For the first time in nearly 40 years, the USFL’s Michigan Panthers have returned to their home city of Detroit. As a founding team of the USFL back in 1983, the Panthers’ first season as a franchise saw a championship banner hoisted into the rafters of the Pontiac Silver Dome. Just two years later, the team ceased to exist. Since that day, Detroit spring football fans have been eager to see their beloved champions return home.

When the USFL relaunched in the spring of 2022, the Panthers were announced as one of the first eight founding members. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic kept them away from making their long-awaited return to Motown, as each game was played in the hub of Birmingham, Alabama. After a successful 2022 season, the league decided to expand its regional hubs in 2023, with Detroit being named soon after.

Now, with an unprecedented turnaround after a miserable 2022 campaign to an undefeated start in 2023 under new head coach Mike Nolan, the Panthers finally set foot inside Ford Field to thunderous applause from the fans at the game.

The new home of the USFL's Michigan Panthers, in Detroit Michigan.

The new home of the Michigan Panthers, Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan – Raj Mehta/ USA Today Sports

USFL’s Michigan Panthers Upended By the New Jersey Generals in Return to Detroit

The Panthers wasted no time in starting their homecoming campaign, easily piecing their way down the field before a sack forced them to settle for three. After taking the early lead, fans erupted in cheers, causing Ford Field to echo. Obviously, the Detroit faithful has clearly missed their team. “Let’s go Panthers,” was heard all day long without pause. Homefield advantage has never been so true in the USFL, as Panthers fans created the loudest and most difficult to-play-in environment within the league.

Slip concepts killed the Panthers early, as the misdirection clearly made the Panthers’ defense lose their footing leading to an early touchdown from the Generals to take a seven-to-three lead. As the Panthers returned to offense, their woes continued as they struggled to move the ball. After Panthers’ quarterback, Josh Love completed a pass to receiver Joe Walker, New Jersey Generals linebacker Chris Orr stood over Walker while he lay on the ground, causing a strong reaction from Walker and the crowd. Once more, Detroit was fired up for this matchup.

As they took the field again, it was apparent the Panthers’ defense had no clue how to stop Generals quarterback De’Andre Johnson. He broke a massive run on an option keeper down to the nine-yard line before running it in himself on a bootleg, much to the frustration of Panthers fans. The struggles continued all throughout the first, with multiple three-and-outs haunting the Panthers’ offense. Defensively, it wasn’t better either, as the Panthers continuously allowed chunk play runs that took New Jersey down the field.

Midway through the second quarter, struggling quarterback Josh Love was replaced by former Nevada star Carson Strong, leading to the Panthers’ first third-down conversion of the game. From there, the offense kept rolling, as Strong threw a strike to receiver Trey Quinn who danced his way past the Generals’ defense for a touchdown. Ford Field erupted when seeing the first Panthers touchdown in Detroit in nearly 40 years.

After a shaky first half, the Panthers defense came out swinging, forcing a quick three-and-out for the Generals. Josh Love came back in for the Panthers and got their offense off to a roll as well, driving down the field but being forced to settle for three. Still looking much better than the first half, the defense continued to step up their game, forcing a fumble late in the third, giving the Panthers a chance to take the lead.

After the offense began to drive into Generals territory, Josh Love threw an atrocious interception handing the ball right back. This led to a one-play touchdown drive in which De’Andre Johnson found a wide-open Alonzo Moore streaking down the sideline. Unfortunately, that was the final nail in the coffin as the Panthers found themselves in too deep of a hole to climb out of. Head Coach Mike Nolan said,

A Spoiled of Homecoming With a Silver Lining

After the team’s first loss of the year, the Michigan Panthers took comfort in the welcoming Detroit fans embracing their long-lost team with open arms. Ford Field was alive for the USFL’s return. Coming from all over to back their squad, the attendance, what looked to be around 7,500, was noticeable compared to the rest of the regional hubs.

The team obviously felt the same, with head coach Mike Nolan saying, “I thought they were awesome (the fans in Detroit). To be frank with you that’s one of the disappointments I have is not being able to deliver a better showing for the people that were here.”  Enjoying the atmosphere, the team fed off the crowd throughout the entire matchup but couldn’t deliver the result fans wanted.

With spring football officially back in the Motor City, Detroit will see the Panthers’ next three games before their final road stretch of the year. Head coach Mike Nolan said, “I hope they (the fans) come back to support us because we are a much better football team than we just showed.” Panthers’ fans better continue to show and support their team to maximize that home-field advantage, establish Detroit as a worthwhile spring football hub, and of course, enjoy the festivities the league has to offer.

USFL's Michigan Panthers playing at Ford Field in Detroit.

The Michigan Panthers return home to play in front of an excited Detroit fanbase. – Sam Goodman/Defiant Takes Football

USFL Draftees: Reinforcements Still Delayed

Back in February, the league embarked on its second collegiate draft. With it occurring before the NFL draft, teams had to make educated guesses on players that would go undrafted and unsigned from the NFL but were strong enough athletes to make an impact on their rosters. With the Panthers having the first pick in the draft once more, they selected Jared Horst, an offensive tackle from Michigan State. With only one Panthers’ draftee signing with the team before the draft, Santrell Laitham, the third-round pick out of Southern Mississippi, the organization was hoping to add more of their rookies to the roster.

With multiple draft picks signing with NFL teams as undrafted free agents and even a few being drafted, the Panthers will still need to wait a little while longer to gain some of those prospects.

With a successful opening weekend for the Panthers and the USFL at Ford Field, the team will return to action on May 6th with another home matchup against the Memphis Showboats.