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Michigan Panthers knocked out of UFL playoffs with 31-18 loss to Birmingham Stallions
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- Michigan Panthers knocked out of UFL playoffs with 31-18 loss to Birmingham Stallions
The Michigan Panthers were knocked out of the UFL playoff semifinals by the Birmingham Stallions, who completed a second-half rally to beat Michigan, 31-18, for the second straight week .
The Panthers jumped out to an early two-possession lead in the second quarter but were dominated from then on. The Stallions scored 28 unanswered points, which included a pick-six in the third quarter off Danny Etling to tie the game at 18, then scored two straight touchdowns in the fourth quarter to end the Panthers' season.
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Michigan held a six-point lead at halftime, but Birmingham came out with the game tied after a back-and-forth third quarter featuring six turnovers. The Stallions, who replaced Adrian Martinez at quarterback with Matt Corral , pulled away with a touchdown to go up 24-18, then a blocked field goal after Michigan drove into scoring range, and finally shut the door with another touchdown. Corral finished 9 of 11 for 120 yards and two touchdowns after replacing Martinez with 20 minutes left.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - APRIL 14: Head coach Mike Nolan of the Michigan Panthers looks on prior to the game against the Houston Roughnecks at Ford Field on April 14, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images for UFL)
Michigan's offense slowed to a halt after scoring on the first five possessions of the game, four of which were Jake Bates field goals, to go up 18-3. They didn't score again, going scoreless in the final 35 minutes while turning the ball over four times, all from Etling, who finished with 18 completions on 29 attempts with 182 yards, one touchdown, three interceptions and a fumble. Bates was 4-of-6 on field goals, missing wide left and having one kick blocked.
The Panthers finish the season with a 7-4 record, the best mark in the three-year run in its return in the USFL and UFL. Three of the four losses this season were to the Stallions, who advanced to their third straight championship dating back to the USFL, where they were two-time winners.
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Turnovers dominate a chaotic third quarter
Someone must've greased the footballs during halftime after Michigan entered the locker room up 18-12.
There were six turnovers in the third quarter, three by each team, including a pick-six.
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Michigan's Adonis Alexander won a battle for a jump ball on a deep shot towards Michigan's end zone and came down with an interception. But Etling fumbled on a blindside sack from Dondrea Tillman and gave the ball back at the Birmingham 47-yard line. Then Martinez coughed the ball back on a scramble on a tackle from Walter Palmore in a chaotic sequence. Michigan and Birmingham then traded punts in a moment of calm, but Etling then threw an interception on an overthrown ball over the middle. Corral took over for Martinez, but immediately threw a pick on a tipped pass to give Michigan the ball back.
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Etling couldn't stop the errors. His next pass was directly into the chest of Birmingham's Daniel Islom for an easy interception. Islom returned the pick for a touchdown down the home sideline, tying the game at 18.
Panthers control early but settle for kicks
Michigan Panthers kicker Jake Bates connects on a 64-yard field goal to give the Panthers a stunning 18-16 win over the St. Louis Battlehawks at Ford Field in the United Football League season opener Saturday, March 30, 2024 in Detroit.
Michigan led 18-12 at halftime, but couldn't fully capitalize on the early opportunities. The Panthers scored on five of their six drives but had to settle for four field goals and missed a fifth attempt on the final drive of the half.
Michigan scored an opening drive touchdown for the second straight week on a 35-yard catch-and-run from Siaosi Mariner on a slant over the middle, and the defense followed up by forcing a turnover on downs in Birmingham territory to continue the strong start. Michigan had to settle for a 53-yard field goal after the drive stalled in three plays to make it 9-0. Bates added a second field goal the next drive from 42 yards to give Michigan a 12-0 lead.
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Birmingham's offense woke up and drove 65 yards to the Michigan 5-yard line, but had to have Chris Blewitt kick a chip shot after Michigan cornerback Keith Gipson broke up a pass to stop a touchdown. That was answered with a Bates kick from 39 yards on the next drive to keep it a 12-point margin at 15-3. Noah Dawkins got the ball right back for Michigan by strip-sacking Martinez on a nickel blitz the next possession, but the team again settled for a field goal after starting from the Birmingham 14 when three straight runs up the middle went nowhere.
Birmingham cut the lead to 18-9 with a 50-yard touchdown by Jordan Thomas on a seam route, then tacked on a field goal to make it a six-point deficit right before half. Michigan was 2-of-7 on third down in the first half and did not attempt a fourth down conversion.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan Panthers lose to Birmingham Stallions in UFL playoffs, 31-18
