More history for Charlotte 49ers: Clinch first winning season with victory at ODU

The Charlotte 49ers carved out a little more history for themselves Saturday, clinching a winning season for the first time in program history with a 38-22 victory against Old Dominion at Ballard Stadium.

Now the 49ers (7-5, 5-3 Conference USA) take a five-game winning streak into a weeklong wait to find out which bowl for which they’re bound. That will come Dec. 8, the day after conference championship games are played.

The 49ers had losing records in each of their first six seasons of existence — starting with two years as Football Championship Subdivision independents, then the next four in Conference USA. But with the arrival of first-year coach Will Healy, Charlotte has gone above .500 and will play in the postseason for the first time.

Sophomore quarterback Chris Reynolds continued his strong play against ODU, completing 9-of-12 passes for 166 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for 96 yards. Running back Benny LeMay (105 yards) had his seventh 100-yard game of the season and scored twice.

The 49ers’ offense was both efficient and explosive in the first half. Charlotte scored touchdowns on its first three possessions — a 58-yard pass from Reynolds to Victor Tucker, a 16-yard run by LeMay and a 9-yard run by Aaron McAllister. The 49ers got their final points of the half on a 36-yard field goal by Jonathan Cruz.

The Monarchs (1-11, 0-8) took advantage of a turnover early in the third quarter (a Geronda Hall interception of a ball that slipped out of the hands of Charlotte tight end Jacob Hunt). When Lala Davis scored on a 5-yard run, ODU had cut Charlotte’s lead to 24-14.

But the 49ers quickly put the game out of reach. Reynolds hit Tyler Ringwood for a 15-yard touchdown, LeMay scored his second touchdown on a 10-yard run, and Charlotte took a 38-14 lead into the fourth quarter.

The game changed when ...

After ODU tied the score 7-7 in the first quarter, Reynolds hit Tucker for a 46-yard pass over the middle on Charlotte’s next possession. The 49ers scored two plays later on a 16-yard run by LeMay, and the Monarchs wouldn’t threaten again.

Helmet stickers

Chris Reynolds: 49ers quarterback was again a force running (96 yards) and throwing (166 yards, two touchdowns).

Benny LeMay: Senior running back gained 105 yards on 18 carries and scored twice. He went over the 1,000-yard mark for the second time in his career, the first time that has happened in program history.

Alex Highsmith: Charlotte’s defensive end had 4.5 sacks, a single-game record for Charlotte.

Making sense of the numbers

7: Sacks by Charlotte, a team record and bringing the 49ers’ season total to 37.

300: Career tackles by Charlotte senior linebacker Jeff Gemmell, the first 49ers player to reach that milestone.

21: Touchdown passes this season by Reynolds, tying Matt Johnson for the single-season program record.