Panthers lean into defense to get past Defenders 22-9

Matthew Colburn II rushed for 137 yards, Wes Hills and Brian Lewerke each scored rushing touchdowns and the visiting Michigan Panthers earned a 22-9 victory Sunday over the DC Defenders.

The Panthers (5-2) were the ones doing the defending by holding the Defenders to three points in the second half to extend their season-best winning streak to three games.

Bryce Perkins made his Panthers debut in place of Lewerke at quarterback and went 11 of 13 for 116 yards. Perkins played in five games for the Los Angeles Rams in 2022.

Jordan Ta'amu was 10-of-14 passing for 127 yards and a touchdown as the Defenders (3-4) lost for the third time in their past four games. DC was held to 58 rushing yards, while Michigan gained 187 yards on the ground.

Hills and Lewerke each scored their rushing TDs in the first quarter as the Panthers took a 13-0 lead. They extended their advantage to 22-6 in the third quarter on Jake Bates' third field goal of the game.