Posted by Sabrina B. @gametimegirl

Cam Newton was treated like a starter during his preseason finale. He led one efficient drive, threw a touchdown pass and exited.

Then, after the game, his coach made it official: Newton will start for the Carolina Panthers in their opener.

Newton threw his first TD as a pro in Carolina’s 33-17 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday night.

“Even with this position given, it doesn’t stop here,” Newton said. “I can’t just sit back and say, `I’ve arrived,’ because we’ve got a long way to go. … The record begins now.”

The Heisman Trophy winner and No. 1 draft pick out of Auburn played only the first series. He was 3 of 5 for 25 yards with the 10-yard touchdown pass to Jeremy Shockey against a Steelers defense that rested Troy Polamalu and several other key players. Rivera later anointed Newton as their starter Sept. 11 at Arizona.

“We didn’t draft Cam to be the savior,” Rivera said. “We drafted him to help lead this football team.”

(Story Continues…)

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