Panthers Fall to Stallions 26–22 in Playoff-Caliber Clash

The Michigan Panthers dropped a tightly contested 26–22 decision to the Birmingham Stallions at Protective Stadium, in a game that doubled as a preview of the upcoming USFL Conference Championship. Despite strong performances on both sides of the ball, Michigan couldn’t break their losing streak against Birmingham and now sit at 6–3 heading into the final week of the regular season.

This loss sets the stage for a high-stakes rematch on June 8 with a championship berth on the line.

Back-and-Forth Battle

After a scoreless first quarter, the Panthers struck first. Quarterback Danny Etling connected with Siaosi Mariner on a 33-yard touchdown early in the second. A successful one-point conversion to Samson Nacua gave Michigan a 7–0 lead.

Birmingham answered late in the second quarter with J’Mar Smith finding Deon Cain from 19 yards out to tie it. Smith added the conversion on the ground.

Momentum briefly swung Michigan’s way in the third quarter after Benning Potoa’e forced a fumble, scooped up by Adonis Alexander and returned 54 yards. Etling capitalized on the short field with a touchdown pass to Gunnar Oakes.

The second half turned into a track meet, with both teams scoring on six consecutive possessions. Michigan briefly regained the lead in the fourth when Toa Taua plunged into the end zone from two yards out. But Smith and Cain connected again in the final minutes to deliver the go-ahead score for the Stallions.

Michigan had one last drive, advancing to the Birmingham 9-yard line. On fourth-and-goal, Etling’s pass to Cole Hikutini was broken up by Shyheim Carter, sealing the win for the home team.

Etling Solid, Mariner Explosive

Danny Etling put together another efficient performance, going 23-for-39 for 236 yards and two touchdowns with no turnovers. His favorite target, Siaosi Mariner, delivered 115 yards on five catches, including the opening score and a crucial 45-yard grab in the fourth quarter.

Toa Taua led all rushers with 47 yards and one touchdown. Nate McCrary added 44 yards on the ground. Gunnar Oakes and Jaylon Moore also came up big in the passing game, combining for 45 receiving yards and multiple third-down conversions.

Jake Bates’ NFL Journey Adds to the Story

While he didn’t suit up on Saturday, former Panthers kicker Jake Bates continues to make headlines. Bates, who set a UFL record with a 64-yard field goal earlier this season, was recently signed by the NFL’s Detroit Lions.

His leap from the UFL to the NFL underscores the talent pipeline emerging from the league. Bates’ early-season heroics were pivotal to Michigan’s playoff push, and his success remains a proud storyline for the Panthers organization.

Playoff Implications and What’s Next

With both teams now 6–3, Birmingham holds the tiebreaker and likely top seed in the USFL Conference. Michigan returns home for a Week 10 showdown with the Houston Roughnecks (3–5) on Saturday, May 31 at Ford Field. A win would build momentum before the Panthers head back to Birmingham for a playoff rematch on June 8.

Key Stats

• Danny Etling: 23/39, 236 yards, 2 TDs
• J’Mar Smith: 22/31, 307 yards, 2 TDs
• Siaosi Mariner: 5 receptions, 115 yards, 1 TD
• Deon Cain: 4 receptions, 55 yards, 2 TDs
• Toa Taua: 12 rushes, 47 yards, 1 TD
• Total Yards: Michigan 335, Birmingham 362