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John Kasay kicks the game-winner. (AP Photo)
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When John Kasay trotted out to attempt his fourth field goal of the game Sunday against the defending Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the last original Panther may have been the only player left on the field not struggling to breathe.
In sweltering conditions at Raymond James Stadium, Kasay booted a 47-yard field goal in overtime for a 12-9 Panthers victory, taking the breath out of the crowd as well. Kasay was one of many heroes for the Panthers, who improved to 2-0 heading into their bye week.
* Kris Jenkins blocked a Martin Grammatica field goal attempt in the first half, then did it again on the game-winning extra point attempt with no time left on the clock in regulation.
* Stephen Davis rushed for 142 yards on 33 carries, including 23 yards in the overtime.
* Steve Smith caught three passes for 27 yards, but it was his 51-yard punt return that put the Panthers in position to kick the game-winning field goal in overtime.
* Al Wallace returned an interception 53 yards just before intermission that set up Kasay's second field goal.
* Brian Allen, starting at linebacker in place of the injured Dan Morgan, posted a team-high 10 tackles and one pass defensed.
* Julius Peppers also blocked a Grammatica field goal attempt.
The Panthers took their first possession and marched 70 yards to the Buccaneers 10-yard line before settling for a 28-yard field goal from Kasay.
The two defenses dominated the first half and when the Buccaneers faced a third-and-one at the Panthers 42, the Panthers defense made a big play. Brad Johnson's pass, intended for tight end Ken Dilger, was pulled out of the air by Wallace with one hand. Wallace rumbled 53 yards to the Buccaneers seven-yard line. Kasay cashed in with his second field goal of the game, this time from 35 yards with just 18 seconds remaining.
Leading 6-0 at the half, the Panthers drove 70 yards to the Buccaneers two-yard line before Kasay knocked in his third field goal of the game from 20 yards out and a 9-0 lead with 10:11 remaining in the third quarter.
Carolina stuffed the Buccaneers on the next two possessions, but Tampa Bay broke through when Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme was intercepted by Buccaneers cornerback Brian Kelly, who returned it to the Panthers 28. Three plays later Martin Grammatica kicked a 41-yard field goal to bring the hosts to within 9-3.
In the fourth quarter, the Panthers held the Buccaneers scoreless on their first three drives, but the fourth drive, which started at the Tampa Bay 18-yard line with 1:49 remaining, bore fruit for the champions. Brad Johnson completed five of 10 passes, the last of which was a six-yard touchdown to Keenan McCardell, to put the Buccaneers in position to win the game. But Jenkins broke straight through the Tampa Bay line and easily blocked Grammatica's extra point attempt, sending the game into overtime.
Carolina won the coin toss, but they were only able to get the ball to their own 37-yard line before being forced to punt. Tampa Bay took over on their 18 again and drove down to the Panthers 42 before they, too, had to punt. That's when Smith struck with the big play. He caught the punt on one bounce and eluded several defenders, taking it all the way to the Buccaneers 40.
Davis and Rod Smart ran twice each to get the ball into field goal range, where Kasay sealed the deal with a 47-yarder.
The Panthers lead the NFC South with a 2-0 record, while the Buccaneers, New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons are all 1-1. After their bye week, the Panthers host the Falcons at 4:15 on September 28 at Ericsson Stadium.
