This report filed August 31, 2001

Carolina's Dialleo Burks caught a 51-yard TD pass from Matt Lytle to put the Panthers up, 23-20 with 3:53 to go.

John Kasay put the Panthers up, 16-13, with a 32-yard field goal but the Browns Andre King answered by returning the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown. It's 20-16, Browns, with 4:59 to go.

It's still tied with 8:14 left in the game. Browns LB Anthony Harris left the game with a sprained left ankle. H-Back Aaron Shea is being attended to by trainers. His status is unknown.

After three quarters the game is tied at 13.

Spergon Wynn is in at QB. Ben Gay is the running back. The Browns are facing a third and nine at their own 34 with 7:45 to play in the third. Wynn's pass falls incomplete and Chris Gardocki comes into punt.

At halftime it's Browns 13, Panthers 13.

The Panthers moved to the Browns' one-yard line on a pass interference penalty on Browns CB Lamar Chapman. The teams then traded penalties and Carolina finally crossed the goal line with 18 seconds to play in the half on a one-yard run by Tim Biakabatuka. The PAT tied the game at 13.

Dennis Northcutt has a bruised right shoulder. His return is questionable. This is Northcutt's first preseason game after sitting out with a broken right collarbone. He caught three passes for 42 yards before leaving the game.

Phil Dawson kicked a 32-yard field goal with 4:56 to go in the second quarter to put the Browns up, 13-6. The kick capped an 11-play, 72-yard drive that chewed 5:16 off the clock.

Panthers CB Jimmy Hitchcock left the game shaken up. His return is questionable. S Mike Minter has a sprained right knee and will not return.

Browns DE Courtney Brown has a sprained right knee. His return is doubtful.

After one it's Browns 10, Panthers 6. The Browns have the ball, second down and nine, at their own 47.

Carolina K John Kasay missed a 40-yard field goal attempt wide right with 55 seconds remaining in the opening quarter.

The Browns second team offense is in the game. The starters ran 16 plays, gained 121 yards, scored 10 points and turned the ball over once. Couch was 7-9 for 95 yards and a TD.

The Panthers countered with a 101-yard kickoff return by rookie WR Steve Smith on the ensuing kick. The Panthers fumbled the snap on the PAT and did not convert. At 5:58, it's Browns 10, Panthers 6.

A 29-yard field goal by Phil Dawson at 6:19 made it 10-0, Browns.

The Browns scored first as Tim Couch threw a 12-yard TD pass to Jamel White with 10:24 to go in the opening quarter. Cleveland covered 40 yards in five plays on the drive, which was set up by a Courtney Brown fumble recovery.

The Browns and Panthers kicked off at 8:05 pm EST. The Browns won the toss and chose to receive. The Panthers will defend the north goal.

ONE IN, ONE OUT—The Browns released CB Ray Jackson Friday and reacquired DE Mark Word from the Hamilton Tiger Cats of the CFL. The Browns were forced to relinquish the rights to Word two weeks ago due to a contract rule that voided his NFL contract. Word is now wearing #75. WR Andre King has changed from #18 to #84.

INACTIVES—For the Browns, Kevin Thompson, Marquis Smith, Mark Campbell, JaJuan Dawson and Marcus Spriggs. For the Panthers, Richard Huntley, Patrick Jeffers and Al Lucas.

<back to news