On a cool Sunday afternoon, the Birmingham Stallions secured a hard-fought 20-13 win over the Michigan Panthers at Ford Field, enhancing their season record to 2-0, while the Panthers adjusted to a 1-1 start.
The scoring began when Chris Blewitt of the Stallions nailed a 34-yard field goal on their second possession, with a notable 19-yard dash from C.J. Marable setting up the scoring opportunity.
The Panthers were quick to counter, advancing to the red zone, but their efforts were thwarted when E.J. Perry threw his third interception of the season to Stallions' safety A.J. Thomas, halting a promising drive.
The Stallions, not wasting any momentum, soon advanced deep into Panther territory, thanks to a trio of plays each surpassing 15 yards. Adrian Martinez's 29-yard sprint got them close, but they were held to another field goal by a resolute Panthers' defense.
Replacing Perry, Danny Etling stepped in as quarterback for the Panthers but fumbled during a scramble. The fumble was recovered by Kenny Robinson Jr. of the Stallions, who returned it deep into Panther territory. Yet again, the Panthers' defense stood tall, leading to another Blewitt field goal.
Perry re-entered and promptly connected with Marcus Simms for a dramatic 76-yard touchdown pass on third down. The subsequent one-point conversion by Cole Hikutini brought the score to a close 9-7.
As the first half neared its end, Stallions' quarterback Matt Corral, despite heavy pressure, completed a pass to Marable. This was followed by a touchdown run by Ricky Person Jr. and a two-point conversion, pushing the score to 17-7.
In a race against the clock, Jake Bates hit a monumental 62-yard field goal for the Panthers as the half-time whistle blew, bringing some momentum to the team.
Field goals were exchanged in the third quarter, with Blewitt adding another for the Stallions and Bates responding for the Panthers, keeping the game within one score.
The drama intensified in the fourth quarter when Michigan's Keith Gibson Jr. intercepted Corral in the end zone, marking a key defensive play. However, the Panthers couldn't capitalize and had to punt back shortly after.
With the clock ticking down, the Panthers had one last drive starting from their 27-yard line. Despite recovering from a sack with a roughing the passer penalty, they failed to convert on a crucial fourth-and-seven, cementing the win for Birmingham.
Statistically, Perry finished the day with 20 completions on 33 attempts for 203 yards, and Martinez and Corral combined for a modest 141 yards. The ground game was equally contested, with Martinez leading for Birmingham with 65 yards.
Looking ahead, the Panthers are set to host the Houston Roughnecks, while the Stallions prepare for their home opener against the Memphis Showboats.
Postgame, it was noted that Jake Bates continues to impress with his field goal prowess, now successful on three long-range attempts this season. Perry’s connection with Simms marked a season highlight, and Gibson's interception was a pivotal moment for the Panthers' defense, showcasing their resilience despite the loss.
