College Roundup: What's next for reeling 49ers?
What else can the Charlotte 49ers do?
That’s the question being asked by some 49ers’ fans, after the latest chapter in what is fast becoming a remarkably bad season.
“Unfortunately, our identity is struggling right now,” 49ers’ head coach Tim Albin said after Charlotte;s 34-7 home loss Saturday night
The loss dropped the 49ers to 0-4 on the season, with an ever-shrinking supply of games against teams that could be considered beatable. Charlotte has dropped 13 in a row, dating back to last season.
After playing App State close a week ago, Saturday’s game felt like a big step back.
The 49ers’ defense played well against Louisiana. The Ragin’ Cajuns (3-1) scored three touchdowns on short-field drives, off Charlotte fumbles and other errors.
In fact, Charlotte’s only points were supplied by the defense. Jaylon Johnson picked up a fumble in the final minute of the first half and rumbled 53 yards for a touchdown. That left the 49ers down 10-7 at halftime.
The second half summarized the 49ers’ offensive problems.
Their possessions ended this way: Fumble, Punt, Interception, Downs, Fumble, Fumble, End of Game.
Charlotte totaled only six first downs and 137 yards in the game. Starting quarterback Cole Gonzalez threw for 68 yards. Two backups did little better.
Some of the postgame attention was aimed at Charlotte offensive coordinator Todd Fitch, who has four-plus decades’ experience in coaching. When asked about possibly changing play-callers, Albin simply said he “has to consider everything.”
“We need to figure it out,” Albin said. “The last two weeks have been rough.
“We can’t turn the ball over like we did, and expect to win.”
So it’s back to the drawing board for the 49ers, whose remaining eight games – starting Saturday with Memphis (3:30 p.m., Jerry Richardson Stadium) – are against American Conference opposition.
“Our opponents the last two weeks have been good defensively,” Albin said. “But we’re going to see better. We’ve got to get better.”
Here’s how other Charlotte-area college teams fared Saturday:
App State
Final score: N.C. State 41, App State 31
What it means: The outcome probably means more for the Wolfpack (2-2) than for App State, which fell to 3-1. N.C. State was reeling from the last-minute mistake that cost them the game a week ago at Vanderbilt. The Mountaineers got another solid performance from QB Malachi Singleton, who threw for 317 yards.
How it happened: The Wolfpack built leads of 21-0 and 28-7 before App State battled back. The Mountaineers tied it at 31-all on a Sngleton touchdown pass to Gavin Barber with 9:41 left. But App State had a tough time containing the Woldpack ground game (253 yards), and Jayden Scott scored on a 16-yard run for the go-ahead points with 5:08 left.
What’s next? App State is off next week, then opens Sun Belt play Oct. 10 in a homecoming game against Old Dominion.
Catawba
Final score: Tusculum 27, Catawba 22
What it means: The Indians (2-3, 1-2 South Atlantic) experienced another in a series of close games this season. A breakdown in punt coverage allowed Tusculum (3-2, 2-1) to score the winning touchdown.
How it happened: Catawba trailed 21-6 at halftime but battled back and went ahead 22=21 with 13:51 left in the game, when the Indians partially blocked a Tusculum punt and Drew Searls returned the kick 4 yards for a touchdown. But Tusculum scored on a 15-yard run by Cam Ferguson with 4:22 to play. Catawba’s final possession ended when the Pioneers intercepted a Mason Fortune pass.
What’s next? Catawba hosts SAC foe Wingate at 6 p.m. next Saturday.
Davidson
Final score: Drake 51, Davidson 32
What it means: Drake rode a high-powered offense to a Pioneer Football League championship and FCS berth last year. This season, the Bulldogs got off to a 0-3 start, but they seemed to find the lost magic Saturday. Davidson’s offense looked good. The defense … not so much.
How it happened: Drake (1-3, 1-0) piled up 621 yards’ total offense and 35 first downs. They were 10-of-16 on third-down conversions and 5-of-5 on fourth down. Davidson QB Casey Bullock had a big game, throwing for 345 yards and five touchdowns. The ground game netted only 35 yards, but Davidson (2-3, 0-1) passed much of the game to catch up. Drake RB Chase Spellman rushed for 102 yards, and WR Willis Nofsinger had 127 yards in receptions.
What’s next? After playing its first five games at home, Davidson’s first road trip is a long one. The Wildcats play at San Diego (4 p.m.) next Satuday.
Gardner-Webb
Final score: Marshall 36, Gardner-Webb 35
What it means: Gardner-Webb might be the best 1-4 team in FCS. Two weeks ago, the Runnin’ Bulldogs lost a last-minute decision to FBS foe Liberty. On Saturday, they came up three seconds short against another FBS team.
How it happened: Gardner-Webb trailed 27-21 at halftime, but the Bulldogs took a 28-27 lead at the 3:11 mark of the third quarter on Cole Pennington’s 35-yard pass to Kory Jones. Then they scored on a 44-yard pass from Pennington to Giovanni Adopte with 9:24
What’s next? The Runnin’ Bulldogs complete nonconference play next Saturday, visiting FBS opponent Marshall for a 3:30 p.m. game.
Johnson C. Smith
Final score: the Golden Bulls were off this weekend.
What’s next? Johnson C. Smith resumes CIAA play next Saturday, traveling to Bluefield State (1 p.m.).
Lenoir-Rhyne
Final score: Anderson 42, Lenoir-Rhyne 22
What it means: The Bears couldn’t stop Anderson. They gave up 520 yards’ total offense. Strangely, considering it was a 20-point loss, Lenoir-Rhyne had an edge in first downs (27-18) and also had a big offensive day, with 462 yards.
How it happened: Anderson (4-1, 3-0 South Atlantic) took the lead for good just 4:41 into the contest, on Darren Lloyd’s 94-yard run. The Bears (2-3, 1-2) got to within 7-6 and 14-9, but Anderson scored 21 straight points for a 35-9 lead midway in the third quarter. Bears’ QB Wells Bettenhausen completed 30-of-43 passes for 331 yards, and Eddie Clark rushed for 92 yards. Anderson got 353 passing yards from Wilson Edwards.
What’s next? Lenoir-Rhyne resumes action next Saturday, hosting No. 22 Carson-Newman at 2 p.m. The Bears are 2-0 against nationally-ranked teams this season and 0-3 against everyone else.
Wingate
Final score: Wingate 41, UVA Wise 27
What it means: Wingate’s ground game, which has been missing for much of the season, came to life Saturday. The Bulldogs totaled 278 yards on the ground, largely thanks to Jason Willis, who had 177 of those yards.
How it happened: The Bulldogs (2-3, 1-2 South Atlantic) trailed the Cavaliers (0-5, 0-3) by a 27-14 score at halftime. But they outscored the visitors 27-0 in the second half, and Jason Willis was the big reason. He ran for touchdowns of 21, 11 and 54 yards, and the final score clinched the victory with 1:22 remaining. QB Brien Brooks had an efficient game, completing 17-of-25 passes for 214 yards and a touchdown.
What’s next? Wingate visits South Atlantic foe Catawba at 6 p.m. next Saturday.
