Bryce Perkins helps Panthers rout Defenders

Field Level Media|published: 05/04/2025, 4:17pm EDT

Apr 24, 2024; Detroit, MI, USA; A general overall aerial view of Ford Field. The stadium is the home of the Detroit Lions. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Bryce Perkins accounted for three total touchdowns and Toa Taua added 94 rushing yards and a score as the Michigan Panthers dominated the DC Defenders 38-14 on Sunday in Detroit.

Perkins completed 13 of 18 passes for 188 yards, including TD throws to Cole Hikutini and Malik Turner, and the quarterback added nine carries for 76 yards with a 5-yard score for Michigan (4-2).

The Panthers led 7-6 before scoring a pair of TDs sandwiched around B.T. Potter's 45-yard field goal. First, Perkins hit Hikutini deep for a 35-yard strike, and after halftime, Nate McCrary plunged in from the 1-yard line to help put his team up 24-6.

Midway through the third quarter, DC quarterback Jordan Ta'amu connected with Chris Rowland for a 65-yard touchdown and added a two-point conversion throw to Briley Moore-McKinney, but it was all Michigan the rest of the way.

Ta'amu went 19-for-36 passing for 259 yards and two touchdowns for the Defenders (4-2). Rowland led all receivers with nine catches for 144 yards.

--Field Level Media