Conference USA Preview: Charlotte 49ers

 

Charlotte 49ers
Last Year: 2-10 (0-8)/7th East

The Charlotte 49ers enter the 2016 season as the underdogs in Conference USA. 2016 will be the football program’s 4th year, and second at the FBS level. The 49ers came in dead last in C-USA going 2-10 (0-8) during the 2015 season, with wins over Georgia State and Presbyterian. 

Players to Watch
RB Kalif Phillips

• 2015 2nd Team All-Conference
• C-USA 5th Leading Rusher

DE Larry Ogunjobi 

• 2015 2nd Team All-Conference
• 2nd C-USA in Tackles for loss (14.5)

 LB Nick Cook

•  Team's Leading Tackler

On offense Head Coach Brad Lambert likes to run the ball with Kalif Phillips taking the lead. Lambert also has 3 quarterbacks that played in at least 7 games. 2 of those QBs played in 11 of 12 games. Lee McNeil was Charlotte’s leading passer with 878 yards, but the most efficient passer was Matt Johnson. Johnson threw 771 yards with a team-leading 7 touchdowns.

Over on the defensive side, Charlotte is led by 3 seniors.  LB Nick Cook, DB Terrance Winchester, and DL Larry Ogunjobi. Cook lead the 49er’s in tackles with 73, adding 2 forced fumbles, while Winchester had the most interceptions (4) and passes defended (9).

Here’s how the 49ers stacked up stat-wise in 2015 out of 128 national teams/13 conference teams

Total Offense	110th/12th (337)	Total Defense	88th/8th (417)
Passing	110th/12th (174.1)	Passing Defense	72nd/12th (228.4)
Rushing	78th/6th (163.1)	Rushing Defense	98th/11th (188.7)
Point Scored	119th/12th (17.5)	Points Allowed	110th/12th (36.3)

Big Games of 2016

Sep 10 @ Louisville

Sep 17 Eastern Michigan

Oct 1   Old Dominion

For a team just coming up through the FBS, wins don’t come easy, but exposure helps your program. The game at Louisville is not a winnable game for the 49ers, but playing against big name teams can help pull recruits to strengthen your team going forward. The same goes for Eastern Michigan, however, the 49ers stand more or a chance.

Old Dominion scored the game-winning TD with 2:53 to go their game in 2015 to fend off the 49ers. Look for this game, now at home, to give Charlotte a chance for their first ever conference win.

Predictions

2-10 (0-8)/7th in East

Charlotte is building their program from the ground up, and doing so in a big market town. Give this team a few years, but not this year. The get the job done against Elon and Old Dominion.