Running back Toa Taua scored a touchdown with 1 second remaining then converted an extra-point try on another 1-yard run as the Michigan Panthers edged the host Arlington Renegades, 25-24, on Saturday afternoon.
Quarterback Bryce Perkins threw for 231 yards and a touchdown and ran for 60 yards and another score for the Panthers (5-2), who are in first place in the USFL Conference. His 12-yard touchdown pass to Malik Turner and accompanying three-point conversion pass to Turner, tied the game at 18 with 5:47 remaining in the game.
THE MICHIGAN PANTHERS WON AFTER A SECOND WAS PUT BACK ON THE CLOCK @TheUFL | @USFLPanthers pic.twitter.com/vo0LwNzijY
The Renegades jumped back in front with 2:01 to play on Luis Perez’s 10-yard scoring toss to Sal Cannella, but the point-after conversion pass failed.
On their final drive, the Panthers drove 60 yards on eight plays to reach the Renegades’ 11 with 12 seconds left. After an incomplete pass, Perkins scrambled 10 yards to Arlington’s 1 as the clock appeared to expire. But officials ruled the Panthers had called their final timeout with 1 second remaining, and lined up the ball at 1 for a final play, with Taua driving through the middle of the line. On the point-after try, Taua took the ball and rumbled off the left side of the line for the win.
Perez, a one-time Lions practice-squad QB, completed 25 of 34 passes for 314 yards and two touchdowns for Arlington (3-4).
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan Panthers move into 1st in conference after controversial victory in Texas
Reporting by Free Press staff and wire reports / Detroit Free Press
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