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By Compiled by ERNEST HOOPER
© St. Petersburg Times, published September 4, 2000
Mike Alstott moved to second on the Bucs all-time list in total touchdowns with 36, passing tight end Jimmie Giles (34). He trails only James Wilder, who has 46.
Alstott (2,891 yards) moved to fourth on the Bucs all-time rushing list, passing Errict Rhett (2,853).
The Bucs converted all three of their opportunities inside the red zone. As the Titans offensive coordinator last season, Les Steckel guided a unit that was the league's best in red zone efficiency.
The Bucs limited the Patriots to 88 yards rushing. In their past 33 regular-season games, the Bucs have allowed teams to rush for more than 100 yards eight times. In 1999, only Detroit and Oakland did.
Troy Brown's 66-yard punt return for a touchdown was the first against the Bucs since Glyn Milburn's 93-yard punt return in the 1998 home opener.
Bucs coach Tony Dungy is 2-3 in season openers. The Bucs had lost consecutive openers.
The Bucs have won five of their past six regular-season road games.
The Bucs average gain was 4.7 yards. In 1999, the unit averaged more than that only five times.
Derrick Brooks, Bucs LB
He had 15 tackles, a pass defensed and a forced fumble that was converted into the winning touchdown.
Bucs special teams
Karl Williams' fumble on the opening kickoff and a 66-yard punt return led directly to 10 points and made the game closer than it should have been.
Warren Sapp, Bucs DT: He completely disrupted the Patriots offensive line. If he had a better grip, he would have had four sacks.
-- Gary Shelton
Les Steckel, Bucs offensive coordinator: He had the creativity, courage and timing to call the fake spike. Past Bucs offensive coordinators almost certainly would have been too chicken.
-- Hubert Mizell
Shaun King, Bucs QB: No telling how far he will steer the Bucs, but at least he got them out of the driveway.
-- Rick Stroud
Drew Bledsoe, Patriots QB: The Bucs batted him around like a pinata, but he refused to break, and almost broke the Bucs' heart in the process.
-- Ernest Hooper