By Aaron Beard
Associated Press
CHARLOTTE ó Cam Newton led a pair of field-goal drives in his NFL debut, and Jimmy Clausen threw a touchdown pass to Greg Olsen to help the Carolina Panthers beat the New York Giants 20-10 in a preseason game Saturday night.
Newton, the Heisman Trophy winner from Auburn and top overall pick in the NFL draft, had mixed results. He struggled with his accuracy and twice failed to get the Panthers into the end zone on promising first-half drives. But he also showed plenty of zip on his throws and brought some big-play potential to the leagueís worst offense last season.
Newton completed 8 of 19 throws for 134 yards, including a pair of completions of at least 30 yards. He entered the game to loud cheers on Carolinaís first drive of the second quarter and left early in the fourth.
Michael Boley returned an interception 56 yards for a score in the gameís opening minutes for the Giantsí only touchdown.
It was a forgettable night for New Yorkís offense, which never reached the end zone. Lawrence Tynes missed two field goals and had another blocked in the fourth.
The game also marked the debut of Panthers coach Ron Rivera, who replaced John Fox as the franchise begins a significant overhaul.
Newtonís arrival seems sure to provide a spark and renewed fan interest for a team coming off a two-win season. The loudest cheers of the night came when Newton put on his helmet and ran onto the field to replace Clausen with 14:21 left in the second quarter.
His first throw was a safe one, a rollout to the right on play action for a short pass to Olsen that the tight end turned into a 10-yard gain.
A few plays later, Newton found Olsen again with an on-the-button throw to the left for a 30-yard gain that set up a first-and-goal.
But Newton twice failed to connect with Brandon LaFell in the end zone, forcing Carolina to settle for a field goal. Newton also led the Panthers on a 54-yard drive in the final minute of the half, but rushed a pass against pressure and overthrew an open Armanti Edwards at the goal line to set up another field goal for a 13-10 halftime lead.