Charlotte football unleashes offensive explosion in record-setting 56-23 win over Rice

Charlotte started the post-Will Healy era with a dominant performance on the road, blowing out Rice, 56-23, behind Chris Reynolds’ five touchdowns.

“These guys are going to rally, these guys are going to surprise a lot of people,” Interim head coach Pete Rossomando told the media at his introductory press conference earlier in the week.

Seven consecutive touchdown drives propelled the 49ers (2-7, 1-4 C-USA), who looked like a completely different team just one week removed from an embarrassing homecoming loss against Florida International.

Rossomando preached execution throughout the week, and it was clear that the 49ers’ defense got the message. After allowing 43 points and 523 yards per game through eight contests, Charlotte held the Owls to just 370 yards and just one red zone trip.

“I told them on Monday, don’t give me the (bull) that we can’t play defense, because defense is really just about lining up, executing and effort,” Rossomando said. “No magic wand. I just did what I did as my last couple stops as head coach. I’m just amazed at the job that our coaches did keeping our guys together these past few days. I’m so proud of those guys, they deserve it.”

Charlotte’s ‘Big 3’ receivers were electric in the victory, combining for 12 catches, 199 yards and five touchdowns, headlined by Elijah Spencer’s hat-trick. Spencer now has 802 yards and seven touchdowns on the season and is closing in on becoming the first 49er to record 1,000 receiving yards in a season in the FBS.

Two first-timers got the 49ers on the board early, with cornerback Bryson Whitehead recording the first interception of his career, picking off Rice quarterback TJ McMahon to set up the 49ers with a short field. Tailback Johnny Martin III capitalized, finding the end zone for the first time from one yard out.

Sixth-year senior Calvin Camp saw his first action since the Week 0 matchup against Florida Atlantic and immediately made the most of it, carrying for 60 yards on his first two carries. He found the end zone later in the game, pushing Charlotte past 50 points and setting a program record for points in a Conference USA game.

After allowing two touchdowns in the game’s first 15 minutes, Charlotte held Rice to just nine points in the final three quarters. The 49ers’ defense forced a turnover on downs before the half and forced four consecutive punts in the third quarter to take a commanding lead.

Charlotte looked like the team that many expected to start the season, and for the first time this year, the 49ers have an identity.

Here are two takeaways from Charlotte’s second victory:

AGGRESSIVENESS

With a fake punt, an onside kick, and a reverse on a kick return, Charlotte’s special teams coordinator Tyler Hancock was elite in Saturday’s victory.

Charlotte’s special teams brought the sense of urgency that the 49ers needed, starting the action with a reverse on the kickoff, setting Charlotte up near mid-field on their its possession.

“What do we have to lose? Everyone counted us out,” Rossomando said. “I told the guys right before we got on the bus that everybody in the country is watching to see how you respond. They took it to heart. I just asked them to play for each other each and every play.”

The main difference in Saturday’s victory was Charlotte’s ability to extend its lead. The 49ers led 21-17 with less than a minute to play in the first half when the defense forced a stop, giving Reynolds and the offense an opportunity to push their lead to double digits.

Reynolds led the 49ers down the field, finding Spencer for his second touchdown of the day right before the half. Charlotte started the second half with more of the same, receiving the opening kick and needing just two minutes to find the end zone again, with Spencer completing his hat-trick.

Just as it seemed that the 49ers’ offense was slowing down, Rossomando brought out the trickery, calling for a fake punt in their own territory. Punter Bailey Rice faked his rugby-style rollout and threw back to his left, finding Shadrick Byrd for a 21-yard gain and a first down. The 49ers immediately capitalized when Reynolds tossed his fourth touchdown of the day two plays later, finding DuBose from nine yards out.

OFFENSIVE SHOWCASE

Charlotte’s 56 points scored are second-most in program history.

Reynolds was extremely efficient in the victory, completing 16 of his 19 passes for 254 yards and five touchdowns. Everything was working for Charlotte, and that was the first time we’ve seen the 49ers dominate in all three phases of the game this season.

The running game was effective for the first time this season, as Charlotte rushed for 239 yards and three scores on the ground, 100 yards more than any other performance this season. Byrd finished the day with 83 yards and a score on 13 carries, and Martin made the most of his season-high 10 carries with 48 yards and a touchdown.

Charlotte was a perfect seven for seven in the red zone, and won the time-of-possession battle, holding the ball for over 31 minutes in the victory.

“I think the difference was not getting into the loser’s mind frame. Regardless of what our record is, we’ve got to come out and swing,” Spencer said. “I think that’s what we did today.”

Charlotte has three more opportunities to create momentum ahead of their jump to the American Athletic Conference, starting with Western Kentucky at home on Nov. 5.

NOTES

▪ Victor Tucker has surpassed the 3,000 receiving-yard mark

▪ Charlotte moved the ball for 514 total yards

▪ Reynolds’ 84% completion percentage broke a program record

▪ Rice wideout Bradley Rozner recorded five catches for 105 yards and two touchdowns