CINCINNATI, Aug. 25 (UPI) -- Andy Dalton outdueled Cam Newton in a unique battle of rookie quarterbacks Thursday, leading the Cincinnati Bengals to a 24-13 pre-season win over Carolina.
Dalton and Newton guided unbeaten college teams that finished in the top two spots in the national rankings last year. Newton's Auburn Tigers won the national title and Dalton's TCU Horned Frogs defeated Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl.
Dalton completed 11-of-17 passes for 130 yards and a touchdown Thursday. He was at the helm while the Bengals were putting together four scoring drives in the second period for a 24-7 halftime lead.
Newton was 6-of-19 for 75 yards without a passing touchdown but he did run 16 yards for a first-period score.
Dalton's touchdown throw went for 40 yards to A.J. Green. Cedric Benson and Bernard Scott had scoring runs for the Bengals and Mike Nugent kicked a 55-yard field goal at the end of the first half.
Both teams are 1-2 in the exhibition campaign.
