Michigan Panthers drop to 1-8 following heartbreaker to the New Jersey Generals, 25-23
With nothing to lose, the Michigan Panthers played like everything was on the line in Saturday's game against the New Jersey Generals.
Head coach Jeff Fisher's Panthers (1-8) were heavy underdogs against the USFL North-leading Generals (8-1), but Fisher was determined to give the Panthers win No. 2 in 2022. As he told USFL's television crew at halftime, he knew what would keep the Panthers in the game — touchdowns.
Fisher's squad did score touchdowns. However, it didn't score as many as New Jersey, as the Panthers fell, 25-23, for their sixth straight loss of the season.
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“We’ve had, it seems like, a season of heartbreaks,” Fisher said after the game. “This is probably the one where I’m most proud of the guys. It was kind of one of those last-man-standing things today.”
Michigan's offense was headlined by quarterback Josh Love, who finished 12-for-21 with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Former Eastern Washington standout QB Eric Barriere also saw action, going 14-for-24 for 118 yards, a touchdown and an interception in his first USFL game.
Panthers receiver Joe Walker starred with seven catches for 129 yards and two touchdowns as Michigan had 336 total yards.
Generals head coach Mike Riley utilized a two-quarterback system, giving time to both Luis Perez and a returning De'Andre Johnson. Perez finished 10-for-16 for 92 yards and a touchdown, while Johnson went 5-for-8 for 60 yards and an interception.
New Jersey's rushing attack, which entered the game averaging a league-high 165 yards per game, was held to 107 yards. The Panthers also held the Generals to 152 passing yards, with two sacks.
On the game's first drive, Johnson and New Jersey's rushing attack gutted Michigan's defense to put the Generals in the red zone. The drive still came up short, however, as a third-down stop by the Panthers led to a 36-yard field goal miss by kicker Austin Jones.
The ensuing Michigan possession saw Love toss his third interception of the season as his pass was batted up and picked by New Jersey defensive tackle Toby Johnson.
On the next Panther possession, Fisher brought in Barriere, who passed for 5,070 yards, 46 touchdowns and eight interceptions in four seasons at EWU. But the former Big Sky Conference star didn't ignite Michigan's offense, and the Panthers punted once again.
“I’m proud of Eric,” Fisher said. “He hasn’t had a whole lot of practice time. He’s a dynamic young player, and he showed he’s capable of doing some things. We (get) a couple plays and a kick, things are different.”
Love returned to the game and led Michigan on a 12-play, 69-yard drive that ended with a 2-yard touchdown pass to Walker on fourth-and-goal. Panthers kicker Cole Murphy then missed his first extra point attempt of the season, leaving the score 10-6 Generals with 3:16 left in the second.
A missed 38-yard field goal by New Jersey as the second quarter expired kept the score 16-14 Generals entering halftime.
Unfortunately for Michigan, its opening drive of the second half was a nightmare . Love tossed his second interception of the day on the drive's sixth play, which was returned by New Jersey cornerback Trae Elston inside the red zone. After the play, Love was helped off the field by trainers. The Panthers' defense then held the Generals to a field goal, making it 19-14 with under eight minutes in the third.
Barriere then replaced Love once again; this time, he provided a spark. Capping a 12-play, 68-yard drive, Barriere threw a strike to Walker for a 22-yard touchdown. Michigan's 2-point conversion attempt came up short, but the Panthers still took a 20-19 advantage as the fourth quarter neared.
After both teams traded punts, Murphy hit a 25-yard field goal to expand Michigan's lead to 23-19. However, that advantage disappeared after Perez tossed a 17-yard touchdown to receiver Darrius Shepherd to put New Jersey up 25-23.
“We got another game left,” Fisher said. “We’re going to come back, and all we know is how to work and try to get better, respect each other and practice and prepare as best we can to see if we can’t finish this thing out with a win.”
Michigan's season finale, against Pittsburgh, is set for noon June 19 on USA Network. The Maulers (1-7) take on the Philadelphia Stars (5-3) at 7:30 p.m. Sunday on FS1.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan Panthers lose to New Jersey Generals, 25-23, in USFL
