2025 UFL Season: Week 1 Michigan Panthers at Memphis Showboats Game Preview
The Jim Turner era begins in Memphis as the Showboats host the Michigan Panthers Sunday afternoon.
Michigan enters the 2025 season with high momentum after being one half away from winning the USFL Conference championship against the Birmingham Stallions. After a 7-3 record, head coach Mike Nolan returns for his third season with the team.
There was hope for significant change in Memphis with the arrival of a new head coach, Ken Whisenhunt, and a new general manager, Jim Monos, who took over a 2-8 team from the previous season. All that changed last week with Whisenhunt stepping down due to a personal matter and Turner taking over as the interim head coach.
Game Details
Location: Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Memphis, Tennessee
Date and Time: Sunday, March 30 at 11:00 am CST
Network: ESPN
Betting Odds via DraftKings: Panthers -7, O/U
Panthers Inactives
Panthers wide receiver Jaylon Moore showed up on the injury report this week as he was dealing with a left wrist injury and was limited in practice. Offensive tackle Keith Russell was also limited in practice this week as he had a left shoulder injury.
Showboats Inactives
No major injury concerns for the Showboats as only three players showed up with defensive lineman Boogie Roberts (right knee) and wide receivers Dee Anderson (left ankle) and Jonathan Adams (left foot). All are active for the game.
Depth Charts
The Panthers are leading off with Bryce Perkins as the starting quarterback after joining the team last year, with the position being hammered by injuries in 2024. At running back, it’s Nate McCrary taking the starting job over long-time spring football veteran Matthew Colburn.
Memphis had its quarterback battle with former Panther E.J. Perry winning the job over Troy Williams. The Showboats' defense will have a new look with former Pittsburgh Maulers defensive coordinator Jarren Horton taking over the unit. The secondary will feature Mark Gilbert, Eli Walker, and Roberts in starting roles, similar to their days in Pittsburgh.
Keys to Panthers Win
Michigan was one of the most balanced attacks in the UFL, but their strength on offense was running the ball. Perkins is an athletic quarterback who can roll out of the pocket to make all the throws. A lot of play action and running it up the middle for the Panthers in this game.
This game will feature the Panthers’ defense adapting to the flow as fans eagerly await a glimpse of what Memphis' offense will bring. Kai Nacua was a turnover machine last season, so creating Showboats mistakes is one way to throw them off balance. Watch out for Breeland Speaks to get pressure on the quarterback and Frank Ginda to be a run stopper at linebacker.
Keys to Showboats WIn
Memphis has a quarterback who can also use his feet, so get him moving in the pocket and lean on the running game. Running back Deneric Prince should receive a high volume of touches on the ground and be utilized in the short pass and screen game to open up the passing game.
This Showboats defense might be the most underrated unit in the UFL, thanks in part to Horton, who is a great scheme runner on that side of the ball. The return of Roberts is significant for spring football as he is one of the premier run stoppers at tackle. Memphis’s secondary is much improved from last year, but the Showboats have to force Michigan to be one-dimensional and throw the ball more to Memphis’s strength.
Prediction
Coaching changes are tough, especially when they happen less than a week before the season starts. Memphis is at a disadvantage, and it’s a shame because Whisenhunt helped change the team’s culture from where it was last year. Michigan is poised for another playoff run and has a chance to take down the big dogs in Birmingham. The Panthers seem to be clear winners in Week 1 and ready to finally make the league title game.
