GLENDALE, AZ (CAROLINA SPORTS LIVE) — It was a battle of the former top overall picks — Kyler Murray in 2019 and Bryce Young in 2023.
Early on, it was Carolina’s QB who struggled. On their first offensive possession, pressure came up the middle — Cardinals linebacker Josh Sweat forced a fumble. Rico Dowdle couldn’t recover it, and Zaven Collins jumped on it for a touchdown. It was about as rough a start as the Panthers could’ve imagined — just like that, it was 7-0 Arizona.
On the next drive, the Panthers’ offense returned to the field, looking to settle Young in. The throw wasn’t perfect, but Brycen Tremayne made a spectacular one-handed catch — his first career reception — to move the chains.
But the momentum didn’t last.
Shortly after, Young was hit as he threw a wobbly duck that Baron Browning picked off. That made it five turnovers in just five quarters for Bryce. Arizona extended its lead to 10-0.
Young started to settle in, finding rookie standout Tetaroa McMillan for a 40-yard catch and run. McMillan had two catches on the drive, which led to a field goal by Ryan Fitzgerald, bringing Carolina within a touchdown.
Defensively, the Panthers began to find their rhythm. Rookie Princely Umanmielen — wearing a new number — recorded his first career NFL sack, helping Carolina get off the field.
The defense held strong for most of the half, but right before the break came a back-breaking play. With just four seconds left, Kyler Murray found Michael Wilson in the end zone. A gut punch. At halftime, it was all Cardinals — 20-3.
In the third quarter, the score jumped to 27-3 before Carolina pieced together their best offensive drive of the day. Young connected with former Clemson star Hunter Renfrow for a touchdown. The two-point conversion failed, but it was now 27-9.
The Panthers largely kept Murray in check on the ground — until one crucial play. Christian Rozeboom came in untouched and looked to have a sack, but Murray slipped away, sprinted 30 yards down to Carolina’s 19-yard line, and flipped the momentum again.
A few plays later, Murray gave one back. Trying to make a play, he threw a pick right to DJ Wonnum — his first interception as a Panther. Carolina still had life.
Off the turnover, the Panthers marched 88 yards in 14 plays over five and a half minutes. Young found Chuba Hubbard for a 5-yard touchdown to cut the deficit.
This team didn’t quit. They got the ball back, went up-tempo, and once again looked sharp. Young delivered a great ball to Renfrow for his second touchdown of the day. The PAT was good — 19 unanswered points. Suddenly, Carolina was within five with 2:33 to go.
Surely they couldn’t pull it off, right? No way they get the onside kick… but they did! Punter Sam Martin executed a beauty, and Demani Richardson recovered — Carolina’s first successful onside kick in 89 games. The comeback was alive.
However, the final minutes got wild. Flags flew on both sides after the recovery. Carolina had one last chance, but the offense stalled. Young couldn’t get anything going, and veteran Calais Campbell ended it with a big sack.
Young finished the day 33-of-55 for 328 yards and three touchdowns — a valiant effort — but it wasn’t enough in the end.
The Cardinals held off a wild rally and handed the Panthers a heartbreaking 27-22 loss, dropping Carolina to 0-2 on the season.