Panthers fall to Titans 37-17

By Kelly L. Griffith
News Editor

The Carolina Panthers ended their winning streak on Sunday, Oct. 19 against the Tennessee Titans.
After winning the coin toss, the Panthers prepared for the kickoff. However, the Panthers did not anticipate the Titans’ on-side kick, allowing Tennessee to steal the football and score during their first possession.

After the first quarter, the Titans had two touchdowns and a field goal, while leaving the Panthers scoreless. The Panthers came back during the second quarter to kick a 53-yard field goal before Tennessee ran for another touchdown.

The Panthers’ defense managed to hold the Titans from scoring during the third quarter. In the last fifteen minute quarter of the game, Steve Smith and Nick Goings of the Panthers ran in for two touchdowns. The Titans scored a field goal and a touchdown during the fourth quarter, winning the game with a 37-17 lead.

In their 10th year as an NFL franchise, the Panthers went 5-0 before falling to defeat. The Panthers have faced several challenges throughout the season so far.

“I think that really our biggest challenge is how well we make sure we stay together,” starting linebacker Will Witherspoon said when asked about the season’s obstacles.

Witherspoon also said he thinks the team has done well because it is a unified group.

“I think things are working out well, but ultimately I think we benefited from last year and the guys have learned the system,” Witherspoon said.

Although the team is not superstitious, it does have an open player prayer time before each game. Witherspoon said the team gets together in the back of the locker room to pray over team injuries and the day’s game.

Despite their loss, the Panthers are still going strong and will be ready to face off with New Orleans on Sunday, Oct. 26 at 1 p.m.