Sports - November 2003

Cardiac cats do it again at end

Published November 17, 2003

By JOHN MARK BROOKS, Staff Writer

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Pro Bowl cornerback Champ Bailey had locked down Panthers receiver Steve Smith all game long, holding him to three catches for 20 yards.

However sometimes all it takes is one play to make an impact, and Smith did just that with a 30-yard reception, to set up the winning score in the 20-17 Panthers victory.

“I never jumped, I knew it was coming, but I couldn’t get my head around. He’s a good player, I’ll give him that,” Bailey said of Smith.

Smith has amassed over 500 yards receiving in his last four games, but the story of this game was Stephen Davis.

The Spartanburg product carried the ball 28 times for 92 yards giving him 1,084 on the season. One of his biggest plays, however, came via the pass.

On fourth and one down, 17-13, from the 38 yard line Jake Delhomme hooked up with Davis on a flare pass for a 25-yard gain, keeping the Panthers’ hopes alive.

The soft-spoken Davis finished the seven play, 71-yard drive with a three yard run. On the run, Davis extended the ball, barely breaking the plane of the goal line.

 It was the ultimate redemption song for Davis who was released last year by the Redskins.

“It was very personal,” Davis said simply of the game.

Delhomme put together his third game-winning drive completing 20-30 for 317 yards. Muhsin Muhammad caught nine passes for a season-high 189 yards.

The most clutch defensive play was made by Deon Grant as he dashed the Redskins’ hopes by knocking down a pass intended for Lavernues Coles.

“They had ran that play a lot during the game and I just came up and made a play,” Grant said.

Brad Hoover the Panthers fullback, and former Western Carolina star, summed up their season. “Every week is a big win. We seem to be putting them together here lately. They’re coming down to the wire and that’s tough, but we’re winning them this year. That’s the difference between this year and years past,” he said.

Seven-year veteran Mike Minter said it feels great to be having such a successful season.

“J, I tell you what. It don’t get any better than that. We feel about it, but we got to continue to press on, he said.

Defensive end Mike Rucker who is leading the NFL with 11 sacks said their success is great for everybody.

“It’s good for the fans, it’s good for us as a team and it’s good as an organization,” he said.

Rucker said it’s particularly sweet for long-time Carolina fans.

“For those that have been with us through the thick and the thin, it’s more enjoyable. For those that jumped on (the bandwagon) we welcome you,” he said.

Rucker feels it’s his faith in Christ that has made his individual and team success possible.

“It’s huge. I can’t thank him enough. Me being here and being able to play this game at the level that we play is awesome. He’s really blessed us all,” he said.

The Panthers are on the road against the Bill Parcells-led Cowboys who are 7-3. The Panthers are now 8-2 on the season.

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

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