Not even the enthusiasm engendered by rookie head coach John Fox, or the promise of better things to come, following the miserable one-victory season of 2001, have inflamed the passions of Carolina Panthers fans.

	“	The fans are basically saying that we can't just take them for granted. We have to play exciting football, winning football, and give people a reason to come out again. ”
		— Muhsin Muhammad

For the first time in franchise history, a Panthers home game has failed to sell out in advance of the NFL television blackout deadline, and Sunday's season opener against the Baltimore Ravens will not be seen locally. It is, allowed Panthers veteran wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad, a little bit of a wake-up call for a franchise that has enjoyed unfailing loyalty.

"The fans are basically saying that we can't just take them for granted," said Muhammad. "We have to play exciting football, winning football, and give people a reason to come out again."

It's not as if Carolina fans have totally abandoned the franchise. About 1,900 tickets remained Saturday morning for the game at Ericsson Stadium, which has a capacity of 73,258. But the organization worked hard to this summer to ensure the non-blackout streak continued and to see it end is a psychological downer for team officials.

League policy is that games must be sold out 72 hours in advance of kickoff to have the blackout lifted. The NFL granted the Panthers an extension until Friday at 1 p.m., because the team's ticket office was closed on Labor Day, but the team could not move the final tickets.

Team officials spoke with local CBS affiliate WBTV, which had broadcast rights to the game, about perhaps purchasing the remaining tickets. Station management declined, citing an inability to recoup in advertising revenues the estimated $25,000 it would have had to invest in the tickets. The station instead will air the Buffalo Bills-New York Jets game.

The league rules preclude Panthers management from unilaterally deciding to broadcast the game.

"There will be some surprised people when they settle in front of their TVs on Sunday and can't find the game," said Panthers director of ticket sales Phil Youtsey.

But unless the young Panthers can generate some excitement, the blackout streak likely won't end at one, since Carolina has yet to sell out any of its home contests for the 2002 season. About 6,000 tickets still remain for the Sept. 15 home game against the Detroit Lions. Two other season openers, San Diego at Cincinnati and Seattle at Oakland, are also blacked out this weekend.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com.