Panthers Fall Short in Home Finale as Houston Holds On
The Michigan Panthers closed out their 2025 UFL home campaign in frustrating fashion Saturday afternoon, falling 19–12 to the visiting Houston Roughnecks at Ford Field.
On a day when the Panthers welcomed Detroit Lions kicker — and former Michigan Panther — Jake Bates back to the building, Michigan was unable to capture some of the magic Bates delivered in a memorable Week 1 walk-off earlier this season. Instead, their final home game ended in a hard-fought loss, emblematic of a year filled with ups and downs.
Turnovers Costly in Tight Battle
The Panthers outgained the Roughnecks 273–235 in total offense and held the edge in first downs (19–14), but it was critical mistakes that spelled doom. Michigan turned the ball over four times — two interceptions and two fumbles — including a back-breaking pick-six by linebacker Marvin Moody late in the second quarter.
Moody’s 32-yard interception return gave Houston a 13–0 lead with just over two minutes left in the first half. Although kicker B.T. Potter would respond with a 49-yard field goal before halftime, Houston tacked on three more points with no time remaining to take a 16–3 lead into the break.
Colburn’s Burst Provides Spark
Michigan came out firing in the second half, sparked by a 52-yard kickoff return by Xavier Malone. Running back Matthew Colburn II finished the drive with a 23-yard touchdown burst, his lone score on just four carries. Colburn averaged over 6 yards per attempt, part of a Panthers rushing attack that totaled 149 yards on 25 carries.
Nate McCrary led all Panthers rushers with 68 yards, while quarterbacks Rocky Lombardi and Danny Etling combined for another 56 yards on the ground.
Still, the momentum was short-lived. Houston responded with a methodical drive capped by a 20-yard Chris Blewitt field goal to push the lead back to 10.
Quarterback Carousel Continues
Both Lombardi and Etling saw time under center, with mixed results. Lombardi went 8-for-18 for 61 yards and an interception, while Etling completed just 5-of-12 passes for 70 yards and another pick. Each had flashes — Etling’s 24-yard strike to Malone in the fourth quarter gave hope — but consistent execution proved elusive.
The Panthers offense moved the ball with success at times, finishing with more total yards than Houston and converting 5-of-10 third-down attempts. But stalled red-zone trips and missed opportunities — including two failed fourth-down conversions — prevented a comeback.
Defense Holds Late, But the Hole Was Too Deep
Michigan’s defense kept them in the game throughout. Defensive tackle Taylor Stallworth and edge rusher Benning Potoa’e each notched sacks, while linebacker Noah Dawkins led with six total tackles. The Panthers held Houston to just 2.1 yards per carry and shut out the Roughnecks in the final quarter.
But the defense was forced to be on the field too often due to turnovers and short fields. Houston’s first touchdown came on a 12-play, 83-yard opening drive, and the Moody pick-six was one of two first-half takeaways that flipped the game script early.
Jake Bates Returns as Panthers Reflect
The afternoon wasn’t without highlights off the field. Fans gave a warm welcome to Jake Bates, the Panthers’ breakout kicker from early in the season who recently signed with the Detroit Lions. Bates’ 64-yard game-winner in Week 1 remains one of the season’s defining moments and a viral sensation that helped lift the league’s visibility.
His return to Ford Field was met with cheers — a reminder of how far the Panthers have come in building a competitive product in Detroit.
Looking Ahead
With the loss, the Panthers finish the regular season home slate with a record below .500. While a postseason berth is still mathematically possible, it will require help and a bounce-back performance in the regular-season finale.
In a season of what-ifs, Saturday’s loss summed up much of the Panthers’ 2025 campaign: gritty, promising, but just short of the mark.