MEMPHIS, Tenn. (April 20, 2024) – A heavy rain shower, two first-quarter Michigan Panthers touchdowns and a Memphis turnover all put a damper on the start of Sunday’s United Football League game for the Showboats, who dropped a 35-18 decision.
Memphis (1-4) fell behind 13-0 after one quarter on a pair of rushing touchdowns, sandwiched around a fumble on a strip sack of quarterback Troy Williams. Michigan (3-2) extended its lead to 19-0 with 2:42 remaining in the first half after an 81-yard fumble recovery by the Panthers’ Noah Dawkins, which set the Panthers up at the Memphis 5-yard line.
The lone first half highlight for the Showboats came on the first play of the ensuing possession and seemed to breathe some life into Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. Williams found a streaking Daewood Davis, who had just fumbled the previous possession, streaking down the left sideline. Davis flew past the Panthers defense for an 82-yard scoring strike, the longest of the season so far in the UFL.
Michigan opened the second half with a rushing touchdown from quarterback Danny Etling to make it 25-6. But Memphis wouldn’t go away quietly. The Showboats recovered a muffed punt at the Panthers’ 7-yard line, leading to a Williams-Jonathan Adams touchdown pass to make it 25-12. On the next Memphis possession, the Showboats drove 75 yards in 10 plays, capped by a 4-yard touchdown pass from Williams to tight end Sage Surratt. It was a one-possession game heading into the fourth quarter, with Michigan leading 25-18.
But the Panthers answered on the first possession of the final frame. Wes Hills rushed for a 14-yard touchdown to give his team a 32-18 edge. Jake Bates added a 30-yard field goal with five minutes remaining to account for the final tally.
Michigan out-gained Memphis 311-248. The Panthers rushed for 160 yards, compared to just 41 for the Showboats. Williams was 19-of-37 for 248 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions for Memphis. He was also the Showboats’ leading rusher with two carries for 24 yards. Hills and Matthew Colburn II combined for 31 carries and 150 yards rushing to pace the Panthers.
POSTGAME NOTES
Memphis is now 1-4 on the season
Memphis head coach John DeFilippo is now 8-7 as a head coach
Memphis’ first points came off an 82- yard touchdown pass from Troy Williams to Daewood Davis. That is the longest touchdown play in the United Football League this season.
Williams threw for three touchdowns, a season-best for any Showboats quarterback. He also threw scoring strikes to Jonathan Adams and Sage Surratt.
T.J. Neal led the way with a game-high 5 solo tackles and tied for team- and game-high honors with six total stops.
P.J. Hall and T.J. Green also tied for the team lead and a game-high six stops.
Hall added his first sack of the season in the contest.
Jordan Ferguson and Greg Reaves each tallied one sack, giving them three each for the season.
Memphis racked up eight total tackles for loss
A third-quarter Matt White punt was muffed by the Panthers and recovered by Jay Jay Wilson, setting up Memphis’ second TD of the game.
PHOTO GALLERY
Matthew Colburn II #26 of the Michigan Panthers gets tackled against the Memphis Showboats during the first quarter in the game at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium on April 28, 2024 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo by Joe Murphy/UFL/Getty Images)
Troy Williams #11 of the Memphis Showboats fumbles the ball against the Michigan Panthers during the first quarter in the game at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium on April 28, 2024 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo by Joe Murphy/UFL/Getty Images)
Jay Jay Wilson #88 and Jeff Mcculloch #33 of the Memphis Showboats celebrate a play against the Michigan Panthers during the third quarter in the game at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium on April 28, 2024 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo by Wes Hale/UFL/Getty Images)
Troy Williams #11 of the Memphis Showboats runs with the ball against the Michigan Panthers during the fourth quarter in the game at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium on April 28, 2024 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo by Joe Murphy/UFL/Getty Images)
