College preview: 49ers, App State and other area teams
The Charlotte 49ers come home this weekend after playing their last two games on the road. The 49ers close nonconference play by hosting Louisiana, out of the Sun Belt Conference.
Here’s a quick look at this weekend’s college football for area teams:
Charlotte
Opponent: Louisiana
Info: 6:30 p.m., Jerry Richardson Stadium. ESPNU
About Louisiana (2-1): The Ragin’ Cajuns have beaten Lamar and UAB and lost to nationally-ranked USC. Louisiana has a balanced attack, with the ground game producing 205 yards a contest. QB Lunch Winfield is the big threat, as he’s the leading rusher (89 yards a game).
About Charlotte (0-3): The 49ers are coming off last Saturday’s loss at App State. A bright spot was the play of WR Jaden Barnes, who had nine receptions for 84 yards. The 49ers’ ground game produced only 96 net yards, but the game was played on soggy turf. Charlotte is trying to snap a 12-game losing streak.
Note: These teams are meeting for the first time. It’s a home-and-home series, but the game in Louisiana isn’t scheduled until Sept. 18, 2032.
App State
Opponent: N.C. State
Info: 7:30 p.m., Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh. ESPNU
About N.C. State (1-2): The Wolfpack has been the subject of countless stories in the last week, after its seemingly inexplicable last-minute loss at Vanderbilt. This game could go a long way in determining how the Wolfpack will finish the season..
About App State (3-0): The Mountaineers are among 35 FBS teams that are unbeaten. QB Malachi Singleton, named Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Week, has completed 75 percent of his passes (70-of-94) for 889 yards this season. The Mountaineers’ short passing game has led the offense..
Note: These teams are meeting for the first time in 20 years. In the 2006 season-opener, N.C. State won 23-10. That was the only loss for App State in a season when the Mountaineers finished 14-1 and won the FCS championship.
Catawba
Opponent: Tusculum
Info: 6 p.m., Pioneer Field, Greeneville, TN
About Tusculum (2-2, 1-1 South Atlantic Conference): The Pioneer defense held Anderson to 221 total yards of offense a week ago in a 14-7 loss, but the offense mustered only 14 first downs. DE Greg Williams led that defense with 12 tackles.
About Catawba (2-2, 1-1): The Indians beat Emory & Henry 24-10 last Saturday. QB Mason Fortune has completed 65 percent of his passes this season, but Catawba’s ground game has not been moving well.
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Davidson
Opponent: Drake
Info: 1 p.m., Davidson College Stadium, Davidson. ESPN+
About Drake (0-3, 0-0 Pioneer Football League): The Bulldogs lost most of their key performers from a year ago, when Drake reached the FCS playoffs. QB Riley Warzynski threw for 535 yards in Drake’s season-opener. The Bulldogs are three-time defending conference champions.
About Davidson (2-2, 0-0): QB Casey Bullock leads the Pioneer Football League in total yardage and threw for 282 yards in last week’s overtime victory against VMI..
Note: Drake leads the series 10-3 and pummeled the Wildcats 45-0 last year in Des Moines, Iowa.
Gardner-Webb
Opponent: Marshall
Info: 3:30 p.m., Joan C. Edwards Stadium, Huntington, WV. ESPN+
About Marshall (2-1): The Thundering Herd has been playing some wide-open football games. Marshall averages 307 yards a game on offense but is surrendering an average of 448.
About Gardner-Webb (1-3): The Runnin’ Bulldogs are coming off an impressive 44-20 victory over N.C. Central last week. QB Cole Pennington is off to a fast start, throwing for 300 or more yards in three of the team’s four games.
Notes: Marshall leads the all-time series 2-0. This game is homecoming for the Thundering Herd..
Johnson C. Smith
Opponent: Idle this week. The Golden Bulls play next Saturday at Bluefield State.
Lenoir-Rhyne
Opponent: Anderson
Info: 2 p.m., Younts Stadium, Anderson, S.C
About Anderson (3-1, 2-0 South Atlantic): The Trojans beat Tusculum 14-7 last week and held the Pioneers to 14 first downs. Anderson plays solid defense, which could give Lenoir-Rhyne’s erratic offense some problems..
About Lenoir-Rhyne (2-2, 1-1): The Bears are a really good team – when they’re not making mistakes. QB Wells Bettenhausen has been picked off five times this season and will need to avoid errors against a good Anderson defense..
Note: Anderson won 35-28 last year, and the overall series between the teams is tied 1-1..
Wingate
Opponent: UVA Wise
Info: 6 p.m., Irwin Belk Stadium, Wingate.
About UVA Wise (0-4, 0-2 South Atlantic): The Cavaliers are reeling after a 42-7 setback last Saturday against Carson-Newman. They were outgained 500-97 in the contest, and Carson-Newman got all its yardage on the ground. QB McCalan Beason is averaging 209 passing yards a game and is solid when not being hurried..
About Wingate (1-3, 0-2): The Bulldogs’ three losses have come by a total of 12 points. QB Brien Brooks is averaging 200 passing yards a game but completing ony 51 percent of his throws..
Note: Wingate beat UVA Wise 28-7 a year ago and has never lost to the Cavaliers in six meetings.
