Observations from the Charlotte 49ers football scrimmage in rainy conditions
The Charlotte 49ers scrimmaged for a third time this preseason Saturday in a rainy Richardson Stadium.
“They were a little foggy out there early on,” coach Will Healy said of his players, perhaps in a nod to the soggy weather. “But I thought they responded well once we got going.”
Here are some observations from the scrimmage as the 49ers continue to prepare for their season opener Sept. 12 at Appalachian State:
▪ Here’s who went out with the first-team offense to start the scrimmage: QB Chris Reynolds QB; RB Aaron McAllister; WR Victor Tucker; WR Cam Dollar; WR Rico Arnold; TE Ryan Carriere; LT Dejan Rasuo; LG Jonathan Timmons; C Jaelin Fisher; RG Hunter Kelly; RT Ty’kieast Crawford.
Lining up with the first-team defense: DE Markees Watts; DT Bryan Wallace; DT Siah Sa’o; DE Tyriq Harris; LB Tyler Murray; LB Luke Martin; S Dillon Overholt; S Antone Williams; S Matt Martinez; CB Lance McMillan; CB Nfees Lyon. Senior safety Ben DeLuca was held out of the scrimmage, as was senior defensive back Ja’Cione Fugate, who has been nursing a leg injury recently.
▪ Reynolds only played a few series, with backup Dom Shoffner seeing most of the time. Shoffner hit sophomore Micaleous Elder for a 26-yard touchdown pass.
▪ Who starts at running back in the season opener at Appalachian State is anybody’s guess right now. It looks like a tossup between McAllister and grad transfer Tre Harbison. McAllister helped his chances by going up the middle for a 75-yard touchdown run.
▪ Watts, who had six quarterback hurries last season, tipped a Reynolds’ pass and almost came down with the ball for an interception.
▪ Crawford and fellow freshman offensive lineman Arabee Muslim both left the scrimmage with what Healy described as minor leg injuries.
▪ Backup kicker Max Blitstein banged in an extra point off the inside of the left goal post.
▪ The 49ers use actual officials in their scrimmages (they’re presumably getting practice in, too). One of the refs threw a flag for holding near the sideline, which drew hoots and boos from Charlotte’s offensive players on the bench. Healy came over, spoke to the ref, and it was decided it wasn’t a penalty and it was called back. Not exactly a video review.
▪ The scrimmage’s lone turnover came when linebacker Brelin Faison-Walden knocked the ball loose from running back Terrik Smalls. Defensive end Taylor Chandler recovered the fumble, and the ball went to the “Dunk Can,” the aluminum trash receptacle that the ball goes into after the defense gets it back.