Panthers surge past winless Roughnecks with big third quarter

The host Michigan Panthers rode a dominant third quarter to keep the Houston Roughnecks winless in the inaugural UFL season with a 34-20 victory on Sunday in Detroit.

The Panthers (2-1) outscored the Roughnecks 22-3 in the third quarter to lead 34-14, then held on to drop Houston to 0-3.

Michigan quarterback E.J. Perry was 16-of-19 passing for 208 yards, including a 66-yard touchdown to Marcus Simms, and was the team’s game’s leading rusher with nine carries for 60 yards and two TDS.

Houston QB Reid Sinnett was 19 of 28 for 197 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

The Panthers gained more yards on the ground (124-53) and through the air (208-197) for a 332-250 advantage in total yards.

Jake Bates connected on field goals of 46 and 55 yards for the Panthers, while J.J. Molson made kicks of 25 and 35 yards for the Roughnecks.

Jacob Saylors ran for 62 yards on seven carries, including a fourth-quarter 19-yard touchdown that provided the winning points as visiting St. Louis held off San Antonio.

The Battlehawks (2-1) were outgained 260-253, surrendered a fumble and lost the time-of-possession battle, but timely plays made all the difference. After quarterback AJ Mccarron ran for a touchdown to put St. Louis up 6-3, he found Hakeem Butler for a 20yard touchdown connection to give the Battlehawks a 14-3 lead.

John Lovett and Anthony Mcfarland combined to run for 80 yards for the Brahmas (2-1), with each scampering for a score. Mcfarland’s 8-yard rush in the third quarter cut the deficit to 20-18.

Andre Szmyt made three 40-yardplus field goals, the last of which came from 46 yards out to give St. Louis a 2318 lead and set up Saylors’ heroics.