The Michigan Panthers were better late — despite entering Saturday at 1-4 against a 5-0 squad in Birmingham, Alabama, they stayed within one score of the Stallions for three quarters — but it wasn’t enough, as Birmingham scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter for a 33-17 victory.
Quarterback Shea Patterson (Michigan) went 3-for-7 for 13 yards on the Panthers’ first three drives, which resulted in a game-opening 56-yard field goal and two punts, then had to sit as a lightning strike in the area delayed the game. When the game resumed, Patterson was noticeably better, completing 21 of his final 28 passes for 186 yards, a touchdown and an interception.