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NFL:
FBN–PANTHERS-NEWTON HITS
CHARLOTTE — The NFL said medical officials determined reigning league MVP Cam Newton didn’t need to leave Thursday night’s game against the Denver Broncos despite taking a helmet-to-helmet hit on Carolina’s final series. Newton remained in the game after the hit from Denver’s Darian Stewart and led the Panthers into field goal range, but Graham Gano missed a 50-yard attempt in Denver’s 21-20 victory. By Sports Writer Steve Reed. SENT: 350 words, AP Photos COMY182, COMY180.
FBN–PAUL NEWBERRY-PROTECTING CAM
UNDATED — The NFL says it’s concerned about player safety. If that’s really so, it needs to take a good, hard look at the way Cam Newton — one of its biggest stars — was beaten up in the very first game of the season. By National Writer Paul Newberry. UPCOMING: 750 words, AP photos by 5 p.m. EDT.
NHL:
HKN–HURRICANES-LEADERSHIP SEARCH
RALEIGH — The Carolina Hurricanes still don’t have a captain. They might have plenty of players who can lead this young team, from Jordan Staal — the younger brother of since-traded former captain Eric Staal — to Jeff Skinner, the former wunderkind whose scoring touch flourished last year. By Sports Writer Joedy McCreary. UPCOMING: 500 words by 5 p.m.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL:
FBC–NC STATE-EAST CAROLINA
RALEIGH — North Carolina State coach Dave Doeren doesn’t need anyone to point out East Carolina’s knack for knocking off Atlantic Coast Conference opponents. Heading into Saturday’s trip to Greenville, Doeren remembers losing at home to the Pirates during his first season — part of a run of five straight wins for the Pirates against ACC teams dating to that 2013 season. By Sports Writer Aaron Beard. SENT: 600 words, AP Photo NY150.
FBC–WAKE FOREST-DUKE
DURHAM — Wake Forest and Duke have been getting it done on defense. The instate Atlantic Coast Conference rivals meet Saturday in their league opener, and both have defenses that have been overshadowed by offenses that were at opposite ends of the spectrum during their openers. By Sports Writer Joedy McCreary. SENT: 560 words.
FBC–NORTH CAROLINA-ILLINOIS
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — A year ago, a 48-14 win over Illinois got North Carolina going and propelled the Tar Heels on a run to the ACC championship game and a bowl. Coming off a 33-24 season-opening loss to Georgia that knocked them out of the Top 25, the Tar Heels could use a repeat performance Saturday when they travel to Illinois. By David Mercer. SENT: 640 words, AP Photos GAATJ113, ILBL115, GAATJ110, ILBL113.
The AP, Raleigh