In a surprising turn of events, the Michigan Panthers have officially clinched the 2023 USFL playoffs. The Panthers defeated the Philadelphia Stars 23-20 in a must-win game. The biggest surprise of the game is that the Panthers made a quarterback change in the final week of the USFL when the team needed a win. A change this late in the season with playoffs on the line is rare, but they got the win. Here is a look at the Michigan Panthers studs and duds in week ten.
Michigan Panthers Studs
Former West Virginia WR Marcus Simms (8) – John Weast/Getty Images
Marcus Simms
Wide receiver Marcus Simms was a big reason that the Michigan Panthers got the win. If he did not play as well as he did, the team may not have clinched playoffs. The reason that Simms stood out the way he did is because of his kick return yards. The receiver had four returns for 167 yards, according to the USFL. His longest return was for 67 yards, which was so close to a touchdown. He averaged 41.8 yards per return, which is a big help to the offense.
Simms actually never had a reception; he was utilized solely as a return man. It is still great that he played this well returning the ball, and hopefully, for the Panthers, he can keep this up next week. The special teams as a whole had a great game for the Panthers and will hopefully keep that up next week.
Breeland Speaks
The Panthers’ defensive end had Breeland Speaks in a strong game against the Philadelphia Stars. The defense as a whole played fairly well despite the Stars putting up 20 points. Even if Speaks did not make the tackle, he was constantly in the Stars’ quarterback’s face. This pressure led to incompletions or limited yards given up. Speaks ended the game with six combined tackles, three of which were solo, according to the USFL. This could have been more, but Cookus was able to let go of the ball before being hit.
Speaks just missed out on getting a sack in week ten but will have another chance next week. If Speaks is able to get that sack, the team should be able to make it to the USFL’s championship game.
Michigan Panthers Duds
Former Brown QB EJ Perry (4) – G Fiume/Getty Images
E.J. Perry
Interestingly, the Michigan Panthers made a quarterback switch in the final week of the game. Perry has been on the team for less than three weeks, yet got the start. Some of the mistakes are not completely on him. With a short amount of time on a team in a game with a lot of pressure, it would be hard on any quarterback. Perry ended the game with 12 completions out of 23 attempts, according to the USFL. He totaled 121 passing yards and managed not to throw any interceptions. If Perry starts again next week, these stats can be expected to be better.
Perry did well with rushing the ball and was actually the team’s leading rusher. Perry ended the game with ten rushing attempts for 48 yards and one touchdown. All he needs to do is improve the passing game, and he will improve by next week.
Reggie Corbin
The run game for the Panthers struggled. Running back Reggie Corbin could not get anything going against the Stars. Corbin had 12 rushing attempts for 24 yards, according to the USFL. This leads him to averaging just two yards per attempt. The Stars’ defense hounded him, and Corbin could not get around it. The Panthers will need to improve their run game next week if they want to get the win.
The Michigan Panthers will go on to face the Pittsburgh Maulers in the USFL’s 2023 playoffs. The Panthers found their momentum late in the win and have a solid chance to make it to the USFL championship game. The Panthers will end their regular season with a 5-5 record, but that no longer matters. The team’s focus will now be on the playoffs.
