Michigan Panthers lose to New Jersey Generals, 25-23, in USFL

With nothing to lose, the Michigan Panthers performed like all the pieces was on the road in Saturday’s recreation towards the New Jersey Generals.

Head coach Jeff Fisher’s Panthers (1-8) have been heavy underdogs towards the USFL North-leading Generals (8-1), however Fisher was decided to present the Panthers win No. 2 in 2022. As he informed USFL’s tv crew at halftime, he knew what would hold the Panthers within the recreation — touchdowns.

Fisher’s squad did rating touchdowns. Nonetheless, it did not rating as many as New Jersey, because the Panthers fell, 25-23, for his or her sixth straight lack of the season.

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“We’ve had, it looks like, a season of heartbreaks,” Fisher mentioned after the sport. “That is in all probability the one the place I’m most happy with the blokes. It was sort of a kind of last-man-standing issues immediately.”

Michigan’s offense was headlined by quarterback Josh Love, who completed 12-for-21 with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Former Japanese Washington standout QB Eric Barriere additionally noticed motion, going 14-for-24 for 118 yards, a landing and an interception in his first USFL recreation.

Panthers receiver Joe Walker starred with seven catches for 129 yards and two touchdowns as Michigan had 336 whole yards.

Generals head coach Mike Riley utilized a two-quarterback system, giving time to each Luis Perez and a returning De’Andre Johnson. Perez completed 10-for-16 for 92 yards and a landing, whereas Johnson went 5-for-8 for 60 yards and an interception.

New Jersey’s dashing assault, which entered the sport averaging a league-high 165 yards per recreation, was held to 107 yards. The Panthers additionally held the Generals to 152 passing yards, with two sacks. 

On the sport’s first drive, Johnson and New Jersey’s dashing assault gutted Michigan’s protection to place the Generals within the crimson zone. The drive nonetheless got here up quick, nonetheless, as a third-down cease by the Panthers led to a 36-yard area aim miss by kicker Austin Jones.

The following Michigan possession noticed Love toss his third interception of the season as his move was batted up and picked by New Jersey defensive deal with Toby Johnson.

On the subsequent Panther possession, Fisher introduced in Barriere, who handed for five,070 yards, 46 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 4 seasons at EWU. However the former Large Sky Convention star did not ignite Michigan’s offense, and the Panthers punted as soon as once more.

“I’m happy with Eric,” Fisher mentioned. “He hasn’t had a complete lot of follow time. He’s a dynamic younger participant, and he confirmed he’s able to doing a little issues. We (get) a pair performs and a kick, issues are completely different.”

Love returned to the sport and led Michigan on a 12-play, 69-yard drive that ended with a 2-yard landing move to Walker on fourth-and-goal. Panthers kicker Cole Murphy then missed his first further level try of the season, leaving the rating 10-6 Generals with 3:16 left within the second.

A missed 38-yard area aim by New Jersey because the second quarter expired saved the rating 16-14 Generals coming into halftime.

Sadly for Michigan, its opening drive of the second half was a nightmare . Love tossed his second interception of the day on the drive’s sixth play, which was returned by New Jersey cornerback Trae Elston contained in the crimson zone. After the play, Love was helped off the sphere by trainers. The Panthers’ protection then held the Generals to a area aim, making it 19-14 with below eight minutes within the third.

Barriere then changed Love as soon as once more; this time, he supplied a spark. Capping a 12-play, 68-yard drive, Barriere threw a strike to Walker for a 22-yard landing. Michigan’s 2-point conversion try got here up quick, however the Panthers nonetheless took a 20-19 benefit because the fourth quarter neared.

After each groups traded punts, Murphy hit a 25-yard area aim to develop Michigan’s result in 23-19. Nonetheless, that benefit disappeared after Perez tossed a 17-yard landing to receiver Darrius Shepherd to place New Jersey up 25-23.

“We bought one other recreation left,” Fisher mentioned. “We’re going to come back again, and all we all know is learn how to work and attempt to get higher, respect one another and follow and put together as finest we will to see if we will’t end this factor out with a win.”

Michigan’s season finale, towards Pittsburgh, is ready for midday June 19 on USA Community. The Maulers (1-7) tackle the Philadelphia Stars (5-3) at 7:30 p.m. Sunday on FS1.