Charlotte 49ers

Top six highlights from last year's Charlotte 49ers' football season

Stories by Charlotte Observer journalists, with AI summarization

The articles highlight big moments, key players, and major changes from the Charlotte 49ers' 2024-25 football season. They focus on team achievements, coaching updates, and individual performances.

Charlotte beat Florida Atlantic under an interim head coach, with Deshawn Purdie setting a freshman passing record. O’Mega Blake won a conference award after scoring two long touchdowns. The team received national attention with a televised prime-time game on Halloween. Charlotte changed head coaches, leading to a search with several notable candidates. The season ended with a push for back-to-back wins against UAB. Special teams stood out as Stephen Rusnak set a school record for field goals in a game. Ja’Qurious Conley remained sidelined all season due to NCAA ineligibility concerns.

North Carolina’s Ja’Qurious Conley (0) celebrates after an interception of Virginia quarterback Brennan Armstrong in the third quarter on Saturday, September 18, 2021 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. By Robert Willett

NO. 1: FRUSTRATION MOUNTING AS UNC TRANSFER HAS YET TO PLAY FOR CHARLOTTE 49ERS FOOTBALL

A former Power Five recruit who moved to North Carolina in high school became the first true freshman to start for the Tar Heels. Then he transferred to Charlotte, where officials haven’t determined why he remains ineligible. | Published September 24, 2024 | Read Full Story by Shane Connuck

Charlotte 49ers defensive lineman Jamar Holley, center, celebrates the team’s play during fourth-quarter action against the East Carolina Pirates on Saturday, October 5, 2024 at Jerry Richardson Stadium in Charlotte, NC. The 49ers defeated ECU 55-24.

NO. 2: CHARLOTTE 49ERS WELCOME PRIME-TIME GAME AND NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT: ‘A GREAT NIGHT FOR FOOTBALL’

It’s a short week for Charlotte football, which hosts Tulane at 7:30 p.m. Thursday on ESPN. | Published October 29, 2024 | Read Full Story by Shane Connuck

Oct 19, 2024; Annapolis, Maryland, USA; Charlotte 49ers wide receiver O’Mega Blake (9) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first half against the Navy Midshipmen at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.

NO. 3: CHARLOTTE FOOTBALL BEATS FAU: 3 TAKEAWAYS FROM 49ERS’ WIN UNDER INTERIM HEAD COACH

The Niners set several program records in their final road game of the season. | Published November 23, 2024 | Read Full Story by Shane Connuck

Nov 3, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton reacts after a replay review of a touchdown during the second quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at NRG Stadium.

NO. 4: WHO HAS THE BEST CHANCE OF BECOMING THE CHARLOTTE 49ERS’ HEAD COACH? NEW CANDIDATES EMERGE

Oddsmakers consider the field of potential coaches for the Charlotte football job wide open. | Published November 21, 2024 | Read Full Story by Shane Connuck

Charlotte 49ers quarterback Deshawn Purdie, center, drops back to pass to a receiver during action against South Florida on Saturday, November 16, 2024 at Jerry Richardson Stadium.

NO. 5: FIRST LOOK: CHARLOTTE 49ERS HOST UAB ON SENIOR DAY. WILL SEASON END WITH BACK-TO-BACK WINS?

Charlotte football hopes to finish at .500 in conference play following its second season in the American. | Published November 26, 2024 | Read Full Story by Shane Connuck

Charlotte Junior guard Nik Graves. By For The Observer

NO. 6: CHARLOTTE 49ERS, DAVIDSON WILDCATS ADVANCE IN MEN’S CONFERENCE BASKETBALL TOURNAMENTS

Who will the 49ers and Wildcats face next? | Published March 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Hunter Bailey

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.