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Moore leads Panthers past Seahawks in first start

Dec 16, 2007 - 10:53 PM CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (Ticker) -- Matt Moore did just enough to lead the Carolina Panthers to victory in his first career start.

With the game scoreless through three quarters, the undrafted rookie from Oregon State directed three fourth-quarter scoring drives to lead the Panthers to a 13-10 victory over the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.

Seattle, which clinched their fourth consecutive NFC West title last week, had its five-game winning streak snapped.

"There's not a lot to say about this game," Seattle coach Mike Holmgren said. "We didn't play very inspired football. Today, with that young quarterback, they got just enough points to win the game."

Moore, who was the fourth starting quarterback for the Panthers this season, completed 19-of-27 passes for 208 yards. Jake Delhomme, David Carr and Vinny Testaverde previously had started for Carolina.

"I think (Moore) did a great job," Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith said. "For a young guy like that, who comes in as an undrafted free agent rookie, he showed poise.

"Everybody makes mistakes, but the way he handled his mistakes shows his poise and his potential for the future."

Carolina (6-8) finally got on the board with 12:18 left in the fourth quarter on a 53-yard field goal by John Kasay.

The Seahawks (9-5) countered with a 10-play, 61-yard drive to knot the score with a 23-yard field goal by Josh Brown with 8:26 remaining.

Undaunted, Moore moved the Panthers downfield on their ensuing possession, completing three passes to Steve Smith for 31 yards.

The drive stalled at the Seattle 20-yard line, and Kasay kicked a 37-yard field goal to put the Panthers ahead, 6-3, with just under three minutes left.

"It's a little nerve-wracking, sitting there at three points, then six points, knowing you have to punch it in," Moore said. "Everyone was making plays. The guys up front were definitely huge. I think I only got touched one time.

"Personally, I'm glad I just managed the game. I didn't make any major mistakes."

Seattle's Matt Hasselbeck tried to get his team in scoring position, but was sacked by linebacker Thomas Davis and fumbled. Carolina cornerback Richard Marshall pounced on the ball at the Seahawks' 40-yard line with 1:38 left.

"Seattle's a great team and they have a great offense," Carolina defensive tackle Kris Jenkins said. "They're capable of great things. It wasn't just one series. The energy was continuous for the whole game."

DeAngelo Williams scored three plays after Hasselbeck's fumble on a 35-yard touchdown run to give the Panthers a 13-3 lead with 21 seconds left.

Hasselbeck narrowed the final margin with a 15-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Deion Branch with one second left.

Hasselbeck finished 27-of-41 for 274 yards.

It was just the second win for Carolina in its last eight games.

"This games a lot about confidence, a lot about belief," Carolina coach John Fox said. "I have a lot of respect for the kind of guys we have in that locker room.

"We've had a tough hand here for a while and they've hung in there and fought. I was glad to see them be able to get a win today."