Panthers 28 Bucs 21 Final

Tampa, Florida - When the offense stalled in the 2nd half, the Bucs' special teams and defense stepped up against the Panthers. But even though the (0-6) Bucs came the closest they've been all year to a win, Carolina (2-3) simply and literally outran them in a 28-21 win.

The Bucs offense burst out of the gates, beginning the day against Carolina with a touchdown on the first drive of the game. Josh Johnson led a 5 play, 59 yard drive that ended with a 20 yard Cadillac Williams' touchdown.

But with ten seconds remaining in the 1^st quarter, the Bucs failed on a chance to jump up by another three points when kicker Shane Andrus struggled kicking against the swirling wind at Ray Jay. Andrus missed a 43 yard field goal that went short.

Carolina kicked off the second quarter with a touchdown on its first drive. DeAngelo Williams tied the game on a 20 yard touchdown run.

The Bucs special teams unit owned the highlight of the first half. As Carolina's John Kasay attempted a 52 yard field goal with 6:25 left in the 2nd quarter, Davin Joseph blocked the kick and Quincy Black recovered it giving the Bucs the ball on the 28. It was the first blocked field goal for the Bucs since December 2006. A penalty, a fumble, and a near interception marred the Bucs on the ensuing possession, despite an impressive 18 yard first down catch by Kellen Winslow that had the Bucs briefly on the CAR 24, and they were eventually forced to punt.

The first half was not without its drama. With ten seconds remaining, Carolina's Dante Wesley was thrown out of the game for an illegal hit on Bucs return man Clifton Smith that knocked Smith out before he had a chance to field the ball. A brief fight broke out in the endzone between teams while the crowd chanted for Wesley's exit. Officials disqualified Wesley from the game. Smith was able to walk to the locker room on his own power but suffered a concussion and is out of the game.

The Bucs' offense struggled the 2nd half, with a mistake that cost the lead to start the 3rd quarter. Thomas Davis intercepted Josh Johnson's pass intended for Michael Clayton on the 36. The Panthers capitolized and went 12 yards in 5 plays as Jake Delhomme connected with Jeff King for a 1 yard touchdown and a 14-7 lead.

With under three minutes to play in the 3rd quarter, the Panthers widened their lead to 21-7 when Jonathan Stewart capped off a 6 play, 60 yard drive with a 26 yard touchdown.

Finally to the relief of Bucs' fans, on the ensuing kickoff return, it was the Panthers turn miss some tackles as rookie Sammie Stroughter breathed life back in the Bucs by taking the return 97 yards to the endzone for a touchdown and a 21-14 score. The third kickoff retun in team history ties the longest kickoff return in team history (Clifton Smith, 97 yds, 2008).