Michigan Panthers Destroy Memphis Showboats

The Memphis Showboats go through their second coaching shakeup of the year. They looked disjointed on defense as the Michigan Panthers drubbed them 27-9. QB Troy Williams was the Showboats starter this week. He had shown promise, and he led the Boats to a quick TD. However, the lack of a run game plus a relentless Panther pass rush blocked his efforts. So, it was downhill from there for the winless Showboats.

5 Takeaways:

1.  A QB change is not the answer for the Showboats. The Showboats replaced Perry this game, and Williams was good, but the Memphis defense did not help enough. An interception was on a freakish play, detailed next.
2.  Play of the Game was the 3^rd quarter interception by Arnold Tarpley. In a weird play, the ball was wrestled away from Elijah Stove as he contacted the ground.  Since the catch wasn’t completed, the ball didn’t touch the ground, and it was an interception. Commentators noted “it was a backbreaker” after it being a long drive for the Showboats. After this point, the Panthers led 14-9 and were never overtaken.
3. Coaching uncertainty is a huge problem for the Showboats. Amazingly, this is only the 4^th game for the Showboats, but they’ve had 3 different play-callers in those games. Noel Mazzone came in midweek as the offensive coordinator and called plays in this game. Coach Ken Whisenhunt resigned midweek, and offensive line coach Jim Turner took over as head coach. The turnovers continued for the Showboats, worst in the league for turnovers.
4. The Panthers looked structured and solid.  Time after time the defense hung up the Showboats, not just with stops but tackles for losses. Frank Ginda for the Panthers had 7 solo tackles and 6 assists. But the main asset was they dominated the line and harassed the Showboat’s quarterbacks. Plus the Michigan defense was able to give a great coverage package because their base rushers kept the Showboat’s quarterbacks flustered.
5. The indecision from coaching meant for the third of four games Memphis played both quarterbacks. Even though neither quarterback has broken out over these 4 games, neither quarterback developed a rhythm. Fans at this point are just saying flip a coin and stick with it.

The Showboats try to regroup a distracted and tumultuous front office season. Mazzone is a known entity as an offensive coordinator. They again try for their first win against the formidable Birmingham Stallions at Birmingham. The Panthers take their UFL juggernaut to the St. Louis Battlehawks (home of the Beer Snake).