21 yards)
Cole Hikutini (TE) 63 yards on three receptions with one touchdown (longest reception 35 yards)
Malik Turner (WR) 34 yards on four receptions with one touchdown
Defense
Frank Kinda (LB) Lead team with 18 combined tackles, one TFL
Kendrick Whitehead Jr. (S) 12 combined tackles
Arnold Tarpley III (S) 6 combined tackles
Special Teams
B.T. Potter (K) 1-1 on FG (45 yards)
Xavier Malone (WR) 52 yards on two returns
Devin Ross (WR) 23 yards on one return
Next Week
The Michigan Panthers (4-2) will travel to Choctaw Stadium to take on the Arlington Renegades (3-3) on Saturday, May 10 at 1:00 p.m. ET on FOX.
The D.C. Defenders (4-2) will travel to the Alamodome to take on the San Antonio Brahmas (1-5) on Friday, May 9 at 8:00 p.m. ET on FOX.
To catch the full UFL Schedule:
For another interesting Sports story, please check out:
UFL Week 5: DC Defenders Win in a Thriller over Arlington Renegades 37-33
