| 2025 Michigan Panthers season | |
|---|---|
| General manager | Steve Kazor |
| Head coach | Mike Nolan |
| Home stadium | Ford Field |
| Results | |
| Record | 6–4 |
| Conference place | 2nd in USFL Conference |
| Playoffs | Won Conference Finals (at Birmingham Stallions) 44–29 Lost UFL Championship (at DC Defenders) 34–58 |
| Uniform | |
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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.
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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.
