CHARLOTTE, N.C., Sept. 30 (UPI) -- Jeff Garcia ran for a first-quarter touchdown Sunday while the Tampa Bay defense shut down Carolina, 20-7.
Garcia completed 15-of-25 passes for 176 yards and ran for a 3-yard touchdown that helped carry the Buccaneers (3-1) to their third consecutive win. Matt Bryan kicked two field goals.
Ike Hilliard caught seven passes for 114 yards for the Bucs while Michael Pittman gained 90 yards on the ground.
The Panthers started David Carr at quarterback due to an injury to Jake Delhomme, and were kept off the scoreboard until the closing seconds of the contest when Carr connected with DeAngelo Williams for a 24-yard touchdown.
Carolina was slowed by seven penalties and gave up three sacks.
Carr finished the game 19-of-41 passing for 155 yards. Other than the final scoring drive, the longest Panthers' drive of the day went for just 35 yards and ended with a punt from midfield.
