The Houston Gamblers continued their dominant start to the season with a resounding 49-24 victory over the Michigan Panthers at the Silverdome. Jim Kelly led the charge for the Gamblers, throwing for 329 yards and four touchdowns, including a pair of long strikes to Ricky Sanders and Gerald McNeil. Special teams played a crucial role as well, with Clarence Verdin returning two kickoffs for touchdowns, one for 98 yards and another for 100 yards, giving Houston a spark each time the Panthers seemed poised to rally.
Michigan, despite outgaining Houston with 500 total yards, struggled to capitalize on their opportunities, turning the ball over five times. Bobby Hebert threw for 364 yards and three touchdowns, with Derek Holloway emerging as his top target, catching two of those scores. However, the Panthers’ defense had no answer for Kelly’s aerial attack, allowing big plays that kept the Gamblers comfortably ahead throughout the game.
Houston’s defense bent but didn’t break, forcing three interceptions and recovering two fumbles to stifle Michigan’s comeback attempts. The Gamblers’ offense was efficient, converting their red zone opportunities into touchdowns on both of their trips. With the win, Houston remains undefeated at 4-0, while Michigan falls to 1-3, searching for answers as the season progresses.
