Finally! Charlotte, App State football teams ready for Friday night lights

It’s been nine months since the Charlotte 49ers last took the field, and Friday night’s Duke’s Mayo Classic against Appalachian State is just days away.

While the level of excitement is high as two programs with large alumni bases in Charlotte meet at under the lights at Bank of America Stadium, the uncertainty level is no different.

These are two first-year head coaches taking center stage, with Tim Albin entering his first year as Charlotte’s head coach and fifth as a head coach in the FBS, and Dowell Loggains taking the reins for the first time as head man in Boone.

But as the two in-state foes take the field for the first time on Friday night at 7 p.m. on ESPNU, Albin is only worried about Charlotte.

“Game week is finally upon us. I want to say thank you to Charlotte Sports Foundation for the opportunity to play in the Duke’s Mayo Classic. With our alumni base in the city, and our opponent, and the weather looks great. Exciting times,” said Albin. “I know that (Loggains’) team will be sound and disciplined. He’s assembled a great staff, and I’m looking forward to the challenge. But we’re not going to worry about them, we’re going to worry about Charlotte and how we play.”

Quarterback situations

One question burned through the heat of fall camp for both programs — who’s the quarterback?

Charlotte named its starting quarterback Monday afternoon, with North Carolina transfer Conner Harrell taking charge as the 49ers’ fourth different Week 1 starter in as many seasons, beating out Duke transfer Grayson Loftis and JUCO transfer Zach Wilcke.

“Todd (Fitch) has been very thorough with the evaluation process of all three guys,” Albin said of his offensive coordinator. “We came to the opportunity that it’s Conner’s (Harrel) opportunity to go. It was down to the wire. We’ll still have competition. In this day in age, it wouldn’t surprise me if we see all three (quarterbacks) at some point throughout the course of the year. Injuries happen.”

Harrell threw 70 total passes across 10 games and two seasons in Chapel Hill, totaling 552 yards, six touchdowns, and three interceptions with a 61.4% completion rate. His ability to break the pocket and shred defenses with his rushing ability was his biggest asset under Mack Brown and will be a staple under Albin.

“The most important decision is going to be decision-making,” Albin said of Harrell. “Regardless of who is in the game, we’re going to call plays to win the game. The quarterback makes their money on third down and in the red zone.”

In Albin’s last season with Ohio, quarterback Parker Navarro rushed for 1,054 yards and 18 touchdowns, while throwing for 2,423 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. If Harrell’s production is comparable, it will be a massive development for Charlotte’s offense.

While Charlotte has shown its hand with the dual-threat quarterback leading the offense in the opener, the Mountaineers remain undecided.

“We have not named a starter. The competition is still open. There are really 2.5/3 guys in the competition right now,” Loggains told the media on Monday morning. “I also see a scenario where multiple guys play in the game.”

Vanderbilt/LSU transfer AJ Swann and Iowa State transfer JJ Kohl are the highest-touted transfers in the race for the starting job.

Charlotte’s captains

Albin named five season-long captains last week, featuring two holdovers from the Biff Poggi era and three newcomers: returnees S Ja’Qurious Conley, C Jonny King, and transfers LB Shay Taylor (Ohio), Edge Braden Mullen (Dartmouth), and QB Conner Harrell (UNC).

Albin utilized an application process he learned from his mentor, former Ohio head coach Frank Solich, that featured votes for the top five captains.

Ahead of his first full season of college football since 2020, Conley didn’t take the honor of being a team captain lightly.

“It means a lot, and I’m very grateful for the (staff) choosing me. Consistency is key. I try to be the energizer of the team on the defensive side, trying to make sure everyone feels my presence,” said Conley. “It’s amazing. I love being a leader. I think we are all leaders on the team and being chosen in the top five — that’s a blessing.”

Rivalry renewed

It’s been nearly five years since these two programs met last, featuring a crowdless Kidd Brewer Stadium during the COVID pandemic in 2020. Friday night’s matchup will be the first of six straight years of non-conference clashes, running through 2030.

And it can’t come soon enough, according to returning tight end Gus McGee.

“It’s personal. Strapping it up and being able to go against an in-state rivalry team, it’s a personal affair,” said McGee. “I think we’re all ready to go out there and hit somebody.”

The Mountaineers have dominated the series, winning all three matchups by 15 points or more, although the last two games were one-score contests in the fourth quarter. According to FanDuel Sportsbook, Appalachian State is currently a 6.5-point favorite.

Albin understands the importance of beating an in-state opponent but knows there are 11 more games on the schedule to follow.

“I want (to win) for our very passionate fan base. For the Queen City, I want to get this thing done. It’s a big game, but it’s not the end all. It’s one game of 12. There are no championships lost or won with this first game,” said Albin. “I know our team is going to go out there and make (Charlotte’s fans) proud.

“I know we are ready to play a game. We could practice for another three months but won’t make any more progress. We need to play a game to see where we are at,” Albin continued. “I’m really excited about how they are coming together. We’ve cranked up the crowd noise to get them ready, and no one has flinched.”

Notable

— American Conference commissioner Tim Pernetti will be in attendance for the season opener, per Albin. — Charlotte offensive lineman Mitchell Mayes is still awaiting an NCAA eligibility waiver. Mayes played over 900 snaps spanning four years at Clemson prior to joining the 49ers last year, where he played a key role at guard alongside returning center Jonny King. — Charlotte WR Adam Hopkins IV is considered doubtful for the contest with a lower-body injury