Panthers DB Corrion Ballard Snags Interception During Win Over Stars
Apr 23, 2023, 9:30 PM | Updated: Apr 24, 2023, 9:43 am
SALT LAKE CITY – Former Utah Utes and current Michigan Panthers defensive back Corrion Ballard hauled in his first interception during Week 2 of the 2023 USFL season.
The Philadelphia Stars hosted the Panthers at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio on Sunday, April 23.
With 1:01 left in the second quarter, Ballard picked off Stars quarterback Cookus and ran the ball five yards before getting tackled at the Philadelphia 27-yard line.
On Michigan’s following drive, the Panthers connected on a 39-yard field goal to take a 10-3 lead into the locker room at halftime.
Corrion Ballard with the PICK!#LetsHuntš¾ pic.twitter.com/yzSmmCbHUV
— Michigan Panthers (@USFLPanthers) April 24, 2023
Michigan went on to beat Philadelphia, 24-10.
Ballard finished the game with eight total tackles, five solo tackles, one interception, and a pass breakup. The former Ute had four total tackles and three solo tackles in Michiganās season-opening win over the Houston Gamblers on April 16.
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With the win over the Stars, the Panthers improved to a 2-0 record this season.
HUNTED š¾THAT'S A PANTHERS W! #LetsHunt pic.twitter.com/iebNTKJWnW
— Michigan Panthers (@USFLPanthers) April 24, 2023
Michigan’s next game is against the New Jersey Generals on Sunday, April 30 at 2 p.m. (MDT). The game will be televised on FOX.
About Corrion Ballard
Prior to his professional career, Ballard was a standout player at Blinn College and the University of Utah. In 2016, the Houston, Texas native was the Co-Defensive Player of the Year in the Southwest Junior College Football Conference.
After his time at Blinn College, Ballard joined the Utah football program ahead of the 2017 season. The defensive back played two seasons with the Utes.
During his time at the University of Utah, Ballard recorded 115 total tackles, 79 solo tackles, five tackles for loss, one sack, three interceptions, 12 pass breakups, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery in 27 games played.
.@Utah_Football gets things off to a hot start. š
@corrionballard with a PICK for the Utes š#UTAHvsWSU is live: https://t.co/b8BhWpUIGq pic.twitter.com/Xo2nquAQOq
— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) September 29, 2018
Following his college career, Ballard spent time with the NFL’s Carolina Panthers after signing with the NFC South team as an undrafted free agent.
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Before joining the USFL in 2022, the defensive back played in the XFL, Canadian Football League, and Indoor Football League.
About the USFL
2023 USFL Teams
- Birmingham Stallions
- Houston Gamblers
- Memphis Showboats*
- Michigan Panthers
- New Jersey Generals
- New Orleans Breakers
- Pittsburgh Maulers
- Philadelphia Stars
*new franchise for the 2023 season – Memphis replaced the Tampa Bay Bandits (temporary hiatus)
The original edition of the USFL started in 1982. The league played three seasons before ceasing operations in 1986. The 18-team league faced competition from the NFL.
In June 2021, the USFL announced it would return with an eight-team league in 2022. The leagueās 2022 regular season schedule was played in only two locations in Birmingham, Alabama. The games were televised nationally on NBC or FOX.
Some former @Utah_Football standouts had big performances during Week āļø of the @USFL season. š#LocalsInTheUSFL #USFL https://t.co/ghUXsbkI6X
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) April 24, 2023
The 2023 regular season games will be played in Detroit, Michigan, Canton, Ohio, Birmingham, Alabama, and Memphis, Tennessee.
The USFL is the third major professional football league operating in the United States in 2023. In addition to the USFL and NFL, the twice-defunct XFL rebooted for a third time in February.
However, unlike the USFL, the 2023 edition of the XFL includes a partnership with the NFL. The XFL previously ceased its operations in 2001 and 2020. A year before the XFLās second stint, another football league, the Alliance of American Football (AAF) ceased to operate.
Kyle IrelandĀ is a Locals in the NFL Insider for KSLSports.com and co-host of theĀ Yards After College Podcast. Follow him on Twitter (@kyleireland) and Instagram (@kyleirelandksl).
