2025 Michigan Panthers season

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2025 Michigan Panthers season
General managerSteve Kazor
Head coachMike Nolan
Home stadiumFord Field
Results
Record6–4
Conference place2nd in USFL Conference
PlayoffsWon Conference Finals (at Birmingham Stallions) 44–29
Lost UFL Championship (at DC Defenders) 34–58
Uniform

The 2025 Michigan Panthers season was the fourth season for the Michigan Panthers as a professional American football franchise and the second season in the United Football League (UFL).[1] The Panthers played their home games at Ford Field and were led by third year head coach Mike Nolan. On October 3, 2025, it was announced that this season was the final year the team would play in the state of Michigan, and announced a relocation to a site named later.

The Panthers began the season 6–2 with quarterback Bryce Perkins winning UFL Offensive Player of the Week three times from weeks three through six. Perkins had an ankle injury that kept him out the final three weeks of the season. In week eight, quarterback Danny Etling had a three touchdown performance in a 30–18 playoff clinching victory over Houston.[2] Michigan dropped its final two games to finish 6–4. However, even if they won those games, they would not host the USFL Conference Championship Game due to a scheduling conflict.[3]

Michigan then went to Birmingham to play the Stallions in the USFL Conference Championship Game for the second consecutive year. Despite being 0–7 against the Stallions since 2022, the Panthers won 44–29, and clinched their first championship berth in team history. In the UFL Championship Game the Panthers played the DC Defenders and lost, 34–58. Wide receiver Malik Turner, who led the Panthers with four touchdown receptions in the regular season was dominant in the postseason. Against Birmingham, Turner had six receptions for 99 yards including a 76-yard touchdown. In the championship, Turner had a game high ten receptions for 168 yards and three touchdowns.[4]

On the season, quarterback Bryce Perkins won UFL Most Valuable Player, Offensive Player of the Year and was named All-UFL Team.[5][6] Running back Toa Taua led the league with six rushing touchdowns despite playing in just seven games. Wide receiver Siaosi Mariner led the league with 528 receiving yards. Offensively, the Panthers also had tight end Gunnar Oakes and lineman Ryan Nelson and Cohl Cabral named All-UFL.

Return specialist Xavier Malone led the league with 516 kick return yards while safety Kedrick Whitehead Jr. was named Special Teams Player of the Year and All-UFL.[7] The Panthers won Special Teams Player of the Week three times, which led the league. Devin Ross, Samson Nacua and Xavier Malone were all recipients. Defensively, cornerback Arnold Tarpley III was named All-UFL while cornerback DJ Miller earned Defensive Player of the Week.

Through the 2025 season, the Panthers are 13–7 in two seasons of UFL play. Overall, the Panthers are 19–21 in their four-year history. Head coach Mike Nolan has a 17–13 record over his three-year stint since taking over a 2–8 Panthers in 2022.

2025 Michigan Panthers roster
Quarterbacks (QB)

Running backs (RB)

Wide receivers (WR)

Tight ends (TE)

Offensive linemen (OL)
  • 73 Jake Burton G
  • 69 Cohl Cabral G
  • 78 Cam Carter T
  • 60 Victor Curne T
  • 77 Brian Dooley T
  • 61 Noah Johnson C
  • 75 Ryan Nelson G
  • 72 Chim Okorafor T
  • 76 Keith Russell T

Defensive linemen (DL)

Linebackers (LB)

Defensive backs (DB)

Special teams (ST)

Reserve

Rookies in italics
50 active, 7 reserve

Staff

Michigan Panthers staff

Front office

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches
  • Defensive coordinator/Defensive line – Collin Bauer
  • Linebackers – Christian Runza
  • Defensive backs – Brock Marion



Schedule

All times Eastern

Week Day Date Kickoff TV Opponent Results Location Attendance
Score Record
1 Sunday March 30 12:00 p.m. ESPN at Memphis Showboats W 26–12 1–0 Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium 4,373
2 Friday April 4 8:00 p.m. Fox Birmingham Stallions L 12–21 1–1 Ford Field 10,049
3 Sunday April 13 12:00 p.m. ABC San Antonio Brahmas W 26–23 2–1 Ford Field 11,013
4 Friday April 18 8:00 p.m. Fox Memphis Showboats W 27–9 3–1 Ford Field 9,674
5 Saturday April 26 7:00 p.m. ESPN at St. Louis Battlehawks L 27–32 3–2 The Dome at America's Center 30,406
6 Sunday May 4 12:00 p.m. ESPN DC Defenders W 38–14 4–2 Ford Field 11,653
7 Saturday May 10 1:00 p.m. Fox at Arlington Renegades W 25–24 5–2 Choctaw Stadium 9,963
8 Saturday May 17 1:00 p.m. Fox at Houston Roughnecks W 30–18 6–2 Space City Financial Stadium 4,007
9 Saturday May 24 3:00 p.m. ABC at Birmingham Stallions L 22–26 6–3 Protective Stadium 10,344
10 Saturday May 31 3:00 p.m. ESPN Houston Roughnecks L 12–19 6–4 Ford Field 16,014

[8]

Standings

Postseason

References

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