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Taylor's Run Caps Jacksonville's Rout

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By MARK LONG, The Associated Press

Published: December 10, 2007

JACKSONVILLE - Fred Taylor started left, cut back right, then outran everyone. Instead of turning his head to check for defenders, he tried something new: He looked up at the huge video screen in the end zone.

Even Taylor was impressed.

"It was sweet," he said.

Taylor's 80-yard touchdown run, a franchise record in the regular season, put an exclamation point on Jacksonville's 37-6 romp against the struggling Carolina Panthers on Sunday.

Taylor finished with a season-high 132 yards on 18 carries and overshadowed the team's best defensive effort of the season. He also had an 18-yard reception in which he bowled over safety Chris Harris for extra yards.

"He's one of those guys that can juke you and leave you standing there or he can run you over," center Brad Meester said. "Both are fun to watch."

The Jaguars (9-4) rebounded from a tough loss at Indianapolis, one that essentially ended their chances of winning the AFC South, and moved a step closer to claiming an AFC wild-card berth.Jacksonville harassed Vinny Testaverde, stuffed DeShaun Foster and bottled up Steve Smith. The Panthers (5-8) finished with a season-low 149 yards of offense.

"They're a good football team, but let's be honest, that was garbage," Carolina guard Mike Wahle said. "That's it. ... We had turnovers, three-and-outs, not efficient. I can go on and on about it. We're not playing very well."

Testaverde was 13 of 28 for 84 yards, with an interception that was returned for a touchdown.

Jac-R.Williams 22 pass from Garrard (Scobee kick), 3:30.

Second Quarter

Car-FG Kasay 49, 11:28.

Jac-FG Scobee 21, 5:33.

Car-FG Kasay 39, 1:03.

Third Quarter

Jac-M.Jones 6 pass from Garrard (Scobee kick), 11:28.

Jac-FG Scobee 20, 1:21.

Fourth Quarter

Jac-Ingram 39 interception return (Scobee kick), 14:50.

Jac-Taylor 80 run (Scobee kick), 9:48.

Jac-FG Scobee 33, 3:15.

A-66,090.

RUSHING-Carolina, Foster 11-46, D.Williams 3-7, Testaverde 1-(minus 3). Jacksonville, Taylor 18-132, Jones-Drew 11-24, Gray 4-13, Garrard 1-8, G.Jones 4-1.

PASSING-Carolina, Testaverde 13-28-1-84, Moore 3-10-0-21. Jacksonville, Garrard 20-36-0-230, Gray 1-1-0-19.

RECEIVING-Carolina, Smith 6-44, Carter 4-26, King 2-19, D.Williams 2-5, Colbert 1-8, Foster 1-3. Jacksonville, R.Williams 5-90, Wilford 4-38, Northcutt 3-37, Lewis 3-25, Taylor 2-24, Jones-Drew 2-21, Angulo 1-8, M.Jones 1-6.

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