Zach Wilcke next up at starting QB. What does this mean for Charlotte 49ers?

For the third time in as many weeks, the Charlotte 49ers have a new starting quarterback.

After benching Duke transfer Grayson Loftis mid-way through the second quarter of Friday’s game at South Florida, head coach Tim Albin named Zach Wilcke the starter for Saturday’s game at Army.

Wilcke, who started his career at Southern Mississippi in Conference USA before playing two seasons of junior college ball Northwest Mississippi, provided an immediate spark for Charlotte’s offense when inserted into the lineup. After six punts and an interception in Charlotte’s first seven drives, Wilcke was responsible for all four of the 49ers’ touchdown drives, and finished the game completing 14 of his 18 passes for 150 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception.

Albin hesitated to name Wilcke the starter after the lopsided loss in Tampa, but provided clarity at Tuesday’s media availability.

“We’re going to see how practice goes, but right now Zach (Wilcke) will be our starter. He certainly warrants the opportunity to start,” said Albin. “We’re going to build around his skillset, but it’s going to be similar to what you’ve seen. I thought he did a really good job in a tough environment. I like (Wilcke’s) ability to extend plays and keep his eyes downfield.”

“(Wilcke) got some things done, and we want to build on that. We need some consistency at the quarterback position. Hopefully, we can settle in on one guy,” Albin continued. “Grayson (Loftis) is going to have to be ready. More than likely, you’ll see (Loftis) at some point in time — just because of how the season is going.”

Albin has been open about the compounding injuries through the first half of the schedule, and with season-starting quarterback Conner Harrell sidelined by a knee injury, the 49ers (1-4, 0-2 American) are now starting their third-string QB against the defending conference champion Black Knights (2-3, 1-2) on CBS Sports Network this weekend.

‘Gunslinger metality’ at quarterback

Leading up to the start of the season, Albin and offensive coordinator Todd Fitch repped the trio of transfer quarterbacks (Harrell, Loftis, Wilcke) equally, delaying naming a starter until the week of the Appalachian State game. The two signal-callers with ACC experience were slotted first and second, with Wilcke serving as the backup.

Of the three quarterbacks, Wilcke had the most starting experience in the FBS, starting eight games as a true freshman with Southern Miss, just one shy of Brett Favre’s record of nine starts with the Golden Eagles.

Now preparing for his first start with Charlotte, after playing all 12 games at Northwest Mississippi Community College in 2024, Albin compared Wilcke’s mentality to that of Favre.

“His ability to move in the pocket. He’s got that gunslinger mentality,” Albin said of Wilcke. “It’s like Brett Favre. That’s good sometimes, but you’ve got to know when to hit the gas and hit the brake.”

And while the game was already out of hand when Wilcke was inserted into the lineup, the redshirt junior handled South Florida’s blitz (70% of his dropbacks) and pushed the ball down the field with ease — something that the 49ers have struggled with all season.

Wilcke completed three of his four passes of 20 or more air yards, including the late-game touchdown to Derrick Eley, the latter’s first-career touchdown. For reference, Harrell and Loftis completed a combined four passes of 20 or more air yards through four games.

And with Charlotte’s skill position players putting the ball on the ground in every game this season, the 49ers desperately need consistency at the quarterback position.

49ers’ issues at RB

Charlotte’s issues in the running back room started before the opener when top back Don Chaney Jr. was ruled ineligible. After Chaney’s exit, returnee CJ Stokes was promoted and led the team in carries (48) and yards (149) through five games.

But for the third time in as many games, Stokes turned the ball over in plus territory to close the door on the 49ers’ comeback hopes. With Henry Rutledge (lower body injury) out for the year, Albin will turn to Rod Gainey Jr., Cameren Smith, and Jariel Cobb in the backfield.

“You are what the stats say you are,” Albin said of Stokes’ fumbles. “We’re going to play some other guys, that’s why you saw (Jariel) Cobb in there. It’s unfortunate, but we’ve got to keep coaching him. If (Stokes) gets another opportunity, he has to make the most of it.”

And after missing last week’s matchup against South Florida, Albin expects Gainey to return to the fold in a big way at running back against Army.

“He’s got a lower-body contusion. Also, there was an internal thing that we had to work through,” Albin said of Gainey. “He’s full speed and looked great at practice today. I anticipate moving forward that Rod will get used a lot.”

Charlotte is rushing for just 96.6 yards per game, which ranks lowest in the American and in the bottom 15 nationally. If the 49ers are to score their first road victory of the season, they will need the running game to find life.

Challenges at Army

After playing 100-plus defensive snaps against South Florida, where it allowed 407 rushing yards, 631 total yards, and 54 points, the 49ers’ defense is reeling. After struggling with Rice’s spread option offense, Saturday’s matchup at West Point provides a similar challenge.

“The main difference is the physicality and size. Army comes with a lot more meat on their bones, and a lot more downhill. It’s triple-option, and we have our style of defense we run.”

Army has the second-best time of possession average in the nation, holding the ball over 35 minutes per game. With possessions being limited, Charlotte can’t afford the continuous three-and-outs that have plagued the offense this season. The 49ers went three-and-out six times in their most recent loss and are averaging nearly four per game.

If Charlotte is to find success on offense, let alone wins, in the back half of the season, Fitch must find ways to get his playmakers the ball in space and stay ahead of the chains.