Carolina Panthers

Roaring Recap: Panthers 18 - Steelers 6

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

The only thing electric in Charlotte on Thursday night was the lightning…

Following a kickoff delay, due to lightning in the area, it was the Panthers backups and reserves chance to showcase their capabilities during the fourth and final preseason game. Neither team played many starters, resulting in a field goal affair for Carolina and a lone fourth quarter touchdown for Pittsburgh. A win is a win and fortunately for Carolina they were able to earn one here having never made the playoffs when sub .500 in the preseason. Following roster cuts, due Saturday by 4:00pm EDT, the focus is squarely on the Denver Broncos and week one.

Joe Webb started at quarterback for the Panthers and played throughout the entire game. Likewise, Pittsburgh started backup Landry Jones before reserve Bryn Renner took over. Cameron Artis-Payne received some quality reps and defensively the Carolina reserves were able to hold the Steelers to only the one score.

Sep 1, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers running back Cameron Artis-Payne (34) is stopped by Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Lawrence Timmons (94) during the first half of the game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports

FIRST QUARTER: 3-0, CAROLINA

Following the 30 minute delay the Panthers and Steelers kicked off the final exhibition prior to the regular season. Especially with the rain in the area, some starters for Carolina were not even dressed – Cam Newton, Luke Kuechly, and Greg Olsen to name a few. Reserve quarterback Joe Webb led the sole scoring drive of the first frame when Graham Gano connected from 47-yards on his first of seven field goal attempts.

Kickoff of #PITvsCAR has been delayed due to weather. pic.twitter.com/fod93E0CiX

— NFL (@NFL) September 1, 2016

SECOND QUARTER: 12-0, CAROLINA

Three additional second quarter possessions all ended in Gano field goals. The defense kept forcing the punt and Webb kept answering. He almost got a touchdown pass on the second drive before being denied by Steelers’ first-round pick, Artie Burns. Likewise, he followed suit on the third possession with what appeared to be a touchdown toss to Keyarris Garrett before being called back due to offensive pass interference.

DENIED!@Steelers first-rounder @_audi8 denies the TD pass and nearly comes down with the INT. #PITvsCAR https://t.co/GqPevKKKiM

— NFL (@NFL) September 2, 2016

THIRD QUARTER: 15-0, CAROLINA

The ‘Gano Show’ continued into the third quarter, but the Carolina kicker did record his first miss of the preseason. Gano connected on a 22-yard attempt prior to missing a 44-yard try. The Steelers mounted their first scoring drive late in the third quarter, following the missed field goal.

FOURTH QUARTER: 18-6, CAROLINA

Reserve running back Daryl Richardson rushed up the middle for a 1-yard touchdown capping off a seven play, 66-yard drive for the Steelers. A failed conversion attempt followed the only score of the game for Pittsburgh.

Gano hit his sixth field goal, this time from 45-yards, with 10:53 remaining in the game. The reserves finished up as preseason games are now completed.

Sep 3, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Carolina Panthers kicker Graham Gano (9) kicks a field goal held by punter Brad Nortman (8) during the second half at Heinz Field. The Panthers won the game, 23-6. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

Recording seven field goal attempts, Gano got to work closely with newly acquired punter Andy Lee who serves as the holder. Rivera even touched on that being a reason for so many attempts during the game. “There were a couple spots that I was thinking about going for it on fourth down but I really did fight that urge and let the snapper/holder/kicker work together,” Rivera said.

The focus now turns to the Denver Broncos, as the Panthers prepare to open the weekend for the entire NFL next Thursday night. Rosters have to be trimmed down to 53 men prior to Saturday at 4:00pm EDT and following a set practice squad of 10 additional players, Carolina will begin preparations for the defending Super Bowl champions.