Sun Sep 7 19:36:41 2008

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Last-second score lifts Panthers over Chargers

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San Diego, CA (Sports Network) - Jake Delhomme found Dante Rosario in the back of the end zone as time expired to give the Carolina Panthers a 26-24 win over the San Diego Chargers.

D.J. Hackett caught a seven-yard pass on the first play of the drive and got out of bounds, and Muhsin Muhammad had a 13-yard reception over the middle to get to the two-minute warning. A few plays later, on 3rd-and-7 from the San Diego 45, Delhomme found Rosario for an 11-yard gain.

From the 34, Delhomme threw a bullet to Dwayne Jarrett to get to the 23, and with 31 seconds left threw a three-yard pass to Nick Goings. After an incompletion out of the end zone, there were only six seconds left. A short pass brought the Panthers to the 14-yard line with two seconds left, and Delhomme avoided the rush and threw a pass through two San Diego defenders into Rosario's hands for the game-winning score.

Delhomme finished the contest completing 23-of-41 passes for 247 yards and a touchdown to lead the Panthers (1-0). Rosario had 96 yards on seven receptions and the game-winning score. DeAngelo Williams ran for 86 yards on 18 carries in the win.

Philip Rivers threw for 217 yards and three scores on 17-of-27 passing, as he dropped to 15-2 all-time at home as a starter. LaDainian Tomlinson had 97 yards on 22 carries, but Carolina kept him out of the end zone. Vincent Jackson, Antonio Gates and Chris Chambers each scored a touchdown for the Chargers (0-1).