Generals earn first USFL win in 10-6 win over undefeated Panthers

The New Jersey Generals achieved their first victory in USFL After defeating the Michigan Panthers 10-6 on Friday night.

The Panthers, led by quarterback Shea Patterson, made a push late in the fourth quarter. Four seconds behind with only five seconds left on the clock at the 16-yard line, Patterson threw an incomplete pass to wide receiver Michelle Pettway, sealing the fate of Michigan.

Fanthers’ Joey Magnifico was taken off the field after an apparent lower body injury

The Generals were the first to score after relying heavily on running game to get the ball on the field. In New Jersey’s second possession, quarterback DeAndre Johnson chose to run the ball seven times. Kicker Nick Rose, who missed two field goals in Week 1, finished driving with a 21-yard field goal.

Trey Williams #3 of the New Jersey Generals runs with the ball as Galen Borrell #23 of the Michigan Panthers defends in the second quarter of a game at Protect Stadium on April 22, 2022 in Birmingham, Alabama.
(Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/USFL/Getty Images)

The Panthers’ attack struggled early in the first half, but Cameron Scarlett quickly changed the pace of the game after giving Luis Perez his first interception in the NFL. Orion Stewart had the Panthers touchdown only a few times later to lead 6-3 after a missed field goal.

But Stewart’s relegation would be Michigan’s only outcome in the game.

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Stevie Scott III #25 of Michigan Panthers is tackled by New Jersey Generals defensemen in the first quarter of a game at Protect Stadium on April 22, 2022 in Birmingham, Alabama.
(Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/USFL/Getty Images)

Darius Victor ran back and scored with minutes remaining in the first half to give the Generals a 10-6 lead.

Panthers tight end Joey Magnifico was sent off the field at kick-off after he was shown to endure what broadcasters described as a “serious” lower body injury.

He was put on a stretcher and taken off the field after players from both teams came to check on him. He was reportedly taken to an area hospital with injuries to the lower left leg.

Joey Magnifico #86 of the Michigan Panthers is taken off the field with an injury in the second quarter of a game against the New Jersey Generals at Protect Stadium on April 22, 2022 in Birmingham, Alabama.
(Photo by Jimmy Square/USFL/Getty Images)

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The USFL also released a new ball for Week 2. The game ball, which is the same size as an NFL regulatory ball, has a chip for tracking defeats but on Friday, ball players were given a different ball to use without the chip.