Sports Minute: Here is the latest South Carolina sports news from The Associated Press - WCIV-TV | ABC News 4 - Charleston News, Sports, Weather

Sports Minute: Here is the latest South Carolina sports news from The Associated Press

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - Quarterback Cam Newton says if Carolina Panthers are to be successful this season their running backs need to be more involved in the offense. Newton says that means a concerted effort to get the backs involved early in games and "let those guys do what they do."

CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) - Clemson University officials say that the famed Howard's Rock at Memorial Stadium has been vandalized. Football players touch the rock before they run down the hill during the team's entrance into "Death Valley" stadium. A university statement says the rock was vandalized sometime June 2 or 3. Police are investigating.

SWEDESBORO, N.J. (AP) - Tony Stewart remembered Jason Leffler as a friend, teammate and doting father to 5-year-old son Charlie Dean a day after the NASCAR driver was killed in a crash at a dirt track. The 37-year-old Leffler, a 2-time winner on the NASCAR Nationwide Series, died Wednesday night after the crash in a heat race in a 410 Sprint Car event at Bridgeport Speedway.

DENVER (AP) - Ryan Zimmerman homered and drove in three runs, Ian Desmond got four hits and the Washington Nationals beat the depleted Colorado Rockies 5-4 Thursday. The Rockies lost four players and a coach, as well as the rubber match of the 3-game series.

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