The Birmingham Stallions (6-3) hosted the Michigan Panthers (6-3) on Saturday afternoon from Protective Stadium in their final meeting of the regular season. These two teams will meet one more time in two weeks for the USFL Conference Championship Game.
After a scoreless first quarter, Michigan quarterback Danny Etling threw a 33-yard touchdown pass to Siaosi Mariner. They would get the one-point conversion to take a 7-0 lead with 13:01 left of the second quarter. Late in the second quarter, Birmingham quarterback J’Mar Smith threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to Deon Cain. Smith would score the one-point conversion and the game was tied 7-7 at halftime.
In the third quarter, Michigan quarterback Danny Etling threw a six-yard touchdown pass to Gunnar Oakes for a 13-7 lead with 10:48 left. Birmingham responded when running back Larry Rountree III rushed to his left side for a 14-yard touchdown, and the game was tied again 13-13. Late in the third quarter, Michigan kicker B.T. Potter made a 25-yard field goal for a 16-13 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Birmingham running back Larry Rountree III rushed to his left side for a one-yard touchdown. They would get the one-point conversion for a 20-16 lead with 11:23 left. Michigan came back when running back Toa Taua rushed to his right side scoring a two-yard touchdown for a 22-20 lead with 7:47 left.
Late in the fourth quarter, Birmingham quarterback J’Mar Smith threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to Deon Cain for a 26-22 lead with 2:22 left. Michigan marched down the field to Birmingham’s nine-yard line. Etling threw a pass to Cole Hikutini in the endzone but it was incomplete. Birmingham stopped Michigan on fourth down and the Stallions held on to a 26-22 win over the Michigan Panthers. They complete the regular season sweep.
Birmingham had 363 yards of offense led by quarterback J’Mar Smith completing 22 of 31 passes (71%) for 307 yards, two touchdowns, and six carries for 31 yards. Running back Larry Rountree III had three carries for 21 yards, and two touchdowns.
Wide receiver Cade Johnson led the receivers making three catches for 82 yards, while Deon Cain made four catches for 55 yards, and two touchdowns. The defense made 58 tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks, and four pass breakups.
Michigan had 335 yards of offense led by quarterback Danny Etling completing 23 of 38 passes (60.5%) for 236 yards, two touchdowns, and three carries for 15 yards. Running back Toa Taua led the rushers with 12 carries for 47 yards, and one touchdown.
Wide receiver Siaosi Mariner led the receivers making five catches for 115 yards, and one touchdown, while Gunnar Oakes made one catch for six yards, and one touchdown. Kicker B.T. Potter made 1 of 2 field goals (50%) with a long of 25 yards. The defense made 48 tackles, five tackles for loss, three sacks, four pass breakups, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.
Next week, the Michigan Panthers close out the 2025 season by hosting the Houston Roughnecks on Saturday at 3 pm on ESPN, while the Birmingham Stallions visit the Memphis Showboats on Sunday at 3 pm on Fox. Purchase UFL tickets today on StubHub and Viagogo.
