Starters rest, Batch sharp in victory

Associated Press

CHARLOTTE, N.C.

Cam Newton didn’t play much in his final preseason game. He sure made the most of his brief time on the field.

Newton threw his first touchdown pass as a pro during the Carolina Panthers’ 33-17 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday night in their preseason finale.

And after the game, coach Ron Rivera made it official: Newton will start the Sept. 11 opener at Arizona.

The Heisman Trophy winner and No. 1 draft pick out of Auburn played only the first series. He was 3 of 5 for 25 yards with the 10-yard touchdown pass to Jeremy Shockey against a Steelers defense that rested Troy Polamalu and several other key players.

Charlie Batch started for Pittsburgh and was 6 of 8 for 59 yards and led a touchdown drive while playing roughly one quarter. He and Dennis Dixon are competing to back up Ben Roethlisberger, who also sat this one out.

Not many starters played for either team during what essentially was one last audition for players battling for roster spots and position on the depth chart, with cuts coming Saturday.

Polamalu, James Harrison and many of the other Pittsburgh starters didn’t see the field for a unit that last season ranked second in the league in total defense, was its toughest against the run and helped the Steelers make their eighth Super Bowl appearance.

Batch entered having thrown only four passes this preseason, but he was 5 of 6 for 60 yards on his opening drive alone and led the Steelers to a touchdown against much of Carolina’s starting defense. Batch hit Mike Wallace with a quick strike inside the 10-yard line, but the receiver fumbled as he was hit near the goal line by Chris Gamble, and David Johnson recovered in the end zone to make it 7-0.

Backups for both teams turned in big scoring plays in the second quarter.