Stallions QB J'Mar Smith (1) - theufl.com
Week 9 of the UFL featured the second game of the Saturday afternoon doubleheader at 3:00 pm. The (6-2) Michigan Panthers took on the (5-3) Birmingham Stallions at Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Alabama.
The only thing that mattered in this game was that it was a practice run for the upcoming USFL Conference Championship game. These same two teams will meet again in Birmingham on Sunday, June 8, at 3:00 p.m. on ABC.
UFL Week 9- 2nd Quarter
As there was no scoring in the first quarter, the Panthers clawed their way first. Quarterback Danny Etling threw a 33-yard touchdown strike to receiver Siaosi Mariner.
The one-point catch by Samson Nacua was good, putting Michigan up 7-0 with 13:07 left in the first half.
The Stallions answered back with a 19-yard touchdown dart from J’Mar Smith to Deon Cain. Smith’s one-point try tied the game at 7-all at halftime.
UFL Week 9- 3rd Quarter
With 10:54 left in the 3rd quarter, Etling completed his second TD pass to Gunnar Oakes for 6 yards, and the failed one-point try gave the Panthers the lead back, 13-7.
Stallions running back Larry Rountree III evened the score again with a 14-yard touchdown run, and the game was tied at 13-all with 6:46 left in the third quarter.
With 59 seconds left, kicker B.T. Potter drilled his first field goal from 25 yards, and the Panthers led the Stallions at the end of three quarters, 16-13.
UFL Week 9- 4th Quarter
The Stallions answered first in the last quarter, with Rountree III barreling in for a one-yard TD.
Jordan Thomas’ successful one-point try put the Stallions up 20-16 with 11:23 to play. Then, Panthers running back Toa Taua ran it in for a two-yard score, putting Michigan up 22-20 with 7:52 left in the game.
The Stallions went ahead late as Smith threw the game-winning 19-yard touchdown connection to Cain, and Birmingham defeated Michigan, 26-22.
Key Stats
Michigan
Offense
Danny Etling (QB) 23/39 for 236 yards (2 TDs, 0 INTs)
Toa Taua (RB) 12 carries, 47 yards (3.9 yards/carry) (1 TD)
Siaosi Mariner (WR) 5 catches, 115 yards (23 yards/catch) (1 TD)
Defense
Noah Dawkins (LB) 11 combined tackles (1 TFL) (1 PD)
Kai Nacua (FS) 10 combined tackles (1 TFL)
Arnold Tarpley III (S) 8 combined tackles (1 PD)
Special Teams
Devin Ross (WR) 2 returns for 55 yards (27.5 yards return)
Xavier Malone (WR) 2 returns for 46 yards (23 yards return)
B.T. Potter (K) 1 for 2 on field goals, 50 percent (long 25 yards)
Birmingham
Offense
J’Mar Smith (QB) 22-31 for 307 yards (2 TDs, 0 INTs)
Larry Rountree III (RB) 3 carries for 21 yards (7 yards/carry) (2 TDs)
Deon Cain (WR) 4 receptions for 55 yards (13.8 yards/reception) (2 TDs)
Defense
Kyahva Tezino (LB) 12 combined tackles (1 sack) (2 TFL)
Shyheim Carter (CB) 11 combined tackles (1 PD)
Myjai Sanders (DE) 7 combined tackles (1 PD)
Special Teams
Cade Johnson (WR) 2 returns for 32 yards (16 yards return)
Deon Cain (WR) 2 returns for 27 yards (13.5 yards return)
Amari Rodgers (WR) 2 returns for 9 yards (4.5 yards return)
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Next Week
The (6-3) Michigan Panthers will return home for their regular-season finale against the (4-5) Houston Roughnecks on Saturday, May 31, at 3:00 pm EST on ESPN at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan.
The (6-3) Birmingham Stallions will close their regular season finale on the road against the (2-7) Memphis Showboats on Sunday, June 1 at 3:00 pm EST on FOX at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Memphis, Tennessee.
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