With the Charlotte 49ers’ defense on the ropes, their schedule isn’t getting any easier
Through two games of the 2022 schedule, things are getting dicey for the Charlotte 49ers.
William & Mary turned out Charlotte’s lights last Friday night, drubbing the 49ers and disparaging the FCS vs. FBS comparisons on its way to a 41-24 win at Richardson Stadium.
The Tribe scored 41 points and racked up 560 yards in the victory, collecting $300,000 from the 49ers for the matchup and forcing the question: Is it time for Charlotte to evaluate its staff?
After allowing 465 yards and 35 points per game last season, Charlotte’s defense is surrendering 521 yards and 42 points per game through two contests. And this is after fourth-year head coach Will Healy replaced nearly the entire defensive staff in the offseason.
With Maryland up next on the schedule this Saturday, followed by a formidable Sun Belt team in Georgia State and then South Carolina, there isn’t a game in which Charlotte will be favored — or anything less than double-digit underdogs — in the foreseeable future.
Healy took the reins in 2019, leading Charlotte to its first winning season — and first bowl game. Since then? Seven wins and 14 losses, including seven losses in the 49ers’ past eight games by an average of 23 points dating back to 2021.
A season ago, Charlotte was 2-0 and coming off its first Power Five victory over Duke and a blowout win over FCS Gardner-Webb. That feels like a lifetime ago for the 49ers faithful, especially after watching William & Mary dominate all three phases of the game last week.
Following the loss, Healy vowed resiliency — even if it doesn’t result in wins.
“We’ve got a lot of work to do to get better and a short time to get there,” Healy said. “Nobody is going to feel sorry for us. People are going to underestimate and doubt us, and for good reason. With what we’ve put on film the first two weeks, I understand it. I know we’ve got a group of fighters, whether it be players or staff, and we will respond. I’m not guaranteeing victories, and I’m not guaranteeing we’re going to get better overnight, but I know the type of character on this football team, and we’ll respond. That will be the good part of the story that will make times like this feel much better.”
Charlotte’s road is going to continue to be challenging, and quarterback Chris Reynolds’ status is crucial. Although redshirt freshman Xaiver Williams showed flashes of the future, Reynolds provides the offense with another gear. And with how the defense has started the season, it’s becoming clear that Charlotte’s best chance of victory is in a shootout.
“Chris (Reynolds) practiced, James (Foster) practiced, those guys have gone through the past couple of days. I’m hoping all three (quarterbacks) will be able to play,” Healy said. “James and Chris have made big strides, so we’re hopeful they’ll be able to play Saturday. It’s never an excuse, but it’s been interesting to have three different quarterbacks in five quarters of football.”
Foster exited in the first quarter against William & Mary with an injury to his throwing arm, leading to Williams seeing his first consistent action. Healy wouldn’t name a starting quarterback for the matchup with the Terps, but star wideout Grant DuBose talked about the spark that Williams brought to the offense against William & Mary.
“I saw a young guy who was ready to come in and make a play,” DuBose said of Williams. “For the guys who are around this team, we know what we’re going to get out of Xavier. He prepares like he’s the starter every day. When you watch him on film, he’s in the back taking mental reps every snap. He brought a spark to the offense.”
Another spark was sophomore wideout Elijah Spencer, who recorded the first 100-yard game of his career against the Tribe, reeling in five catches for 107 yards. After posting three drops against Florida Atlantic, Spencer snagged every catchable pass and was the 49ers’ highest-rated offensive player with a grade of 78.1, according to Pro Football Focus.
Charlotte is going to need multiple breakout players on both sides of the ball to compete with the Terps, opening as 27-point home underdogs — the 49ers’ longest odds since the they traveled to No. 1 ranked Clemson in 2019.
Healy spoke about the work that it will take to salvage the season and get his team back on track.
“I don’t want to feel the way I felt on Friday, or the Saturday before again. So, let’s work through the week to fix us. That’s the message,” Healy said. “If we can fix us, I think we have enough in this building to win football games. If we sit back and let the first two weeks beat us, then it will be a long year.”
Notes
▪ Charlotte will induct seven members to the university’s Hall of Fame on Friday. Men’s soccer’s Jon Busch, men’s basketball’s Cedric Maxwell, men’s golfer Corey Nagy and women’s track and field’s Shareese Woods round out the athletes. In addition, former director of athletics Judy Rose and contributor Dale Halton will be honored, along with former men’s basketball coach Lee Rose, posthumously.
▪ Defensive tackle Miguel “Migo” Jackson is probable for Saturday’s contest.
▪ Wide receiver Jairus Mack, defensive tackle Isaac Washington and linebacker Stone Handy are all awaiting waivers from the NCAA and will be sidelined until those answers are provided.
▪ Cornerback Valerian Agbaw is away from the team due to a personal matter.
▪ Charlotte is 1-7 all-time against Power Five schools.
▪ Maryland enters Saturday 1-0 following a 31-10 victory over MAC opponent Buffalo.
This story was originally published September 9, 2022 at 1:00 PM.