Ex-Michigan State QB wins again with Panthers as Tom Brady watches in Detroit

Brian Lewerke just picked up his second win in less than a week.

The former Michigan State quarterback helped lead the Michigan Panthers to a 24-18 victory against the Memphis Showboats on Saturday at Ford Field in Detroit. It was the fourth straight win for the Panthers (6-2), who clinched a spot in the USFL conference championship with Sunday’s win against the D.C. Defenders.

Lewerke, who earned his first start for the Panthers last week after moving up the depth chart due to injury, was 6-for-11 passing for 82 yards, one touchdown and zero interceptions to go with three rushes for 13 yards on Saturday. He split snaps again with Bryce Perkins, who finished 7-for-9 for 106 yards and a score while also racking up 55 yards on the ground.

Saturday’s win for the Panthers came with arguably the greatest quarterback to ever play the game in attendance as Tom Brady watched at Ford Field. The game was broadcast on FOX, the same network the seven-time Super Bowl winner will start working for in the fall as lead analyst.

For the second straight week, Lewerke led a touchdown drive to open the game. He was 3-for-3 passing on the first possession, capped by a 21-yard touchdown pass to Cole Hikutini. Matthew Colburn rushed for 93 yards and two scores for the Panthers.

Lewerke was a three-year starter for the Spartans who ranks first in program history with 9,548 yards of total offense while throwing for 47 touchdowns and rushing for 10 scores. He went undrafted in 2020, signed with the Patriots and also spent time with the Giants. Lewerke was picked up by the Panthers last year but didn’t appear in a game.

Lewerke wasn’t the only former Spartan on the field in Detroit on Saturday. His former teammate in East Lansing, All-American defensive end Kenny Willekes, had four tackles and a sack for the Panthers. Kicker Matt Coghlin, who holds the Michigan State record for career field goals made, went 2-for-2 on Saturday with a long of 55 yards for the Showboats.

The Panthers will look to extend their winning streak when they travel to face the Houston Roughnecks on May 26 (2:30 p.m., FOX).