Charlotte 49ers make few changes as they await Temple in rare Friday night game
The Charlotte 49ers’ football program has gone through a number of “firsts” since their inaugural season in 2013.
The 49ers will face another “first” this week – their first Friday night game – when they host undefeated Temple at Jerry Richardson Stadium.
“We’ve got a tough game ahead of us,” Charlotte coach Brad Lambert said Tuesday. “This is by far the best team that’s ever come to our stadium.”
And it also means a shorter week of preparation for the 49ers (2-2), who enter the game with back-to-back losses against Middle Tennessee and Florida Atlantic – both Saturday games.
Lambert said some minor adjustments were made in Charlotte’s weekly schedule in preparation to face the Owls (3-0).
“We cut out the walk-through,” normally done the day before the game, Lambert said, “and put it in on Friday morning. Other than that, their routine is going to be the same.”
However, the 49ers’ opponent Friday is anything but routine.
Temple is off to its best start since the 2010 season, with wins over national powers Penn State and Cincinnati that has put the Owls atop the American Athletic Conference’s East Division. A win Friday against Charlotte would give Temple its first 4-0 start since 1974.
“These guys know how to play,” Lambert said. “They beat Penn State at home, and beat a Cincinnati team that’s pretty good. You beat Penn State, you’ve got a ‘for-real’ team.
“We’ve got a huge challenge ahead of us, but our guys are looking forward to it. That’s what we’ve signed up for.”
McNeill to get start
Lambert said quarterback Matt Johnson would miss Friday’s game, and Lee McNeill would get the start for the 49ers.
Johnson came out of last week’s game against Florida Atlantic early in the third quarter with what Lambert found out later was a concussion. Brooks Barden will be McNeill’s backup.
McNeill, who had split time with Johnson this season, finished 11 of 31 for 89 yards passing. But he threw four interceptions and was sacked five times in Charlotte’s 17-7 loss.
The 49ers will also be missing offensive lineman Jamal Covington (fractured toe). Linebacker Desmond Floyd (knee) and defensive lineman Devon Johnson (Achilles tendon) are questionable.
However, offensive lineman Eugene German (shoulder stinger) and wide receiver Corey Nesmith Jr. (concussion) will return to the lineup this week.
Turnover-prone 49ers
Turnovers have been a problem for Charlotte the past two weeks – a problem Lambert said must change if the 49ers are to have a chance against the Owls.
In the past two games, Charlotte has committed 14 turnovers – four fumbles and 10 interceptions – compared with just six (four fumbles and two picks) in wins against Georgia State and Presbyterian.
That’s put Charlotte at the bottom of Conference USA in turnover ratio at minus-9 (20 turnovers lost to 11 forced). By comparison, the Owls have a plus-3 ratio (five turnovers lost to eight forced).
“We’ve got to value the ball and try to take care of it,” Lambert said. “That’s a recipe for disaster when you turn the ball over like that.”
This story was originally published September 29, 2015 at 5:14 PM with the headline "Charlotte 49ers make few changes as they await Temple in rare Friday night game."