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Dwyer, Steelers top Panthers

Sep 2, 2011 - 5:34 AM Charlotte, NC (Sports Network) - Ben Roethlisberger wore a baseball cap. Rashard Mendenhall, Hines Ward and most of the Steelers starters joined him.

Jonathan Dwyer did his best to keep the wins, albeit of a preseason variety, coming. Dwyer busted off a 50-yard touchdown run as part of an 88-yard effort, leading Pittsburgh to a 33-17 victory over Carolina in the preseason finale for both teams.

Charlie Batch completed 6-of-8 passes for 59 yards in a starting role, while Dennis Dixon, who also has experience filling in for Roethlisberger, finished 11-of-22 for 157 yards and a touchdown. Emmanuel Sanders, slated as the slot receiver before injury kept him out nearly the entire preseason, played more than most key contributors, catching four passes for 60 yards.

Pittsburgh starts the regular season against Baltimore next Sunday in another edition of the AFC North's main rivalry.

Cam Newton played sparingly for the Panthers, finishing 3-of-5 for 25 yards and a 10-yard touchdown pass to Jeremy Shockey. The rookie was named the team's starting quarterback for the season opener against Arizona.

Mike Goodson ran for a team-best 31 yards in the loss.

Pittsburgh scored the game's final 13 points to pull away and finish off a 3-1 preseason.