CHARLOTTE – The Charlotte 49ers went into Saturday’s
homecoming matchup against Navy looking for their first win as a member of the
American Athletic Conference. Standing in their way were the Midshipmen from
the US Naval Academy. In a game marked by stellar defensive play and a total of
twenty punts, the visiting Navy squad was able to sail away with a 14-0 win over
the 49ers in front of a sellout crowd.

An uneventful first half saw both teams punting six times
while their offenses struggled to find rhythm. The second half started as
the first half ended, but the stalemate was finally broken on a busted coverage
by the Charlotte defense. When Navy quarterback Braxton Woodson, in a relief role
after starter Tai Lavatai was injured early in the game, hit an open Eli Heidenreich
in the middle of the secondary, the sophomore raced sixty-nine yards to the end
zone to give the visiting Midshipmen a 7-0 lead.

It took until the fourth quarter for more points to be
scored. A fumble by Charlotte set up Navy with good field position and the Midshipmen
took advantage of another defensive miscue as Alex Tecza took a simple dive
play up the middle and sprinted sixty-two yards to set the final margin for the
game.

Demetrius Knight II led Charlotte with seven total tackles
and Nikhai Hill-Green added five solo tackles and a sack. Aside from the two
long touchdown plays, the Charlotte defense stymied Navy’s triple-option offense,
forcing seven three-and-outs and eleven punts. Although the Charlotte offense
never found the end zone, Shadrick Byrd effectively ran the ball,
tallying ninety-two yards on the afternoon.

Up Next

Charlotte travels to Greenville to take on East Carolina in
the first-ever football game between the two in-state conference foes. Both
teams are looking for their first conference win of the season. Kickoff is set
for 2 pm.

Going into the season, Poggi’s stated goals were to dominate the line of scrimmage so the 49ers run game would set the tone. Although it took a few drives to work out the kinks, the 49ers were finally able to push their way down the field for their first score of the game. A one-yard Jalon Jones keeper capped off a sixty-eight-yard drive with each yard coming on the ground. Charlotte’s running game kept the momentum going on their next drive. Freshman Durell Robinson showed flashes of what made him such a highly sought-after recruit out of high school. With lightning-quick cuts behind the line of scrimmage, Robinson racked up seventy-one yards over two drives and scored the first of what fans hope will be many touchdowns for the green and gold. Kyle Cunanan’s forty-five-yard field goal gave the 49ers a two-touchdown lead going into the half.

South Carolina State had their first sustained drive of the evening midway through the third quarter. As the Bulldogs faced a fourth down inside the two-yard line, the 49ers defense lived up to their “Bad Company” moniker and held South Carolina State out of the end zone. After punting it back to the Bulldogs, the 49ers defense again held on fourth down, turning South Carolina State over on downs for the second straight drive. The Charlotte offense saw itself facing a fourth down on its next drive, but a quarterback sneak kept the chains moving. Facing another fourth down a few plays later, the 49ers opted to attempt a field goal, but the kick sailed wide.

Charlotte’s first passing touchdown of the season came on some impressive improvisation by quarterback Jalon Jones, who scrambled and tossed a quick pass to tight end Bryce Kennon, who raced thirty-six yards down the home sideline to hit paydirt. The big play ignited the Charlotte sideline, and the defense came out blazing on the next drive. Freshman defensive back Kameron Howard stepped in front of a South Carolina State pass, picked it off and raced to the Bulldog twenty-two-yard line.

Jalon Jones was 13 of 19 for 125 yards and a touchdown through the air with sixty-three yards and a touchdown on the ground. Durell Robinson led a balanced 49ers rushing attack with seventy-four yards and a touchdown. Terron Kellman and Shadrick Byrd also saw time at running back and combined for ninety-two yards rushing.

Wayne Jones led the defensive effort with ten tackles (five solo) with Demetrius Knight and Nikhai Hill-Green each tallying seven tackles to guide the strong defensive effort. Prince Bemah, and Eyabi Okie-Anoma each had a sack, and Michael Kelly and Demon Clowney shared a sack. Kameron Howard had the team’s lone turnover, a fourth-quarter interception.

Charlotte (1-0) travels to College Park next Saturday to take on Maryland from the Big Ten. The game will be broadcast on NBC, marking the first time the 49ers will have played on a national, over-the-air broadcast network.

CHARLOTTE – After a surprising blowout win on the road at Rice last weekend, the Charlotte 49ers were hoping to build momentum going into their last three games of the season. The visiting Western Kentucky Hilltoppers had other ideas, and quarterback Austin Reed’s six-touchdown performance ensured that the Charlotte hope was short-lived as the visitors walked out of Charlotte’s Richardson Stadium with a 59-7 win on Saturday afternoon. 

Photo Credit: Ed Conway

Charlotte tried to get their offense moving in the second half, going seventy-five yards in ten plays, resulting in an acrobatic grab by Elijah Spencer in the end zone to get the 49ers on the board for the first time on the afternoon. WKU immediately responded, scoring in four plays, with Reed finding his sixth different touchdown target, Michael Mathison, to extend the lead again. The Hilltoppers added a field goal in the fourth quarter and put an exclamation point on the game with a forty-two-yard Anthony Brackenridge pick-six.

Western Kentucky’s quarterback Austin Reed finished with 409 yards and six touchdowns on the day. Backup quarterback Darius Ocean added a late score to make up the final margin.

Next Week

Charlotte (2-8, 1-5 CUSA) is on the road at Middle Tennessee next Saturday before returning home for the final game of the 49ers’ season on November 19th against Louisiana Tech. Western Kentucky hosts Rice in their home finale before hitting the road for the final two weeks of the season.

CHARLOTTE – Charlotte's late drive for the go-ahead/possible game-winning TD ended quickly when Chris Reynolds' long pass towards Elijah Spencer was picked off at the UTEP 22-yard line with 1:19 left to play, securing the Miners' 41-35 Conference USA victory over the 49ers, Saturday night.

Charlotte (1-5; C-USA: 0-2) trailed by 17 at the half, and rallied to within three early in the second half before the Miners (3-3; C-USA: 1-1) stormed ahead by 20 late in the third quarter.  Again, Charlotte rallied – and despite the two large deficits, had a chance to take the lead in the closing minutes after a pair of fourth-quarter TDs.

Charlotte WR Grant DuBose hauls in a TD Photo Credit: Ed Conway

“We shot ourselves in the foot way too many times, whether it be penalties, turnovers, or whatever else,” said 49ers head coach Will Healy.  ”I am always amazed at the fight of this football team. I am always impressed by the character of the young men that are in our locker room. We got the ball back with a (1:26) on the 36-yard-line with no timeouts down six and there wasn't a more confident group in the country but us. We shouldn't have left it up to that. I don't want to make life hard on ourselves and have to fight back from so much.”

Trailing 34-21 late in the third quarter, Charlotte was driving deep into UTEP territory with a chance to close to within one score. The 49ers fumbled at the goal line, however, and Jadrian Taylor returned it 100 yards to push UTEP ahead, 41-21. It was the Miners' second defensive touchdown of the game.

Down 20, Reynolds engineered a 12-play, 75-yard scoring drive to bring the 49ers within 13, 41-28 with 9:27 to play. He hit a diving Tucker on a fourth-down conversion to keep the drive alive and then connected again with his longtime target for a six-yard TD.  It was Tucker's fourth straight game with a touchdown.

“Just the fight of this team,” Healy said. “There were some incredible performances from our players. Chris Reynolds kept getting back up. Markees (Watts) and Amir (Siddiq) were huge to our football team. Grant (DuBose), Vic (Tucker), Elijah, and so many guys played hard and put their heart on the line tonight.”

Charlotte's defense held the Miners to a short, four-play drive that gained just 18 yards and one first down before punting. Again, Reynolds went to work – A 14-yard pass to DuBose.  A 16-yarder to Spencer. A 14-yarder to Shadrick Byrd. Byrd's 13-yard run to the left side found the endzone and suddenly Charlotte was within six, 41-35 with 3:07 to play.

The defense forced its second three-and-out of the game, forcing a punt with 1:26 left to play.

With the ball at its own 36 and nearly a minute-and-a-half left to play, thoughts of Reynolds' six career game-winning drives sprung to mind, including his last-minute heroics in the 49ers' 42-41 win at Georgia State earlier this year.

On the first play, however, his long pass attempt was intercepted to seal the win for the Miners.

“Hard fought football game and congrats to UTEP coming on the road and finding a way to get the win,” Healy said. “When we play well we are capable of beating anyone that is on our schedule. I know our guys will continue to fight hard and give us chances to win football games.”

Notable North Carolinians

Chris Reynolds (Davie) – the senior quarterback was 22 of 38 for 335 yards and 4 touchdowns.

Aidan Laros (Northwood) – the redshirt freshman kickoff specialist boomed kickoffs throughout the evening, landing three touchbacks.

Up Next

The 49ers (1-5, 0-2) head into a bye week before hitting the road for a Conference USA road game at UAB, Saturday, October 15.

Charlotte fell to Maryland in non-conference action on Saturday afternoon. Check out these great shots from Ed Conway to enjoy some of the action.

“As the University embarks upon an overall campus master planning process, the athletics master vision will be a key component of it,” said Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber. “This ambitious plan is reflective of the upward trajectory of UNC Charlotte's athletics program which is, for many of our constituents, the 'front porch' of the University. We are committed to providing an experience for our students, alumni, and fans that mirrors the excellence embodied throughout UNC Charlotte - in our academics, research, community engagement, and every other facet of what we do.”

While the vision offers a 12-15 year look at what the future holds for all 49ers campus facilities, Charlotte is currently focused on the $102 million Phase I, which features the first expansion of Jerry Richardson Stadium, a design already underway for a new softball clubhouse and recently completed upgrades to the football locker room. Phase I also includes the construction of a new stadium to be shared by men’s and women’s soccer and the newly announced women’s lacrosse program, a clubhouse for the baseball program, and men's and women's basketball locker room renovations.   

“This is a vision of what we intend to become,” said Mike Hill, director of athletics. “We have aspirations to achieve greatness and further elevate the visibility and profile of our University. As we take the next step in our growth by joining the American Athletic Conference, our competition gets tougher against more established programs, so it is imperative that we provide our coaches and student-athletes with the resources necessary to compete for championships. Our fans deserve the very best experience when they come to support their beloved Niners.”  

Projects identified in Phase I, for which fundraising efforts have begun, are critical to the 49ers' transition to the American Athletic Conference and the addition of their 19th sport, women’s lacrosse.

“This initiative is a tangible reflection of Charlotte’s commitment to competition in the American Athletic Conference and at the highest level of Division I athletics,” said American Athletic Conference Commissioner Mike Aresco. “It aligns with the shared vision of our conference membership and the sustained progress that has defined The American since our inception. I applaud Chancellor Sharon Gaber, Athletic Director Mike Hill and all those who strongly support this great university as its commitment to excellence continues. The University leadership’s foresight, acumen and dynamic approach have made this vision a reality that will be transformative for the University and its athletics program.”

The EverGreen Master Vision is led by nationally renowned HOK, a global design, architecture, engineering and planning firm, and Jenkins-Peer Architects, a highly regarded and award-winning local firm. HOK has nationwide experience in the athletic construction field, while Jenkins-Peer designed Jerry Richardson Stadium and the Judy W. Rose Football Center as well as other projects on campus, including the University Recreation Center. 

The process included input from coaches, student-athletes, athletics staff, supporters, and university and athletic administrators. Originally, the plan was to be finalized in spring 2020; however, due to the pandemic, it was temporarily paused and subsequently modified.          

“The American invited us to join because of the incredible trajectory of our athletics program, university, and city,” Hill added. “Our ability to clearly articulate this vision, including expansion of the football stadium, was certainly a factor. To achieve our goals, we will need to galvanize the resources of our amazing city and university. We can do this together.”

PHASE I PROJECTS UNDERWAY OR COMPLETE:

BOB DAUGHTRIDGE SOFTBALL CLUBHOUSE

Adjacent to the Lewis Family Softball Training Facility behind the first baseline, the softball clubhouse will serve as the new home for 49ers softball, including locker room and team meeting space, coaches’ offices and a training room. Softball’s departure from the Wells Fargo Fieldhouse allows for future expansion of women’s sports within that facility.

JUDY W. ROSE FOOTBALL CENTER LOCKER ROOM

New lockers maximize space for the football team and provide enhanced technology and equipment storage for over 100 student-athletes. 

UPCOMING PHASE I PROJECTS:

JERRY RICHARDSON STADIUM EXPANSION

The first expansion of Jerry Richardson Stadium will provide additional access to 49ers games and significantly upgrade the fan experience by offering club seating, loge boxes, hospitality suites, an outdoor terrace, and a mezzanine club as well as the traditional press suite level. The initial stages of this project will push the capacity over 21,000 while the ultimate objective of Phase I is to accommodate over 30,000 fans.

MEN'S AND WOMEN'S BASKETBALL LOCKER ROOMS ENHANCEMENTS

Locker rooms for both the 49ers' men's and women's basketball programs will undergo substantial renovations to allow for a heightened student-athlete experience. The new layouts will create more space and seating as well as player lounges and meeting space.

SOCCER/LACROSSE STADIUM

Phase I calls for the relocation of the playing venue for the Charlotte 49ers' men's and women's soccer programs, which will return the programs to their playing site prior to the construction of Irwin Belk Track and Field Center/Transamerica Field in 1996. The soccer and lacrosse stadium will provide a spectacular new home for the 49ers' national-caliber men’s and women’s soccer programs as well as the program’s newest sport, women’s lacrosse. The stadium will offer excellent fan amenities while bringing Niner Nation up close to on-field action. Until its completion, the lacrosse program will play home games at Jerry Richardson Stadium.

BARNHARDT-HALTON BASEBALL CLUBHOUSE

To move baseball operations entirely to Robert and Mariam Hayes Stadium, a new clubhouse will feature coaches' offices, locker rooms, training room and team spaces. The baseball clubhouse will sit on the right field line between the grandstand and indoor facility and will feature a terrace for fans to congregate and watch games. In addition, baseball vacating the Wells Fargo Fieldhouse will create a home for the women’s lacrosse team.

FUTURE PROJECTS

Additional Phases of EverGreen will include construction of and expansion and renovations to other athletics facilities that will impact each and every one of the 49ers’ programs. Those projects include: Basketball Practice Facility and Student-Athlete Enhancement Center, Irwin Belk Track and Field Center enhancements, Dale F. Halton Arena enhancements, Indoor Football Practice Facility, Sue M. Daughtridge Stadium expansion, a new Wells Fargo Fieldhouse, Halton-Wagner Tennis Complex Indoor Facility, and Robert & Mariam Hayes Stadium expansion.

CHARLOTTE – It was the first time that the Charlotte 49ers
had ever hosted a Power Five opponent in its brief nine-year history. The crowd
was excited to host an in-state opponent on a Friday night leading into Labor
Day weekend. The fans in attendance were given a good show as the two teams
combined for over a thousand yards of offense and five lead changes in the second
half alone. Paced by Chris Reynolds's 324 passing yards, three passing
touchdowns, and one rushing touchdown, Charlotte claimed its first-ever win over
a P5 opponent, defeating Duke 31-28 to open the 2021 college football season.

The energy and momentum were on the Niners' side early in
the game with Charlotte forcing the Blue Devils to punt on the first possession
of the game and then hopping on the scoreboard five plays later with a 56-yard
touchdown pass from Chris Reynolds to a streaking Grant DuBose. The early 7-0
lead had the 49ers faithful on their feet and saw the visiting Blue Devils
scrambling to respond but unable to do so until a few drives later.

Charlotte led by a touchdown going into the second quarter and
was on its way to a 32-yard Jonathan Cruz field goal to take a 10-0 lead over
the visitors. Duke responded with force on its next drive, moving seventy-five
yards in six plays, but it was the 43-yard scoring play that will stick out in
the minds of the visiting fans. Gunnar Holmberg hit Jordan Waters on the left
side and Waters bulled over a Charlotte defender and raced to the end zone. 

The Charlotte offense looked a little shaky on their subsequent
drives in the first half. Duke did not show the hesitancy that they demonstrated
in the first quarter, moving methodically down the field on their next drive, taking
the lead with a five-yard touchdown run by Mataeo Durant. Durant finished the
night with 255 yards and three scores.

Any signs that Charlotte might back down against Duke to
start the second half were quickly dismissed as the Niners moved down the
field, aided by a 40-yard Calvin Cook run to get Charlotte down to the
one-yard-line. Two plays later, Chris Reynolds was able to hit paydirt on a
quarterback sneak, helping Charlotte retake the lead. A promising Duke drive saw
the Blue Devils poised to bring the lead back to the visitors, but a Tyler
Murray forced fumble was recovered in the end zone by Charlotte, ending any
hopes of a score.

The fourth quarter seemed like it would quickly become the
Mataeo Durant show. The senior running back put the Blue Devils on his back, putting
Duke back on top with a blistering 59-yard scoring run around the left side.
Charlotte floundered around for a few possessions, but eventually came alive
with quick passes to Taylor Thompson, Victor Cruz, and Grant DuBose got the Niners
in scoring position and Charlotte retook the lead with the second Reynolds to
DuBose touchdown of the night. Durant and the Blue Devils would not be denied,
though, as the standout running back rushed for his second long touchdown of
the quarter, a 53-yard scamper that gave Duke a 28-24 lead.

It was Charlotte's night, however, and fate had the Niners
marching down towards their destiny. Victor Tucker's three big grabs got Charlotte
in scoring position and Chris Reynolds found an open Shedrich Byrd for an
11-yard score to cause a scene unlike any other in the program's nine-year
history.

Both teams host in-state FCS opponents next week as Charlotte (1-0) hosts Gardner-Webb while Duke (0-1) will face off against North Carolina A&T.

Notable North Carolinians

Chris Reynolds (Davie) – the senior quarterback passed for 324
yards and three scores while running for one as well.

Gunnar Holmberg (Heritage) – the graduate quarterback was 20
of 29 for 241 yards and a touchdown

Jordan Waters (Fairmont) – the redshirt sophomore's physical
scoring catch and run opened the scoring for the Blue Devils in the second
quarter