1998

Carolina 12
Bills 7

Attendance: 30,010

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) John Kasay is like money in the bank.

"Cha-Ching,'' said Kasay's Carolina Panthers teammate, Kevin Greene. "Isn't that nice? Put it in the bank.''

Kasay accounted for all 12 of Carolina's points as the Panthers held off the Buffalo Bills for a 12-7 exhibition victory Friday night.

Kasay connected on field goals of 20, 37, 46 and 49 yards and improved to 9-for-9 on field goals this exhibition season.

"We have the utmost confidence in John and his ability,'' Panthers coach Dom Capers said. "I'm just happy we have him because I think he's right up there with the best in the league."

The Carolina defense was missing both of its starting defensive ends, but it didn't make scoring any easier for the Bills.

Defensive linemen Sean Gilbert and Shawn King did not play due to injuries and the club's first-round pick, Jason Peter, is unsigned.

Buffalo reached the Carolina 1 with 5:40 left in the game, but Bills fullback Jonathan Linton's fumble was recovered by Carolina's Spencer Reid in the back of the end zone. Most of the players on both teams had stopped, thinking the play was over.

The Panthers recovered Doug Flutie's fumble on the previous play, but it was called back after Dedrick Dodge was caught holding Flutie as the Buffalo backup quarterback was going for the ball.

"The exchange (on the first fumble) really was not Doug's fault'' said Linton said. "A lineman penetrated through and simultaneously got there when the ball got there, so I really didn't have a good handle on it when it was knocked loose. The one on the goal line I thought it was down and everyone else thought it was down as well.''

Kerry Collins, the Panthers' fourth-year quarterback, was 12-of-23 for 138 yards before leaving the game with an apparent broken nose just before halftime. Collins suffered a broken jaw last preseason and missed the first two regular-season contests. He will have X-rays Saturday in Charlotte.

"Thankfully, it's nothing nearly as significant as the injury last year,'' backup quarterback Steve Beuerlein said.

Kasay hit field goals from 20 and 49 yards to give Carolina a 6-0 lead midway through the second quarter.

Buffalo quarterback Rob Johnson connected with Quinn Early for a 40-yard gain with 2:31 remaining in the first half. Antowain Smith's 1-yard plunge gave the Bills a 7-6 advantage.

"Both the Steelers and Carolina have tough defenses and these are two good early tests for us,'' Johnson said. "We just have to go back to work on Monday and get better.''

Johnson finished the game 6-of-11 for 122 yards and also added 27 yards on four rushes.

"I think Rob was a little bit nervous in front of the home crowd,'' Buffalo coach Wade Phillips said. "He struggled early, but he came back out of it and that was what was important. I'd like to see him get rid of the ball more.''

Carolina regained the lead with 6:21 left in the third quarter on Kasay's 46-yarder.

Carolina (2-0) also played without Lamar Lathon (knee) and Shane Matthews (shoulder).

Andre Reed (sore tendons behind his knee), Bruce Smith (knee), Marlon Kerner (calf), and Alex Van Pelt (shoulder) did not see action for the Bills (0-2).

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