Panthers RB Matthew Colburn II (26) - Gregory Shamus/Getty Images UFL
From throwing Super Bowl Trophies boat-boat to being roasted by famous comedians on Netflix live, you will never guess who was on the sidelines talking to Memphis QB Case Cookus.
It was none other than everyone’s favorite 7x Super Bowl Champion, Tom Brady.
Even though he says he’s not going to “un-retire,” number 12 can’t seem to pull himself away from pro football.
That said, let’s look at how Michigan Panthers claw past Memphis Showboats 24-18.
Michigan Panthers Claw past Memphis Showboats
It was another successful week for the dual quarterback pair between Brian Lewerke and Bryce Perkins.
Both quarterbacks passed their first scoring touchdowns, and each passed for over 80 yards.
Wide Receiver Devin Gray reeled in six receptions for 84 yards and a touchdown that went for 50 yards in the second quarter.
Running Back Matthew Colburn II led the team with two touchdowns on 93 yards rushing.
First Half
The Panthers struck quick scoring the first touchdown on just five plays in the drive. In just his second start, Lewerke fired a bullet pass to tight end Cole Hikutini for an early 6-0 lead.
The Showboats answered rapidly as Cookus launched his pass to Wide Receiver Daewood Davis for a 65-yard score to tie the game at 6-6.
Their two-point try was unsuccessful, therefore keeping the score tied.
The Panthers responded, as Colburn II banged it in from one yard out, and a missed 1-point try gave the Panthers a 12-6 lead.
The Showboats tried to counterpunch again, but Corner Nate Brooks picked off Cookus’ air-mail pass, setting the Panthers up with great field position.
After failing to respond, Defensive End Kenny Willekes sacked Cookus right before halftime.
This led to a touchdown pass from their other quarterback, Perkins. Finding Gray for a 50-yard score, tallying his first touchdown of the season.
Showboats Kicker Matt Coghlin nailed a 55-yard field goal attempt as time ran out.
The Panthers led at the half 18-9.
Second Half
The Panthers started out the second half on defense with their sack festival.
On their first offensive drive, Defensive Lineman Garrett Marino put Cookus on his back for his first quarterback wrap-up.
Cookus responded with a 39-yard strike to Wide Receiver Dee Anderson, but a bad hit knocked Cookus out of the game, and he did not return.
In stepped former Michigan Panthers starter and Showboats backup Josh Love, who was activated for this game in place of Troy Williams.
Love led a scoring drive with a 14-yard pass to Davis that was followed by a missed two-point try that cut the score to 18-15.
The Panthers marched down into Showboats territory, but accurate kicker Jake Bates missed his first field goal inside his home field.
Coghlin knotted the game 18-18 on a 39-yard field goal for the Showboats.
The Panthers regained the lead for good as Colburn II rushed for another score, helping the Michigan Panthers claw past Memphis Showboats, 24-18.
Post-Game Facts Michigan Panthers Claw past Memphis Showboats
With the win, the Michigan Panthers improved to (6-2) on the year and already have a spot in the 2024 USFL Conference Championship game along with the (8-0) Birmingham Stallions.
The Panthers will travel to take on the Houston Roughnecks at (1-7) next week.
The loss puts the Memphis Showboats at (1-7), but they will look to play for pride next week with a home contest against the (3-5), DC Defenders.
Except for the 18-18 tie early in the fourth quarter, the Panthers never trailed in the game.
The St. Louis Battlehawks and the San Antonio Brahmas clinched their spots in the XFL Conference Championship game with victories over the (3-5), DC Defenders and (1-7), Arlington Renegades.
To catch up on another Week 8 UFL Story:
Please check out the Arlington Renegades vs the San Antonio Brahmas Week 8 article, by my fantastic co-writer, Miss Julie Miller of the Forkball, here.
