Despite hurricane, Panthers haven't altered travel plans

Several college football games have been moved, postponed or canceled in anticipation of Hurricane Florence pummeling Virginia and the Carolinas, but the Carolina Panthers haven't changed their plans.

Several college football games have been moved, postponed or canceled in anticipation of Hurricane Florence pummeling Virginia and the Carolinas, but the Carolina Panthers haven't changed their plans.

Coach Ron Rivera told reporters on Thursday that the Panthers expect to practice in Charlotte on Friday and travel to Atlanta on Saturday.

The Panthers and Falcons are scheduled to play Sunday at 1 p.m. at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Rivera said the team is monitoring developments and could leave Friday, if necessary.

The outer wall of Florence made landfall earlier Thursday as a Category 2 hurricane with wind gusts of 105 mph. The Weather Channel said the storm is expected to hover over the region for hours and bring a life-threatening storm surge and flooding.