Panthers getting comfortable at home, erupt in third quarter to rough up Roughnecks, 34-20

Detroit — The idea of home-field advantage seemed to have eluded the Michigan Panthers dating to last season. Now, it seems like the team is finally taking hold of that idea.

With a third quarter that saw them outscore their opponents 22-3, the Panthers won two games at Ford Field in a single season for the first time in franchise history, as they defeated the Houston Roughnecks, 34-20, on Sunday.

"I first would like to thank the fans. I think there were about 7,000 or so there but they certainly made a lot of noise," Panther head coach Mike Nolan said. "I was pleased we were able to give them reason to make noise as well."

The story didn't go like that last season, with the Panthers losing four straight home games at Ford Field thanks to lackluster play, with 13 points the season-high at home. They won the regular-season finale at home, but it didn't erase the sting of a 1-4 record at Ford Field.

This game's offensive performance from the Panthers (2-1) is a far cry from what they did last season at home, with the 34 points being most the franchise has put up since being brought back in 2022, besting the 33 points they scored in the 2022 season finale.

"Home-field advantage is something that you want to have, but you have to win a home to have that advantage," Nolan said. "It's a lot more fun, obviously, but it's always a shot in the arm if you're good at home. It just feels better."

E.J. Perry had his best game as a Panther so far by going 16-for-19 for 208 passing yards and a passing touchdown, committing no turnovers. Perry was also responsible for 60 of the team's 124 rushing yards and scoring two rushing touchdowns.

Perry seemed comfortable throwing the ball, but looked even better while scrambling, evading sacks and taking advantage of the Roughnecks' (0-3) red-zone defense on both of his rushing touchdowns.

Jake Bates continued to be a fan favorite, hitting both of his field goal attempts, including a 55-yarder at the end of the first half to stay perfect from 50-plus.

The Panthers' defense continued to show why they're one of the best in the UFL by holding the Roughnecks to 53 yards rushing to go with two sacks, seven tackles for loss, and an interception from safety Kai Nacua. The only true blemish on the day was defending kick returns, as Isiah Hennie returned kickoffs for 207 yards on the Panthers, including a 75-yard return.

Speaking of that third quarter, it took just one play for the Panthers to score. Holding on to a 12-11 lead, Perry connected with Marcus Simms near the Panthers' 40, where Simms eluded multiple defenders on his way to a 66-yard touchdown. A successful two-point conversion pushed the Panthers' lead to 20-11.

"When I get the ball, I just get in a mode, I feel like I'm unstoppable in open space and I just make people miss and get to the endzone," Simms said in a postgame interview on the field. Simms finished as the game's leading receiver with four catches for 84 yards and that electrifying touchdown.

On the next drive, after converting on fourth-and-one at the Roughnecks' 15-yard line, Perry scrambled down the middle for another rushing touchdown, with a two-point conversion making it a 28-14 lead with 4:30 left in the third quarter.

After a Breeland Speaks sack that knocked Roughnecks quarterback Reid Sinnett out of the game for a short period, Kedrick Whitehead Jr. blocked the ensuing punt to give the Panthers great field position.

A few plays later, Matthew Colburn II scored from four yards out as the final score on that big quarter. The Panthers cruised from there, only giving up a touchdown midway through the fourth quarter.

After three straight games at home, the Panthers go on the road for the first time this season to face the San Antonio Brahmas.

Kameron Goodwill is a freelance writer.