Charlotte 49ers host Wesley, though with suspect defense

Over the course of a losing streak that has now reached six games, the Charlotte 49ers are scoring an average of 34.6 points per game.

So it is pretty apparent where the problem has been for Charlotte, which hosts Wesley (Del.) at noon Saturday at Richardson Stadium.

Charlotte’s defense has been vulnerable not only during this losing streak – during which the 49ers are allowing 44.0 points per game – but stretching back to its inaugural season of 2013, when opponents scored an average of 31.2 points.

“The bottom line is that we’re not doing what we’re supposed to do,” said Charlotte defensive coordinator Bruce Tall. “Our job is to keep them out of the end zone; we haven’t been doing that. Ultimately, that responsibility is on me.”

Although Wesley (9-0) is a non-scholarship Division III team and the 49ers (3-6) are a 75-scholarship Division I program getting ready to move into the NCAA’s Football Bowl Subdivision, Saturday’s game doesn’t figure to be easy for Tall’s defense.

The fourth-ranked Wolverines average 53.2 points and 475.4 yards per game and showed last season they could move the ball against the 49ers in a 35-28 victory.

“They are really stout on offense,” said 49ers coach Brad Lambert of the Wolverines.

Theories abound why the 49ers defense struggles as much as it does, including:

Tall doesn’t agree with any of them.

“The (injuries) are a cop out,” he said. “You lose guys. Everybody has situations like this. You overcome them. We’re getting guys to fit into what we want accomplish. It’s been a slower process than we want, but when it comes, it’s going to keep going.”

Tall, who was the defensive line coach at Michigan before coming to Charlotte, thinks the 3-4 is the best way for his group.

“I believe strongly that you have to have coverage over the spread of the field,” said Tall. “You’ve got to get guys in the right leverage position, with everything being played outside the (hash marks). Once you start giving up outside the hashes, then you become weaker inside. People are stretching you too much, so you’ve got to have guys on the perimeter who can handle their business.”

The 49ers have also allowed an average of 581 yards per game in total offense during the losing streak (493.8 for the season).

“I don’t really look at the (total yardage) stats as much as scoring,” said Tall. “Everybody’s giving up yards. I’m not conceding that, because you want to stop people. It’s frustrating, but we’re a work in progress.”

After a 59-34 loss to Coastal Carolina last Saturday, nose tackle Larry Ogunjobi said much of the 49ers defensive problems stem from a lack of communication.

“There will be more check (offs) in certain games than others,” said Tall. “That’s what good teams force you into. But that’s still inexcusable. It’s our job to have them sharp. There shouldn’t be any communications issues. We should be talking all the time, talking to teammates and coaches. We’re giving data and checks. It still falls on me.”

One area in which the 49ers’ helped cover their defensive deficiencies in 2013 was forcing turnovers, finishing among the Football Championship Subdivision leaders with 31, an average of 2.8 per game. This season, Charlotte has forced 17 through nine games, an average of 1.9

Despite the big numbers allowed and the mounting losses, Tall remains optimistic about his defense, even with 49ers opponents becoming that much tougher in Conference USA.

“We’ll be healthier, we’ll be more experienced,” said Tall. “And this is one of the most resilient bunches I’ve been around. Some people pack it in after going through what we’ve gone through. These kids do not.”

This story was originally published November 14, 2014 at 11:13 PM with the headline "Charlotte 49ers host Wesley, though with suspect defense."