WR Hakeem Butler makes the catch on what proved to be the game-winning touchdown in the Battlehawks win over Michigan on Saturday. (Photo: Terrance Williams)

United Football League	1	2	3	4	Final
Michigan Panthers (3-2)	6	0	8	13	27
St. Louis Battlehawks (3-2)	3	14	3	12	32

Cedric Williams
Senior Editor

ST. LOUIS, MO — The St. Louis Battlehawks pulled out a thrilling 32-27 win over the Michigan Panthers in a back-and-forth United Football League game, Saturday evening at The Dome at America’s Center.

Another home crowd of more than 30,000 rowdy fans watched as the Battlehawks scored two spectacular fourth-quarter touchdowns — both on long passes to wide receiver Hakeem Butler — to outlast the visiting Panthers.

St. Louis led 17-6 at halftime and 20-6 midway through the third quarter, but Michigan scored touchdowns on consecutive drives late in the third and early in the fourth to take the lead 21-20.

That’s when the Battlehawks responded with a 67-yard scoring pass to Butler from quarterback Max Duggan, who was making his first start since taking over under center following the season-ending Achilles injury to previous starter Manny Wilkins.

Butler ran a double-move, slant-and-go that was so smooth, it made the defender covering him fall down. That left Butler so wide open, he was able to make the catch and cruise the rest of the way for an easy touchdown that put St. Louis back ahead 26-21.

The Panthers responded with an eight-play, 67-yard drive, which culminated with running back Toa Taua’s second touchdown of the day that gave the visitors a 27-26 lead.

St. Louis answered with a sensational trick play — a wide receiver pass from Blake Jackson (who played quarterback in college) to Butler — that went for 57 yards and gave the Battlehawks the lead again.

Michigan tried to rally, but the St. Louis defense stopped them on fourth down. Then, once the Battlehawks got the ball back, they ran out the clock to end the game.

Battlehawks QB Max Duggan evades a defender and runs downfield during Saturday’s UFL game against the Michigan Panthers. (Photo: Terrance Williams)

St. Louis scored first, on a 44-yard field goal by kicker Rodrigo Blankenship. Michigan followed with a touchdown pass from Bryce Perkins to Gunnar Oakes to go ahead 6-3.

The Battlehawks then got a pair of touchdown runs by Duggan, late in the second quarter, to go into halftime with a 17-6 lead. Duggan’s second touchdown, which came with 28 seconds left in the half, was set up by an interception and 37-yard return by safety Kameron Kelly.

Blankenship added his second field goal of the game — a 28-yarder, midway through the third quarter — to put St. Louis up 20-6, which set the stage for the exciting ending, where both teams kept scoring touchdowns and exchanging the lead until the Battlehawks took the lead for good with six minutes to go.

Taua led all rushers with 74 yards on 15 carries and the two touchdowns. Duggan led St. Louis with 70 rush yards. He was also a part of three touchdowns, with his two touchdown runs and the touchdown pass to Butler.

Butler finished the day with two catches for 124 yards and his two touchdowns. It was his first game back after suffering an injury in the Battlehawks’ first game of the season.

QB Max Duggan looks to throw a pass during Saturday’s Battlehawks game against the Michigan Panthers. (Photo: Terrance Williams)

The victory snapped St. Louis’ two-game losing streak and improved the Battlehawks’ record to 3-2. Michigan fell to 3-2.

The Battlehawks will be home again next week, when they’ll host the Arlington Renegades on Friday, May 2. Kickoff at The Dome is slated for 7 p.m., and the game will be televised nationally on FOX.

SCORING SUMMARY

Team	Qtr	Clock	Play	Score
STL	1	8:36	FIELD GOAL – Rodrigo Blankenship 44 yard field goal	0-3
MICH	1	3:58	TOUCHDOWN – Bryce Perkins 12 yd pass to Gunnar Oakes (1-pt attempt failed)	6-3
STL	2	5:40	TOUCHDOWN – Max Duggan 1 yd run (1-pt attempt failed)	6-9
STL	2	00:35	TOUCHDOWN – Max Duggan 8 yd run (Max Duggan 2-pt pass to Jake Sutherland)	6-17
STL	3	9:23	FIELD GOAL – Rodrigo Blankenship 28 yard field goal	6-20
MICH	3	2:59	TOUCHDOWN – Bryce Perkins 20 yd pass to Malik Turner (Bryce Perkins 2-pt pass to Cole Hikutini)	14-20
MICH	4	12:58	TOUCHDOWN – Toa Taua 5 yd run (Nate McCrary 1-pt run)	21-20
STL	4	12:05	TOUCHDOWN – Max Duggan 67 yd pass to Hakeem Butler (2-pt run failed)	21-26
MICH	4	6:56	TOUCHDOWN – Toa Taua 4 yd run (2-pt pass failed)	27-26
STL	4	6:12	TOUCHDOWN – Blake Jackson 57 yd pass to Hakeem Butler (2-pt pass failed)	27-32

2025 ST. LOUIS BATTLEHAWKS FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Date	Time	At	Opponent	Location	TV	Results
March 28, 2025 (Friday)	7 p.m.	Away	Houston Roughnecks	TDECU Stadium		W 31-6 (1-0)
April 6, 2025 (Sunday)	5:30 p.m.	Home	San Antonio Brahmas	The Dome at America’s Center		W 26-9 (2-0)
April 13, 2025 (Sunday)	2 p.m.	Home	DC Defenders	The Dome at America’s Center		L 27-15 (2-1)
April 19, 2025 (Saturday)	11 a.m.	Away	Arlington Renegades	Choctaw Stadium		L 30-15 (2-2)
April 26, 2025 (Saturday)	6 p.m.	Home	Michigan Panthers	The Dome at America’s Center		W 32-27 (3-2)
May 2, 2025 (Friday)	7 p.m.	Home	Arlington Renegades	The Dome at America’s Center
May 11, 2025 (Sunday)	2 p.m.	Away	Memphis Showboats	Liberty Stadium
May 17, 2025 (Saturday)	12 p.m.	Home	Birmingham Stallions	The Dome at America’s Center
May 23, 2025 (Friday)	7 p.m.	Home	San Antonio Brahmas	The Dome at America’s Center
May 30, 2025 (Friday)	7 p.m.	Away	DC Defenders	Audi Field