PANTHERS-ANDERSON
Panthers sign backup QB Derek Anderson to 2-year extension
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) β The Carolina Panthers have signed backup quarterback Derek Anderson to a two-year contract extension that will keep him with the team through the 2017 season, providing depth and experience behind Cam Newton.
Financial terms of the deal were not announced Wednesday.
Anderson joined Carolina as a free agent in 2011 but didn’t see much action his first three seasons. He started two games last season against Tampa Bay and won both, helping the Panthers win their second straight NFC South title.
Anderson, 32, completed 65 of 97 passes for 701 yards with five touchdowns and no interceptions in 2014, registering a passer rating of 105.2.
Panthers coach Ron Rivera says in a release he has “tremendous confidence” in Anderson and he provides “stability to the quarterback position as the backup.”
SOUTH CAROLINA-NORTH CAROLINA-FUTURE GAMES
North Carolina, South Carolina schedule 2 more games
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) β The Charlotte Sports Foundation announced it has secured two more future regular season college football games in Charlotte between North Carolina and South Carolina.
The teams will play in 2019 and 2023, although the exact dates haven’t been determined.
The upcoming games were announced Wednesday in advance of the schools meeting Thursday night to open the season in Charlotte.
CSF President Will Webb says, “This is a tremendous rivalry that will be played in one of the best stadiums in the United States.”
The downtown Charlotte stadium also will host to the ACC Championship in early December and the Belk Bowl later that month. Charlotte will also host a regular season game between Tennessee and West Virginia in 2018.
NASCAR-DARLINGTON-CONFEDERATE FLAG
Darlington offers flag exchange: Confederate for American
DARLINGTON, S.C. (AP) β Darlington Raceway will give out American flags to those who want to turn in a Confederate flag, continuing an initiative that began in Daytona soon after nine people were killed at a church in Charleston.
Track president Chip Wile says he hopes fans attending the Southern 500 on Sunday will “join us in creating an inclusive atmosphere” at NASCAR’s oldest superspeedway.
Darlington Raceway owners, International Speedway Corp., began the flag exchange at the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway in July. Other ISC tracks have followed suit.
The Confederate flag has been flown by some fans at Darlington races for decades. The state of South Carolina removed the Confederate flag from Statehouse grounds in July.
Dylann Roof has been charged with murder in the Charleston church killings.
ACC NETWORK
ACC faces many variables on TV channel to rival SEC, Big Ten
UNDATED (AP) – The Atlantic Coast Conference is still figuring out whether it will start a dedicated cable channel of its own.
Details have been scarce about the behind-the-scenes process the league and broadcast partner ESPN are navigating in an effort to determine whether it makes financial sense to start an ACC-specific channel like the ones some other conferences have.
League Commissioner John Swofford has even joked about the situation, “I know you’re very tired of hearing me talk and not say much on that subject.”
The possibility excites ACC coaches and athletic directors who say they want the league’s ultimate decision β whatever it is β to be a prudent one.
Virginia AD Craig Littlepage says he’s optimistic about an ACC channel but adds there are many variables that must be considered.
MARLINS-BRAVES
Ozuna, Prado help Marlins top Braves 7-3 in 3-game sweep
ATLANTA (AP) β Marcell Ozuna hit a two-run homer, Martin Prado and Jeff Mathis each had two RBIs and the Miami Marlins beat the reeling Atlanta Braves 7-3 to finish a three-game sweep on Wednesday.
Moving past the Braves and into third place in the NL East for the first time since May 14, the Marlins earned their second three-game sweep in Atlanta and first since April 2009.
The Braves have lost eight straight at home for the first time since beginning the 1988 season 0-9 at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium.
Atlanta has dropped 19 of 22 overall and is 12-37 since July 8, worst in the majors.
Hector Olivera drove in two runs for the Braves with his first career hit. The Cuban third baseman, acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers in a three-team trade, gave Atlanta its only lead at 3-2 in the third.
Adam Conley (3-1) won his second straight start, allowing four hits, three runs and three walks with four strikeouts in five innings.
