Panthers roll to 41-10 lead, end of 3rd quarter

  The Panthers used a pair of third-quarter turnovers by Tampa Bay to take a commanding 41-10 lead into the fourth quarter today at Bank of America Stadium.

   Quarterback Cam Newton, who set the NFL rookie passing record in the first quarter, capped the big quarter with a 49-yard touchdown run with 24 seconds remaining in the quarter. 

   Safety Jonathan Nelson, just activated from the practice squad this week, intercepted a deflected Josh Freeman pass on the second play from scrimmage in the third quarter and returned it 20 yards to the Tampa Bay 32-yard line.

   Three plays later, DeAngelo Williams took a pitch and went 22 yards around right end for a touchdown that put the Panthers ahead 27-10.

    Later in the quarter, Tampa Bay's Kellen Winslow lost a fumble when he tried to vault Carolina tacklers and Andre Neblett recovered at the Carolina 39-yard line. The Winslow fumble came at the end of a trick play that included a variety of penalties against the Bucs. It led to an 11-yard touchdown pass from Newton to Jonathan Stewart for a 34-10 lead.

-- Ron Green Jr.