ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, December 25, 1995 TAG: 9512260050
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: HOLIDAY
DATELINE: WASHINGTON
SOURCE: Associated Press
After four consecutive three-and-outs, the Washington Redskins came alive to kill Carolina's .500 dreams.
Stymied by the Panthers defense for nearly two quarters, the Redskins put together a lightning-quick, 93-yard drive for the go-ahead touchdown in a 20-17 victory Sunday at RFK Stadium.
The win brought a promising end to the Redskins' third consecutive season of double-digit losses. Washington (6-10) won three of its last four. Carolina (7-9) completed a historic season one victory short of becoming the only first-year expansion team in modern U.S. major professional sports not to finish with a losing record.
With the score tied at 10 and the ball on the Redskins' 7-yard line following a punt, Henry Ellard blew by rookie cornerback Tyrone Poole for a 59-yard reception from Gus Frerotte. On the next play, Michael Westbrook ran 33 yards on a reverse to set up Terry Allen's 1-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.
On Washington's next series, Westbrook made a leaping catch for a 32-yard gain to set up Eddie Murray's 32-yard field goal. The Redskins' defense did the rest, forcing the Panthers into a punt or interception on every second-half possession until a touchdown pass from Kerry Collins to Willie Green with 35 seconds remaining.
The Panthers' last hope ended when the Redskins recovered the subsequent onside kick.
Before Washington's big-play explosion, Frerotte had completed only two of 10 passes. Frerotte (10-for-24, 185 yards), the likely subject of off-season trade rumors, started in place of Heath Shuler, who broke a finger Dec.17 during a game at St.Louis.
The key to the Panthers' season was defense, but it was the Redskins who put the clamps on in the second half. Linebacker Marvcus Patton was the principle force, with nine tackles and one sack. Rookie quarterback Collins (19-of-43 for 201 yards and two interceptions) often appeared out of sync with his receivers, especially when he missed a wide-open Don Beebe on the series after the Redskins took a 17-10 lead.
Collins was 4-of-5 for 48 yards on the Panthers' opening drive, which ended with John Kasay's 42-yard field goal to make it 3-0.
The Redskins, with good field position after another superb kickoff return by Brian Mitchell, came back with a 58-yard scoring drive. Allen's 1-yard touchdown run capped it; Allen finished with 92 yards on 28 carries.
Early in the second quarter, a miscommunication between Collins and Derrick Moore led to an interception by safety James Washington at the Panthers' 30. The Redskins could only get a 29-yard field goal by Murray out of the turnover after Darion Conner sacked Frerotte on third-and-goal at the 2.
NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.
LENGTH: Medium: 62 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: AP. The Redskins' Rich Owens (96) and Tom Carter wrap upby CNBPanthers wide receiver Mark Carrier in the first quarter of Sunday's
game at RFK Stadium. The Redskins won 20-17 to dash Carolina's hopes
for a .500 inaugural season. color.