It was a matchup of the two winless teams in the league with the Michigan Panthers dominating en route to their first win.
Quarterback Paxton Lynch had his first start of the season, helping the Panthers get out to a quick start. The first drive of the game ended with running back Stevie Scott III scoring. Lynch then found the end zone himself, getting Michigan out to a 16-0 lead before going out of the game in the first quarter with ankle issues.
Shea Patterson took over, going on to complete eight of 17 passes for 49 yards and leading Michigan to a scoring drive late in the fourth quarter.
The Panthers offense continued their reliance on the ground game. Running back Reggie Corbin led the team in rushing, with 133 yards and a touchdown, his first of the season.
Michigan’s defense shined, with the first shutout of the USFL season. Previously, the Maulers were the only team who failed to score a touchdown during their opening weekend loss to the Tampa Bay Bandits, 17-3.
Head coaches for Pittsburgh Maulers and Michigan Panthers
Different coaching styles were on display in this matchup. Defensive-minded Michigan head coach Jeff Fisher spent 22 years as an NFL head coach with the Oilers/Titans and Rams. This is his first head coaching job since leaving the Rams during the 2016 season. Meanwhile, offensive-minded Kirby Wilson leads the Maulers. This is the 60-year-old’s first time being a head coach at any level. Wilson spent 23 years in the NFL as a running back coach for eight different organizations.
Maulers vs. Panthers score, results, highlights
Final score: Michigan Panthers 24, Pittsburgh Maulers 0
1st quarter, 11:43 (Panthers): S.Scott rushed left end to PIT End Zone for 6 yards. S.Scott for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN. TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. P.Lynch rushed up the middle to PIT 2 for yards. TWO-POINT ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
1st quarter, 5:35 (Panthers): P.Lynch rushed up the middle to PIT End Zone for 1 yards. P.Lynch for 1 yards, TOUCHDOWN. TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. C.Scarlett rushed up the middle to PIT 2 for yards. TWO-POINT ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
4th quarter, 4:12 (Panthers): R.Corbin rushed up the middle to PIT End Zone for 4 yards. R.Corbin for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. S.Patterson rushed to PIT 2 for yards. TWO-POINT ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
Maulers vs. Panthers reaction and coverage
5:30 p.m. EST: That’ll do it! The Panthers shutout the Maulers to win their first game of the season.
First W ✅🐾
First Shutout ✅🐾#LetsHunt pic.twitter.com/Ouavr8hrpD— Michigan Panthers (@USFLPanthers) May 1, 2022
5:29 p.m. EST: Corbin on the run! The running back has a 64-yard rush to put Michigan down at the Pittsburgh 25-yard line with 0:29 left on the clock.
5:16 p.m. EST: Michigan ends a 12-play drive with a touchdown to extend their lead late in the fourth quarter. Running back Reggie Corbin had the carry into the end zone for his first touchdown of the season. Neither team has scored since the first quarter.
.@ReggieCorbin walks right into the end zone for the touchdown‼️🐾
📺: @USA_Network pic.twitter.com/GicxtPmANE
— Michigan Panthers (@USFLPanthers) May 1, 2022
The Panthers are successful on another two-point attempt. Michigan 24, Pittsburgh 0 with 4:08 left to play.
4:50 p.m. EST: The Maulers convert on fourth-and-five to keep their drive alive as the third quarter comes to an end. Michigan leads 16-0 as neither team has scored since the first quarter.
4:44 p.m. EST: Pittsburgh defensive tackle Darrius Moragne is carted off the field due to injury.
Players from both sides show support for Darrius Moragne as he is carted off due to injury 🙏❤️ pic.twitter.com/QkbgeoVCuf
— USFL (@USFL) May 1, 2022
4:35 p.m. EST: Michigan’s defense responds to the blocked punt as Pittsburgh fails to convert on fourth-and-one. The Panthers will takeover at their own 19-yard line with 5:10 remaining in the third quarter.
A BIG fourth down stop has coach HYPED 😤
📺: @USA_Network pic.twitter.com/0C5yrfczvk
— Michigan Panthers (@USFLPanthers) May 1, 2022
4:32 p.m. EST: Michael Carrizosa’s punt is blocked by Carlo Kemp. Pittsburgh will have the ball at the Michigan 28-yard line. Could be this opportunity the Maulers need to jumpstart their offense after a scoreless first half?
🚫 BLOCKED 🚫
Carlo Kemp knows how to #DropTheHammer 🔨
📺: @USA_Network pic.twitter.com/dawj2Agccd
— Pittsburgh Maulers (@USFLMaulers) May 1, 2022
4:25 p.m. EST: A third field goal attempt for Pittsburgh is unsuccessful as Ramiz Ahmed’s 59-yard attempt is no good.
4:12 p.m. EST: And the second half is underway from Protective Stadium!
3:57 p.m. EST: Time runs out on Michigan’s last drive of the half; the Panthers got down to the Pittsburgh 17 before the clock ran out. After a scoreless second quarter, Michigan leads 16-0.
The Maulers were also scoreless in the first half of their opening game, where they lost 17-3 to the Tampa Bay Bandits. Meanwhile, the Panthers previously had a combined six points in the first half of their first two games.
3:39 p.m. EST: Michigan continues their non-kicking strategy, going for it on fourth-and-nine. Their attempt is unsuccessful and the Panthers turnover on downs at the Pittsburgh 29-yard line.
3:31 p.m. EST: Ramiz Ahmed’s 46-yard field goal attempt for Pittsburgh is tipped. Michigan maintains their lead halfway through the second quarter.
3:18 p.m. EST: That’s the end of the first quarter! Michigan 16, Pittsburgh 0.
2:58 p.m. EST: Pittsburgh fumbles the ball on the punt return and Joseph Putu recovers for the Panthers at the Pittsburgh five-yard line.
PANTHERS BALL ON THE 5️⃣ YARD LINE
📺: @USA_Network pic.twitter.com/eH9EkmmROY
— Michigan Panthers (@USFLPanthers) May 1, 2022
Michigan’s offense capitalizes on the opportunity as Paxton Lynch rushes into the end zone. Another successful two-point attempt puts the Panthers up 16-0.
2:44 p.m. EST: Touchdown Panthers! Quarterback Paxton Lynch ran for 20 yards on third-and-10 to keep this first drive alive for Michigan. Panthers offense is able to finish, with running back Stevie Scott III rushing into the end zone to put Michigan on the board first.
The Panthers’ two-point attempt is successful. Michigan 8, Pittsburgh 0 with 11:36 remaining in the first quarter.
Related: 2022 USFL Rules: Overtime changes, 3-point conversions, forward passes and more
Too easy for @Steviescott8_ 😤
Panthers strike first 🐾 pic.twitter.com/mIoYIbS3N1
— Michigan Panthers (@USFLPanthers) May 1, 2022
2:31 p.m. EST: And we’re ready for kick-off!
This is going to be fun 🍿
Who is coming out with the first W of the day, @USFLMaulers or @USFLPanthers? pic.twitter.com/yGEyfjEp8P
— USFL (@USFL) May 1, 2022
Everything you need to know about the USFL:
- 2022 USFL TV Schedule: Dates and times for the 10-week inaugural football season
- Everything you need to know about the 2022 USFL Season: Teams, key dates, TV schedule, how to watch, and more
- 2022 USFL Rules: Overtime changes, 3-point conversions, forward passes and moreSubscribe:
- 2022 USFL schedule Week 3: How to watch/live stream this weekend’s spring football games
What time and channel is the Maulers vs Panthers on?
RELATED: How to watch the Pittsburgh Maulers vs Michigan Panthers
- When: Sunday, May 1 at 2:30 p.m. ET on USA Network
- Where: Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Alabama