Area college roundup: 49ers break losing streak

PHILADELPHIA – This is how it feels to live the good life, Charlotte 49ers' football fans.

Conner Harrell threw two touchdown passes and ran for the decisive score Saturday afternoon, as the Charlotte 49ers snapped a 15-game losing streak with a 38-31 victory at Temple.

It was the 49ers’ first victory since last Sept. 13, when they beat FCS opponent Monmouth 42-35.  And it was their first win over an FBS opponent since late in the 2024 season – and the first victory over an FBS foe for second-year head coach Tim Albin.

Losing to a team ranked by most experts as the worst in FBS didn't sit well with Temple head coach K.C. Keeler.

"I've coached over 400 games," Keeler said afterward. "That was the single most embarrassing game I've been involved with."

That's saying something, since Keeler was head coach of a Sam Houston team that lost 65-7 to James Madison in the 2016 FCS playoffs.

For Albin, the victory was wonderful.

"Our team showed grit," Albin said. "That's the word that comes to mind in so many areas."

Harrell was a big reason for the victory. Harrell missed much of the 2025 season and the start of the ’26 campaign as he recovered from a serious knee injury.

He appeared to be in full form Saturday, completing 23-of-31 passes for 281 yards.

His leadership helped Charlotte (1-6, 1-2 American Conference) amass 26 first downs – more than four times the number the 49ers totaled in their loss earlier this season to Louisiana.  The 49ers totaled 449 yards of offense.

The 49ers scored on their first possession – the first time that has happened since November 2024.

It was a back-and-forth game, and Temple (2-5, 1-2) tied the contest at 28-all with a touchdown early in the fourth quarter.

But Harrell led Charlotte on a touchdown drive, scoring on a 10-yard run with 8:40 remaining.  He guided the 49ers on another scoring drive in the closing minutes.  That drive ended with a 47-yard field goal by Aiden Bui with 1:48 remaining.

Temple then drove deep into Charlotte territory, settling for a 28-yard Carl Horton field goal with 48 seconds left.

The Owls tried an onside kick, but the 49ers recovered and ran out the clock.

Albin and the 49ers will have some extra time to enjoy the victory, as they are idle next week.

Charlotte resumes play Oct. 30, hosting Tulane in a Friday night nationally-televised game.

"It's a big win for our program, on the road," Albin said. "I couldn't be more excited with the win. I'm happy for Niner Nation, our football team, and the staff."

Other Charlotte-area schools

Johnson C. Smith

Final score: Johnson C. Smith 40, Lincoln-PA 6

What it means: The Golden Bulls (6-1, 5-0 CIAA) are on a roll.  They have won six straight games and outscored opponents 218-39 since their season-opening loss to Benedict.

How it happened: Damien Mazil kept up his outstanding work, throwing for three touchdowns. He connected with Brian Lane and Reginal Daniel in the second quarter and with Lane again in the third quarter. Kamarro Edmonds scored on a fourth-quarter run, and Alexis Rosario-Belton kicked field goals of 41 and 43 yards. Lincoln fell to 1-6, 1-4.

What’s next: Johnson C. Smith is on the road again next Saturday, traveling to Maryland for a game with Bowie State.

Davidson

Final score: Davidson 34, Morehead State 31 (OT)

What it means: The Wildcats snapped a three-game losing streak, won for the first time this season in Pioneer Football League play, and improved their record to 2-0 this season in overtime games.

How it happened: Morehead State (1-6, 0-3) took the lead in a back-and-forth game, scoring on a touchdown pass with 10:43 remaining for a 31-24 edge.  Davidson (3-5, 1-3) tied the game with 14 seconds remaining, on Casey Bullock’s 12-yard pass to Brendan Ravin. Morehead State got the ball first in overtime, but the Eagles’ possession

Ended when Davidson’s Erick Bonner picked off a Morehead State pass.  Davidson then got the ball and won it with a 33-yard Christos Tzournakas field goal.

Bullock completed 19-of-30 passes for 174 yards but was picked off twice.  He also rushed 11 times for 154 yards and three touchdowns.

What’s next: The Wildcats, like several other Charlotte-area schools, are off next week. They resume play Oct. 31 at St. Thomas-MN.

Gardner-Webb

Final score: UT-Martin 17, Gardner-Webb 6

What it means: Quarterback Cole Pennington, one of the FCS leaders in passing, missed his second straight game due to injury.  His replacements, Jared Doolittle and Lan Farmer, were ineffective. Combined, they were 12-of-37 passing for 148 yards.

How it happened: Gardner-Webb (2-6, 1-2 Ohio Valley) was held to seven first downs.  The Runnin’ Bulldogs only score came on the opening kickoff of the second half, when Joshua George returned the kick 96 yards for a touchdown. UT-Martin (3-4, 2-0) scored on a Tate Surber-to-Makhia Sherrard pass, a Brandon Sims field goal, and a Jaydon Peete run. Gardner-Webb’s running game fared even worse than the passing attack, as the Bulldogs netted 20 yards in 15 carries.

What’s next: Gardner-Webb is off next Saturday and resumes play Oct. 31 at Southeast Missouri State.

Wingate, Lenoir-Rhyne

Final score: Wingate 20, Lenoir-Rhyne 17

What it means: The Bulldogs beat the Bears for the fifth straight time and won it with a field goal in the late going. As has been the case all season, turnovers hurt Lenoir-Rhyne.  The Bears lost a fumble and were intercepted twice.

How it happened: Lenoir-Rhyne (3-5, 2-4) took a 14-3 halftime lead on homecoming day, but Wingate (4-4, 3-3) battled back. The Bulldogs got within 14-10 on Jason Willis’ 9-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter, then took a 17-14 lead on a 53-yard pass from Brooks Brien to Damonte James late in the period.

Lenoir-Rhyne tied it on Cole Allbaugh’s 37-yard field goal, but Wingate drove for a 25-yard field goal by Gunnar Hilsinger with 1:27 to play.  The Bears got the ball one more time, but their drive ended with an interception.

What’s next: Both teams are off next week and resume play Oct. 31.  Wingate hosts Anderson, while Lenoir-Rhyne travels to Emory & Henry.

Catawba

Final score: Catawba 37, Anderson 33

What it means: The Indians rallied from a 33-24 deficit with two fourth-quarter touchdowns and piled up 454 yards’ total offense.

How it happened: Trailing 33-24 in the fourth quarter, Catawba (4-4, 3-3 South Atlantic) rallied. Mason Fortune connected with Nicholas Venezia on a 50-yard touchdown pass with 8:50 left, bringing the Indians within 35-31.  Then Catawba pulled ahead with 6:33 left on Bennett Galloway’s 5-yard touchdown run. Catawba’s defense shut down the Anderson (4-4, 3-3) offense over the closing minutes.

Freshman Jayden Jones, a former Independence High standout, had a big game for Catawba.  He carries nine times for 107 yards, including a 55-yard touchdown run shortly before halftime.  It was Jones’ first collegiate touchdown.

What’s next: Like most other area teams, Catawba is off next Saturday.  The Indians are back in action Oct. 31, hosting nationally-ranked Carson-Newman.