Michigan professional football is not known for winning championships. But the state will take a crack at a title this weekend as the Michigan Panthers take on the D.C. Defenders on Saturday, June 14, in St. Louis for the chance to claim either team’s first modern UFL title.
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Michigan’s path to the UFL Championship wasn’t an easy one. The Panthers’ path ran through the Birmingham Stallions, who had won three championships in three years. Michigan was 0-7 against the Stallions since the USFL re-formed in 2022 and were 0-6 under head coach Mike Nolan.
They finally triumphed in the USFL Conference Championship on Sunday, defeating Birmingham, 44-29.
“If you want to be champ, you got to beat the champ,” Nolan said on Tuesday. “That was probably the biggest thing about the win we had the other day.”
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Panthers quarterback Bryce Perkins was a major reason for the victory, completing 20-of-25 passes for 238 yards and a touchdown to wide receiver Malik Turner as well as a rushing touchdown and 35 rushing yards. Running back Toa Taua had 85 rushing yards and three touchdowns in the win.
The Panthers will take on the D.C. Defenders, who knocked off the rival St. Louis Battlehawks in a 36-18 win. The duo of quarterback Jordan Ta’amu and running back Deon Jackson combined for three touchdowns. Ta’amu threw 240 yards going 18-for-26 while Jackson rushed for 109 yards on 21 carries.
Michigan enters as a 3-point favorite. Both Taua and Panthers running back Nate McCrary are in the top 10 in rushing yards in the UFL, despite Taua having only played seven games. Taua also leads the league in rushing touchdowns with six. most rushing touchdowns in the league.
The Defenders will need to limit Perkins’ mobility as he ranks 13th in rushing yards despite having played seven of 10 games this season.
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Prediction for UFL Championship
Jackson is one of the most dangerous players in the league, but Michigan’s lineup is just as fearsome. Nate McCrary and Toa Taua are two of the UFL’s best offensive weapons and Bryce Perkins’ unparalleled versatility provides a difficult challenge for the Defenders. Defense is not the Panthers’ strong suit and Jordan Ta’amu’s strength in the throwing game will likely cause Michigan headaches, but expect the highest-scoring offense in the league to carry the day. The pick: Panthers 36, Defenders 24.
How to watch Panthers vs Defenders
Date: Saturday, June 14
Time: 8 p.m. ET
TV: ABC
Streaming: ESPN app
- Spread: Panthers -3
- O/U: 50.5
- Moneyline: Panthers +136, Defenders -162
