GAME THREAD: GAME THREAD: NFL: TAMPA BAY (2-1) at CAROLINA (2-1)

NFL: TAMPA BAY at CAROLINA

<div class="pre">NFL TWO MINUTE WARNING, 2ND HALF

TAMPA BAY 20
CAROLINA 0

CAR BALL ON TAM 49 YD LINE
1ST AND 10</div>

 

NFL: TAMPA BAY at CAROLINA

<div class="pre">NFL TAMPA BAY 20
CAROLINA 0 2:00 LEFT, 4TH QTR</div>

 

NFL: TAMPA BAY at CAROLINA

<div class="pre">NFL TAMPA BAY 20
CAROLINA 0 1:53 LEFT, 4TH QTR</div>

 

NFL: TAMPA BAY at CAROLINA

<div class="pre">NFL TAMPA BAY 20
CAROLINA 0 0:45 LEFT, 4TH QTR</div>

 

NFL: TAMPA BAY at CAROLINA

<div class="pre">NFL TAMPA BAY 20
CAROLINA 0 0:31 LEFT, 4TH QTR</div>

 

NFL: TAMPA BAY at CAROLINA

<div class="pre">NFL TD CAR
DEANGELO WILLIAMS 24 YD PASS FROM DAVID CARR
(JOHN KASAY KICK)

TAMPA BAY 20
CAROLINA 7 0:23 LEFT, 4TH QTR</div>

 

NFL: TAMPA BAY at CAROLINA

<div class="pre">NFL
TAMPA BAY 20
CAROLINA 7 0:23 LEFT, 4TH QTR

TAM BALL ON CAR 46 YD LINE
1ST AND 10</div>

 

NFL: TAMPA BAY at CAROLINA

<div class="pre">NFL FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
TAMPA BAY 14 3 0 3 20
CAROLINA 0 0 0 7 7 FINAL

SCORING SUMMARY

1ST QUARTER: TAM - TD, JEFF GARCIA 3 YD RUN (MATT BRYANT
KICK), 6:17. Drive: 11 plays, 71
yards in 6:17. Key plays: Garcia
15-yard pass to Hilliard to
midfield; Garcia 15-yard pass to
Hilliard to Carolina 35; Garcia
9-yard pass to Hilliard on
3rd-and-9 to Carolina 15. TAMPA BAY
7-0
TAM - TD, EARNEST GRAHAM 1 YD RUN (MATT
BRYANT KICK), 14:12. Drive: 5
plays, 48 yards in 2:25. Key plays:
Jones 16-yard punt return to
Carolina 48; Williams 18-yard run
to Carolina 30; Garcia 17-yard pass
to Askew to Carolina 13; Graham
11-yard run to Carolina 2. TAMPA
BAY 14-0
2ND QUARTER: TAM - FG, MATT BRYANT 25 YD, 8:19. Drive: 6
plays, 61 yards in 2:30. Key plays:
Garcia 56-yard pass to Hilliard to
Carolina 10. TAMPA BAY 17-0
3RD QUARTER: NONE
4TH QUARTER: TAM - FG, MATT BRYANT 38 YD, 4:39. Drive: 4
plays, 8 yards in 1:29. Key plays:
Phillips interception at Carolina
28. TAMPA BAY 20-0
CAR - TD, DEANGELO WILLIAMS 24 YD PASS FROM
DAVID CARR (JOHN KASAY KICK),
14:37. Drive: 12 plays, 60 yards in
2:32. Key plays: Carr 11-yard pass
to Colbert on 3rd-and-10 to Tampa
Bay 49; Car TAMPA BAY 20-7

ATT: 68,931</div>

 

NFL: TAMPA BAY at CAROLINA

<div class="pre">NFL FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
TAMPA BAY 14 3 0 3 20
CAROLINA 0 0 0 7 7 FINAL

SCORING SUMMARY

1ST QUARTER: TAM - TD, JEFF GARCIA 3 YD RUN (MATT BRYANT
KICK), 6:17. Drive: 11 plays, 71
yards in 6:17. Key plays: Garcia
15-yard pass to Hilliard to
midfield; Garcia 15-yard pass to
Hilliard to Carolina 35; Garcia
9-yard pass to Hilliard on
3rd-and-9 to Carolina 15. TAMPA BAY
7-0
TAM - TD, EARNEST GRAHAM 1 YD RUN (MATT
BRYANT KICK), 14:12. Drive: 5
plays, 48 yards in 2:25. Key plays:
Jones 16-yard punt return to
Carolina 48; Williams 18-yard run
to Carolina 30; Garcia 17-yard pass
to Askew to Carolina 13; Graham
11-yard run to Carolina 2. TAMPA
BAY 14-0
2ND QUARTER: TAM - FG, MATT BRYANT 25 YD, 8:19. Drive: 6
plays, 61 yards in 2:30. Key plays:
Garcia 56-yard pass to Hilliard to
Carolina 10. TAMPA BAY 17-0
3RD QUARTER: NONE
4TH QUARTER: TAM - FG, MATT BRYANT 38 YD, 4:39. Drive: 4
plays, 8 yards in 1:29. Key plays:
Phillips interception at Carolina
28. TAMPA BAY 20-0
CAR - TD, DEANGELO WILLIAMS 24 YD PASS FROM
DAVID CARR (JOHN KASAY KICK),
14:37. Drive: 12 plays, 60 yards in
2:32. Key plays: Carr 10-yard pass
to Colbert on 3rd-and-10 to
midfield. TAMPA BAY 20-7

ATT: 68,931</div>

 

NFL: TAMPA BAY at CAROLINA

<div class="pre">NFL FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
TAMPA BAY 14 3 0 3 20
CAROLINA 0 0 0 7 7 FINAL

SCORING SUMMARY

1ST QUARTER:

6:17 TAM - TD, JEFF GARCIA 3 YD RUN (MATT BRYANT KICK).
Drive: 11 plays, 71 yards in 6:17.
Key plays: Garcia 15-yard pass to Hilliard to midfield; Garcia
15-yard pass to Hilliard to Carolina 35; Garcia 9-yard pass to Hilliard on
3rd-and-9 to Carolina 15. TAMPA BAY 7-0.
14:12 TAM - TD, EARNEST GRAHAM 1 YD RUN (MATT BRYANT KICK).
Drive: 5 plays, 48 yards in 2:25.
Key plays: Jones 16-yard punt return to Carolina 48; Williams
18-yard run to Carolina 30; Garcia 17-yard pass to Askew to Carolina 13;
Graham 11-yard run to Carolina 2. TAMPA BAY 14-0.

2ND QUARTER:

8:19 TAM - FG, MATT BRYANT 25 YD.
Drive: 6 plays, 61 yards in 2:30.
Key plays: Garcia 56-yard pass to Hilliard to Carolina 10. TAMPA BAY
17-0.

3RD QUARTER:

NONE

4TH QUARTER:

4:39 TAM - FG, MATT BRYANT 38 YD.
Drive: 4 plays, 8 yards in 1:29.
Key plays: Phillips interception at Carolina 28. TAMPA BAY 20-0.
14:37 CAR - TD, DEANGELO WILLIAMS 24 YD PASS FROM DAVID CARR (JOHN KASAY KICK).
Drive: 12 plays, 60 yards in 2:32.
Key plays: Carr 10-yard pass to Colbert on 3rd-and-10 to midfield.
TAMPA BAY 20-7.

TAMPA BAY - CAROLINA Final Statistics

TEAM STATISTICS TAMPA BAY CAROLINA

FIRST DOWNS 16 4
Rushing 7 4
Passing 7 0
Penalty 2 0
THIRD DOWN EFFICIENCY 3-5-60% 3-8-38%
FOURTH DOWN EFFICIENCY 0-0-0% 0-0-0%
TOTAL NET YARDS 248 77
Total offensive plays 36 26
Average gain per play 6.9 3.0
NET YARDS RUSHING 94 51
Rushing attempts 18 11
Average gain per rush 5.2 4.6
Tackles for loss-yards 0-0 0-0
NET YARDS PASSING 154 26
Times sacked: Number-Yards 0-0 0-0
Gross passing yards 154 26
PASS ATTEMPTS-COMPLETIONS-HAD INTERCEPTED 18-12-0 15-6-0
Avg gain per pass play 8.6 1.7
KICKOFFS: Number-In End Zone-Touchbacks 3-1-1 1-0-0
PUNTS: Number and Average 1-38.0 5-44.2
Had blocked 0 0
Net punting average -13.0 44.2
TOTAL RETURN YARDAGE (Not including kickoffs) 51 0
Number-Yards: Punt Returns 4-51 0-0
Number-Yards: Kickoff Returns 1-19 2-37
Number-Yards: Interception Returns 0-0 0-0
PENALTIES: Number-Yards 0-0 4-35
FUMBLES: Number-Lost 1-1 1-0
TOUCHDOWNS 2 1
Rushing 2 0
Passing 0 1
Interceptions 0 0
Other (blocked kicks, etc.) 0 0
EXTRA POINTS: Made-Attempts 2-2 0-0
Kicking: Made-Attempts 2-2 0-0
Passing: Made-Attempts 0-0 0-0
Rushing: Made-Attempts 0-0 0-0
FIELD GOALS: Made-Attempts 1-1 0-0
FGs - PATs had blocked 0-0 0-0
RED ZONE EFFICIENCY 2-3-67% 0-0-0%
GOAL TO GO EFFICIENCY 2-3-67% 0-0-0%
SAFETIES 0 0
TIME OF POSSESSION 17:35 12:05


INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

TAMPA BAY CAROLINA

RUSHING ATT YDS AVG LG TD RUSHING ATT YDS AVG LG TD
-------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
C WILLIAMS 6 41 6.8 18 0 D FOSTER 8 34 4.3 9 0
E GRAHAM 7 29 4.1 11 1 D CARR 1 15 15.0 15 0
M PITTMAN 4 21 5.3 12 0 B HOOVER 1 2 2.0 2 0
J GARCIA 1 3 3.0 3 1 D WILLIAMS 1 0 0.0 0 0

PASSING CM-AT-YDS IN TD LG PASSING CM-AT-YDS IN TD LG
-------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
J GARCIA 12-18-154 0 0 56 D CARR 6-15- 26 0 1 7

Sacked-Yards Lost: None Sacked-Yards Lost: None

RECEIVING NO YDS AVG LG TD RECEIVING NO YDS AVG LG TD
-------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
I HILLIARD 7 114 16.3 56 0 S SMITH 2 5 2.5 4 0
A SMITH 3 10 3.3 8 0 D FOSTER 1 7 7.0 7 0
B ASKEW 1 17 17.0 17 0 D JARRETT 1 6 6.0 6 0
M CLAYTON 1 13 13.0 13 0 D WILLIAMS 1 5 5.0 5 1
B HOOVER 1 3 3.0 3 0

INTERCEPTIONS NO YDS AVG LG TD INTERCEPTIONS NO YDS AVG LG TD
-------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
Interceptions: None

PUNTING NO YDS AVG T I LG PUNTING NO YDS AVG T I LG
-------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
J BIDWELL 1 38 38.0 0 1 38 J BAKER 5 221 44.2 0 2 55

T = Touchbacks, I = Inside 20

PUNT RETURNS NO YDS AVG LG TD PUNT RETURNS NO YDS AVG LG TD
-------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
M JONES 4 51 12.8 16 0

KICKOFF RETURNS NO YDS AVG LG TD KICKOFF RETURNS NO YDS AVG LG TD
-------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
M CLAYTON 1 19 19.0 19 0 N GOINGS 2 37 18.5 21 0

KICKING XP/XPA FG/FGA KICKING XP/XPA FG/FGA
---------------------------------- ----------------------------------
M BRYANT 2/2 2/2 J KASAY 1/1 0/0
Dist.: 25 38

O-D O-D
FUMBLES NO LOST FF REC FUMBLES NO LOST FF REC
------------------------------------ ------------------------------------
I HILLIARD 1 1 0 0-0 D FOSTER 1 0 0 1-0
B RUUD 0 0 1 0-0 C GAMBLE 0 0 1 0-0
T DAVIS 0 0 0 0-1

DEFENSE TK SO AS SK-YD DEFENSE TK SO AS SK-YD
------------------------------------ ------------------------------------
J PHILLIPS 4 4 0 0-0 C HARRIS 5 5 0 0-0
R BARBER 2 2 0 0-0 D LEWIS 3 2 1 0-0
B RUUD 2 2 0 0-0 T DAVIS 3 2 1 0-0
Q BLACK 2 2 0 0-0 J ANDERSON 3 2 1 0-0
C HOVAN 2 2 0 0-0 J BEASON 3 2 1 0-0
D BROOKS 1 1 0 0-0 K JENKINS 2 2 0 0-0
G ADAMS 1 1 0 0-0 M KEMOEATU 2 2 0 0-0
J HAYE 1 1 0 0-0 C GAMBLE 2 2 0 0-0
P BUCHANON 1 1 0 0-0 J PEPPERS 2 1 1 0-0
G SPIRES 1 1 0 0-0 K LUCAS 1 1 0 0-0
R MARSHALL 1 1 0 0-0
M RUCKER 1 1 0 0-0
S MCCLOVER 1 1 0 0-0
D COOPER 1 0 1 0-0
K MOOREHEAD 1 0 1 0-0
N DIGGS 1 0 1 0-0

Att: 68,931</div>

 

NFL: TAMPA BAY at CAROLINA

<div class="pre">** CONFIRMED **
NFL
TAMPA BAY 20
CAROLINA 7 FINAL</div>

 

NFL: TAMPA BAY at CAROLINA

<div class="pre">NFL FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
TAMPA BAY 14 3 0 3 20
CAROLINA 0 0 0 7 7 FINAL

SCORING SUMMARY

1ST QUARTER:

6:17 TAM - TD, JEFF GARCIA 3 YD RUN (MATT BRYANT KICK).
Drive: 11 plays, 71 yards in 6:17.
Key plays: Garcia 15-yard pass to Hilliard to midfield; Garcia
15-yard pass to Hilliard to Carolina 35; Garcia 9-yard pass to Hilliard on
3rd-and-9 to Carolina 15. TAMPA BAY 7-0.
14:12 TAM - TD, EARNEST GRAHAM 1 YD RUN (MATT BRYANT KICK).
Drive: 5 plays, 48 yards in 2:25.
Key plays: Jones 16-yard punt return to Carolina 48; Williams
18-yard run to Carolina 30; Garcia 17-yard pass to Askew to Carolina 13;
Graham 11-yard run to Carolina 2. TAMPA BAY 14-0.

2ND QUARTER:

8:19 TAM - FG, MATT BRYANT 25 YD.
Drive: 6 plays, 61 yards in 2:30.
Key plays: Garcia 56-yard pass to Hilliard to Carolina 10. TAMPA BAY
17-0.

3RD QUARTER:

NONE

4TH QUARTER:

4:39 TAM - FG, MATT BRYANT 38 YD.
Drive: 4 plays, 8 yards in 1:29.
Key plays: Phillips interception at Carolina 28. TAMPA BAY 20-0.
14:37 CAR - TD, DEANGELO WILLIAMS 24 YD PASS FROM DAVID CARR (JOHN KASAY KICK).
Drive: 12 plays, 60 yards in 2:32.
Key plays: Carr 10-yard pass to Colbert on 3rd-and-10 to midfield.
TAMPA BAY 20-7.

TAMPA BAY - CAROLINA Final Statistics

TEAM STATISTICS TAMPA BAY CAROLINA

FIRST DOWNS 22 13
Rushing 12 6
Passing 8 7
Penalty 2 0
THIRD DOWN EFFICIENCY 5-13-38% 6-18-33%
FOURTH DOWN EFFICIENCY 0-1-0% 1-2-50%
TOTAL NET YARDS 365 236
Total offensive plays 67 67
Average gain per play 5.4 3.5
NET YARDS RUSHING 189 99
Rushing attempts 42 23
Average gain per rush 4.5 4.3
Tackles for loss-yards 0-0 1-1
NET YARDS PASSING 176 137
Times sacked: Number-Yards 0-0 3-18
Gross passing yards 176 155
PASS ATTEMPTS-COMPLETIONS-HAD INTERCEPTED 25-15-0 41-19-1
Avg gain per pass play 7.0 3.1
KICKOFFS: Number-In End Zone-Touchbacks 5-2-1 2-0-0
PUNTS: Number and Average 5-35.2 8-46.4
Had blocked 0 0
Net punting average 21.0 46.0
TOTAL RETURN YARDAGE (Not including kickoffs) 71 3
Number-Yards: Punt Returns 5-71 1-3
Number-Yards: Kickoff Returns 1-19 4-82
Number-Yards: Interception Returns 1-0 0-0
PENALTIES: Number-Yards 1-5 7-65
FUMBLES: Number-Lost 2-1 2-1
TOUCHDOWNS 2 1
Rushing 2 0
Passing 0 1
Interceptions 0 0
Other (blocked kicks, etc.) 0 0
EXTRA POINTS: Made-Attempts 2-2 1-1
Kicking: Made-Attempts 2-2 1-1
Passing: Made-Attempts 0-0 0-0
Rushing: Made-Attempts 0-0 0-0
FIELD GOALS: Made-Attempts 2-2 0-0
FGs - PATs had blocked 0-0 0-0
RED ZONE EFFICIENCY 2-4-50% 1-1-100%
GOAL TO GO EFFICIENCY 2-4-50% 0-0-0%
SAFETIES 0 0
TIME OF POSSESSION 34:40 25:20


INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

TAMPA BAY CAROLINA

RUSHING ATT YDS AVG LG TD RUSHING ATT YDS AVG LG TD
-------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
M PITTMAN 15 90 6.0 29 0 D FOSTER 15 64 4.3 13 0
E GRAHAM 17 48 2.8 11 1 D CARR 5 28 5.6 15 0
C WILLIAMS 6 41 6.8 18 0 D WILLIAMS 2 5 2.5 5 0
J GARCIA 4 10 2.5 8 1 B HOOVER 1 2 2.0 2 0

PASSING CM-AT-YDS IN TD LG PASSING CM-AT-YDS IN TD LG
-------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
J GARCIA 15-25-176 0 0 56 D CARR 19-41-155 1 1 24

Sacked-Yards Lost: None Sacked-Yards Lost: D CARR 3-18.

RECEIVING NO YDS AVG LG TD RECEIVING NO YDS AVG LG TD
-------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
I HILLIARD 7 114 16.3 56 0 S SMITH 5 32 6.4 15 0
A SMITH 4 17 4.3 8 0 D WILLIAMS 3 37 12.3 24 1
B ASKEW 1 17 17.0 17 0 D FOSTER 3 17 5.7 8 0
M CLAYTON 1 13 13.0 13 0 B HOOVER 2 17 8.5 14 0
E GRAHAM 1 8 8.0 8 0 D CARTER 2 16 8.0 9 0
J GALLOWAY 1 7 7.0 7 0 K COLBERT 2 16 8.0 10 0
J KING 1 14 14.0 14 0
D JARRETT 1 6 6.0 6 0

INTERCEPTIONS NO YDS AVG LG TD INTERCEPTIONS NO YDS AVG LG TD
-------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
J PHILLIPS 1 0 0.0 0 0

PUNTING NO YDS AVG T I LG PUNTING NO YDS AVG T I LG
-------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
J BIDWELL 5 176 35.2 2 2 45 J BAKER 8 371 46.4 0 4 64

T = Touchbacks, I = Inside 20

PUNT RETURNS NO YDS AVG LG TD PUNT RETURNS NO YDS AVG LG TD
-------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
M JONES 5 71 14.2 20 0 R ROBINSON 1 3 3.0 3 0

KICKOFF RETURNS NO YDS AVG LG TD KICKOFF RETURNS NO YDS AVG LG TD
-------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
M CLAYTON 1 19 19.0 19 0 N GOINGS 3 53 17.7 21 0
D WILLIAMS 1 29 29.0 29 0

KICKING XP/XPA FG/FGA KICKING XP/XPA FG/FGA
---------------------------------- ----------------------------------
M BRYANT 2/2 2/2 J KASAY 1/1 0/0
Dist.: 25 38

O-D O-D
FUMBLES NO LOST FF REC FUMBLES NO LOST FF REC
------------------------------------ ------------------------------------
I HILLIARD 1 1 0 0-0 D FOSTER 2 1 0 1-0
J GARCIA 1 0 0 1-0 C GAMBLE 0 0 1 0-0
T JACKSON 0 0 1 0-0 T DAVIS 0 0 0 0-1
B RUUD 0 0 1 0-0
G PETERSON 0 0 0 0-1

DEFENSE TK SO AS SK-YD DEFENSE TK SO AS SK-YD
------------------------------------ ------------------------------------
P BUCHANON 6 6 0 0-0 J BEASON 9 7 2 0-0
J PHILLIPS 5 5 0 0-0 J ANDERSON 7 5 2 0-0
B RUUD 5 5 0 0-0 C HARRIS 6 5 1 0-0
J HAYE 4 4 0 1-5 T DAVIS 6 4 2 0-0
D BROOKS 3 3 0 0-0 M KEMOEATU 5 4 1 0-0
R BARBER 3 3 0 0-0 K JENKINS 4 4 0 0-0
Q BLACK 3 3 0 0-0 C GAMBLE 4 4 0 0-0
G PETERSON 2 2 0 1-6 K LUCAS 4 3 1 0-0
C HOVAN 2 2 0 0-0 M RUCKER 3 3 0 0-0
T JACKSON 2 2 0 0-0 D COOPER 3 2 1 0-0
G WHITE 2 2 0 0-0 J PEPPERS 3 2 1 0-0
P CHUKWURAH 1 1 0 1-7 D LEWIS 3 2 1 0-0
G SPIRES 1 1 0 0-0 K MOOREHEAD 2 0 2 0-0
G ADAMS 1 1 0 0-0 R MARSHALL 1 1 0 0-0
S DAVIS 1 1 0 0-0 S MCCLOVER 1 1 0 0-0
K CARTER 1 0 1 0-0 N DIGGS 1 0 1 0-0

Att: 68,931</div>

 

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (Ticker) -- There is reason to fearthe Tampa Bay Buccaneers' defense again.


Quarterback Jeff Garcia ran for a score and let his defense dothe rest as the Buccaneers took over first place in the NFCSouth with a convincing 20-7 victory over the Carolina Pantherson Sunday.


The once-heralded Tampa Bay defense took a step back lastseason, finishing 21st in the league, but the squad appears tobe back on track. The Buccaneers smothered the Panthers'offense, allowing just 13 first downs and 236 yards of offense,most of those coming late in the contest.


Tampa Bay (3-1) came within 23 seconds of a shutout, butDeAngelo Williams scored on a 24-yard touchdown reception in thefinal moments to spoil the bid. The Bucs did shut out thePanthers (2-2) in the first half, marking the third consecutiveweek that the Buccaneers have not been scored upon in the firsttwo quarters.


Winners of three straight, the Buccaneers also benefited fromthe fact that Panthers starting quarterback Jake Delhomme wassidelined with an elbow injury.


David Carr got the start in his place and struggled, finishing19-of-41 for 155 yards with one touchdown and one interception.The 2002 first-round draft pick of the Houston Texans was booedoff the field after overthrowing Drew Carter on a 4th-and-2 inthe fourth quarter.


While the defense was giving Carolina fits, Jeff Garcia and theTampa Bay offense played a steady game and provided acomfortable lead.


On the opening drive of the game, Garcia marched the Buccaneers71 yards on 11 plays, capping things himself with a 3-yardtouchdown run. The lead swelled to 14-0 late in the firstquarter when Earnest Graham pounded his way into the end zonefrom a yard out.


That would be all the Buccaneers defense needed, although MattBryant tacked on field goals of 25 and 38 yards later in thegame to provide insurance.


Defensive back Phillip Buchanon led the defensive effort withsix tackles and safety Jermaine Phillips pulled in the team'slone interception.


Garcia finished 15-of-25 for 176 yards with no interceptions.The 37-year-old veteran has thrown for 771 yards this season andcompleted 64 percent (58-for-90) of his passes without aninterception.


Ike Hilliard had seven catches and 114 receiving yards for theBuccaneers, who beat the Panthers for just the second time intheir last nine meetings.


While they won the game, the Buccaneers may have lost running<div class="pre">back Carnell "Cadillac" Williams for a substantial period of</div>time.


The team's first round pick in 2005, who was already nursingsore ribs, left the game in the first quarter with a seriousright knee injury and team officials indicated it could beseason-ending.


Michael Pittman picked up the slack in his absence, carrying 15times for 90 yards.


Additionally, Tampa Bay offensive tackle Luke Petitgout left thegame in the second quarter with a right knee sprain and did notreturn.

 

NFL: TAMPA BAY at CAROLINA

<div class="pre">NFL FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
TAMPA BAY 14 3 0 3 20
CAROLINA 0 0 0 7 7 FINAL

SCORING SUMMARY

1ST QUARTER:

6:17 TAM - TD, JEFF GARCIA 3 YD RUN (MATT BRYANT KICK).
Drive: 11 plays, 71 yards in 6:17.
Key plays: Garcia 15-yard pass to Hilliard to midfield; Garcia
15-yard pass to Hilliard to Carolina 35; 5-yard neutral zone infraction
penalty on Panthers' Peppers on 3rd-and-5 to Carolina 25; Garcia 9-yard
pass to Hilliard on 3rd-and-9 to Carolina 15. TAMPA BAY 7-0.
14:12 TAM - TD, EARNEST GRAHAM 1 YD RUN (MATT BRYANT KICK).
Drive: 5 plays, 48 yards in 2:25.
Key plays: Jones 16-yard punt return to Carolina 48; Williams
18-yard run to Carolina 30; Garcia 17-yard pass to Askew to Carolina 13;
Graham 11-yard run to Carolina 2. TAMPA BAY 14-0.

2ND QUARTER:

8:19 TAM - FG, MATT BRYANT 25 YD.
Drive: 6 plays, 61 yards in 2:30.
Key plays: Garcia 56-yard pass to Hilliard to Carolina 10. TAMPA BAY
17-0.

3RD QUARTER:

NONE

4TH QUARTER:

4:39 TAM - FG, MATT BRYANT 38 YD.
Drive: 4 plays, 8 yards in 1:30.
Key plays: Phillips interception at Carolina 28. TAMPA BAY 20-0.
14:37 CAR - TD, DEANGELO WILLIAMS 24 YD PASS FROM DAVID CARR (JOHN KASAY KICK).
Drive: 12 plays, 60 yards in 2:32.
Key plays: Carr 10-yard pass to Colbert on 3rd-and-10 to midfield.
TAMPA BAY 20-7.

TAMPA BAY - CAROLINA Final Statistics

TEAM STATISTICS TAMPA BAY CAROLINA

FIRST DOWNS 22 13
Rushing 12 6
Passing 8 7
Penalty 2 0
THIRD DOWN EFFICIENCY 5-13-38% 6-18-33%
FOURTH DOWN EFFICIENCY 0-1-0% 1-2-50%
TOTAL NET YARDS 365 236
Total offensive plays 67 67
Average gain per play 5.4 3.5
NET YARDS RUSHING 189 99
Rushing attempts 42 23
Average gain per rush 4.5 4.3
Tackles for loss-yards 0-0 1-1
NET YARDS PASSING 176 137
Times sacked: Number-Yards 0-0 3-18
Gross passing yards 176 155
PASS ATTEMPTS-COMPLETIONS-HAD INTERCEPTED 25-15-0 41-19-1
Avg gain per pass play 7.0 3.1
KICKOFFS: Number-In End Zone-Touchbacks 5-2-1 2-0-0
PUNTS: Number and Average 5-35.2 8-46.4
Had blocked 0 0
Net punting average 21.0 46.0
TOTAL RETURN YARDAGE (Not including kickoffs) 71 3
Number-Yards: Punt Returns 5-71 1-3
Number-Yards: Kickoff Returns 1-19 4-82
Number-Yards: Interception Returns 1-0 0-0
PENALTIES: Number-Yards 1-5 7-65
FUMBLES: Number-Lost 2-1 2-1
TOUCHDOWNS 2 1
Rushing 2 0
Passing 0 1
Interceptions 0 0
Other (blocked kicks, etc.) 0 0
EXTRA POINTS: Made-Attempts 2-2 1-1
Kicking: Made-Attempts 2-2 1-1
Passing: Made-Attempts 0-0 0-0
Rushing: Made-Attempts 0-0 0-0
FIELD GOALS: Made-Attempts 2-2 0-0
FGs - PATs had blocked 0-0 0-0
RED ZONE EFFICIENCY 2-4-50% 1-1-100%
GOAL TO GO EFFICIENCY 2-4-50% 0-0-0%
SAFETIES 0 0
TIME OF POSSESSION 34:40 25:20


INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

TAMPA BAY CAROLINA

RUSHING ATT YDS AVG LG TD RUSHING ATT YDS AVG LG TD
-------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
M PITTMAN 15 90 6.0 29 0 D FOSTER 15 64 4.3 13 0
E GRAHAM 17 48 2.8 11 1 D CARR 5 28 5.6 15 0
C WILLIAMS 6 41 6.8 18 0 D WILLIAMS 2 5 2.5 5 0
J GARCIA 4 10 2.5 8 1 B HOOVER 1 2 2.0 2 0

PASSING CM-AT-YDS IN TD LG PASSING CM-AT-YDS IN TD LG
-------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
J GARCIA 15-25-176 0 0 56 D CARR 19-41-155 1 1 24

Sacked-Yards Lost: None Sacked-Yards Lost: D CARR 3-18.

RECEIVING NO YDS AVG LG TD RECEIVING NO YDS AVG LG TD
-------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
I HILLIARD 7 114 16.3 56 0 S SMITH 5 32 6.4 15 0
A SMITH 4 17 4.3 8 0 D WILLIAMS 3 37 12.3 24 1
B ASKEW 1 17 17.0 17 0 D FOSTER 3 17 5.7 8 0
M CLAYTON 1 13 13.0 13 0 B HOOVER 2 17 8.5 14 0
E GRAHAM 1 8 8.0 8 0 D CARTER 2 16 8.0 9 0
J GALLOWAY 1 7 7.0 7 0 K COLBERT 2 16 8.0 10 0
J KING 1 14 14.0 14 0
D JARRETT 1 6 6.0 6 0

INTERCEPTIONS NO YDS AVG LG TD INTERCEPTIONS NO YDS AVG LG TD
-------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
J PHILLIPS 1 0 0.0 0 0

PUNTING NO YDS AVG T I LG PUNTING NO YDS AVG T I LG
-------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
J BIDWELL 5 176 35.2 2 2 45 J BAKER 8 371 46.4 0 4 64

T = Touchbacks, I = Inside 20

PUNT RETURNS NO YDS AVG LG TD PUNT RETURNS NO YDS AVG LG TD
-------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
M JONES 5 71 14.2 20 0 R ROBINSON 1 3 3.0 3 0

KICKOFF RETURNS NO YDS AVG LG TD KICKOFF RETURNS NO YDS AVG LG TD
-------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
M CLAYTON 1 19 19.0 19 0 N GOINGS 3 53 17.7 21 0
D WILLIAMS 1 29 29.0 29 0

KICKING XP/XPA FG/FGA KICKING XP/XPA FG/FGA
---------------------------------- ----------------------------------
M BRYANT 2/2 2/2 J KASAY 1/1 0/0
Dist.: 25 38

O-D O-D
FUMBLES NO LOST FF REC FUMBLES NO LOST FF REC
------------------------------------ ------------------------------------
I HILLIARD 1 1 0 0-0 D FOSTER 2 1 0 1-0
J GARCIA 1 0 0 1-0 C GAMBLE 0 0 1 0-0
T JACKSON 0 0 1 0-0 T DAVIS 0 0 0 0-1
B RUUD 0 0 1 0-0
G PETERSON 0 0 0 0-1

DEFENSE TK SO AS SK-YD DEFENSE TK SO AS SK-YD
------------------------------------ ------------------------------------
P BUCHANON 6 6 0 0-0 J BEASON 9 7 2 0-0
J PHILLIPS 5 5 0 0-0 J ANDERSON 7 5 2 0-0
B RUUD 5 5 0 0-0 C HARRIS 6 5 1 0-0
J HAYE 4 4 0 1-5 T DAVIS 6 4 2 0-0
D BROOKS 3 3 0 0-0 M KEMOEATU 5 4 1 0-0
R BARBER 3 3 0 0-0 K JENKINS 4 4 0 0-0
Q BLACK 3 3 0 0-0 C GAMBLE 4 4 0 0-0
G PETERSON 2 2 0 1-6 K LUCAS 4 3 1 0-0
C HOVAN 2 2 0 0-0 M RUCKER 3 3 0 0-0
T JACKSON 2 2 0 0-0 D COOPER 3 2 1 0-0
G WHITE 2 2 0 0-0 J PEPPERS 3 2 1 0-0
P CHUKWURAH 1 1 0 1-7 D LEWIS 3 2 1 0-0
G SPIRES 1 1 0 0-0 K MOOREHEAD 2 0 2 0-0
G ADAMS 1 1 0 0-0 R MARSHALL 1 1 0 0-0
S DAVIS 1 1 0 0-0 S MCCLOVER 1 1 0 0-0
K CARTER 1 0 1 0-0 N DIGGS 1 0 1 0-0

Officials: Referee-Peter Morelli, Umpire-Darrell Jenkins, Head
Linesman-George Hayward, Line Judge-Charles Steward, Field Judge-Jim
Saracino, Side Judge-Jeff Lamberth, Back Judge-Keith Ferguson.

Att: 68,931 Time of Game: 3:02</div>

 

NFL: TAMPA BAY at CAROLINA

<div class="pre">NFL FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
TAMPA BAY 14 3 0 3 20
CAROLINA 0 0 0 7 7 FINAL

SCORING SUMMARY

1ST QUARTER:

6:17 TAM - TD, JEFF GARCIA 3 YD RUN (MATT BRYANT KICK).
Drive: 11 plays, 71 yards in 6:17.
Key plays: Garcia 15-yard pass to Hilliard to midfield; Garcia
15-yard pass to Hilliard to Carolina 35; 5-yard neutral zone infraction
penalty on Panthers' Peppers on 3rd-and-5 to Carolina 25; Garcia 9-yard
pass to Hilliard on 3rd-and-9 to Carolina 15. TAMPA BAY 7-0.
14:12 TAM - TD, EARNEST GRAHAM 1 YD RUN (MATT BRYANT KICK).
Drive: 5 plays, 48 yards in 2:25.
Key plays: Jones 16-yard punt return to Carolina 48; Williams
18-yard run to Carolina 30; Garcia 17-yard pass to Askew to Carolina 13;
Graham 11-yard run to Carolina 2. TAMPA BAY 14-0.

2ND QUARTER:

8:19 TAM - FG, MATT BRYANT 25 YD.
Drive: 6 plays, 61 yards in 2:30.
Key plays: Garcia 56-yard pass to Hilliard to Carolina 10. TAMPA BAY
17-0.

3RD QUARTER:

NONE

4TH QUARTER:

4:39 TAM - FG, MATT BRYANT 38 YD.
Drive: 4 plays, 8 yards in 1:30.
Key plays: Phillips interception at Carolina 28. TAMPA BAY 20-0.
14:37 CAR - TD, DEANGELO WILLIAMS 24 YD PASS FROM DAVID CARR (JOHN KASAY KICK).
Drive: 12 plays, 60 yards in 2:32.
Key plays: Carr 10-yard pass to Colbert on 3rd-and-10 to midfield.
TAMPA BAY 20-7.

TAMPA BAY - CAROLINA Final Statistics

TEAM STATISTICS TAMPA BAY CAROLINA

FIRST DOWNS 22 13
Rushing 12 6
Passing 8 7
Penalty 2 0
THIRD DOWN EFFICIENCY 5-13-38% 6-18-33%
FOURTH DOWN EFFICIENCY 0-1-0% 1-2-50%
TOTAL NET YARDS 365 236
Total offensive plays 67 67
Average gain per play 5.4 3.5
NET YARDS RUSHING 189 99
Rushing attempts 42 23
Average gain per rush 4.5 4.3
Tackles for loss-yards 0-0 1-1
NET YARDS PASSING 176 137
Times sacked: Number-Yards 0-0 3-18
Gross passing yards 176 155
PASS ATTEMPTS-COMPLETIONS-HAD INTERCEPTED 25-15-0 41-19-1
Avg gain per pass play 7.0 3.1
KICKOFFS: Number-In End Zone-Touchbacks 5-2-1 2-0-0
PUNTS: Number and Average 5-35.2 8-46.4
Had blocked 0 0
Net punting average 21.0 46.0
TOTAL RETURN YARDAGE (Not including kickoffs) 71 3
Number-Yards: Punt Returns 5-71 1-3
Number-Yards: Kickoff Returns 1-19 4-82
Number-Yards: Interception Returns 1-0 0-0
PENALTIES: Number-Yards 1-5 7-65
FUMBLES: Number-Lost 2-1 2-1
TOUCHDOWNS 2 1
Rushing 2 0
Passing 0 1
Interceptions 0 0
Other (blocked kicks, etc.) 0 0
EXTRA POINTS: Made-Attempts 2-2 1-1
Kicking: Made-Attempts 2-2 1-1
Passing: Made-Attempts 0-0 0-0
Rushing: Made-Attempts 0-0 0-0
FIELD GOALS: Made-Attempts 2-2 0-0
FGs - PATs had blocked 0-0 0-0
RED ZONE EFFICIENCY 2-4-50% 1-1-100%
GOAL TO GO EFFICIENCY 2-4-50% 0-0-0%
SAFETIES 0 0
TIME OF POSSESSION 34:40 25:20


INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

TAMPA BAY CAROLINA

RUSHING ATT YDS AVG LG TD RUSHING ATT YDS AVG LG TD
-------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
M PITTMAN 15 90 6.0 29 0 D FOSTER 15 64 4.3 13 0
E GRAHAM 17 48 2.8 11 1 D CARR 5 28 5.6 15 0
C WILLIAMS 6 41 6.8 18 0 D WILLIAMS 2 5 2.5 5 0
J GARCIA 4 10 2.5 8 1 B HOOVER 1 2 2.0 2 0

PASSING CM-AT-YDS IN TD LG PASSING CM-AT-YDS IN TD LG
-------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
J GARCIA 15-25-176 0 0 56 D CARR 19-41-155 1 1 24

Sacked-Yards Lost: None Sacked-Yards Lost: D CARR 3-18.

RECEIVING NO YDS AVG LG TD RECEIVING NO YDS AVG LG TD
-------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
I HILLIARD 7 114 16.3 56 0 S SMITH 5 32 6.4 15 0
A SMITH 4 17 4.3 8 0 D WILLIAMS 3 37 12.3 24 1
B ASKEW 1 17 17.0 17 0 D FOSTER 3 17 5.7 8 0
M CLAYTON 1 13 13.0 13 0 B HOOVER 2 17 8.5 14 0
E GRAHAM 1 8 8.0 8 0 D CARTER 2 16 8.0 9 0
J GALLOWAY 1 7 7.0 7 0 K COLBERT 2 16 8.0 10 0
J KING 1 14 14.0 14 0
D JARRETT 1 6 6.0 6 0

INTERCEPTIONS NO YDS AVG LG TD INTERCEPTIONS NO YDS AVG LG TD
-------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
J PHILLIPS 1 0 0.0 0 0

PUNTING NO YDS AVG T I LG PUNTING NO YDS AVG T I LG
-------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
J BIDWELL 5 176 35.2 2 2 45 J BAKER 8 371 46.4 0 4 64

T = Touchbacks, I = Inside 20

PUNT RETURNS NO YDS AVG LG TD PUNT RETURNS NO YDS AVG LG TD
-------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
M JONES 5 71 14.2 20 0 R ROBINSON 1 3 3.0 3 0

KICKOFF RETURNS NO YDS AVG LG TD KICKOFF RETURNS NO YDS AVG LG TD
-------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
M CLAYTON 1 19 19.0 19 0 N GOINGS 3 53 17.7 21 0
D WILLIAMS 1 29 29.0 29 0

KICKING XP/XPA FG/FGA KICKING XP/XPA FG/FGA
---------------------------------- ----------------------------------
M BRYANT 2/2 2/2 J KASAY 1/1 0/0
Dist.: 25 38

O-D O-D
FUMBLES NO LOST FF REC FUMBLES NO LOST FF REC
------------------------------------ ------------------------------------
I HILLIARD 1 1 0 0-0 D FOSTER 2 1 0 1-0
J GARCIA 1 0 0 1-0 C GAMBLE 0 0 1 0-0
T JACKSON 0 0 1 0-0 T DAVIS 0 0 0 0-1
B RUUD 0 0 1 0-0
G PETERSON 0 0 0 0-1

DEFENSE TK SO AS SK-YD DEFENSE TK SO AS SK-YD
------------------------------------ ------------------------------------
P BUCHANON 6 6 0 0-0 J BEASON 9 7 2 0-0
J PHILLIPS 5 5 0 0-0 J ANDERSON 7 5 2 0-0
B RUUD 5 5 0 0-0 C HARRIS 6 5 1 0-0
J HAYE 4 4 0 1-5 T DAVIS 6 4 2 0-0
D BROOKS 3 3 0 0-0 M KEMOEATU 5 4 1 0-0
R BARBER 3 3 0 0-0 K JENKINS 4 4 0 0-0
Q BLACK 3 3 0 0-0 C GAMBLE 4 4 0 0-0
G PETERSON 2 2 0 1-6 K LUCAS 4 3 1 0-0
C HOVAN 2 2 0 0-0 M RUCKER 3 3 0 0-0
T JACKSON 2 2 0 0-0 D COOPER 3 2 1 0-0
G WHITE 2 2 0 0-0 J PEPPERS 3 2 1 0-0
P CHUKWURAH 1 1 0 1-7 D LEWIS 3 2 1 0-0
G SPIRES 1 1 0 0-0 K MOOREHEAD 2 0 2 0-0
G ADAMS 1 1 0 0-0 R MARSHALL 1 1 0 0-0
S DAVIS 1 1 0 0-0 S MCCLOVER 1 1 0 0-0
K CARTER 1 0 1 0-0 N DIGGS 1 0 1 0-0

Officials: Referee-Peter Morelli, Umpire-Darrell Jenkins, Head
Linesman-George Hayward, Line Judge-Charles Steward, Field Judge-Jim
Saracino, Side Judge-Jeff Lamberth, Back Judge-Keith Ferguson.

Att: 68,931 Time of Game: 3:02</div>

 

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (Ticker) -- There is reason to fearthe Tampa Bay Buccaneers' defense again.


Quarterback Jeff Garcia ran for a score and let his defense dothe rest as the Buccaneers took over first place in the NFCSouth with a convincing 20-7 victory over the Carolina Pantherson Sunday.


The once-heralded Tampa Bay defense took a step back lastseason, finishing 21st in the league, but the squad appears tobe back on track. The Buccaneers smothered the Panthers'offense, allowing just 13 first downs and 236 yards of offense,most of those coming late in the contest.


"Defensively, I can't say enough," Bucs coach Jon Gruden said."I expect more. I expect more fro them because I really believetheir talented."


Tampa Bay (3-1) came within 23 seconds of a shutout, butDeAngelo Williams scored on a 24-yard touchdown reception in thefinal moments to spoil the bid. The Bucs did shut out thePanthers (2-2) in the first half, marking the third consecutiveweek that the Buccaneers have not been scored upon in the firsttwo quarters.


"As a whole, we came out and did some good things," said rookiedefensive end Gaines Adams, the team's No. 1 pick. "We playedhard-nosed defense. We saw some good things and the coaches putus in a position to make plays. We just have to continue toplay hard."


While they won the game, the Buccaneers may have lost running<div class="pre">back Carnell "Cadillac" Williams for a substantial period of</div>time.


The team's first round pick in 2005, who was already nursingsore ribs, left the game in the first quarter with a seriousright knee injury and team officials indicated it could beseason-ending.


"I don't know anything. That's why I said I'm reallyconcerned," Gruden said. "I don't want to say anything I can'tbackup.


Michael Pittman picked up the slack in Williams' absence,carrying 15 times for 90 yards, and sounded like he is preparedto do more of the same in the future.


"Cadillac's a great athlete, our go-to guy on offense," Pittmansaid. "When I came in at halftime ... and he knows he's gonefor the season ... it's an unfortunate situation. But me andEarnest (Graham) got to step up and got to share the load.

"I've been a starter in this league and I know what it takes andwhat is expected. I'm going to continue to do the samethings."


Winners of three straight, the Buccaneers also benefited fromthe fact that Panthers starting quarterback Jake Delhomme wassidelined with an elbow injury.


David Carr got the start in his place and struggled, finishing19-of-41 for 155 yards with one touchdown and one interception.The 2002 first-round draft pick of the Houston Texans was booedoff the field after overthrowing Drew Carter on a 4th-and-2 inthe fourth quarter.


"We made a couple of plays but we didn't make enough of themagainst this football team to win," Carr said. "As thequarterback, I take responsibility for it. I could have mademore plays to those guys and put us in a position to win."

While the defense was giving Carolina fits, Jeff Garcia and theTampa Bay offense played a steady game and provided acomfortable lead.


On the opening drive of the game, Garcia marched the Buccaneers71 yards on 11 plays, capping things himself with a 3-yardtouchdown run. The lead swelled to 14-0 late in the firstquarter when Earnest Graham pounded his way into the end zonefrom a yard out.


That would be all the Buccaneers defense needed, although MattBryant tacked on field goals of 25 and 38 yards later in thegame to provide insurance.


"Offensively, we took the opening drive and we did exactly whatwe came here to do," Gruden said. "We had turnovers in thesecond half that took points off the board. ... Other than that,I was very impressed with what we did against a great Carolinateam that's given us a lot of looks."


Defensive back Phillip Buchanon led the defensive effort withsix tackles and safety Jermaine Phillips pulled in the team'slone interception.


"There wasn't one phase where we can feel good walking away fromthat game," Carolina coach John Fox said. "I think they playedwell, particularly on defense. We just couldn't get muchgoing."


Garcia finished 15-of-25 for 176 yards with no interceptions.The 37-year-old veteran has thrown for 771 yards this season andcompleted 64 percent (58-for-90) of his passes without aninterception.


Ike Hilliard had seven catches and 114 receiving yards for theBuccaneers, who beat the Panthers for just the second time intheir last nine meetings.


"It could have easily been Joey (Galloway) making the plays, buttoday it just happened to be me," Hilliard said. "Obviously,we wanted to be able to come out and put points on the board.When you're on the road, playing a real good team, you want tobe able to build momentum, and build a cushion for our defense."

Additionally, Tampa Bay offensive tackle Luke Petitgout left thegame in the second quarter with a right knee sprain and did notreturn.