How important was the Charlotte 49ers’ win over North Texas? Perhaps program-defining
There are games that can be described as program-defining, or a turning point, or a gut check.
Then there was the Charlotte 49ers’ 39-38 victory Saturday against North Texas, which was all of that and — perhaps — even more.
The victory stopped a potentially moral-sapping four-game losing streak by the 49ers (3-5, 1-3 Conference USA). But it also helped confirm just exactly what first-year coach Will Healy is trying to establish at a program that has never had a winning season in its seven years of existence.
After the 49ers started the season 2-1 (including throwing a semi-scare into Appalachian State in a 56-41 defeat), they would lose their next four. For most of Saturday, it looked like loss No. 5 was on the way, with North Texas (3-5, 2-2) maintaining a two-touchdown lead for much of the first three quarters.
That’s when Charlotte came alive late, the rally culminating with a game-winning 34-yard touchdown pass from sophomore quarterback Chris Reynolds to sophomore receiver Victor Tucker with 18 seconds left.
“Sometimes as a head coach, you’re taking over a program and you want to have some early success so guys buy into what you want to do and how you want to do it,” Healy said. “We did that. But then we (started to) get our rear end kicked.
“So there’s a point in time when it would be really easy to hang your head and say it’s just not in the cards. (Players) are asking, is this the right guy? The coach is on me about all these little things — shaking hands, taking your hood off, taking off your head phones so you can talk to your teammates instead of listening to music, great body language. That gets pressed and pressed and pressed on them.
“Well, that was rewarded (Saturday).”
To hear the players tell it, they haven’t wavered from Healy’s message.
“I’ve been playing ball a long time,” said senior linebacker Jeff Gemmell. “Coaches come in and everyone wants to establish a culture. This is the first culture that I feel is 100 percent authentic. Everyone has bought in and the results showed tonight. We trust the process. We’re process driven. The only way to go is up from here.”
The 49ers, who are host to Middle Tennessee this coming week, overcame a huge night by North Texas quarterback Mason Fine, who threw for 394 yards and five touchdowns.
But Charlotte countered with Reynolds (who threw for 336 yards and three touchdowns and ran for 96 yards and a score), Tucker (10 catches for 140 yards and a touchdown), running back Benny LeMay (155 yards rushing, 38 yards receiving and three total touchdowns) and senior receiver Tyler Ringwood (three catches for 100 yards and a TD).
The 49ers’ 589 total yards were the most in the program’s Football Bowl Subdivision history (second overall). They scored all five times they had the ball in the second half and rolled up 219 yards in total offense in the fourth quarter alone.
North Texas had extended its lead to 38-33 on a 51-yard field goal by Ethan Mooney with 1 minute, 12 seconds left.
Reynolds had it figured out as he jogged onto the field.
“Ball was on the 25, one timeout left,” Reynolds said. “When you calculate that out, it’s about seven plays. So you’ve got to move with a sense of urgency. Take what they give you. Can’t press. Don’t force the ball into people. Give playmakers the ball.”
Reynolds nodded at Tucker and smiled.
“That guy over there.”
When the game ended, the 49ers players flooded the field in celebration, then ran toward the stands for a victory lap, shaking hands with fans.
Attendance was 8,245, barely filling half of 15,314-seat Richardson Stadium.
“The same people who were praising us, talking about this place is going to go undefeated, those same people have moved on — it’s basketball time now,” Healy said. “We’ve stuck together. But we have a lot more to prove. We’ll continue to believe in the process, stay close together and know we can’t be satisfied.”