The Michigan Panthers (5-2) visited Choctaw Stadium on Saturday afternoon against the Arlington Renegades (3-4). This game started off sluggish but picked up in the second half with an ending that will be talked about for quite some time.
In the first quarter, Arlington kicker Lucas Havrisik made a 20-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead with 3:32 left. In the second quarter, Michigan quarterback Bryce Perkins took off for 23 yards before Jamal Carter forced it out, and Perkins recovered it in the end zone for the touchdown. They did not get the one-point conversion. The Panthers led the Renegades 6-3 with 14:16 left.
Later in the second quarter, Michigan kicker B.T. Potter made a 56-yard field goal to extend Michigan’s lead to 9-3 with 4:23 left. On the final play of the second quarter, Arlington kicker Lucas Havrisik made a 33-yard field goal, and the Renegades trailed the Panthers 9-6 at halftime.
In the third quarter, Arlington kicker Lucas Havrisik made a 29-yard field goal and a 33-yard field goal to give the Renegades a 12-9 lead with 8:39 left. The Renegades maintained a 12-9 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Arlington quarterback Luis Perez threw a 29-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Vaughns. They did not get the one-point conversion and led the Panthers 18-9 with 12:48 left. Michigan came back when quarterback Bryce Perkins threw a two-yard touchdown pass to Malik Turner. Then, Perkins threw to Turner again for a three-point conversion to tie the game 18-18 with 5:47 left.
Late in the fourth quarter, Arlington quarterback Luis Perez threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to tight end Sal Cannella. They did not get the two-point conversion and led the Panthers 24-18 with 2:01 left. Michigan drove down the field to the one-yard line.
With one second left, Michigan running back Toa Taua scored the one-yard touchdown that tied the game. On the final play of the game, Taua scored the one-point conversion, and the Michigan Panthers defeated the Arlington Renegades by the final score of 25-24.
Michigan had 331 yards of offense led by quarterback Bryce Perkins completing 15 of 28 passes (53.6%) for 231 yards, one touchdown, and led the rushers with eight carries for 60 yards, and one touchdown. Running back Toa Taua had 10 carries for 31 yards and one touchdown.
Wide receiver Siaosi Mariner led the receivers making five catches for 86 yards, and Malik Turner made four catches for 49 yards and one touchdown. Kicker B.T. Potter made one field goal for 56 yards. The defense made 60 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, three sacks, five pass breakups, and two forced fumbles.
Arlington had 336 yards of offense led by quarterback Luis Perez completing 25 of 34 passes (73.5%) for 314 yards, two touchdowns, and one carry for two yards. Running back Dae Dae Hunter led the rushers with 18 carries for 35 yards.
Wide receiver Tyler Vaughns led the receivers making nine catches for 127 yards and one touchdown, while Sal Cannella made six catches for 92 yards and one touchdown. Kicker Lucas Havrisik made four field goals with a long of 33 yards. The defense made 48 tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack, one pass breakup, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.
Next week, the Michigan Panthers visit the Houston Roughnecks on Saturday at 1 pm on Fox, while the Arlington Renegades visit the D.C. Defenders on Sunday at noon on ABC. Purchase UFL tickets today on StubHub and Viagogo.
