Charlotte 49ers Gameday

Charlotte (2-0) at Middle Tennessee State (1-1)

7 p.m., Floyd Stadium, Murfreesboro, Tenn.

TV: None.

Radio: WFNZ, 610. Pregame show at 6 p.m.

SCOUTING MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE

The Blue Raiders are quarterbacked by redshirt freshman Brent Stockstill, son of coach Rick Stockstill. Brent Stockstill passed for 348 yards in the opening 70-14 victory against Jackson State but had half that total, 174 yards, last week against Alabama. Receivers Ed Batties and Richie James each have more than 150 receiving yards this year, and James, a freshman, ranks 10th nationally in receptions per game (8). 49ers quarterbacks will have to be careful with Blue Raiders defensive back Kevin Byard, who is second among NCAA active players in interceptions per game (0.41).

MATCHUP TO WATCH

Charlotte’s offensive line against Middle Tennessee State’s defensive tackles Patrick McNeil and Shaquille Huff. 49ers coach Brad Lambert said this could be the key.

OBSERVATIONS

▪ Charlotte enters the game with a four-game winning streak, dating to the final two games of 2014. But Middle Tennessee has a seven-game home conference victory streak.

▪ Brent Stockstill is the second head coach’s son to start a game in Conference USA history. The other was Tyson Helton (1997-98), whose father, Kim, was head coach at Houston.

▪ Charlotte’s passing attack might enjoy some success, as Middle Tennessee State ranks 100th of 128 Football Bowl Subdivision teams in passing yardage allowed (291.5 yards a game).

▪ Offensive lineman Jamal Covington (toe injury) looks to be the only 49ers regular likely to miss this game.

▪ Charlotte is in its third season of football, although an early version of the school played in 1946-48. Middle Tennessee State has been playing football since 1911.

▪ Middle Tennessee State coach Rick Stockstill on the 49ers: “They haven’t given up a bunch of big plays defensively. They tackle very well. … They also do a good job in the secondary of disguising coverages.”

BY THE NUMBERS

7 Number of seconds in one Charlotte scoring drive last week against Presbyterian. It was a school record and consisted of one play – a 39-yard pass from Matt Johnson to Austin Duke.

30 Under coach Rick Stockstill, Middle Tennessee State has a 44-3 record when scoring 30 points or more.

103 Middle Tennessee State kicker Cody Clark has made 103 straight extra-point attempts, which is third-longest nationally among active players.

Steve Lyttle

This story was originally published September 18, 2015 at 4:23 PM with the headline "Charlotte 49ers Gameday."