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). 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. 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.https://www.theufl.com/news/ufl-announces-birmingham-to-host-usfl-conference-championship-game-on-june-8
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.
On the season, quarterback Bryce Perkins won UFL Most Valuable Player, Offensive Player of the Year and was named All-UFL Team. 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. 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.
Final roster
Staff
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
Standings
Postseason Schedule Week Day Date Kickoff TV Opponent Results Location Attendance Score Record USFL Conference Championship Sunday June 8 3:00 p.m. ABC at Birmingham Stallions W 44–29 1–0 Protective Stadium 10,928 UFL Championship Saturday June 14 8:00 p.m. ABC vs. DC Defenders L 34–58 1–1 The Dome at America's Center 14,558
References