Dormady Shines in Debut, Brahmas Best Panthers 19-9

SAN ANTONIO, Texas – San Antonio Brahmas Quarterback Quinten Dormady made his first UFL start Saturday night and looked to pick up right where he left off at the conclusion of the XFL 2023 season. Dormady completed 23-of-37 passes for 269 yards, one touchdown and one interception to lead the Brahmas (3-1) to a 19-9 victory over the Michigan Panthers (2-2) on Saturday at The Alamodome. 

Dormady, who led the XFL  2023 in completion percentage, completed 62 percent of his passes connecting with nine different receivers. Two Brahmas’ receivers tallied 5+ catches and over 100 yards: Justin Smith (7-107) and Jontre Kirklin (5-105). 

Dormady quickly made his presence known early with a 39-yard strike downfield to receiver Justin Smith. Three plays later, John Lovett broke the seal with a five-yard rushing touchdown. Marquez Stevenson ran in the one-point conversion to give San Antonio a 7-0 lead less than five minutes into the first quarter.

The Brahmas defense also wasted no time, as Taron Vincent sacked Panthers quarterback E.J. Perry for a loss of four on their first offensive play of the game. San Antonio later forced a Michigan punt to keep the Panthers off the board.

Dormady kept taking his shots on their ensuing drive, this time connecting with Jontre Kirklin for 43 yards. The Brahmas were unable to capitalize in the red zone, settling for a 41-yard Ryan Santoso field goal to make it 10-0. Dormady had an impressive first quarter, completing 6-of-8 passes for 109 yards. Kirklin was the main beneficiary, tallying three catches for 60 yards.

The Panthers looked to pick up their first points of the game near the end of the second frame. However, after getting into the red zone, defensive end Tim Ward sacked Perry, which caused a fumble that was recovered by Jordan Williams. 

San Antonio did not capitalize on the turnover, as just five plays later, Dormady made his first mistake of the game, an interception to safety Kai Nacua. Dormady wanted it all with a go route to Kirklin near the endzone, but Nacua cut the pass off. 

The Brahmas defense stonewalled Michigan, getting the ball back less than two minutes later. After a favorable punt return to Michigan’s 40-yard line, Dormady and Co. put together another touchdown drive, this time with a four-yard pass to Stevenson. The Brahmas had three plays of 10+ yards on the drive to propel them into the endzone and a 16-0 lead.

With 22 seconds before intermission, the Panthers were able to get into field goal range for Jake Bates, who drilled a 49-yard field goal to give Michigan their first points of the night. 

With 7:49 remaining in the fourth quarter, San Antonio crushed any chances of a Panthers comeback with a Jordan Mosley forced fumble and recovery at Michigan’s 27-yard line. The Brahmas turned the takeaway into a 36-yard Santoso field goal to essentially put the game on ice.

In the waning moments of the game, Michigan found the endzone with a Danny Etling 42-yard touchdown pass to Marcus Simms, making the game 19-9. The Panthers then converted the alternative kickoff, potentially making things interesting. However, the Brahmas defense killed Michigan’s momentum with a 16-yard sack by Jalen Dalton. Faced with 4th-and-20, Etling’s desperation heave was intercepted by Mosley. 

Dormady completed 23-of-37 passes for 269 yards, one touchdown and one interception. The duo of Perry and Etling of Michigan completed 18-of-27 passes for 141 yards, one touchdown and one interception. 

Lovett was the team’s leading rusher with 35 yards and a touchdown on 13 attempts. Perry was the leading rusher for the Panthers with 49 yards on four attempts.

Two Brahmas receivers tallied 5+ catches and over 100 yards: Justin Smith (7-107) and Jontre Kirklin (5-105). Simms caught four balls for 63 yards and a touchdown for Michigan. 

The Brahmas (3-1) will be on the road in Week 5 as they face the Arlington Renegades (0-3) next Saturday at Choctaw Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. CT on FOX. The Panthers (2-2) will face the Memphis Showboats (1-3) on the road at 2 p.m. CT. 

Postgame Notes

Final Score: San Antonio Brahmas 19, Michigan Panthers 9

Recap: The San Antonio Brahmas scored 16 points in the first half and recorded six sacks in a stellar defensive performance to defeat the Michigan Panthers 19-9 Saturday night at the Alamodome. 

Brahmas Draw First Blood

San Antonio got the ball to start the game and went on an eight play, 66-yard opening drive that was capped off by a John Lovett five-yard touchdown run. It marked the second time this season the Brahmas scored a touchdown on their opening drive and the score was Lovett’s second touchdown of the season.

Dormady’s Stellar Debut

San Antonio area native and Boerne High School alumn Quinten Dormady made his season debut for the San Antonio Brahmas and finished the game going 23-for-37 yards and one touchdown. It marked the second time this season the Brahmas have thrown for over 200 yards, and it was Dormady’s first start since the 2023 XFL season with the Orlando Guardians. 

Justin Smith Breakout

After entering week four’s contest with a grand total of only 44 receiving yards, Justin Smith exploded with 107 receiving yards on 7 catches to mark a season high in receiving yards for the Brahmas. Smith averaged 15.3 yards per catch, a season high.

Double Trouble

Jontre Kirklin had his first 100-yard receiving game of the season hauling in five catches for a total of 105 yards. Kirklin and Justin Smith combined for 212 receiving yards, and it was the first time in San Antonio Brahmas history two receivers had over 100 yards in the same game.

Dominating Defense

For the third time this season, the Brahmas defense allowed one touchdown or fewer. San Antonio allowed just three points in the first half on a Panthers field goal as time expired before halftime. The defense also forced three Michigan turnovers with two fumbles and one interception. Through four games, the Brahmas are now allowing an average of only 16.3 points per game to their oppnents.

Sack Party

The San Antonio Brahmas pass rush made life difficult for Panthers’ quarterbacks E.J. Perry and Danny Etling, compiling a season high total of six sacks for 42 yards. Each sack came from six different players, as Jordan Williams, Tim Ward, Wyatt Ray, Prince Emili, Taron Vincent and Jalen Dalton all recorded a sack in the win. 

Home Sweet Home

Today’s attendance at the Alamodome was 11,251.