DATE:
August 18, 2001
SITE:
Ericsson Stadium (73,250) - Grass
TIME:
7:30 p.m. EDT
TELEVISON:
This week's game will be broadcast locally on WCVB Channel 5 in Boston. For the seventh consecutive year, Don Criqui will provide the play-by-play detail and will be joined by broadcast partner Jerry Glanville. They will be joined by Mike Lynch from the sidelines. All preseason games will also be televised in Providence on WNAC (Channel 64), WTXX in Hartford, Conn. (Ch. 20), WMTW in Portland, Maine (Ch 8) and WMUR in Manchester, N.H. (Ch. 9).
RADIO:
WBCN's Rock Radio Network 104.1 FM. Gil Santos, now in his 25th season as voice of the Patriots, will call the action along with Gino Cappelletti. The tandem is enjoying their 18th season together.
THE GAME:
The Patriots will travel to Carolina this weekend to try and de-claw the Panthers in their second preseason game. Last week, the Patriots shut out the defending NFC Champion New York Giants, 14-0. It was the Patriots second consecutive preseason opening shutout (they blanked the San Francisco 49ers 20-0 to open 2000).
The Patriots defense limited the Giants to only 92 yards, including 37 yards passing. They added two sacks, an interception and a safety in the 14-0 win. Offensively, the Patriots gained 338 yards, including 118 yards rushing. Rookie kicker Owen Pochman (pronounced: POTCH-man) was successful on four of five field goal attempts, including a 53-yarder. The team drew praise from head coach Bill Belchick for their play.
"Defensively, we played overall a fairly solid game. We had plenty of mistakes out there that didn't show up, but they hustled well and they tackled well," said Belichick. "Overall, I thought that the game operation was not bad for the first game. Plenty of things to work on, but some good, positive signs, and I like the effort that the players played with and their concentration in the game."
Some of the team's new additions turned in big plays during their Patriots debuts. Linebacker Bryan Cox snared the game's only interception when he grabbed a Kerry Collins pass in the first quarter and returned 10 yards. The turnover led to a Patriots field goal. Running back Antowain Smith led all rushers with 50 yards on 10 carries, including a game-long 27 yard run. Wide receiver David Patten recorded a game-high three receptions (along with teammate Curtis Jackson) for 31 yards.
PLEASE NOTE: The starting time of this week's game against the Carolina Panthers will take place at 7:30 p.m.
