Michigan Panthers Win Big on Fan Appreciation Night, Roll Past Winless Showboats
Image Credit: Derek Katsaros/Elevated Media
Michigan Panthers Win Big on Fan Appreciation Night, Roll Past Winless Showboats
By Derek - Elevated Media | April 19, 2025
The Michigan Panthers are heating up.
On a night filled with celebration at Ford Field, the Panthers delivered a commanding 27-9 win over the Memphis Showboats, earning their second straight victory and completing a season sweep of their division rivals. Michigan improves to 3-1, while Memphis remains winless at 0-4.
Bryce Perkins once again led the charge, continuing his strong campaign with a season-best 200 passing yards and two touchdowns. The Panthers quarterback also added 45 yards on the ground, showing off his dual-threat capabilities and surgical efficiency.
The scoring was well-distributed for Michigan, with four different players reaching the end zone. Running backs Toa Taua and Nate McCrary both powered in rushing touchdowns, while Jaylon Moore and tight end Jalen Wydermyer hauled in receiving scores. Wydermyer made his season debut in style, catching all three of his targets for 37 yards and a score.
Meanwhile, Michigan’s defense played with fire all night, holding Memphis to just 150 total yards. Defensive coordinator Collin Bauer’s unit forced two turnovers on downs, recorded two sacks, six tackles for loss, and snatched an interception by Arnold Tarpley III to halt a promising Showboats drive.
The Panthers’ 27-point effort was their highest scoring output since Week 6 of last season. Their 18-point margin of victory marked the team’s largest since a 24-0 shutout of Pittsburgh in the 2022 USFL season.
Key Stats:
Perkins: 15/22, 200 yds, 2 TD | 7 rushes, 45 yds
McCrary: 11 rushes, 60 yds, 1 TD
Taua: 10 rushes, 53 yds, 1 TD
Moore: 3 receptions, 39 yds, 1 TD
Wydermyer: 3 receptions, 37 yds, 1 TD
Next up, the Panthers will face the St. Louis Battlehawks (2-1) on the road in what could be an early-season statement game. Kickoff is set for Saturday at 8 PM ET on ESPN.
Meanwhile, the struggling Showboats will try to avoid an 0-5 start when they visit the Birmingham Stallions.
Player Spotlight: Bryce Perkins
Bryce Perkins is cooking.
Coming off a Week 3 performance that earned him UFL Offensive Player of the Week honors, the Michigan Panthers quarterback followed it up with another electric showing under the lights at Ford Field.
Perkins was in total command of the offense in the Panthers’ 27-9 win over Memphis. He completed 68% of his passes (15-of-22) for 200 yards and two touchdowns — his highest yardage total as a Panther. He also kept the defense honest with 45 rushing yards, including a key 20-yard scramble in the second quarter that helped flip field position.
What stood out most was Perkins’ ability to spread the ball around. Seven different Panthers caught passes, with touchdowns going to wide receiver Jaylon Moore and tight end Jalen Wydermyer. The chemistry he’s developing with his weapons — especially Moore, who has now scored in back-to-back games — is helping the Panthers find consistency through the air.
Through four weeks, Perkins has been one of the UFL’s most dynamic dual-threat QBs, blending poise in the pocket with the ability to make plays on the move. As Michigan improves to 3-1 and eyes a deep playoff run, Perkins is clearly the engine driving their offense.
If he keeps up this level of play, another Player of the Week nod might not be far off.
Week 4 Stat Line:
15/22 | 200 Yards | 2 TD
7 Rushes | 45 Yards
0 Turnovers | 174.5 Passer Rating
Next Test: A tough road game at St. Louis against the Battlehawks (2-1), where Perkins’ composure will be key in a hostile environment.
