Michigan Panthers knocked out of UFL playoffs with loss to Birmingham Stallions

It felt like déjà vu, but stung worse in every way.

Just like last week’s regular-season finale, the Michigan Panthers let another first-half lead slip away and fell to the Birmingham Stallions, 31-18, in Saturday’s USFL Conference Championship game at Protective Stadium in Alabama.

The Panthers (7-4) scored on each of their first five offensive possessions, with kicker Jake Bates going 4-for-4 on field goals to build an 18-3 lead in the first half. But the Panthers never scored again, allowing 28 unanswered points to the Stallions.

Danny Etling made his third straight start at quarterback and on the first drive, which was set up by a 37-yard opening kickoff return from Devin Ross, connected with Siaosi Mariner on a short pass for a 35-yard touchdown as the Panthers took an early 6-0 lead.

On Birmingham’s ensuing possession, Ricky Pearson Jr. got stopped short of the first-down marker by linebacker Noah Dawkins on fourth-and-1, as the Panthers took over on the Stallions’ 42-yard line. The Panthers didn’t get a first down, but they got close enough for Bates to boot a 53-yard field goal to make it 9-0.

It seemed the Stallions came out the gates undisciplined, as they amassed four penalties for 45 yards in the first quarter alone, with just one first down on their first two drives. Another Birmingham punt would lead to another field goal from Bates, as the Panthers extended their lead to 12-0 by the end of the first quarter.

Birmingham’s Adrian Martinez got a big 38-yard reception from the star tight end Jake Sternberger that put the defending USFL champions at the Panthers’ 2. Keith Gibson Jr. made a terrific stop on third-and-goal that forced the Stallions to settle for a field goal.

After another field goal from Bates, Dawkins forced a fumble when sacking Martinez, with the ball recovered by the Panthers for the game’s first turnover. Still, the Panthers could only muster another field goal for an 18-3 lead.

After the kickoff from the Panthers went out of bounds and put the Stallions at the 50, Martinez found Jordan Thomas deep down the middle on the first play for a touchdown, cutting the deficit to 18-9.

The Panthers got into Bates’ range again late in the first half, but he missed a 51-yard attempt to the left. The Stallions took advantage of the field position and Chris Blewitt made a 43-yard field goal to trim the Panthers’ lead to 18-12 at halftime.

The Stallions received the ball to start the second half but after a big 39-yard return from Deon Cain into Panthers territory, Martinez was picked off by Panthers cornerback Adonis Alexander at the 1-yard line.

The Panthers faked a fourth-down punt when Kai Nacua threw it to Kedrick Whitehead Jr. for the first down, but Etling fumbled while getting sacked on the next play and the Stallions recovered.

It was a turnover-prone quarter, as Martinez fumbled the ball back to the Panthers. After both teams traded punts, Etling threw an interception on his first play of the drive to Ike Brown.

Matt Corral replaced Martinez at quarterback for the Stallions, but the turnovers kept coming as Corral overthrew his target and the ball found its way into Javin White’s hands. But the sixth turnover of the quarter would be the biggest, as Etling threw it right to Daniel Isom, who took it 48 yards for a pick-six.

With the game tied at 18 and one quarter remaining, Corral remained under center and led a five-play, 75-yard drive that ended in a 7-yard touchdown pass to Amani Rodgers and gave the Stallions their first lead of the day.

After being unable to convert on third down, Bates came out for a 44-yard attempt that was blocked by two Stallions. Down 24-18 with 9:43 remaining, the Panthers needed a stop from their defense.

But they couldn’t get it, as Corral led another touchdown drive to make it 31-18, putting the exclamation mark on another comeback from the Stallions and an end to the Panthers’ season.

Kameron Goodwill is a freelance writer.