CHARLOTTE --- With new ownership, and a new midfield logo to boot, all eyes were on Carolina after an offseason full of change.

The Panthers responded by putting together a solid performance on both sides of the ball to topple the Dallas Cowboys and win the first game of the David Tepper era. Head coach Ron Rivera noted after the game how it felt to give Tepper a positive start to his tenure.

"We gave him the game ball. It's his first win as our owner, and the guys were really appreciative of him," Rivera said. "We just wanted to make sure we congratulated him the right way."

Several players also voiced their thoughts on what it meant to kick things off with a victory for their new owner.

"We feel happy about it. We're excited about it," running back C.J. Anderson said. "It feels good to give him his first game ball, hopefully we can give him many more wins from here."

Linebacker Shaq Thompson joked about the owner's reaction after coming into the locker room following the win.

"He said, 'Great team win'" Thompson said. "We know he's more excited than that."

Quarterback Cam Newton weighed in on Tepper's influence on the team thus far.

"All in all, Mr. Tepper has been a good thing for this organization. The energy he's bringing upon us has been a light," Newton said.

Earlier this offseason, Tepper said that the first, second and third thing he cares about is winning, on and off the field. After ending Week 1 victorious, defensive end Mario Addison - who contributed three tackles and a game-sealing sack - seems to be in tune with the owner's thoughts.

"It feels good...he trusts in us. We are very fortunate to have him. We needed that win," Addison said.

"Now it's time to build from it."