1995 Carolina Panthers season

Offseason

The Panthers were jokingly called "Buffalo Bills South" because of the large number of former Bills on the roster. Quarterback Frank Reich, wide receiver Don Beebe, tight end Pete Metzelaars and linebacker Carlton Bailey had played key roles in the Bills' run of four consecutive Super Bowls earlier in the 1990s and were on the Panthers' inaugural roster. Furthermore, the team's general manager was longtime Bills GM and executive Bill Polian. (See also the 2001 San Diego Chargers season, in which a similar situation arose when John Butler brought several former Bills with him to San Diego after being fired.)

Expansion draft

Main article: 1995 NFL expansion draft

^ Made roster.

NFL draft

Main article: 1995 NFL draft

Draft trades

Undrafted free agents

Personnel

Staff

• Owner/founder – Jerry Richardson

• President – Mike McCormack

• General manager – Bill Polian

• Head coach – Dom Capers

• Offensive coordinator – Joe Pendry

• Running backs – Chick Harris

• Wide receivers – Richard Williamson

• Tight ends – Don Breaux

• Offensive line – Jim McNally

• Assistant offensive line – Blair Bush

• Offensive quality control – John Shoop

• Defensive coordinator – Vic Fangio

• Defensive line – Cary Godette

• Linebackers – Kevin Steele

• Outside linebackers – Billy Davis

• Defensive Backs (Secondary) – George Catavolos

• Defensive quality control – Greg Roman

• Special teams – Brad Seely

• Strength and conditioning – Chip Morton

Roster

Preseason

Preseason

Regular season

Season summary

Week 1: at Atlanta Falcons

First quarter

• CAR – Pete Metzelaars 8-yard pass from Frank Reich (John Kasay kick). Panthers 7–0.
• CAR – John Kasay 39-yard field goal. Panthers 10–0.
• ATL – Morten Andersen 27-yard field goal. Panthers 10–3.
• CAR – John Kasay 41-yard field goal. Panthers 13–3. Second quarter
• ATL – J. J. Birden 12-yard pass from Jeff George (Morten Andersen kick). Panthers 13–10.
• ATL – Morten Andersen 51-yard field goal. Tied 13–13. Third quarter
• ATL – Bert Emanuel 5-yard pass from Jeff George (Morten Andersen kick). Falcons 20–13. Fourth quarter
• CAR – Willie Green 44-yard pass from Frank Reich (John Kasay kick). Tied 20–20. Overtime
• ATL – Morten Andersen 35-yard field goal. Falcons 23–20. Top passers
• CAR – Frank Reich – 23/44, 329 yards, 2 TD
• ATL – Jeff George – 27/45, 290 yards, 2 TD, INT Top rushers
• CAR – Randy Baldwin – 17 rushes, 43 yards
• ATL – Craig Heyward – 19 rushes, 61 yards Top receivers
• CAR – Willie Green – 7 receptions, 121 yards, TD
• ATL – Eric Metcalf – 9 receptions, 95 yards

Week 2: at Buffalo Bills

First quarter

• No scoring plays Second quarter
• CAR – John Kasay 34-yard field goal. Panthers 3–0.
• CAR – John Kasay 52-yard field goal. Panthers 6–0. Third quarter
• CAR – John Kasay 32-yard field goal. Panthers 9–0.
• BUF – Russell Copeland 77-yard pass from Jim Kelly (Steve Christie kick). Panthers 9–7.
• BUF – Thurman Thomas 4-yard run (Steve Christie kick). Bills 14–9.
• BUF – Darick Holmes 3-yard run (Steve Christie kick). Bills 21–9.
• BUF – Kurt Schulz 32-yard interception return (Steve Christie kick). Bills 28–9. Fourth quarter
• BUF – Steve Christie 39-yard field goal. Bills 31–9. Top passers
• CAR – Frank Reich – 6/21, 44 yards, INT
• BUF – Jim Kelly – 4/21, 176 yards, TD, 3 INT Top rushers
• CAR – Derrick Moore – 14 rushes, 53 yards
• BUF – Thurman Thomas – 22 rushes, 91 yards, TD Top receivers
• CAR – Mark Carrier – 2 receptions, 27 yards
• BUF – Russell Copeland – 2 receptions, 112 yards, TD

Week 3: vs. St. Louis Rams

First quarter

• No scoring plays Second quarter
• STL – Jerome Bettis 2-yard run (Steve McLaughlin kick). Rams 7–0.
• STL – Jessie Hester 23-yard pass from Chris Miller (Steve McLaughlin kick). Rams 14–0.
• CAR – John Kasay 45-yard field goal. Rams 14–3. Third quarter
• STL – Anthony Parker 28-yard fumble return (Steve McLaughlin kick). Rams 21–3.
• STL – Steve McLaughlin 34-yard field goal. Rams 24–3. Fourth quarter
• STL – Torin Dorn 24-yard interception return (Steve McLaughlin kick). Rams 31–3.
• CAR – Kerry Collins 1-yard run (John Kasay kick). Rams 31–10. Top passers
• STL – Chris Miller – 15/26, 225 yards, TD
• CAR – Frank Reich – 8/19, 68 yards, INT Top rushers
• STL – Jerome Bettis – 19 rushes, 67 yards, TD
• CAR – Vince Workman – 5 rushes, 48 yards Top receivers
• STL – Isaac Bruce – 5 receptions, 100 yards
• CAR – Eric Guliford – 4 receptions, 53 yards

Week 5: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

First quarter

• TB – Errict Rhett 1-yard run (Michael Husted kick). Buccaneers 7–0. Second quarter
• CAR – Derrick Moore 53-yard run (John Kasay kick). Tied 7–7.
• TB – Michael Husted 25-yard field goal. Buccaneers 10–7.
• TB – Michael Husted 27-yard field goal. Buccaneers 13–7. Third quarter
• CAR – Pete Metzelaars 4-yard pass from Kerry Collins (kick failed). Tied 13–13. Fourth quarter
• TB – Casey Weldon 1-yard run (Michael Husted kick). Buccaneers 20–13. Top passers
• TB – Casey Weldon – 9/20, 156 yards
• CAR – Kerry Collins – 18/32, 234 yards, TD, INT Top rushers
• TB – Errict Rhett – 22 rushes, 50 yards, TD
• CAR – Derrick Moore – 21 rushes, 123 yards, TD Top receivers
• TB – Jackie Harris – 5 receptions, 108 yards
• CAR – Mark Carrier – 5 receptions, 90 yards

Week 6: at Chicago Bears

First quarter

• CHI – Curtis Conway 41-yard pass from Erik Kramer (Kevin Butler kick). Bears 7–0.
• CAR – John Kasay 21-yard field goal. Bears 7–3. Second quarter
• CAR – Mark Carrier 66-yard pass from Kerry Collins (John Kasay kick). Panthers 10–7.
• CHI – Keith Jennings 1-yard pass from Erik Kramer (Kevin Butler kick). Bears 14–10.
• CAR – John Kasay 49-yard field goal. Bears 14–13. Third quarter
• CHI – Kevin Butler 23-yard field goal. Bears 17–13. Fourth quarter
• CAR – Greg Kragen 1-yard fumble return (John Kasay kick). Panthers 20–17.
• CHI – Ryan Wetnight 1-yard pass from Erik Kramer (Kevin Butler kick). Bears 24–20.
• CAR – Eric Guliford 62-yard punt return (John Kasay kick). Panthers 27–24.
• CHI – Robert Green 1-yard run (Kevin Butler kick). Bears 31–27. Top passers
• CAR – Kerry Collins – 14/28, 228 yards, TD, INT
• CHI – Erik Kramer – 23/41, 259 yards, 3 TD Top rushers
• CAR – Derrick Moore – 15 rushes, 47 yards
• CHI – Rashaan Salaam – 28 rushes, 105 yards Top receivers
• CAR – Mark Carrier – 4 receptions, 114 yards, TD
• CHI – Curtis Conway – 4 receptions, 77 yards, TD

Week 7: vs New York Jets

First quarter

• CAR – John Kasay 23-yard field goal. Panthers 3–0. Second quarter
• NYJ – Kerry Collins tackled in ens zone by Erik Howard. Panthers 3–2.
• NYJ – Nick Lowery 50-yard field goal. Jets 5–3.
• NYJ – Mo Lewis 13-yard interception return (Nick Lowery kick). Jets 12–3.
• CAR – John Kasay 39-yard field goal. Jets 12–6.
• CAR – Sam Mills 36-yard interception return (John Kasay kick). Panthers 13–12. Third quarter
• CAR – Vince Workman 5-yard run (John Kasay kick). Panthers 20–12. Fourth quarter
• CAR – John Kasay 40-yard field goal. Panthers 23–12.
• NYJ – Nick Lowery 39-yard field goal. Panthers 23–15.
• CAR – John Kasay 30-yard field goal. Panthers 26–15. Top passers
• NYJ – Bubby Brister – 17/41, 143 yards, 3 INT
• CAR – Kerry Collins – 14/26, 158 yards, 2 INT Top rushers
• NYJ – Adrian Murrell – 9 rushes, 26 yards
• CAR – Derrick Moore – 21 rushes, 93 yards Top receivers
• NYJ – Wayne Chrebet – 4 receptions, 56 yards
• CAR – Mark Carrier – 2 receptions, 42 yards

Players dumped Gatorade on Dom Capers after the win.

Week 8: vs. New Orleans Saints

First quarter

• No scoring plays Second quarter
• NO – Chip Lohmiller 29-yard field goal. Saints 3–0.
• CAR – John Kasay 45-yard field goal. Tied 3–3. Third quarter
• CAR – Howard Griffith 2-yard pass from Kerry Collins (John Kasay kick). Panthers 10–3.
• CAR – Howard Griffith 1-yard run (John Kasay kick). Panthers 17–3. Fourth quarter
• CAR – John Kasay 37-yard field goal. Panthers 20–3. Top passers
• NO – Jim Everett – 27/48, 241 yards, 4 INT
• CAR – Kerry Collins – 8/21, 48 yards, TD Top rushers
• NO – Mario Bates – 17 rushes, 43 yards
• CAR – Derrick Moore – 21 rushes, 88 yards Top receivers
• NO – Wesley Walls – 4 receptions, 56 yards
• CAR – Mark Carrier – 2 receptions, 18 yards

Week 9: at New England Patriots

First quarter

• No scoring plays Second quarter
• NE – Matt Bahr 19-yard field goal. Patriots 3–0. Third quarter
• CAR – John Kasay 27-yard field goal. Tied 3–3.
• CAR – Eric Guliford 24-yard pass from Kerry Collins (John Kasay kick). Panthers 10–3.
• CAR – Willie Green 33-yard pass from Kerry Collins (John Kasay kick). Panthers 17–3. Fourth quarter
• NE – Curtis Martin 3-yard run (Matt Bahr kick). Panthers 17–10.
• NE – Curtis Martin 2-yard run (Matt Bahr kick). Tied 17–17. Overtime
• CAR – John Kasay 29-yard field goal. Panthers 20–17. Top passers
• CAR – Kerry Collins – 25/45, 309 yards, 2 TD, INT
• NE – Drew Bledsoe – 22/44, 228 yards Top rushers
• CAR – Derrick Moore – 28 rushes, 119 yards
• NE – Curtis Martin – 24 rushes, 85 yards, 2 TD Top receivers
• CAR – Eric Guliford – 7 receptions, 94 yards, TD
• NE – Vincent Brisby – 5 receptions, 62 yards

Week 10: at San Francisco 49ers

First quarter

• CAR – John Kasay 39-yard field goal. Panthers 3–0.
• CAR – Tim McKyer 96-yard interception return (John Kasay kick). Panthers 10–0. Second quarter
• CAR – John Kasay 47-yard field goal. Panthers 13–0. Third quarter
• No scoring plays Fourth quarter
• SF – Derek Loville 1-yard run (Tony Zendejas kick). Panthers 13–7. Top passers
• CAR – Kerry Collins – 17/30, 150 yards, INT
• SF – Elvis Grbac – 26/37, 327 yards, 2 INT Top rushers
• CAR – Derrick Moore – 18 rushes, 42 yards
• SF – Derek Loville – 12 rushes, 40 yards, TD Top receivers
• CAR – Mark Carrier – 6 receptions, 59 yards
• SF – Jerry Rice – 8 receptions, 111 yards

Week 11: at St. Louis Rams

First quarter

• No scoring plays Second quarter
• STL – Jerome Bettis 1-yard run (Dean Biasucci kick). Rams 7–0.
• STL – Isaac Bruce 12-yard pass from Chris Miller (Dean Biasucci kick). Rams 14–0.
• CAR – Don Beebe 21-yard pass from Kerry Collins (John Kasay kick). Rams 14–7. Third quarter
• CAR – John Kasay 23-yard field goal. Rams 14–10. Fourth quarter
• STL – Troy Drayton 2-yard pass from Chris Miller (Dean Biasucci kick). Rams 21–10.
• STL – Torin Dorn 26-yard fumble return (Dean Biasucci kick). Rams 28–10.
• CAR – Willie Green 17-yard pass from Kerry Collins (John Kasay kick). Rams 28–17. Top passers
• CAR – Kerry Collins – 16/35, 228 yards, 2 TD, 4 INT
• STL – Chris Miller – 19/32, 216 yards, 2 TD, INT Top rushers
• CAR – Howard Griffith – 13 rushes, 46 yards
• STL – Jerome Bettis – 26 rushes, 91 yards, TD Top receivers
• CAR – Willie Green – 6 receptions, 157 yards, TD
• STL – Isaac Bruce – 9 receptions, 110 yards, TD

Week 12: vs. Arizona Cardinals

First quarter

• No scoring plays Second quarter
• CAR – Pete Metzelaars 7-yard pass from Kerry Collins (John Kasay kick). Panthers 7–0.
• CAR – Bob Christian 2-yard pass from Kerry Collins (John Kasay kick). Panthers 14–0.
• ARI – Aeneas Williams 72-yard blocked field goal return (Greg Davis kick). Panthers 14–7. Third quarter
• CAR – John Kasay 42-yard field goal. Panthers 17–7.
• CAR – John Kasay 30-yard field goal. Panthers 20–7. Fourth quarter
• CAR – Anthony Johnson 23-yard run (John Kasay kick). Panthers 27–7. Top passers
• ARI – Dave Krieg – 14/25, 106 yards
• CAR – Kerry Collins – 15/23, 201 yards, 2 TD Top rushers
• ARI – Garrison Hearst – 9 rushes, 32 yards
• CAR – Howard Griffith – 25 rushes, 88 yards Top receivers
• ARI – Frank Sanders – 3 receptions, 37 yards
• CAR – Mark Carrier – 5 receptions, 90 yards

Week 13: at New Orleans Saints

First quarter

• CAR – John Kasay 22-yard field goal. Panthers 3–0.
• NO – Mario Bates 4-yard run (Doug Brien kick). Saints 7–3. Second quarter
• NO – Quinn Early 27-yard pass from Jim Everett (Duog Brien kick). Saints 14–3.
• CAR – Willie Green 60-yard pass from Kerry Collins (Kerry Collins pass to Walter Rasby). Saints 14–11.
• NO – Doug Brien 45-yard field goal. Saints 17–11. Third quarter
• NO – Doug Brien 39-yard field goal. Saints 20–11.
• NO – Mario Bates 6-yard run (Doug Brien kick). Saints 27–11.
• CAR – Mark Carrier 3-yard pass from Kerry Collins (Kerry Collins pass to Bob Christian). Saints 27–19. Fourth quarter
• NO – Derek Brown 35-yard run (Doug Brien kick). Saints 34–19.
• CAR – Mark Carrier 60-yard pass from Kerry Collins (John Kasay kick). Saints 34–26. Top passers
• CAR – Kerry Collins – 17/46, 335 yards, 3 TD, 4 INT
• NO – Jim Everett – 15/29, 195 yards, TD, INT Top rushers
• CAR – Bob Christian – 6 rushes, 39 yards
• NO – Mario Bates – 19 rushes, 71 yards, 2 TD Top receivers
• CAR – Mark Carrier – 6 receptions, 132 yards, 2 TD
• NO – Quinn Early – 3 receptions, 60 yards, TD

Week 14: vs. Indianapolis Colts

First quarter

• IND – Sean Dawkins 31-yard pass from Jim Harbaugh (Cary Blanchard kick). Colts 7–0.
• IND – Cary Blanchard 47-yard field goal. Colts 10–0. Second quarter
• CAR – Kerry Collins 2-yard run (John Kasay kick). Colts 10–7.
• CAR – John Kasay 34-yard field goal. Tied 10–10. Third quarter
• No scoring plays Fourth quarter
• CAR – John Kasay 38-yard field goal. Panthers 13–10. Top passers
• IND – Jim Harbaugh – 7/12, 102 yards, TD, INT
• CAR – Kerry Collins – 14/34, 170 yards Top rushers
• IND – Marshall Faulk – 20 rushes, 53 yards
• CAR – Derrick Moore – 19 rushes, 58 yards Top receivers
• IND – Sean Dawkins – 6 receptions, 81 yards
• CAR – Willie Green – 1 reception, 33 yards

Week 15: vs. San Francisco 49ers

First quarter

• SF – Derek Loville 4-yard pass from Steve Young (Jeff Wilkins kick). 49ers 7–0. Second quarter
• SF – Derek Loville 1-yard run (Jeff Wilkins kick). 49ers 14–0.
• CAR – John Kasay 43-yard field goal. 49ers 14–3.
• SF – J. J. Stokes 20-yard pass from Steve Young (Jeff Wilkins kick). 49ers 21–3. Third quarter
• CAR – Derrick Moore 2-yard run (John Kasay kick). 49ers 21–10.
• SF – Steve Young 1-yard run (Jeff Wilkins kick). 49ers 28–10. Fourth quarter
• SF – Jeff Wilkins 20-yard field goal. 49ers 31–10. Top passers
• SF – Steve Young – 31/45, 336 yards, 2 TD, INT
• CAR – Kerry Collins – 12/29, 127 yards, INT Top rushers
• SF – Derek Loville – 16 rushes, 34 yards, TD
• CAR – Derrick Moore – 9 rushes, 28 yards, TD Top receivers
• SF – Jerry Rice – 6 receptions, 121 yards
• CAR – Willie Green – 3 receptions, 46 yards

Week 16: vs. Atlanta Falcons

First quarter

• ATL – Eric Metcalf 15-yard pass from Jeff George (Morten Andersen kick). Falcons 7–0.
• ATL – Craig Heyward 5-yard pass from Jeff George (Morten Andersen kick). Falcons 14–0. Second quarter
• CAR – Kerry Collins 1-yard run (John Kasay kick). Falcons 14–7.
• ATL – Morten Andersen 34-yard field goal. Falcons 17–7. Third quarter
• CAR – Derrick Moore 1-yard run (John Kasay kick). Falcons 17–14. Fourth quarter
• CAR – Willie Green 89-yard pass from Kerry Collins (John Kasay kick). Panthers 21–17. Top passers
• ATL – Jeff George – 29/53, 310 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
• CAR – Kerry Collins – 18/28, 283 yards, TD, INT Top rushers
• ATL – Craig Heyward – 16 rushes, 81 yards
• CAR – Derrick Moore – 10 rushes, 31 yards, TD Top receivers
• ATL – Terance Mathis – 8 receptions, 102 yards
• CAR – Willie Green – 4 receptions, 147 yards, TD

Week 17: at Washington Redskins

First quarter

• CAR – John Kasay 42-yard field goal. Panthers 3–0.
• WAS – Terry Allen 1-yard run (Eddie Murray kick). Redskins 7–3. Second quarter
• WAS – Eddie Murray 29-yard field goal. Redskins 10–3.
• CAR – Derrick Moore 1-yard run (John Kasay kick). Tied 10–10. Third quarter
• WAS – Terry Allen 1-yard run (Eddie Murray kick). Redskins 17–10. Fourth quarter
• WAS – Eddie Murray 32-yard field goal. Redskins 20–10.
• CAR – Willie Green 2-yard pass from Kerry Collins (John Kasay kick). Redskins 20–17. Top passers
• CAR – Kerry Collins – 19/43, 201 yards, TD, 2 INT
• WAS – Gus Frerotte – 10/24, 185 yards Top rushers
• CAR – Derrick Moore – 14 rushes, 47 yards, TD
• WAS – Terry Allen – 28 rushes, 92 yards, 2 TD Top receivers
• CAR – Mark Carrier – 7 receptions, 101 yards
• WAS – Henry Ellard – 3 receptions, 98 yards

Standings

Records

• Most victories by an expansion team (7)
• First expansion team to have a winning record at home (5–3)
• First expansion team to have a four-game winning streak (weeks 7–10)
• First expansion team to defeat a defending Super Bowl champion in its inaugural season (13–7 over the San Francisco 49ers in San Francisco)

References

References

1. (February 16, 1995). "NFL Expansion Draft". [[Hartford Courant]].
2. (April 24, 1995). "NFL Draft — Team by Team". Hartford Courant.
3. "Assistant Coaches". Panthers.com.
4. "Panthers earn first victory". ''[[Gainesville Sun]]''. October 16, 1995. Retrieved September 17, 2019.
5. NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing Co, New York, NY, {{ISBN. 0-7611-2480-2, p. 92