Michigan Panthers clinch UFL playoff berth behind backup Danny Etling with 30-18 win
The Michigan Panthers have clinched their ticket to the United Football League 2025 playoffs and the conference championship game.
The Panthers defeated the Houston Roughnecks 30-18 on Saturday, May 17 at TDECU Stadium in Houston.
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Danny Etling, a seventh-round pick in the 2018 NFL draft out of LSU by the New England Patriots who was last in the NFL with the Green Bay Packers in 2023 training camp, was suddenly thrust into the starting quarterback spot in place of MVP favorite Bryce Perkins (ankle), ruled out just before kickoff.
Etling played well for the Panthers (6-2, who lead the four-team USFL Conference), finding Devin Ross for a 35-yard heave down the right sideline midway the third quarter to give the Panthers a 21-12 lead after the 1-point conversion from Toa Taua.
Etling finished 14-for-22 passing with 167 yards and three touchdowns.
On the Roughnecks (3-5) ensuing possession, Keni-H Lovely then immediately made a diving interception on a botched quick receiver screen, got up and swerved 55 yards to the end zone to break open a 27-12 Panthers lead.
Etling hit Malik Turner on third-and-4 for a 5-yard touchdown late in the first quarter.
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An 88-yard punt return by Xavier Malone down the right sideline early in the second quarter set up a 1-yard touchdown catch on the next play by Samson Nacua for a 14-3 lead.
The Panthers visit the Birmingham Stallions, who knocked them out in the playoffs last June, next Saturday, May 24 in Week 9, then host Houston at Ford Field in Detroit in Week 10 in the regular season finale.
The conference championship is June 8 and the UFL championship is June 14.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan Panthers game: UFL playoffs clinched in win vs Roughnecks
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