Michigan Panthers-St. Louis Battlehawks in United Football League opener: TV channel, info
Michigan Panthers vs. St. Louis Battlehawks
Matchup: Panthers vs. Battlehawks in United Football League opener.
Kickoff: 4 p.m. Saturday at Ford Field in Detroit.
TV/radio: Fox; none.
Streaming: Check out the Michigan Panthers on Fubo (free trial).
Game notes: Football is back at Ford Field, home of the Detroit Lions. This is the season opener of the new United Football League, after the USFL and XFL completed a merger. It's a 10-game regular season, with all eight teams practicing in Arlington, Texas, then flying to play games.
The Panthers, who won the first USFL title in 1983, are looking to build on their 4-6 season last year in the USFL. They are coached by Mike Nolan, the former San Francisco 49ers head coach. Nolan declined to name a starting quarterback, but said the competition is between Danny Etling (LSU) and E.J. Perry (Brown). Brian Lewerke (Michigan State) is the third-stringer, and two former MSU teammates are on the roster in defensive end Kenny Willekes and offensive tackle Jarrett Horst.
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The Battlehawks went 7-3 last season in the XFL, and feature former Alabama and Cincinnati Bengals quarterback A.J. McCarron under center. He led the league in passing touchdowns and passer rating, finishing second in yards. Also on St. Louis: cornerback Lavert Hill (Cass Tech/Michigan) and XFL Defensive Player of the Year and defensive end Pita Taumoepenu.
The top two teams from each division will advance to play in a conference championship, with the winners playing in the first-ever UFL championship set for June 16 on Fox.
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Michigan Panthers schedule 2024
Saturday: vs. St. Louis Battlehawks, 4 p.m., Fox
April 7: vs. Birmingham Stallions, 12 p.m., ESPN
April 14: vs. Houston Roughnecks, 12 p.m., ABC
April 20: at San Antonio Brahmas, 7 p.m., Fox
April 28: at Memphis Showboats, 3 p.m., Fox
May 5: vs. Arlington Renegades, 1 p.m., Fox
May 12: at D.C. Defenders, 12 p.m., ESPN
May 18, vs. Memphis Showboats, 4 p.m., Fox
May 26: at Houston Roughnecks, 2:30 p.m., Fox
June 1: at Birmingham Stallions, 12 p.m., ESPN
June 8/9: Conference championship, TBA, Fox
June 16: UFL championship, TBA, Fox
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan Panthers vs. St. Louis Battlehawks in UFL opener in Detroit
