Photo Provided by the Michigan Panthers

The St. Louis Battlehawks nearly completed a dramatic late second touchdown on the road until Jake Bates kicked a 64-yard-field goal that stood as the game-winner, with only 8 seconds. Battlehawks quarterback A.J. McCarron struggled during the game completing 24 of 37 passing attempts for 216 yards and two touchdowns. The offensive line struggled throughout much of the game by allowing 3.5 sacks and only mustard 62 rushing yards against the Michigan Panther Defense. The Battlehawks Defensive played well by forces 2 turnovers but allowed over 100 yards rushing. Panthers quarterback E.J. Perry was picked off twice in the game but had two rushing touchdowns that kept his team in the game.

Michigan lead 15-9 when McCarron found wide receiver Marcell Ateman for a game-tying touchdown with 55 seconds left in regulation. Ateman lead the team in receiving yardage with 6 catches for 60 yards a touchdown. Jake Sutherland, who score the first touchdown catch for the Battlehawks caught the point after and gave his team a brief 16-15 lead. E.J Perry drove his team to mid-field until Jake Bates kicked the game winning 64-yard-field after the Battlehawks fell short in a kickoff attempt that followed to end the game.

The Battlehawks play their home opener at the Dome at America’s Center against the Arlington Renegades at 7 p.m. on April 6.