The secret to the Charlotte 49ers’ surge to bowl-eligibility isn’t a high-flying offense

The Charlotte 49ers likely wouldn’t be rolling along a four-game winning streak without a vastly improved defense.

Excluding the first half of the streak’s first game (a 39-38 Conference USA victory against North Texas), the 49ers have been shutting down opposing teams, while Charlotte’s offense continues to put up impressive yardage and point totals.

But this defense has been a work in progress. First, the unit had to get accustomed to a new 4-2-5 system installed by first-year co-coordinators Marcus West and Brandon Cooper. Then, there were season-ending injuries to key players — including senior safety Ben DeLuca, end Tyriq Harris and linebacker Prince Bemah — to deal with.

Over the first seven games of the season, the 49ers allowed an average of 39.4 points and 403.3 total yards per game. In the three games since beating North Texas, Charlotte’s defensive scoring average has dipped to 18.0 and the total yardage to 317.3.

The defense has more than done its part to propel the 49ers (6-5, 4-3 C-USA) to bowl eligibility for the first time in program history. Charlotte finishes the regular season Saturday at Old Dominion (1-10, 0-7).

“We’re buying into the culture, preparing well during the week,” said senior cornerback Nafees Lyon, who had a key interception in a 24-13 victory last week against Marshall. “Last week, we had our best week of practice, and it showed during the game.

“We were all linked in, communicating. Everybody was on the same page.”

The 4-2-5 defense is designed to get after the quarterback, and that’s what the 49ers have done. Defensive ends Alex Highsmith (9.5 sacks) and Markees Watts (7.5) are among the league leaders in sacks.

But where the 49ers’ defense has improved most is against the run. After being gashed by teams like Appalachian State (276 yards) and Florida International (350) earlier in the year, Charlotte has become much more stingy. The 49ers allowed just 144 yards against Marshall and had a season-low 60 against Western Kentucky, a game coach Will Healy said turned the season around for the defense.

“We’re getting better at defensive tackle, and that’s where that starts,” said Healy, singling out tackles Timmy Horne, Tommy Doctor and Demond Stewart. “Stopping the run is an inside deal. We’re doing a better job of getting 11 hats to the football.

“When you get success like we had (against Marshall), you see what a good defense looks like and then you hope that will add some confidence. There was a stretch there where we weren’t a very good defense, but now we’ve had some success and we have to build on it to show what we’re capable of doing.”

49ers notes

▪ Receiver Victor Tucker, who scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns against Marshall — including the go-ahead score — is C-USA’s offensive player of the week. Tucker had five catches for 121 yards and scored on a 5-yard jet sweep, giving Charlotte the lead for good. Tucker has 46 catches for 730 yards and five touchdowns this season.

▪ Quarterback Chris Reynolds, who has been on a tear during the 49ers’ winning streak, is one of two players (along with Middle Tennessee’s Asher O’Hara) who ranks in the top 10 in passing and rushing yards in the league. Reynolds is eighth in passing yards per game (200.0) and 10th in rushing (60.1 per game). Reynolds ranks fourth in the league in total offense (260.1).

▪ Running back Benny LeMay, who returned against Marshall after missing two games with an Achilles tendon injury, continues to lead the league in all-purpose yardage (129.3 yards per game).

▪ Healy said the team planned to eat Thanksgiving dinner Wednesday at Charlotte Motor Speedway’s Speedway Club. The 49ers will have a special Thanksgiving breakfast Thursday before practicing. They will have a walk-through practice Friday before departing for ODU early in the afternoon.

Scouting ODU

▪ It’s been a difficult season for the Monarchs, who have lost 10 in a row and whose only victory came Aug. 31 against the Football Championship Subdivision’s Norfolk State.

▪ ODU plays in S.B. Ballard Stadium, which opened in 1936 but was renovated this past offseason.

▪ The Monarchs average a C-USA-low 15.7 points per game, and their total offense (266.3) and rushing offense (89.5) numbers are also last in the league.

▪ ODU has one of C-USA’s more dangerous kick returners in Blake Watson, who averages 27.0 yards per return.

▪ Expect Monarchs linebacker Lawrence Garner to be everywhere Saturday. He averages 9.5 tackles per game, second in the league.