Score One For Carolina Panthers In Expansion Teams’ Grand Debut

What they lacked in polish, they made up for in sheer drama Saturday as the Carolina Panthers stopped a last-gasp drive at their goal line and held off the Jacksonville Jaguars 20-14 in the first game for the NFL’s two newest teams at Canton, Ohio.

First-round pick Kerry Collins of Penn State and veteran Jack Trudeau each directed a field-goal drive for Carolina in the fourth quarter after Jacksonville had tied it at 14 on James Stewart’s 1-yard run late in the third.

With the clock winding down, former UW quarterback Mark Brunell marched the Jaguars 63 yards in 14 plays but couldn’t punch it in on four from the 5-yard line.

Broncos 9, 49ers 7

At Denver, Hugh Millen directed two long scoring drives and Jason Elam kicked three field goals, helping former San Francisco offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan beat his old team.

Denver QB John Elway took only 18 snaps, completing 7 of 12 for 73 yards while Young took 11 snaps and was 3 for 6 for 8 yards.

Cowboys 21, Bills 15

At Irving, Texas, Emmitt Smith caught a touchdown pass and his rookie backup, Sherman Williams, scored twice for Dallas.

The Dallas first-team offense played only one series before retiring for the night.

Quarterback Jim Kelly and running back Thurman Thomas didn’t play for the Bills.