Panthers Find a Lot in Reserve

Fred Lane slipped quietly into the Carolina Panther training camp, just another rookie free agent grateful for a shot at making an NFL roster.

On Sunday, Lane paid back the Panthers for taking a chance on a longshot from tiny Lane College in Jackson, Tenn.

“I just waited my turn. Good things come to those who wait,” Lane said after he rushed for 147 yards and three touchdowns--both franchise records--to lead Carolina to a 38-14 victory over the Oakland Raiders.

Lane’s performance came on a day when the Panthers (5-4) took advantage of the NFL’s worst defense to break several club records and win their third consecutive game.

The Panthers had not rushed for more than two touchdowns in any game, but they needed less than one half to double that total on the way to finishing with five.

Kerry Collins threw for 198 yards and rushed for one score, and the Panthers finished with a franchise-record 216 rushing yards.

“We played lousy,” Oakland Coach Joe Bugel said. “There’s nothing good I can say about the game except Carolina. They just totally embarrassed us all the way around.”

Lane got some rare playing time because starting tailback Tshimanga Biakabutuka left five plays into the game because of bruised ribs. Lane, who carried 28 times, frustrated the Raiders by pulling free of would-be tacklers on almost every play.

John Kasay added a franchise-record 54-yard field goal--with about 10 yards to spare--to help the Panthers to their highest point total of 1997.

Oakland’s Napoleon Kaufman, who went in averaging an NFL-best 5.7 yards per rush, was held to 16 yards in 10 carries as the Raiders (3-6) lost for the third time in four games.