Michigan Panthers fall to Birmingham Stallions, 27-13: Game thread recap
2023 USFL Week 6: Michigan Panthers (2-3) vs. Birmingham Stallions (3-2)
When: 4 p.m. Saturday.
Where: Ford Field, Detroit.
TV: Fox.
Line: Stallions by 5.
WEEK 5: Panthers struggle on offense in 23-7 loss to Pittsburgh Maulers
WEEK 4: Panthers lose, 29-10, to Memphis Showboats in second game at Ford Field
WEEK 3: Panthers' USFL debut at Ford Field spoiled in 28-13 loss to New Jersey Generals
WEEK 2: Panthers match 2022 win total in Week 2 of 2023 season with 24-10 win over Philly
WEEK 1: Panthers QB makes USFL history in 2023 season-opening win over Houston
Game notes: The Michigan Panthers are down to two chances to snag a win at Ford Field (after losing their first three at home): Today, and the season finale against the Philadelphia Stars on June 18. The major issue has been the offense, which is one of the worst in the league (sixth in both passing and rushing, with 262.4 yards of total offense per game). And the issue there has been the QBs, veteran Josh Love and rookie Carson Strong. Both have thrown costly interceptions, and both have been benched mid-game for the other by coach Mike Nolan.
The defense has been OK, allowing just 282.4 yards per game (fifth in the league), but the Panthers will face a challenge in the Stallions, who haven’t missed a beat since losing starting QB J’Mar Smith in the opener. Alex McGough — from noted quarterback factory FIU — has completed 65.6% of his passes for 972 yards, 10 touchdowns and three interceptions. His preferred target has been 5-foot-11 Davion Davis (from Sam Houston State), who has 31 catches for 290 yards and three TDs. Don’t sleep on former Packers third-round pick Jace Sternberger, however; the ex-Texas A&M tight end has 18 catches for 264 yards (third in the league) and three TDs.
Birmingham also brings the league’s No. 4-ranked defense, allowing 181.2 yards passing and 138.8 yards rushing per game; at the heart of that is former Michigan defensive lineman Willie Henry. The 29-year-old is tied for the Stallions’ team lead with two sacks and also has two tackles-for-loss as part of his nine total tackles over five games.
After today’s game, the Panthers hit the road for three straight, visiting New Jersey (in Canton, Ohio), New Orleans (in Birmingham, Alabama) and then Pittsburgh (in Canton again) before that mid-June finale vs. the Stars. The Stallions, meanwhile, head back home for a road game against their hub-mates, the New Orleans Breakers, next weekend.
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Contact Ryan Ford at rford@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @theford.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan Panthers lose to Birmingham, 27-13: Game thread recap
