The Michigan Panthers secured their first victory of the season with a dominant 25-0 shutout over the winless Oklahoma Outlaws at the Silver Dome. Led by quarterback Bobby Hebert, who earned MVP honors, the Panthers controlled the game from start to finish. Michigan’s defense set the tone early with a safety by Brent Williams, and Novo Bojovic added two field goals in the first half to give Michigan an 8-0 lead at the break. The Panthers’ offense came alive in the second half, with Hebert connecting on touchdown passes to Anthony Carter and Allen to seal the win.
Michigan’s defense was stellar, limiting Oklahoma to just 166 yards of total offense and sacking Doug Williams six times. The Outlaws’ offense struggled throughout the game, with their running game held to a mere 33 yards on 17 carries. Doug Williams was under constant pressure, completing only 14 of 31 passes for 176 yards and an interception. Oklahoma’s inability to sustain drives was evident, as they converted just 3 of 13 third-down attempts and were shut out in the red zone.
My statistical analysis highlights Michigan’s efficiency on both sides of the ball. The Panthers dominated time of possession, holding the ball for over 34 minutes, and their defense forced Oklahoma into 10 punts. Michigan’s offense, while not explosive, was effective, with Hebert’s 96.4 passer rating reflecting his smart decision-making and timely throws. The Panthers’ balanced attack, with 146 rushing yards and 219 passing yards, kept the Outlaws’ defense off-balance and unable to mount a comeback. This victory could serve as a turning point for Michigan as they look to build momentum in the coming weeks.
