The Panthers prevailed on Saturday Night when John Kasay connected on a 46-yard field goal in overtime.  The Panthers unleashed a dominating running attack on the poor Colts’ defense over the weekend.  They kept the passing game pretty conservative in the first preseason game but it was still effective.  Jake Delhomme played the first two series of the game but he only threw 1 pass and it was incomplete.  Matt Moore followed Delhomme in the game and he was effective completing 7 of 14 passes for 107 yards.  Brett Basanez also had a decent game except for the fact that he threw an interception.  Basanez completed 7 of 9 passes for 54 yards with 1 interception on Saturday.  Lester Ricard also had a decent game as he is likely fighting Basanez for one roster spot.  Decori Birmingham was a workhorse for the Panthers on Saturday Night as he led the team in rushing yards with 70 in 17 carries (4.1 ypc).  DeAngelo Williams was electric on Saturday Night as he rushed for 55 yards on 9 carries (6.1 ypc).  He also scored 2 TDs rushing on carries of 1 and 10 yards.  LaBrandon Toefield had a solid debut for the Panthers with 49 yards rushing on 12 carries (4.1 ypc).  Nick Goings pitched in with 27 yards rushing on 7 carries (3.9 ypc).  2nd year WR Dwayne Jarrett led the way in the passing game for the Panthers with 3 grabs for 43 yards (14.3 avg).  It was nice to see him starting to wake up.  The Panthers finished up with 207 yards rushing on 48 carries (4.3 ypc) on Saturday Night.  The Panthers also completed 20 of 36 passes for 236 yards against the Colts.  The Panthers held onto the football for 43:12 compared to the Colts 27:55 and that is a great sign for the offense.

Rookie linebacker Dan Conner led the way for the Panthers against the Colts with 6 tackles.  DE Julius Peppers played like a man possessed as he only made 1 tackle but he also had a sack and recovered a fumble.  The Panthers did give up a lot of yards to the Colts so they have some things to work on.  The Colts rushed for 97 yards on 18 carries (5.4 ypc) on Saturday.  They also completed 29 of 51 passes for 268 yards against the Panthers.  Still, this was a good first game for the Panthers.