Last year’s game against FAU didn’t end well for Charlotte. Are the 49ers better prepared now?

Charlotte receiver Victor Tucker said the 49ers were caught by surprise when they faced Florida Atlantic last season.

The Owls scored on three of their first four possessions in the 49ers 47-25 home loss in Sept. 2019. .

“They came out with speed that on film it didn’t look like we were ready for,” Tucker said of the Owls’ 45-27 victory at Richardson Stadium. “It kind of looked like we were receiving a blow instead of going out and delivering a blow.”

The 49ers (0-1) hope to be better prepared Saturday, when they face the Owls (0-0) at FAU Stadium in Boca Raton, Fla. in the league opener for both teams.

FAU, who won the C-USA championship last season, had its first two games canceled or postponed this season due to the coronavirus pandemic. Charlotte hasn’t played since losing its season opener Sept. 12 at Appalachian State. Since then, the 49ers had their games against North Carolina and Georgia State called off because of the coronavirus.

So this game could have an opening-day vibe to it.

“It kind of is similar to how it would be like a first game of the season,” said 49ers safety Ben DeLuca. “In years past, you’re just kind of trying to pick film apart and seeing if you can find things. It’s difficult, so we’re still trying to get as much film as possible so you can be strategic on what you watch.”

The Owls coach is now Willie Taggart

Willie Taggart, who was fired at Florida State in the middle of last season, is in his first season coaching the Owls. Taggart landed in Boca Raton after former Owls coach Lane Kiffin left for Mississippi.

Although FAU’s high-powered offense will still be run-oriented (the Owls have their top four rushers back from 2019), Charlotte coach Will Healy knows there will be new twists coming from Taggart. FAU features four transfers at the wideout position: Aaron Young (Duke), Yanez Rogers (Cincinnati), D’Marcus Adams (Florida State) and T.J. Chase (Clemson).

The Owls have a new look defensively with new coordinator Jim Leavitt, a former head coach at South Florida who came with Taggart from previous stops at FSU and Oregon.

“So you’re going back and you’re watching Colorado stuff, you’re watching USF stuff, you’re watching Florida State stuff, you’re watching Oregon stuff,” Healy said “And then you go and you watch FAU from a year ago, knowing that they did some things really well and there will be some carryover. Then to get a personnel outlook, you’re watching a lot of different film.

“I don’t think you ever really know until you hit the ground running, so adjustments will be extremely important, with our guys being ready for anything. It’s not like they have any tendencies right now, so it’s fresh for them.”

Healy said earlier this week he expects junior quarterback Chris Reynolds to play. Reynolds, who sustained an upper body injury against App State, would not have played the following week at North Carolina. Healy said backup Dom Shoffner, who would have started against the Tar Heels, could see some playing time against FAU.

“Honestly, it doesn’t change (things) much,” Tucker said. “Both of their playing styles are really similar. We have a lot of trust with Dom on throwing the ball as well as running, so I honestly think the playbook will be wide open, no matter who’s our quarterback.”

Charlotte at Florida Atlantic

When: 4 p.m., Saturday

Where: FAU Stadium, Boca Raton, Fla.

Watch: ESPNU