Michigan Panthers fall to New Orleans Breakers, 31-27, in USFL's first overtime game
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FULL RECAP: Read how the Michigan Panthers fought back but ultimately fell Saturagainst the New Orleans Breakers.
USFL: Michigan Panthers (1-5) vs. New Orleans Breakers (4-2)
When: 9 p.m. Saturday.
Where: Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Alabama.
TV: FS1.
Line: Breakers by 5½.
SHEA IT AIN'T SO: Panthers cut ex-Wolverines QB Shea Patterson
LAST WEEK: Panthers fall to 1-5 with 33-17 loss to unbeaten Birmingham Stallions
Game notes: Honestly, it’s a plot twist we’d expect out of the USFL’s predecessor (and perhaps successor, too) in the spring, the XFL — the Panthers cut the No. 1 overall pick in the draft (former Wolverines quarterback Shea Patterson), only for him to wind up on the roster of their opponent that very same week. And yet, here we are, with Patterson set to suit up for the Breakers against the Panthers tonight.
But don’t worry, he probably won’t see much action, as the Breakers have had one of the USFL’s top passing attacks. That’s thanks to the arm of former Lions QB Kyle Sloter, who has completed 57.7% of his passes for 1,318 yards, seven touchdowns and seven interceptions. (Look, we said “former Lions QB” ... what did you expect?) Meanwhile, expect Josh Love, formerly of San Jose State, to start under center for the Panthers. Love was released by Pittsburgh a couple weeks ago after passing for 440 yards with the Maulers.
Expect another run-heavy attack from the Panthers, who still have running back Reggie Corbin. The former Illinois running back is third in the league with 408 rushing yards over five games.
Despite having just one win, the Panthers are just two games out of second place in the North Division, with the top two teams in each division making the playoffs next month in Canton, Ohio. Michigan finishes the season with three straight against North rivals, beginning with the Philadelphia Stars at noon Sunday, June 5. The Stars won the first meeting between the teams, 26-25, on a missed 21-yard field goal as time expired. Meanwhile, the Breakers will try to chase down a spot in the four-team USFL playoffs against undefeated Birmingham on Saturday, June 4.
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Contact Ryan Ford at rford@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @theford.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan Panthers lose to New Orleans, 31-27 (OT): Game thread replay
