Wes Hills celebrates after scoring his first touchdown in 2024 and followed it up with two more scores, the most rushing touchdowns in a single game this season in the UFL. photo by Don Mooney
Memphis, TENN — Michigan Panthers landed in Memphis to take care of business and made quick work of the Memphis Showboats 35-18 in a USFL Conference clash Sunday.
Running back Matthew Colburn II diving crossing goal line in the rain for a first quarter score. photo by Don Mooney
The story of the afternoon contest was running back Wes Hills. Hills helped move the offense down the field with a 19-yard run, hurdling defenders and going airborne to get inside the 10-yard line. After a defensive holding penalty on third down, Hills punched in the touchdown, his first of the season. Etling found Siaosi Mariner wide open for the one-point conversion to lead 7-0. Shortly thereafter the Panthers ran a fake punt on 4th-and-12. Hills took the direct snap and ran for the first down. Four plays later, Matthew Colburn II ran to the end zone with a 35-yard score to extend Michigan’s lead to 13-0.
Panthers headed into the game with a degree of skepticism. With starting quarterback EJ Perry placed on injured reserve list Danny Etling stepped in without missing a beat. Etling slung it around for 175 yards completed 14-21 in the air with one rushing touchdown and no turnovers.
Panthers running back Wes Hills crossing the goal line for one of three touchdown on the afternoon. photo by Don Mooney
The Panthers never trailed in this game, opening up a 19-0 lead before Memphis scored a touchdown right before halftime. The Showboats would go on to make it 25-18 going into the fourth quarter, but the Panthers’ defense shut down any chance of that, and the offense tallied two more scores in a Jake Bates field goal and Hills’ third touchdown of the game.
Showboats WR Daewood Davis 84 yard run after catch or touchdown. photo by Don Mooney
Michigan defense played well giving up 18 points and forcing four total turnovers, including two interceptions off Memphis quarterback Troy Williams. Safety Kai Nacua brought in one of those interceptions and currently leads the UFL in that category. Defensive end Breeland Speaks was on a tear Sunday as he sacked Williamson three times in the game and is now tied for the league lead in sacks with four.
Panthers Wes Hills on one of 16 attempts for the afternoon. photo by Don Mooney
The Panthers now get ready to take on the Arlington Renegades this Sunday, and the team returns to Ford Field for it. That game is set to kick off at 1 p.m. ET. Showboats next opponent is Birmingham Stallions at Simmons Bank Liberty Saturday May 4th at 11 a.m. CST.