Tampa, FL (Sports Network) - Connor Barth made three field goals and Josh
Freeman threw a touchdown pass in the first quarter, as the Tampa Bay
Buccaneers opened the Greg Schiano era with a 16-10 victory over the Carolina
Panthers.
Freeman completed 16-of-24 passes for 138 yards for the Buccaneers (1-0), who
went 4-12 last year.
Doug Martin carried the ball 24 times for 95 yards for Tampa Bay, which lost
its final 10 games last season. That led to the firing of former coach Raheem
Morris. Schiano was hired after a successful 11-year stint at Rutgers
University.
Carolina quarterback Cam Newton, who set a number of records in winning the
NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award in 2011, connected on 23-of-33 passes
for 303 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.
Steve Smith caught seven passes for 106 yards for the Panthers (0-1), who went
6-10 last year. Brandon LaFell hauled in three passes for 65 yards and a
score.
Carolina's running game struggled all day without Jonathan Stewart, who sat
out with a right ankle injury. The Panthers had just 10 yards on the ground.
The Sports Network