2025 Michigan Panthers season
| 2025 Michigan Panthers season | |
|---|---|
| General manager | Steve Kazor |
| Head coach | Mike Nolan |
| Home stadium | Ford Field |
| Results | |
| Record | 6–4 |
| Conference place | 2nd in USFL Conference |
| Playoffs | Won Conference Finals (at Birmingham Stallions) 44–29 Lost UFL Championship (vs. DC Defenders) 34–58 |
| Uniform | |
The 2025 Michigan Panthers season was the fourth season for the Michigan Panthers as a professional American football franchise and the second season in the United Football League (UFL).[1] The Panthers played their home games at Ford Field and were led by third year head coach Mike Nolan.
The Panthers began the season 6–2 with quarterback Bryce Perkins winning UFL Offensive Player of the Week three times from weeks three through six. Perkins had an ankle injury that kept him out the final three weeks of the season. In week eight, quarterback Danny Etling had a three touchdown performance in a 30–18 playoff clinching victory over Houston.[2] Michigan dropped its final two games to finish 6–4. However, even if they won those games, they would not host the USFL Conference Championship Game due to a scheduling conflict.[3]
Michigan then went to Birmingham to play the Stallions in the USFL Conference Championship Game for the second consecutive year. Despite being 0–7 against the Stallions since 2022, the Panthers won 44–29, and clinched their first championship berth in team history. In the UFL Championship Game the Panthers played the DC Defenders and lost, 34–58. Wide receiver Malik Turner, who led the Panthers with four touchdown receptions in the regular season was dominant in the postseason. Against Birmingham, Turner had six receptions for 99 yards including a 76-yard touchdown. In the championship, Turner had a game high ten receptions for 168 yards and three touchdowns.[4]
On the season, quarterback Bryce Perkins won UFL Most Valuable Player, Offensive Player of the Year and was named All-UFL Team.[5][6] Running back Toa Taua led the league with six rushing touchdowns despite playing in just seven games. Wide receiver Siaosi Mariner led the league with 528 receiving yards. Offensively, the Panthers also had tight end Gunnar Oakes and lineman Ryan Nelson and Cohl Cabral named All-UFL.
Return specialist Xavier Malone led the league with 516 kick return yards while safety Kedrick Whitehead Jr. was named Special Teams Player of the Year and All-UFL.[7] The Panthers won Special Teams Player of the Week three times, which led the league. Devin Ross, Samson Nacua and Xavier Malone were all recipients. Defensively, cornerback Arnold Tarpley III was named All-UFL while cornerback DJ Miller earned Defensive Player of the Week.
Through the 2025 season, the Panthers are 13–7 in two seasons of UFL play. Overall, the Panthers are 19–21 in their four year history. Head coach Mike Nolan has a 17–13 record over his three year stint since taking over a 2–8 Panthers in 2022.
Final Roster
Quarterbacks (QB)
Running backs (RB)
Wide receivers (WR)
Tight ends (TE)
|
Offensive linemen (OL)
Defensive linemen (DL)
|
Linebackers (LB)
Defensive backs (DB)
Special teams (ST)
|
Reserve
Rookies in italics
50 active, 7 reserve |
Staff
|
Front office
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
|
Defensive coaches
|
Schedule
All times Eastern
| Week | Day | Date | Kickoff | TV | Opponent | Results | Location | Attendance | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Score | Record | ||||||||
| 1 | Sunday | March 30 | 12:00 p.m. | ESPN | at Memphis Showboats | 26–12 | 1–0 | Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium | 4,373 |
| 2 | Friday | April 4 | 8:00 p.m. | Fox | Birmingham Stallions | 12–21 | 1–1 | Ford Field | 10,049 |
| 3 | Sunday | April 13 | 12:00 p.m. | ABC | San Antonio Brahmas | 26–23 | 2–1 | Ford Field | 11,013 |
| 4 | Friday | April 18 | 8:00 p.m. | Fox | Memphis Showboats | 27–9 | 3–1 | Ford Field | 9,674 |
| 5 | Saturday | April 26 | 7:00 p.m. | ESPN | at St. Louis Battlehawks | 27–32 | 3–2 | The Dome at America's Center | 30,406 |
| 6 | Sunday | May 4 | 12:00 p.m. | ESPN | DC Defenders | 38–14 | 4–2 | Ford Field | 11,653 |
| 7 | Saturday | May 10 | 1:00 p.m. | Fox | at Arlington Renegades | 25–24 | 5–2 | Choctaw Stadium | 9,963 |
| 8 | Saturday | May 17 | 1:00 p.m. | Fox | at Houston Roughnecks | 30–18 | 6–2 | Space City Financial Stadium | 4,007 |
| 9 | Saturday | May 24 | 3:00 p.m. | ABC | at Birmingham Stallions | 22–26 | 6–3 | Protective Stadium | 10,344 |
| 10 | Saturday | May 31 | 3:00 p.m. | ESPN | Houston Roughnecks | 12–19 | 6–4 | Ford Field | 16,014 |
Standings
| USFL Conference | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team | W | L | PCT | GB | TD+/- | TD+ | TD- | DIV | PF | PA | DIFF | STK | ||
| (y) Birmingham Stallions | 7 | 3 | .700 | – | 8 | 28 | 20 | 5–1 | 244 | 167 | 77 | W2 | ||
| (x) | 6 | 4 | .600 | 1 | 8 | 30 | 22 | 3–3 | 245 | 198 | 47 | L2 | ||
| (e) Houston Roughnecks | 5 | 5 | .500 | 2 | 0 | 22 | 22 | 3–3 | 183 | 201 | -18 | W2 | ||
| (e) Memphis Showboats | 2 | 8 | .200 | 5 | -13 | 15 | 28 | 1–5 | 148 | 246 | -98 | L2 | ||
| XFL Conference | ||||||||||||||
| Team | W | L | PCT | GB | TD+/- | TD+ | TD- | DIV | PF | PA | DIFF | STK | ||
| (y) St. Louis Battlehawks | 8 | 2 | .800 | – | 7 | 26 | 19 | 4–2 | 231 | 163 | 68 | W6 | ||
| (x) DC Defenders | 6 | 4 | .600 | 2 | 3 | 28 | 25 | 4–2 | 225 | 224 | 1 | L2 | ||
| (e) Arlington Renegades | 5 | 5 | .500 | 3 | 4 | 23 | 19 | 3–3 | 229 | 168 | 61 | W2 | ||
| (e) San Antonio Brahmas | 1 | 9 | .100 | 7 | -17 | 14 | 31 | 1–5 | 136 | 274 | -138 | L6 | ||
| (x)–clinched playoff berth; (y)–clinched conference; (e)–eliminated from playoff contention | ||||||||||||||
Postseason
Schedule
| Week | Day | Date | Kickoff | TV | Opponent | Results | Location | Attendance | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Score | Record | ||||||||
| USFL Conference Championship | Sunday | June 8 | 3:00 p.m. | ABC | at Birmingham Stallions | 44–29 | 1–0 | Protective Stadium | 10,928 |
| UFL Championship | Saturday | June 14 | 8:00 p.m. | ABC | vs. DC Defenders | 34–58 | 1–1 | The Dome at America's Center | 14,558 |
References
- ^ Williams, Eric (June 19, 2024). "UFL 2024: Year 2 evolution to include more innovation, player development". Fox Sports. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
- ^ "Michigan Panthers clinch UFL playoff berth behind backup Danny Etling with 30-18 win". www.freep.com. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
- ^ https://www.theufl.com/news/ufl-announces-birmingham-to-host-usfl-conference-championship-game-on-june-8
- ^ "Former Illinois Receiver Has Career Day in UFL Championship Game". si.com. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
- ^ "Michigan Panthers Quarterback Bryce Perkins Named 2025 UFL MVP". www.theufl.com. Retrieved June 14, 2025.
- ^ "Michigan Panthers Quarterback Bryce Perkins Named 2025 UFL Offensive Player of the Year". www.theufl.com. Retrieved June 14, 2025.
- ^ "Michigan Panthers Specialist Kedrick Whitehead Jr. Named UFL 2025 Special Teams Player of the Year". www.theufl.com. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
- ^ "2025 Michigan Panthers Schedule". FBS Schedules. Retrieved June 26, 2023.