ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, December 3, 1996 TAG: 9612030025
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: CHARLOTTE, N.C.
SOURCE: Associated Press
As time passes, it would stand to reason that teams would start coming closer to beating the Carolina Panthers at Ericsson Stadium. Instead, just the opposite is happening.
Already established as a strong second-half team at home, Carolina extended its dominance to four quarters Sunday and produced the franchise's first shutout. The Panthers kept Trent Dilfer on the run and converted three of his turnovers into 21 points on the way to a 24-0 victory over Tampa Bay.
``We have a lot of pride in defending this stadium,'' linebacker Sam Mills said after the Panthers won for the sixth time in as many games in their new $187 million facility.
The victory kept Carolina (9-4), which won its fourth straight, solidly in the hunt to become the only second-year expansion team in NFL history to make the playoffs. Next up for the Panthers is a road game against the 49ers on Sunday, with the winner likely getting the NFC West crown.
``This gives us some momentum heading into our showdown with San Francisco,'' coach Dom Capers said. ``The feeling on our team is we've not accomplished anything yet. We're looking forward to playing our best football over the next three weeks.''
The Panthers came into the game having allowed just 10 points in the second half all season at home. But on a rainy, windy afternoon, Dilfer and the Buccaneers (4-9) couldn't generate much offense in either half.
Dilfer was intercepted twice, lost one fumble, was sacked five times and knocked down 13 times.
``Man, what a blast,'' said outside linebacker Kevin Greene, who had five tackles, one sack and recovered a fumble. ``Rooting around, having fun - it was like a hog going at a sweet potato in the middle of the mud.''
Anthony Johnson rushed for 111 yards and one touchdown for Carolina, which has outscored its opponents 167-50 at home this season. In the second half, the Panthers have scored 76 points while allowing 10.
``I think they're going to do some damage in the playoffs,'' Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy said. ``They're a team that nobody's going to want to play because of their defense.''
Tampa Bay did not get inside the Panthers' 35 until the final play of the third quarter. The Buccaneers made it as far as the 27 before four consecutive incompletions killed the drive.
The Carolina defense scored one touchdown and set up another. In the second quarter, Dilfer dropped back to pass and was slammed by cornerback Toi Cook. Dilfer fumbled and defensive end Shawn King scooped up the ball and rumbled 12 yards for a touchdown that made it 10-0.
In the third quarter, Carolina cornerback Eric Davis picked off a Dilfer pass in the right flat and returned it 39 yards to the Tampa Bay 20, where Dilfer dragged him out of bounds by yanking on his face mask. The personal-foul penalty put the ball at the 10. Howard Griffith scored from the 1 three plays later.
LENGTH: Medium: 66 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: AP. Carolina defensive back Toi Cook separates Tampa Bayby CNBquarterback Trent Dilfer from the football in the second quarter.
Panthers defensive end Shawn King picked up the ball and returned it
12 yards for a touchdown that gave Carolina a 10-0 advantage.
color. KEYWORDS: FOOTBALL