First look: Charlotte 49ers host South Florida in late-season AAC game for homecoming
Charlotte football begins its final push toward bowl eligibility Saturday afternoon at home.
With more than two weeks removed since their last game, the 49ers return to Jerry Richardson Stadium to host South Florida. The 16-day break following Charlotte’s loss on Halloween marks the longest gap between regular-season contests in program history, excluding the shortened 2020 season.
The Niners (3-6, 2-3 American Athletic Conference) need to win out to earn their first bowl invitation in five years. That’ll start with Saturday’s matchup against the Bulls (4-5, 2-3 American), who are getting outscored by an average of about three points each game.
South Florida, which needs to win two of its final three games to become bowl eligible, looks to beat Charlotte for the second straight time. It largely ranks toward the bottom half of the conference in most statistical categories, including its AAC-worst offensive efficiency rating.
The action kicks off at 3:30 p.m. Saturday and is Charlotte’s annual homecoming game, capping “Niner Nation Week,” which features activities on campus and throughout the region.
Key matchup: Can Charlotte’s offense break out of its slump?
While Charlotte is coming off a bye, it’s been three weeks since its offense found the end zone.
All it scored was a field goal during its 34-3 drubbing at the hands of now No. 25 Tulane on Oct. 31, which put the Niners into a must-win situation for bowl eligibility. Charlotte had previously scored at least two touchdowns in every game since their opener — even in their 38-point loss to still-unbeaten and now No. 5 Indiana.
It’ll be imperative for the Niners to pounce early against South Florida, which defeated them in a lopsided 48-14 loss in Tampa during the final week of last season.
The Bulls’ offense is being outgained both through the air and on the ground this season, but they played a tough non-conference schedule in which they held their own in losses to fourth-ranked Alabama and eighth-ranked Miami.
Charlotte has been known to battle this season, particularly during conference play. It hung with Memphis in its five-point loss to the preseason favorite to win the American, and the Tigers raced to a 21-3 victory against South Florida last month.
Charlotte player to watch: LB Reid Williford
Saturday be another big test for the Niner defense.
Reid Williford, the junior linebacker who’s having a strong season for Charlotte, leads the team with 56 tackles this year. A season-best 11 of them came in the 49ers’ last game, when the weak-side linebacker also broke up a pass for the first time this year.
The Franklin, Tennessee, native is in his third season in a Niner uniform and has been a big part of the team for the past few years — even setting the program record with three blocked kicks on special teams.
Charlotte is facing another solid defense — including USF defensive back Brent Austin, who leads the American with 1.11 passes defended per game — on Saturday, and another solid performance from the 49ers’ defense could be key as it looks to jump in front of the Bulls early.
Vegas betting odds
Charlotte opens as a 3.5-point underdog against USF, according to FanDuel Sportsbook on Monday morning. The 49ers’ moneyline is +118 odds, while the over/under is set at 52.5 points.
How to watch and stream the Charlotte 49ers vs. USF
Matchup: South Florida Bulls (4-5, 2-3 American) at Charlotte 49ers (3-6, 2-3 American)
TV: None (ESPN+)
Stream: ESPN.com and ESPN App ($)
Radio: ESPN 730
Date: Saturday, Nov. 16
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Place: Jerry Richardson Stadium, Charlotte
