Michigan Panthers struggle offensively, fall to 0-2 with 10-6 loss to Generals

Former Michigan Wolverines quarterback Shea Patterson and the Michigan Panthers struggled offensively in a 10-6 loss against the New Jersey Generals to fall to 0-2 in the 2022 USFL season Friday night at Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Alabama.

Patterson finished 14-for-29 for 124 yards and no touchdowns for the Panthers. 

Generals defensive end Kolin Hill came up with a huge play early in the opening quarter, sacking Patterson as he stepped back to pass. On the ensuing drive, the Generals got on the board with a 21-yard field goal by Nick Rose to take a 3-0 lead with 5:25 left in the first quarter. 

USFL Week 2: Panthers-Generals top plays

In the second quarter, Generals quarterback Luis Perez was picked off at midfield by Orion Stewart, and Panthers running back Cameron Scarlett scored on a four-yard TD run on the following drive to grab a 6-3 advantage at 13:39. Kicker Michael Carrizosa missed the extra point.

Scarlett carried the ball nine times for 22 yards and the Panthers' only touchdown. 

The lead didn't last long as Perez led a 11-play, 67-yard drive that was capped off with running back Darius Victor punching it in for the score from two yards out to give the Generals a 10-6 lead in the second quarter.

In the second half, both teams missed field goals, Carrizosa from 39 yards late in the third quarter and Rose from 34 yards at 13:29 in the fourth quarter.

Victor finished with a game-high 40 yards on 11 carries for New Jersey (1-1). The winless Panthers will face the Pittsburgh Maulers (0-1) on May 1 at 2:30 p.m.