Sloppy start dooms Shea Patterson, Michigan Panthers in opening USFL loss to Houston Gamblers

The Michigan Panthers fumbled on their first play as a brand new USFL franchise.

And whereas quarterback Shea Patterson jumped on that ball, sloppy play in the end doomed the Panthers of their first sport of USFL motion since 1986.

The Panthers put the ball on the bottom a number of instances through the season-opening conflict with the Houston Gamblers in Birmingham, turning the ball over 3 times as Houston gained the sport 17-12.

Patterson, an ex-Michigan quarterback who was chosen No. 1 total within the USFL Draft in February, was behind heart for a lot of Sunday’s sport and led a second-half comeback after the Panthers went scoreless within the first half.

Trailing by 5, Patterson made a number of key throws to maneuver the Panthers down the sphere within the waning moments of the fourth quarter, however one other fumble and a sack stalled the Panthers’ last possession, which ended on a failed Hail Mary.

Patterson completed the sport 17-for-24 for 192 yards a landing. He added 31 yards on seven carries.

Houston opened the scoring within the first quarter when Nick Vogel made a 37-yard discipline. The Panthers appeared primed to take again the lead early within the second quarter, however Patterson slipped whereas dropping again to cross and in the end fumbled on the Houston four-yard line.

Former Florida State standout Reggie Northrup scooped up the unfastened ball and took it 87 yards for a landing. A transformed two-point conversion then gave the Gamblers an 11-0 lead.

Houston prolonged its result in 17-0 later within the second quarter after one other Panthers turnover, this time a fumble by quarterback Paxton Lynch, when former Northwestern quarterback Clayton Thorson linked with Isaiah Zuber for a 12-yard landing.

The rating gave the Gamblers a cushty lead on the break. And left the Panthers wanting within the mirror.

“You didn’t know something about your opponent once we stepped on the market,” Panthers coach Jeff Fisher mentioned at halftime. “What we do know now, is our opponent is us.”

Michigan responded within the second half. A ten-play, 75-yard drive was capped by Patterson’s first landing cross as a Panther, an 8-yard strike to former Cowboys vast receiver Lance Lenoir.

Former Indiana operating again Stevie Scott lower the deficit to a single rating early within the fourth quarter on a 5-yard landing run.

An interception by Jameson Houston on the subsequent Gamblers’ possession set the Panthers as much as take the lead, however one other aborted snap put Michigan down in distance and the drive ended when Patterson didn’t convert a 4th and 1 on a QB sneak.

Michigan did get the ball again, and Patterson led the Panthers down the sphere from their very own 10-yard-line to Houston 30-yard-line earlier than time ran out on the failed Hail Mary.

Michigan misplaced the sport regardless of outgaining Houston 363-174. Scott led the best way on the bottom with 18 carries for 72 yards and a landing. Lenoir caught six passes for 71 yards and a landing.

Linebacker Frank Ginda recorded 10 complete tackles to steer the Panther protection. Michigan (0-1) returns to the sphere to tackle the New Jersey Generals in Week 2. Kickoff is ready for 8 p.m. on Friday. The sport might be seen on USA.