Week 1 of the UFL season continued with the Michigan Panthers beating the St. Louis Battlehawks at Ford Field, home of the NFL's Detroit Lions, on Saturday (on FOX and the FOX Sports app), and we've got you covered with all the action.
Here are the highlights!
0:08 - 4th: Panthers 18, Battlehawks 16
Michigan got into St. Louis territory in the closing seconds and sent kicker Jake Bates out to attempt a game-winning field goal … which he drilled from 64 yards!
0:54 - 4th: Battlehawks 16, Panthers 15
Darrius Shepherd ran the kickoff out to Michigan's 44-yard line for St. Louis. Later in the drive, QB AJ McCarron hit WR Marcell Ateman near the pylon, and he found his way into the end zone. The Battlehawks then converted a go-ahead, one-point attempt.
5:09 - 4th: Panthers 15, Battlehawks 9
Panthers RB Wes Hills ripped a pair of runs that combined for 42 yards. Later in the drive, E.J. Perry finessed his way through the St. Louis defense for an 8-yard rushing score, his second of the game. Michigan then converted a two-point conversion.
8:01 - 4th: Battlehawks 9, Panthers 7
Two plays after finding WR Darrius Shepherd for a 15-yard gain, McCarron got the ball out to TE Jake Sutherland for a 5-yard touchdown. They then failed the two-point attempt.
12:51 - 4th: Panthers 7, Battlehawks 3
Shortly after Michigan was flagged for holding, St. Louis defensive end Travis Feeney got to Perry, forcing a third-and-28 and later a punt.
15:00 - 4th: Panthers 7, Battlehawks 3
St. Louis got the ball to Michigan's 5-yard line, but the latter's defensive front stopped RB Jacob Saylors from moving the chains on fourth-and-1.
5:32 - 3rd: Panthers 7, Battlehawks 3
Perry hit WR Marcus Simms for a 30-yard completion. Two plays later, he hit TE Cole Hikutini for a 41-yard gain. Later in the drive, Perry powered in a 4-yard score with his legs for Michigan.
12:10 - 3rd: Battlehawks 3, Panthers 0
Michigan defensive tackle Daniel Wise exploded though the St. Louis front for his second sack.
0:03 - 2nd: Battlehawks 3, Panthers 0
It was a defensive battle in the first half, as St. Louis merely out-gained Carolina 111-98 in total yards.
The Battlehawks squeaked out a field goal at the end of the first half to take a three-point lead.
8:02 - 2nd: Battlehawks 0, Panthers 0
One play after Perry hit WR Devin Ross for a 42-yard gain, his pass was deflected by the ankles and into the hands of Battlehawks safety Qwynnterrio Cole in the end zone for an interception.
4:43 - 1st: Battlehawks 0, Panthers 0
Panthers safety Kai Nacua got to McCarron for Michigan's second sack of the first quarter.
10:48 - 1st: Battlehawks 0, Panthers 0
Panthers DE Breeland Speaks broke through the Battlehawks' front to get the sack, forcing a third-and-long and eventual punt.
Saturday's game features a ton of star power, including Battlehawks QB A.J. McCarron and Panthers QB E.J. Perry, both of whom landed on FOX Sports' 2024 UFL MVP candidates list headed into Week 1. McCarron led the XFL in touchdown passes (24), completion percentage (68.8%) and passer rating (108.4) last season. He also spent time with the NFL's Cincinnati Bengals last year. Perry joined the Panthers late last year, helping lead Michigan to the postseason.
Meanwhile, Battlehawks receivers Hakeem Butler and Darrius Shepherd, both of whom were All-XFL selections last year, are among the top offensive players to watch this season. Shepherd earned XFL Special Teams Player of the Year last season, leading the league with 907 kick return yards. Panthers RB Wes Hills is also on that list after leading the USFL in rushing last season with 679 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns, which earned him All-USFL honors.
On the other side, UFL Defensive Player of the Year candidates include Panthers LB Frank Ginda, last year’s USFL Defensive Player of the Year, and teammate DE Breeland Speaks, the USFL sacks leader (9.0) last year and former second-round selection by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2018. The reigning XFL Defensive Player of the Year, Battlehawks DE Pita Taumoepenu, also checks in on that list.
Here are five things to watch out for in Week 1 and the 2024 UFL championship odds ahead of kickoff.
Andre Szmyt made a 36-yard field goal as the first half ended, giving St. Louis the first points of the game.
On the first play of the ensuing possession, Perry's pass was intercepted by Battlehawks linebacker Mike Rose. St. Louis failed to get points after the turnover, but it then pinned Michigan at its own 2-yard line on the punt.
