Panthers fall 17-3 to Patriots in preseason opener

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FOXBOROUGH, MASS. ( CHARLOTTE SPORTS LIVE ) — The Carolina Panthers faced off against the New England Patriots and Tar Heels star Drake Maye in the preseason opener for the two teams.

Carolina was off to a rough start with several incomplete passes from new quarterback Jack Plummer. The Patriots flirted with the red zone, but the Panthers kept any points from being made. Protection was okay.

The first quarter ended 0-0, notably with Carolina with -12 passing yards as opposed to the Pats’ 31 yards.

Defensive tackle Jaden Crumedy went down at the start of the second with a questionable ankle. Cornerback D’Shawn Jamison and tight end Jordan Matthews made ground, bringing Carolina to the 30-yard-line following a New England score. However, progress was quickly lost with QB Jack Plummer.

Charlotte native and Pats QB Drake Maye made his first NFL down completion to Pats running back Antonio Gibson.

Head coach Dave Canales won his first challenge as HC questioning a pass from New England. Tackle Badara Traore went down and was taken off the field. The Panthers went into halftime down 7-0.

Offensive linebacker Eku Leota made the first sack for the team. Defensive end Derrick McLendon made a second, taking out Pats Bailey Zappe. Carolina kept racking up flags ending the quarter still down 7-0.

Cornerback D’Shawn Jamison, standing at 5 feet, 9 inches, jump-blocked a pass. Cornerback Dicaprio Bootle immediately followed that up by making another Pats pass incomplete.

Carolina made a push in the last quarter, brutally fighting to gain ground but collecting flags. fell to the Patriots 17-3 after an under-two-minute field goal.

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