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Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton throws a pass under pressure from Dallas Cowboys defensive end Demarcus Lawrence (90) in the first half of an NFL game on Thursday, Nov. 26, 2015, in Arlington, Texas.
(AP Photo)
Carolina quarterback Cam Newton became Auburn's all-time leading NFL passer during the first half of the Panthers' game against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday.
When Newton completed a 12-yard toss to wide receiver Brenton Bersin in the second quarter, his career total stood at 16,780 passing yards.
Until then, Jason Campbell had thrown for more yardage in the NFL than any other former Auburn player. In 90 NFL games, Campbell passed for 16,771 yards.
Newton was playing in his 73rd NFL game on Thursday since Carolina selected him with the first pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. He entered the Thanksgiving contest against the Cowboys needing 63 yards to pass Campbell's record.
At halftime, Newton had completed 11-of-19 passes for 120 yards as the undefeated Panthers held a 23-3 lead on the Cowboys.
On Oct. 4, Newton passed Campbell for the most NFL touchdown passes by a former Auburn player. Campbell threw 87 touchdown passes. Newton had 102 entering Thursday's game.
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During his NFL career, Campbell played for the Washington Redskins, Oakland Raiders, Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals from 2006 through 2014.
Campbell and Newton played quarterback for undefeated Auburn teams. Campbell was the QB for the 2004 team that won the SEC championship. Newton won the Heisman Trophy in leading Auburn's 2010 team to the BCS national championship.
Dick Wood is third on Auburn's NFL passing-yards chart with 7,153 for five teams from 1962 through 1966.