2023 Michigan Panthers season
They improved upon their 2–8 record from the previous season and reached the playoffs where they lost to the Pittsburgh Maulers in the USFL North Division Championship Game in overtime.
The previous iteration of the Michigan Panthers had them playing in the Pontiac Silverdome, which was also home to the Detroit Lions.
[3] Prior to the draft order being complete, the Panthers played the Pittsburgh Maulers in the last week of the 2022 season.
[40] Running backs (RB) Wide receivers (WR) Tight ends (TE) Defensive linemen (DL) Defensive backs (DB) Special teams Reserve On February 3, 2023, head coach Jeff Fisher stepped down to "spend more time with family".
The Gamblers responded with a long drive capped off with a 2-yard rushing touchdown from T.J. Pledger to tie the game at 6–6.
Panthers quarterback, Josh Love, set a USFL record for highest completion percentage in a game, with 90.0%.
After trading punts, Stars kicker Aguilar attempted a 46-yard field goal, but it too failed to cross between the uprights.
After getting the ball back, the Panthers quickly drove 64 yards down the field to score on a Josh Love 36-yard pass to tight end Cole Hikutini to go up 7–3.
However, with 1:01 left, Stars quarterback Case Cookus threw an interception, setting the Panthers up at Philadelphia's 27 yard line.
They failed to convert, leading to a Cole Murphy 36-yard field goal to put the Panthers up 10–3 at halftime.
After the Panthers got the ball back to start the second half, quarterback Josh Love threw an interception.
The Stars capitalized by driving down and scoring a touchdown with a Matt Colburn 1-yard rush to tie up the game 10–10.
The Panthers capitalized with a 52-yard rushing touchdown by Corbin on the third play of the ensuing drive, stretching their lead to 24–10, which would be the final score.
Panthers running back, Reggie Corbin, earning an Offensive Player of the Week nomination by rushing for 131 yards and two touchdown on 11 receptions.
Along with Corbin, punter Kyle Kramer also earned a Special Teams Player of the Week nomination, going 3/3 on extra points and 1/2 on field goals.
On the third play of the drive, quarterback Johnson stepped up, but fumbled the ball for Walter Palmore to recover, the first turnover of the game.
Quarterback Josh Love also played poorly, throwing 48.4% completion percentage and one interception, culminating in a 42.5 passer rating.
However, they immediately stalled out, electing for Alex Kessman to kick a 54-yard field goal, which he made to give Memphis an early 3–0.
The Panthers answered by constructing a slow and methodical drive, taking 14 plays to get on the board with a 24-yard field goal from Cole Murphy.
On 2nd and goal from the Memphis 3 yard line, Love rolled out to his left and threw a touchdown pass to Joe Walker to put the Panthers in a one score deficit at 10–16.
After gaining a first down, quarterback Love stepped back to pass, but was sacked by Jeff McCulloch, who forced a fumble.
With the excellent field position, the Panthers took 5 plays to score a touchdown with a Josh Love pass to Cole Hikutini.
On the first play of their ensuing drive, quarterback Williams threw 28-yards to Isiah Hennie, putting them at the 13 yard line.
On the Maulers ensuing drive, they took just four plays to score with a Troy Williams 13-yard rush to extend their lead to 23–7.
Despite their poor performance, defensive lineman Breeland Speaks exploded for 2.5 sacks, sending his season total to 6.5.
With a chance to respond, the Stallions quickly drove downfield, only capturing a first down on a Alex McGough 28-yard rush.
They would eventually score on a 25-yard field goal nearly 8 minutes after beginning the drive to take a 6–3 lead.
at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium In Week 7, the Panthers will visit the New Jersey Generals.
