Michigan Panthers fall to Brahmas 19-9

SAN ANTONIO, Texas (April 14, 2024) – It was too little too late for the Michigan Panthers against the San Antonio Brahmas, falling 19-9 on Saturday, at the Alamodome. Michigan falls to .500 with a record of 2-2, but the Panthers remain second in the USFL Conference.

Michigan was in a hole for most of the first half, falling behind the Brahmas 16-0 to open the game. In the early phases of the second frame, safety Kendrick Whitehead Jr. popped Brahmas quarterback Quinten Dormandy on a run trying to get the first down. This forced San Antonio to punt, attempting to inspire some confidence in the Michigan squad.

Michigan went three-and-out on the ensuing drive, but they got tricky and converted a fake punt from their own 36-yard line with a 24-yard Wes Hills run. This was the spark the Panthers needed, as they kept pushing towards the end zone.

The promising drive abruptly halted, as quarterback E.J. Perry was sacked by Tim Ward, which caused a fumble that was recovered by San Antonio.

The Panthers defense stepped up to get the ball right back, as safety Kai Nacua cut off a go route for an interception at their own one-yard line and was tackled in the endzone for a touchback.

Perry and Co. could not muster up anything on offense with the gift, punting after a three-and-out.

San Antonio went on to tack on another touchdown to extend their lead before intermission.

With 22 seconds remaining in the half, Michigan got into Jake Bates territory with a Perry completion to Trey Quinn for 18 yards and a Perry scramble for 17 yards. Bates came in and drilled a 49-yard field goal, putting the Panthers on the board and ending the half on a positive note.

Neither side put up any points in the third quarter. Midway through the frame, Perry pulled up gimpy after a run with a non-contact injury. He did not return, and Danny Etling took over under center for the remainder of the game.

Etling got off to a nice start, throwing for 18 yards on his first two passing attempts to Hills and Jordan Suell before the end of the quarter. With 7:49 left in the fourth quarter, Etling lost a fumbleafter taking a hit from Jordan Mosely. The Brahmas turned the takeaway into a 36-yard Santoso field goal to essentially put the game on ice.

Etling made his best throw of the evening with a 42-yard bomb to Marcus Simms for their first touchdown of the game with 3:19 left. The Panthers were unable to convert for two points and trailed 19-9.

Opting for the 4th-and-12 alternative kickoff, Etling found Siaosi Mariner for 14 yards. The Brahmas defense killed Michigan’s momentum with a 16-yard sack at the two-minute warning.

Faced with 4th-and-20, Etling’s desperation heave was intercepted by Mosely.

Perry was 7-of-13 on the night for 77 yards. Etling in relief was 11-of-14 for 105 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Dormandy of San Antonio, making his first UFL start, completed 23-of-37 passes for 269 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Perry was the team’s leading rusher with 49 yards on 4 attempts. Lovett was the leading rusher for the Brahmas with 35 yards and a touchdown on 13 attempts.

The leading receiver for Michigan was Simms with 4 receptions for 63 yards and a touchdown. Justin Smith caught 7 balls for 107 yards for San Antonio.

The Panthers (2-2) will be on the road again in Week 5 as they face the Memphis Showboats (1-3) next Sunday at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. Kickoff is set for 3 PM ET on FOX. The Brahmas (3-1) will face the Arlington Renegades (0-3) on the road, kickoff scheduled for 7 PM ET.

POSTGAME NOTES

Safety Kai Nacua recorded his second interception in as many games for the Panthers and leads the team with two interceptions on the season.
Wide Receiver Marcus Simms posted his third 40+ yard touchdown of the season and has scored in three straight games for Michigan.
For the third straight game, quarterback E.J. Perry led the team in rushing with 49 yards.
Kicker Jake Bates stayed perfect on the season, 6-for-6, connecting on his only attempt against San Antonio from 49 yards.
After not allowing a sack against Houston, Michigan allowed six sacks against San Antonio, the second most allowed by the team this year.
The three points Michigan allowed in the second half is tied for the fewest points allowed by the team in a half this season, which the Panthers have now done three times in four games (vs. St. Louis in the first half, vs. Birmingham in the second half and at San Antonio in the second half).