2021 Charlotte 49ers football team

2021 Charlotte 49ers football
Conference	Conference USA
Division	East Division
Record	5–7 (3–5 C-USA)
Head coach	Will Healy (3rd season)
Offensive coordinator	Mark Carney (2nd season)
Offensive scheme	Spread option
Co-defensive coordinator	Brandon Cooper (3rd season)
Co-defensive coordinator	Marcus West (3rd season)
Base defense	4–3
Home stadium	Jerry Richardson Stadium

2021 Conference USA football standings

	Conf							Overall
Team		W		L					W		L
East Division
Western Kentucky xy		7	–	1					9	–	5
Marshall		5	–	3					7	–	6
Old Dominion		5	–	3					6	–	7
Middle Tennessee		4	–	4					7	–	6
Florida Atlantic		3	–	5					5	–	7
Charlotte		3	–	5					5	–	7
FIU		0	–	8					1	–	11
West Division
UTSA xy$		7	–	1					12	–	2
UAB		6	–	2					9	–	4
North Texas		5	–	3					6	–	7
UTEP		4	–	4					7	–	6
Rice		3	–	5					4	–	8
Southern Miss		2	–	6					3	–	9
Louisiana Tech		2	–	6					3	–	9
Championship: UTSA 49, Western Kentucky 41
$ – Conference champion x – Division champion/co-champions y – Championship game participant

The 2021 Charlotte 49ers football team represented the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The 49ers played their home games at Jerry Richardson Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, and competed in the East Division of Conference USA (C–USA). They were led by third-year head coach Will Healy.

Coaching staff

On December 29, 2020 offensive line coach Lee Grimes left to take the same position at Kansas. On February 2, Texas co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Herb Hand was named to the same position at Charlotte. By February 18, he accepted a position on Gus Malzahn's new staff at UCF. On February 3, wide receivers coach Montario Hardesty joined the South Carolina staff as running backs coach. On February 9, tight ends coach Cody Woodiel returned to the Oregon Ducks as recruiting director. On February 15, South Carolina receivers coach and Charlotte native Joe Cox was named the 49ers' tight ends coach. On February 18 Ridge View High School head coach Perry Parks was brought on to coach wide receivers. On March 3, former NCAA Division II coach of the Year Pete Rossomando came on board to coach offensive line. On June 30, Tyler Hancock joined the staff as special teams coordinator after working as a senior analyst for West Virginia.

Name	Position	Seasons at Charlotte	Alma mater
Will Healy	Head coach	3	Richmond (2008)
Marcus West	Assistant Head coach/co-Defensive coordinator/Defensive line	3	Memphis (2005)
Mark Carney	Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach	3	Fordham (2004)
Brandon Cooper	Co-Defensive coordinator/Safeties	3	UT Martin (2007)
Adam Braithwaite	Linebackers coach	2	William and Mary (2002)
Joe Cox	Tight ends coach	1	Georgia (2009)
Sean Dawkins	Runningbacks coach/Run game coordinator	3	Troy (2007)
Tyler Hancock	Special teams coordinator	1	Kentucky Wesleyan (2012)
Eddie Hicks	Cornerbacks coach	3	So Miss (2010)
Pete Rossomando	Offensive line coach	1	Boston U. (1995)
Perry Parks	Wide receivers coach	1	Coastal (2007)
Reference:

Recruiting

Position key

Halfback	HB		Center	C		Cornerback	CB		Defensive back	DB
Defensive end	DE		Defensive lineman	DL		Defensive tackle	DT		End	E
Fullback	FB		Guard	G		Halfback	HB		Kicker	K
Kickoff returner	KR		Offensive tackle	OT		Offensive lineman	OL		Linebacker	LB
Long snapper	LS		Punter	P		Punt returner	PR		Quarterback	QB
Running back	RB		Safety	S		Tight end	TE		Wide receiver	WR

Recruiting class

The following recruits and transfers have signed letters of intent or verbally committed to the Charlotte 49ers football program for the 2021 recruiting year.

US college sports recruiting information for 2021 recruits
Name	Hometown	High school / college	Height	Weight	40‡	Commit date
Knox Boyd OL	Denton, TX	Guyer HS	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	290 lb (130 kg)	–	Oct 19, 2020
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
D. J. Brown LB	Memphis, TN	Memphis Univ. School	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	235 lb (107 kg)	–	Dec 12, 2020
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Cam Burden LB	Sevierville, TN	Alcoa HS	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	215 lb (98 kg)	–	Dec 16, 2020
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Tyson Clawson DE	Charlotte, NC	Independence HS	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	230 lb (100 kg)	–	May 16, 2020
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Miguel Jackson DE	Gibsonia, PA	Pine-Richland HS	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	270 lb (120 kg)	–	Jan 23, 2021
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Jarius Mack WR	Athens, GA	Clarke Central HS	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)	170 lb (77 kg)	–	Jun 24, 2020
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Douglas Newsome CB	Orange, VA	Orange County HS	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	175 lb (79 kg)	–	Dec 16, 2020
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Steven Parker S	Tampa, FL	Tampa Bay Tech	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	170 lb (77 kg)	–	Dec 11, 2020
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Miles Posey DE	Yorktown, VA	Life Christian Academy	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	240 lb (110 kg)	–	Jul 27, 2020
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Isaiah Potts DT	Fayetteville, NC	Pine Forest HS	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	300 lb (140 kg)	–	Aug 27, 2020
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
B. J. Ragland OL/DL	Chattanooga, TN	Red Bank HS	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	305 lb (138 kg)	–	Nov 18, 2020
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Bailey Rice P	Melbourne, Australia	Hallam Senior College	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	205 lb (93 kg)	–	Dec 16, 2020
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A    ESPN:
Chavion Smith RB	Statesville, NC	Statesville HS	5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)	205 lb (93 kg)	–	Jul 30, 2020
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Elijah Spencer WR	Irmo, SC	Dutch Fork HS	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	190 lb (86 kg)	–	Jul 13, 2020
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Trevor Timmons OL	Brunswick, GA	Blythewood HS	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	275 lb (125 kg)	–	Oct 26, 2020
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Colin Weber TE	Hopkins, MI	Hopkins HS	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	220 lb (100 kg)	–	Dec 11, 2020
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Xavier Williams QB	Moultrie, GA	Colquitt County HS	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	205 lb (93 kg)	–	Dec 16, 2020
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 107   Rivals: N/A  247Sports: 107  ESPN: N/A
‡ Refers to 40 yard dash Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height, weight and 40 time. In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale. Sources: "Charlotte Football Commitments". Rivals.com. Retrieved March 1, 2021. "2021 Charlotte Football Commits". Scout.com. Retrieved March 1, 2021. "ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 1, 2021. "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout.com. Retrieved March 1, 2021. "2021 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved March 1, 2021.

Key transfers

Player	Position	Previous	Home Town	High School	Class	Height	Weight
Jon Alexander	Safety	Kansas	Fort Worth, TX	Trimble Tech	Grad	6'-3"	210 lbs
Joshua Bailey	Defensive tackle	Iowa St.	Jacksonville, FL	William Raines HS	R-SR	6'-2"	300 lbs
Shadrick Byrd	Runningback	Iowa	Alabaster, AL	Thompson HS	R-SO	5'-10"	210 lbs
James Foster	Quarterback	Texas A&M	Montgomery, AL	Sidney Lanier HS	R-SO	6'-2"	210 lbs
Davondre Robinson	Safety	ECU	Holly Hill, SC	Lake Marion HS	Grad	6'-0"	200 lbs
Kofi Wardlow	Defensive end	Notre Dame	Washington, D.C.	St. John's HS	Grad	6'-3"	250 lbs
Justin Whisenhunt	Linebacker	Troy	Birmingham, AL	Ramsay HS	Grad	6'-1"	225 lbs

Players

Roster

2021 Charlotte 49ers football team roster
Players			Coaches
Offense Pos. # Name Class QB 0 Trexler Ivey RFr WR 1 Victor Tucker (C) RSr QB 2 Dom Shoffner RSr QB 3 Chris Reynolds (C) RSr WR 4 Cameron Dollar RSr WR 6 Tre’ Goode Jr QB 7 James Foster RSo QB 8 Xavier Williams  Fr WR 9 Elijah Spencer Fr QB 10 Daniel Ratliff RJr TE 11 Taylor Thompson RFr TE 12 Donta Armstrong RFr RB 13 Shadrick Byrd Jr WR 14 Grant DuBose So WR 15 Justin Jeffrey RJr WR 16 Kendric Blake Jr. RSo WR 17 Ford Werness RJr TE 18 Colin Weber  Fr WR 19 Keith Pearson Jr. RSr WR 20 Dominic Green Fr RB 21 Elijah Turner RFr WR 22 Chris Houston RFr WR 23 Andre Francois RFr RB 24 Chavion Smith Fr RB 25 Chavon McEachern RFr RB 26 Terrick Smalls Jr. RJr RB 27 McKinley Nelson Jr WR 28 Nolan Groulx RSo TE 29 Ricky Kofoed RSo RB 30 Keegan Williams RFr RB 32 Henry Rutledge  Fr RB 33 Hahsaun Wilson  Fr WR 34 Freddie Felton III Fr WR 37 Jack Reynolds  Fr WR 39 Teddy Creecy III RSo WR 40 Bryce Parker Fr OL 51 B.J. Ragland  Fr OL 52 Jonny King RFr OL 53 Panda Askew RFr OL 54 Gage Welborn RJr OL 57 Ashton Gist  Sr OL 58 Jon Jacobs RSr OL 61 Marshall Futrell  Fr OL 63 Trevor Timmons  Fr OL 64 Victor Lofton Fr OL 66 Navardo Miller RSo OL 68 D.J. Therrell Fr OL 69 Dejan Rasuo RJr OL 70 D'Mitri Emmanuel RSr OL 71 Arabee Muslim RFr OL 72 Cameron Clark RFr OL 74 Knox Boyd  Fr OL 75 T.J. Moore RSr OL 76 Jordan Brown  Fr OL 77 Jaxon Hughes RSo OL 78 Hunter Kelly RSr OL 79 Chibueze Nwanna RSr WR 80 Jairus Mack Fr TE 81 Jake Clemons RFr TE 82 Jaylan Williams RSo WR 83 Chris Wiggins RJr WR 84 Khilen Holliman Fr TE 85 Ryan Carriere RSr TE 86 Bryce Kennon RFr WR 87 Chylon Thomas RJr TE 88 Riley Engelhard Fr WR 89 Quinton Patten RSo TE 93 Emmanuel White RSr QB Preston Brown RSo QB Ryan Tyson Fr	Defense Pos. # Name Class DE 0 Markees Watts Sr DB 1 Jon Alexander RSr LB 2 Justin Whisenhunt RSr DB 3 Trey Creamer RSr CB 4 Geo Howard  Sr LB 5 Tyler Murray (C) RSr DB 6 Soloman Rogers Jr DE 7 Kofi Wardlow RSr LB 8 Cam Burden  Fr DE 9 Joshua Bailey RSr DB 10 Davondre Robinson  RSr DB 12 Shedrick Ursery RFr DB 13 Briston Bennett RFr S 14 Steven Parker  Fr DB 15 Jarvis Martin  So DB 16 Valerian Agbaw RFr LB 17 Luke Martin (C) RSr DB 18 Lance McMillan RJr LB 19 Comanche Frncisco RFr CB 20 Doug Newsome Fr LB 21 Shyhiem Scotland  Fr DB 22 Marcus Robitaille RSo DB 23 Matt Martinez RJr DB 24 Lacy Williams RSo LB 25 Prince Bemah RSo DB 26 Shamar Baker So DB 27 Bryson Whitehead RJr DB 28 J.J. Jones Jr DB 29 Jonnie Pitman RJr LB 30 Derek Boykins RSo DB 31 Trey Bly RSo DB 32 John Anderson  Fr LB 33 Jaylon Sharpe Jr DB 34 Boyd Farmer Fr DB 35 Antone Williams RSr LB 36 D.J. Brown  Fr DB 38 Anthony Jackson RFr DL 40 Rayshaad Roddy RJr LB 43 Isaiah Turnage  Fr DL 44 Mikel Horton RSr DL 48 Barutti Mazangu RFr DL 50 Darion Smith RFr LB 51 Peter Agabe RSr DL 53 Michael Kelly RSo DT 55 Isaiah Potts  Fr DL 56 Jordan Moore RFr DL 57 Siah Sa'o RSr LB 59 B.J. Turner RJr DL 60 Bryan Wallace RJr DL 90 Dez Morgan RFr DE 91 Corey Mobley RSr DE 92 Miles Posey  Fr DE 94 Isaiah Belk RJr DE 95 Miguel Jackson  Fr DL 96 Isaac Hampton RSr DL 97 Jalar Holley RFr DE 98 Tyson Clawson Fr DE 99 Taylor Chandler RJr	Special teams Pos. # Name Class K 11 Jonathan Cruz Sr P 37 Bailey Rice Fr LS 39 Colby Garfield RFr LS 41 Doug McLaughlin Jr P 42 Alex Schattin Fr K 43 Max Bilstein RSo P/K 44 Zach Nicholson RJr LS 45 Cameron Lyons RSr K 46 Aidan Laros  Fr P/K 47 Ethan Torres RSr	Head coach Will Healy (Richmond) Coordinators/assistant coaches Marcus West (Memphis) Assistant head coach/co-Defensive coordinator/defensive line Mark Carney (Fordham) Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks Brandon Cooper (UT Martin) Co-defensive coordinator/safeties Adam Braithwaite (William & Mary) Linebackers Joe Cox (Georgia) Tight ends Sean Dawkins (Troy) Run Game Coordinator/running backs Tyler Hancock (Kentucky Wesleyan) Special teams coordinator Eddie Hicks (Southern Miss) Cornerbacks Pete Rossomando (Boston University) Offensive line Perry Parks (Coastal Carolina) Wide receivers Legend (C) Team captain (S) Suspended (I) Ineligible Injured Redshirt Roster

Depth chart

Defense 4–3
FS JON ALEXANDER Steven Parker ⋅		WLB MLB SLB TYLER MURRAY LUKE MARTIN JUSTIN WHISENHUNT Solomon Rogers B.J. Turner Prince Bemah ⋅ ⋅ ⋅					SS SOLOMON ROGERS Matt Martinez Marcus Robitaille
CB TREY CREAMER Shedrick Ursery ⋅		DE DT DT DE MARKEES WATTS BRYAN WALLACE ISAAC HAMPTON KOFI WARDLOW Tyson Clawson Siah Sa'o Dez Morgan Michael Kelly Taylor Chandler Joshua Bailey ⋅ ⋅						CB GEO HOWARD Lance McMillan Valerian Agbaw
Offense Pro-style
WR VICTOR TUCKER Keith Pearson Jr. ⋅	WR GRANT DUBOSE Ejijah Spencer ⋅	LT LG C RG RT JAXON HUGHES D’MITRI EMMANUEL HUNTER KELLY ASHTON GIST T.J. MOORE Chibueze Nwanna Panda Askew Jonny King Dejan Rasuo Arabee Muslim ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ⋅					TE RYAN CARRIERE Taylor Thompson ⋅	WR CAMERON DOLLAR Tre' Goode ⋅
				QB CHRIS REYNOLDS James Foster ⋅
							Special teams PK Jonathan Cruz PK Max Blitstein P Bailey Rice P Ethan Torres KR Calvin Camp PR Geo Howard LS Cameron Lyons H Chris Reynolds
				RB CALVIN CAMP Shadrick Byrd ⋅

Awards and honors

Preseason

Awards Watch List	Player	Position	Year
Maxwell Award	Chris Reynolds	QB	RSR
Wuerffel Trophy	Peter Agabe	LB	RSR
Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award	Chris Reynolds	QB	RSR
Senior Bowl	Tyler Murray	LB	RSR

In season

Awards Watch List	Player	Position	Year
Manning Award	Chris Reynolds	QB	RSR
Burlsworth Trophy Semifinalist	Chris Reynolds	QB	RSR

Award	Player	Position	Year	Game
Conference USA Offensive Player of the Week	Chris Reynolds	QB	RSR	Duke
Conference USA Offensive Player of the Week	Chris Reynolds	QB	RSR	Middle Tennessee
Conference USA Special Teams Player of the Week	Shadrick Byrd	RB	RSO	FIU

Postseason

Conference Award	Player	Position	Year
C-USA Freshman of the Year	Elijah Spencer	WR	FR
C-USA All-Academic Team	Chris Reynolds	QB	RSR
C-USA All-Freshman Team	Shadrick Byrd	RB	RFR
C-USA All-Freshman Team	Shadrick Byrd	KR	RFR
C-USA All-Freshman Team	Elijah Spencer	WR	FR
C-USA All-Freshman Team	Bailey Rice	P	FR

All Conference Honorable Mentions:

Offense: QB – Chris Reynolds, R-Sr. • TE – Ryan Carriere, Gr. • WR – Grant DuBose, So. • OL – Ashton Gist, Sr. • OL – Hunter Kelly, Gr.

Defense: DE – Markees Watts, R-Sr. • LB – Tyler Murray, R-Sr.

Special Teams: KR – Shadrick Byrd, R-Fr. • LS – Cameron Lyons, Gr.

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
September 3	7:00 p.m.	Duke*	Jerry Richardson Stadium Charlotte, NC	CBSSN	W 31–28	14,125
September 11	6:00 p.m.	Gardner–Webb*	Jerry Richardson Stadium Charlotte, NC	ESPN3	W 38–10	12,274
September 18	7:00 p.m.	at Georgia State*	Center Parc Stadium Atlanta, GA	ESPN+	L 9–20	12,978
September 24	6:30 p.m.	Middle Tennessee	Jerry Richardson Stadium Charlotte, NC	CBSSN	W 42–39	11,076
October 2	12:00 p.m.	at Illinois*	Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL	BTN	L 14–24	30,559
October 8	7:00 p.m.	at FIU	Riccardo Silva Stadium Miami, FL	CBSSN	W 45–33	0
October 21	7:30 p.m.	Florida Atlantic	Jerry Richardson Stadium Charlotte, NC	CBSSN	L 9–38	13,017
October 30	4:00 p.m.	at Western Kentucky	Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium Bowling Green, KY	ESPN+	L 13–45	16,763
November 6	3:30 p.m.	Rice	Jerry Richardson Stadium Charlotte, NC	ESPN+	W 31–24 OT	16,050
November 13	3:30 p.m.	at Louisiana Tech	Joe Aillet Stadium Ruston, LA	Stadium	L 32–42	14,068
November 20	3:30 p.m.	Marshall	Jerry Richardson Stadium Charlotte, NC	Stadium	L 28–49	13,211
November 27	2:00 p.m.	at Old Dominion	S.B. Ballard Stadium Norfolk, VA (Oyster Bowl)	ESPN+	L 34–56	15,874
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from AP Poll and CFP Rankings All times are in Eastern time

Television

Charlotte 49ers home games and conference road games will be broadcast through Conference USA's television partners ESPN, CBS Sports, and Stadium.

Radio

Radio coverage for all games is broadcast by IMG College through the Charlotte 49ers Radio Network flagship station WZGV ESPN Radio 730 AM The Game, and the TuneIn Charlotte 49ers IMG Sports Network app. The radio announcers are "Voice of the 49ers" Matt Swierad with play-by-play alongside NFL veteran Al Wallace providing color commentary and Bobby Rosinski and Walker Mehl with sideline reports.

Preseason media poll

Conference USA released their preseason media poll on July 19, 2021, with the 49ers predicted to finish in fourth place in the East Division.

East Division
Predicted finish	Team
1	Marshall
2	Florida Atlantic
3	Western Kentucky
4	Charlotte
5	Middle Tennessee
6	FIU
7	Old Dominion

See also: 2021 Conference USA football season

Game summaries

Duke

See also: 2021 Duke Blue Devils football team

Duke vs Charlotte

1 2 3 4 Total Blue Devils 0 14 0 14 28 • 49ers 7 3 7 14 31 Date: September 3, 2021 Location: Jerry Richardson Stadium Charlotte, NC Game start: 7:03 p.m. EDT Elapsed time: 4:05 Game attendance: 14,125 Game weather: Temperature: 80 °F (27 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: NE 0 MPH Referee: Riley Johnson TV announcers (CBSSN): Chris Lewis, Corey Chavous, and Justin Walters Sources:

Scoring summary 1 8:51 CHAR Grant DUBOSE 56 Yd pass from Chris REYNOLDS (Jonathan CRUZ Kick) CHAR 7–0 2 10:22 CHAR Jonathan CRUZ 32 Yd Field Goal CHAR 10–0 2 8:22 DUKE Jordan WATERS 43 Yd pass from Gunnar HOLMBERG (Charlie HAM Kick) CHAR 10–7 2 2:57 DUKE Mataeo DURANT 5 Yd Run (Charlie HAM Kick) DUKE 14–10 3 9:54 CHAR Chris REYNOLDS 1 Yd Run (Jonathan CRUZ Kick) CHAR 17–14 4 13:07 DUKE Mataeo DURANT 59 Yd Run (Charlie HAM Kick) DUKE 21–17 4 2:59 CHAR Grant DUBOSE 9 Yd pass from Chris REYNOLDS (Jonathan CRUZ Kick) CHAR 24–21 4 1:44 DUKE Mataeo DURANT 53 Yd Run (Charlie HAM Kick) DUKE 28–24 4 0:33 CHAR Shadrick BYRD 11 Yd pass from Chris REYNOLDS (Jonathan CRUZ Kick) CHAR 31–28

Following the previous year's drubbing in Durham, the 49ers were looking to regain their pride against the Blue Devils in the first full stadium home game since the 2019 season. The 49ers would score first in the first quarter on a Grant DuBose reception from Chris Reynolds and pad their lead early in the second quarter on a Jonathan Cruz 32 yard field goal. But the Blue Devils would find the endzone midway through the quarter and then take their first lead near the end of the half behind Mataeo Durant's first of three rushing touchdowns to take a 14 to 10 lead into the locker rooms.

Charlotte would regain the lead in the third quarter only to lose it again early in the fourth quarter. With three minutes left Charlotte would again take the lead only to see the Blue Devils again on top of the scoreboard with less than two minutes in regulation. Reynolds would then orchestrate a seven-play drive downfield that resulted in an eleven-yard touchdown pass to Shadrick Byrd with only thirty-three seconds left on the clock. With time expired Duke attempted a hook-and-ladder play, but the 49ers would stop it cold and gain their first victory over a Power 5 and ACC opponent in program history.

Top performances for the game included Charlotte's Chris Reynolds, who threw for 324 yards and three touchdowns. Duke's Mataeo Durant had 29 carries for 255 yards and 3 touchdowns. The 49er's Victor Tucker had 8 receptions for 133 yards. Charlotte's Grant DuBose also had 118 yards receiving with two touchdowns in his 49ers debut.

Game notes:

• Charlotte's first victory over a Power 5 conference team and a team from the ACC.
• First time the 49ers have hosted a Power 5 conference team.
• The win was also Coach Healy's first victory over a Power 5 opponent.
• Chris Reynold's is now 39 yards away from breaking Matt Johnson's all-time passing record (5405 yards).
• Reynolds is also chasing Johnson's all-time passing touchdowns record, just 3 shy of Johnson's 42 career TDs.
• Reynolds was named Conference USA Offensive Player of the Week.
• Markees Watts' single sack placed him a half-sack away from Larry Ogunjobi's (13.0) number 2 spot on the 49ers all-time sack record. Alex Highsmith has the current career sack record with 20.0.
• Charlotte received votes for the first time in the National Coaches Poll after the win.
• 2nd game in the series since 2020 (Tied 1–1).

Gardner–Webb

See also: 2021 Gardner–Webb Runnin' Bulldogs football team

Gardner–Webb vs Charlotte

1 2 3 4 Total Runnin' Bulldogs 3 7 0 0 10 • 49ers 14 14 7 3 38 Date: September 11 Location: Jerry Richardson Stadium Charlotte, NC Game start: 6:04 pm EDT Elapsed time: 3:15 Game attendance: 12,274 Game weather: 81 °F (27 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: SW 5 MPH Referee: Joe Lehring TV announcers (ESPN3): Jack Fitzpatrick, Reggie Walker Jr. Sources:

Scoring summary 1 12:08 CHAR Chris REYNOLDS 37 Yd Run (Jonathan CRUZ Kick) CHAR 7–0 1 8:31 GWU Austin MCKAY 45 Yd Field Goal CHAR 7–3 1 1:32 CHAR Shadrick BYRD 5 Yd Run (Jonathan CRUZ Kick) CHAR 14–3 2 9:42 CHAR Calvin CAMP 1 Yd Run (Jonathan CRUZ Kick) CHAR 21–3 2 7:47 GWU Narii GAITHER 14 Yd Run (Austin MCKAY Kick) CHAR 21–10 2 3:43 CHAR Jairus MACK 11 Yd pass from Chris REYNOLDS (Jonathan CRUZ Kick) CHAR 28–10 3 10:52 CHAR Chavon MCEACHERN 13 Yd Run (Jonathan CRUZ Kick) CHAR 35–10 4 12:46 CHAR Jonathan CRUZ 29 Yd Field Goal CHAR 38–10

The 49ers were looking to build off of the previous week's success by dominating local rival Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs. Charlotte would find the endzone first and never really looked back as they were able to hold Gardner-Webb to 10 total points of offense. Charlotte's bend-but-don't-break defense allowed GWU to move the ball down the field but was able to frustrate most of the Runnin' Bulldogs' scoring attempts as the 49ers walked away with a 38 to 10 home victory.

Top performances of the game included the 49ers' Chris Reynolds who threw for 103 yards and a touchdown with 2 interceptions. Gardner-Webb's Narii Gaither had 16 carries for 82 yards and a touchdown. The Runnin' Bulldogs' Justin Franklin had 4 receptions for 53 yards.

Game notes:

• Chris Reynolds would connect to his favorite receiver of 4 years Victor Tucker on a 28 yard pass in the 3rd quarter to move into 1st place all-time on the 49ers passing yardage board. He'd finish the game with 5,469 career passing yards, moving past previous record holder Matt Johnson's 5,405 yards.
• Reynolds is now 2 passing touchdowns away from tying Johnson's career touchdown passes record (42).
• Markees Watts' sack in this game moved him past Larry Ogunjobi into second place on the 49ers career sacks list with 13.5 sacks.
• 4th game in the series since 2013, (Char. 3–1)

Georgia State

See also: 2021 Georgia State Panthers football team

Charlotte vs Georgia State

1 2 3 4 Total 49ers 0 7 2 0 9 • Panthers 0 7 6 7 20 Date: September 18 Location: Center Parc Stadium Atlanta, GA Game start: 7:05 pm EDT Elapsed time: 3:12 Game attendance: 12,978 Game weather: 78 °F (26 °C) • Weather: Cloudy• Wind: SW 4 MPH Referee: Kevin Vicknair TV announcers (ESPN+): Matt Stewart, Sam Crenshaw Sources:

Scoring summary 2 7:41 CHAR Elijah SPENCER 36 Yd pass from Chris REYNOLDS (Jonathan CRUZ Kick) CHAR 7–0 2 4:03 GAST Jamari THRASH 35 Yd pass from Darren GRAINGER (Noel RUIZ Kick) TIED 7–7 3 9:45 CHAR Team Safety CHAR 9–7 3 5:06 GAST Ja'Cyais CREDEL 28 Yd pass from Darren GRAINGER (Noel RUIZ PAT blocked) GAST 13–9 4 1:38 GAST Jamyest WILLIAMS 13 Yd Run (Noel RUIZ Kick) GAST 20–9

Rain and slick conditions would help turn this matchup into a ground and pound event dominated be defense. Charlotte would score first in the second quarter but Georgia State would tie it up moving into halftime.

The second half resulted in Charlotte retaking the lead on an intention grounding safety, but the Panthers would retake the lead before the end of the quarter. The 4th quarter was more of the same running game for both teams but Georgia State was able to find their running game rhythm and would put the game out of reach on a final touchdown with less than two minutes to go in the contest.

Georgia State dominated the top performances with Darren Grainger passing for 139 yards, 2 touchdowns and an interception. Runningback Dustin Coates had 4 carries for 83 yards. Jamari Thrash had 2 receptions for 62 yards and a touchdown.

Game notes:

• The 2nd quarter touchdown pass from Chris Reynolds to Elijah Spencer was Reynolds' 41st career pass. He was one touchdown pass away from tying the 49ers career passing TD leader Matt Johnson (42).
• Jonathan Cruz broke the record for consecutive PATs, passing Blake Brewer's record of 46.
• The 49ers' first visit to Center Parc Stadium. The previous meeting in Atlanta took place in the Georgia Dome.
• 3rd game in the series since 2015, (GAST 2–1)

Middle Tennessee

See also: 2021 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team

Middle Tennessee vs Charlotte

1 2 3 4 Total Blue Raiders 7 10 7 15 39 • 49ers 14 0 14 14 42 Date: September 24 Location: Jerry Richardson Stadium Charlotte, NC Game start: 6:32 pm EDT Elapsed time: 3:44 Game attendance: 11,076 Game weather: 73 °F (23 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: N 6 MPH Referee: Tony Johnson TV announcers (CBSSN): Chris Lewis, Corey Chavous Sources:

Scoring summary 1 7:25 CHAR Grant DUBOSE 17 Yd pass from Chris REYNOLDS (Jonathan CRUZ Kick) CHAR 7–0 1 3:27 MTSU Jimmy MARSHALL 7 Yd pass from Chase CUNNINGHAM (Zeke RANKIN Kick) TIED 7–7 1 0:57 CHAR Grant DUBOSE 12 Yd pass from Chris REYNOLDS (Jonathan CRUZ Kick) CHAR 14–7 2 11:15 MTSU Jaylin LANE 24 Yd pass from Chase CUNNINGHAM (Zeke RANKIN Kick) TIED 14–14 2 7:49 MTSU Zeke RANKIN 26 Yd Field Goal MTSU 17–14 3 7:04 CHAR Elijah SPENCER 18 Yd pass from Chris REYNOLDS (Jonathan CRUZ Kick) CHAR 21–17 3 6:16 MTSU DJ ENGLAND-CHISOLM 51 Yd pass from Chase CUNNINGHAM (Zeke RANKIN Kick) MTSU 24–21 3 0:00 CHAR Calvin CAMP 44 Yd Run (Jonathan CRUZ Kick) CHAR 28–24 4 10:27 CHAR Shadrick BYRD 19 Yd pass from Chris REYNOLDS (Jonathan CRUZ Kick) CHAR 35–24 4 8:21 MTSU Jarrin PIERCE 16 Yd pass from Chase CUNNINGHAM (Chase CUNNINGHAM Pass to Jaylin LANE for Two-Point Conversion) CHAR 35–32 4 4:00 CHAR Chris REYNOLDS 1 Yd run (Jonathan CRUZ kick) CHAR 42–32 4 2:12 MTSU Yusuf ALI 12 Yd pass from Chase CUNNINGHAM (Zeke RANKIN Kick) CHAR 42–39

Charlotte would score first only to have Middle Tennessee tie it up before a go ahead touchdown would again give the 49ers the lead. In the 2nd quarter the Blue Raiders would tie the game up again and take their first lead into halftime off a field goal.

Charlotte and Middle Tennessee would again swap leads in the 3rd quarter with the 49ers up heading into the 4th quarter. The 49ers would stretch their lead to 11 points early in the 4th only to see the Blue Raiders cut the lead down to 3 points after a successful two-point conversion. Charlotte would then tack on another touchdown only to see the Blue Raiders again cut the lead to 3 points with slightly more than 2 minutes left in the game, but Middle Tennessee's on-sides kick attempt would fail and with no time outs left the 49ers were able to take a knee to their 3rd home victory of the season.

Top performers of the game included Middle Tennessee's Chase Cunningham who passed for 379 yards and 5 touchdowns. The 49ers' Chris Reynolds would match Cunningham's touchdown performance with 339 yards of passing with 4 passing touchdowns and a 1 yard rushing touchdown. Charlotte's Calvin Camp had 12 carries for 101 yards and a touchdown. The 49ers' Grant DuBose had 9 receptions for 14 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Game notes:

• Chris Reynold's 4 passing touchdowns in the game moved him past Matt Johnson (42) with 45 career touchdown passes making him the new career passing leader.
• Reynolds also added a rushing touchdown for 5 total touchdowns in the game.
• Reynold's received his 2nd Conference USA Offensive Player of the Week award for the season.
• Grant DuBose (114 receiving), Victor Tucker (108 receiving), and Clavin Camp (101 rushing) all had 100 yard performances in the game.
• 6th game in the series since 2015, (MT 4–2).

Illinois

See also: 2021 Illinois Fighting Illini football team

Charlotte vs Illinois

1 2 3 4 Total 49ers 7 7 0 0 14 • Fighting Illini 3 7 14 0 24 Date: October 2 Location: Memorial Stadium (Champaign) Champaign, IL Game start: 11:01 p.m. CDT Elapsed time: 3:02 Game attendance: 30,559 Game weather: 73 °F (23 °C) • Weather: Cloudy • Wind: SE 5 MPH Referee: Reggie Smith TV announcers (BTN): Chris Vosters, Stanley Jackson, Krystle Rich Sources:

Scoring summary 1 7:28 ILLI James MCCOURT 29 Yd Field Goal ILLI 3-0 1 1:31 CHAR Victor TUCKER 22 Yd pass from Chris REYNOLDS (Jonathan CRUZ Kick) CHAR 7-3 2 2:52 ILLI Daniel BARKER 10 Yd pass from Brandon PETERS (James MCCOURT Kick) ILLI 10-7 2 0:46 CHAR Elijah SPENCER 27 Yd pass from Chris REYNOLDS (Jonathan CRUZ Kick) CHAR 14-10 3 6:52 ILLI Chase BROWN 31 Yd Run (James MCCOURT Kick) ILLI 17-14 3 0:00 ILLI Chase BROWN 80 Yd Run (James MCCOURT Kick) ILLI 24-14

The game got off to a slow start with the Illini making a field goal halfway through the first quarter and Charlotte answering with a touchdown right before the second quarter. The Illini would finally find the endzone with less than three minutes left in the half only to have the 49ers answer with a touchdown of their on to take a 14 to 10 lead into the halftime.

The Illini would retake the lead midway through the third quarter. Charlotte would get into comfortable field goal range in the last seconds of the quarter to attempt to tie the game only to have the ball drift wide right. On the next play from scrimmage the Illini would tack on an 80 yard touchdown run. The Illini would then use ball control running plays to eat up the clock and walk away with a 24 to 14 home victory.

Top performances of the game included Charlotte's Chris Reynolds, who threw for 191 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. The Fighting Illini's Chase Brown had 26 carries for 257 yards and two touchdowns. The 49ers' Grant DuBose had four receptions for 70 yards.

Game notes:

• First 49ers game in the State of Illinois.
• First game against a Big Ten Conference opponent.
• First time the 49ers have played two Power 5 conference teams in a single season.
• Chris Reynolds became the first 49ers passer to cross the 6000 yards mark.
• Victor Tucker moved into a 2nd place tie with Trent Bostick for career touchdown receptions with 12.
• First game in series history.

FIU

See also: 2021 FIU Panthers football team

Charlotte vs FIU

1 2 3 4 Total • 49ers 7 10 14 14 45 Panthers 3 3 7 20 33 Date: October 8 Location: Riccardo Silva Stadium Miami, FL Game start: 7:03 pm EDT Elapsed time: 3:36 Game attendance: 0 Game weather: 82 °F (28 °C) • Weather: Cloudy • Wind: 0 MPH Referee: Joe Lehring TV announcers (CBSSN): Chris Lewis, Donte Whitner Sources:

Scoring summary 1 8:59 FIU Chase GABRIEL 26 Yd Field Goal FIU 3-0 1 5:15 CHAR Calvin CAMP 2 Yd Run (Jonathan CRUZ Kick) CHAR 7-3 2 9:21 CHAR Taylor THOMPSON 5 Yd pass from Chris REYNOLDS (Jonathan CRUZ Kick) CHAR 14-3 2 4:49 FIU Chase GABRIEL 43 Yd Field Goal CHAR 14-6 2 0:03 CHAR Jonathan CRUZ 42 Yd Field Goal CHAR 17-6 3 11:58 CHAR Victor TUCKER 22 Yd pass from Chris REYNOLDS (Jonathan CRUZ Kick) CHAR 24-6 3 11:25 FIU Kris MITCHELL 50 Yd pass from Max BORTENSCHLAGER (Chase GABRIEL Kick) CHAR 24-13 3 3:46 CHAR Jake CLEMONS 1 Yd pass from Chris REYNOLDS (Jonathan CRUZ Kick) CHAR 31-13 4 11:10 FIU Tyrese CHAMBERS 59 Yd pass from Max BORTENSCHLAGER (Chase GABRIEL Kick) CHAR 31-20 4 5:45 CHAR Jonathan ALEXANDER 41 Yd Interception Return (Jonathan CRUZ Kick) CHAR 38-20 4 5:35 FIU Tyrese CHAMBERS 75 Yd pass from Max BORTENSCHLAGER (Chase GABRIEL Kick) CHAR 38-27 4 2:36 CHAR Ryan CARRIERE 4 Yd pass from Chris REYNOLDS (Jonathan CRUZ Kick) CHAR 45-27 4 0:14 FIU Sterling PALMER 8 Yd pass from Max BORTENSCHLAGER (Chase GABRIEL PAT failed) CHAR 45-33

The game Started slow with Charlotte answering FIU's field goal with a touchdown. The 49ers would pad their lead in the 2nd quarter with another touchdown before both teams traded field goals before the half. Charlotte hit the locker rooms with a 17 to 6 lead.

Charlotte would stretch the lead out to 18 early in the 2nd half, but two plays later FIU would find the endzone for the first time in the game. Charlotte would go back out to an 18 point lead before the start of the last quarter with a 21 to 3 lead.

Both teams would score as many touchdowns in the 4th quarter as they had in the entire rest of the game combined. FIU would pull back to within 11 points early in the quarter. With less than six minutes left on the clock the 49ers again would go out to an 18 point lead on a Jon Alexander interception return, only to have the Panthers score on the very next play. The Panthers looked like they might have recovered the ensuing on-sides kick, but the ball didn't cross the 10 yard mark by mere inches. The 49ers would capitalize on the turnover and again reach the magic number 18 with less than 3 minutes on the clock. FIU would get it to within 12 points with less than 15 seconds on the clock, but the on-sides kick attempt this time was easily recovered by the 49ers who would leave Miami with a 45 to 33 win.

Both quarterbacks, Charlotte's Chris Reynolds and FIU's Matt Bortenschlager, put up four touchdowns passes each, Reynolds for 203 yards and Bortenschlager for an impressive 466 yards and an interception. FIU's D'vonte Price rushed for 89 yards on 18 carries. The Panthers' Tyrese Chambers had 3 receptions for 201 yards and two touchdowns.

Game notes:

• First victory for Charlotte over FIU, who was the last team in CUSA's Eastern Division that Charlotte had never defeated.
• Shadrick Byrd was named Conference USA Special Teams Player of the Week.
• 6th game in the series since 2015, (FIU 5–1).

Florida Atlantic

See also: 2021 Florida Atlantic Owls football team

Florida Atlantic vs Charlotte

1 2 3 4 Total • Owls 0 7 21 10 38 49ers 3 6 0 0 9 Date: October 21 Location: Jerry Richardson Stadium Charlotte, NC Game start: 7:32 pm EDT Elapsed time: 3:12 Game attendance: 13,017 Game weather: 73 °F (23 °C) • Weather: Cloudy • Wind: SW 10 MPH Referee: Kevin Randall TV announcers (CBSSN): Jason Horowitz, Ross Tucker Sources:

Scoring summary 1 3:19 CHAR Jonathan CRUZ 23 Yd Field Goal CHAR 3-0 2 12:32 FAU TJ CHASE 8 Yd pass from N'Kosi PERRY (Aaron SHAHRIARI Kick) FAU 7-3 2 0:00 CHAR Grant DUBOSE 1 Yd pass from Chris REYNOLDS (Jonathan CRUZ PAT failed) CHAR 9-7 3 13:38 FAU Johnny FORD 32 Yd pass from N'Kosi PERRY (Aaron SHAHRIARI Kick) FAU 14-9 3 7:11 FAU Malcolm DAVIDSON 9 Yd Run (Aaron SHAHRIARI Kick) FAU 21-9 3 1:06 FAU Brandon ROBINSON 30 Yd pass from N'Kosi PERRY (Aaron SHAHRIARI Kick) FAU 28-9 4 9:09 FAU Aaron SHAHRIARI 27 Yd Field Goal FAU 31-9 4 7:14 FAU Johnny FORD 1 Yd Run (Aaron SHAHRIARI Kick) FAU 38-9

Both teams, coming off bye weeks, would start the game slowly with Charlotte parting the uprights in the first quarter and FAU getting the first touchdown near the end of the second quarter. With no time left in the half Charlotte would find the endzone to take a lead into the locker rooms at halftime, but the rare missed PAT from Jonathan Cruz would seem to be a harbinger of what was to come in the second half for the 49ers.

FAU would retake the lead on the first series of the second half and never look back. They would add two more touchdowns before the fourth quarter and pad their lead in the final quarter with a field goal and a final touchdown to win 38 to 9.

Top performers of the game included Florida Atlantic quarterback N'Kosi Perry, who threw for 225 yards and three touchdowns. The Owls' Johnny Ford rushed for 92 yards on 8 carries with a touchdown. Charlotte's Victor Tucker had 6 receptions for 105 yards.

Game notes:

• 7th game in the series since 2015, (FAU 5–2).

Western Kentucky

See also: 2021 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football team

Charlotte vs Western Kentucky

1 2 3 4 Total 49ers 3 10 0 0 13 • Hilltoppers 14 14 7 10 45 Date: October 30 Location: Houchens Industries-L. T. Smith Stadium Bowling Green, KY Game start: 4:05 pm EDT Elapsed time: 3:11 Game attendance: 16,763 Game weather: 55 °F (13 °C) • Weather: Rainy • Wind: 0 MPH Referee: Scott Hardin TV announcers (ESPN+): Nate Gatter, Bob Belvin Sources:

Scoring summary 1 11:44 WKU Daewood DAVIS 11 Yd pass from Bailey Zappe (Brayden NARVESON Kick) WKU 7-0 1 6:39 CHAR Jonathan CRUZ 37 Yd Field Goal WKU 7-3 1 1:21 WKU Bailey ZAPPE 2 Yd Run (Brayden NARVESON Kick) WKU 17-3 2 13:09 WKU Mitchell TINSLEY 13 Yd pass from Bailey ZAPPE (Brayden NARVESON Kick) WKU 21-3 2 9:40 CHAR James FOSTER 1 Yd Run (Jonathan CRUZ Kick) WKU 21-10 2 3:06 CHAR Jonathan CRUZ 56 Yd Field Goal WKU 21-13 2 1:27 WKU Jerreth Sterns 21 Yd pass from Bailey ZAPPE (Brayden NARVESON Kick) WKU 28-13 3 2:04 WKU Dalvin SMITH 9 Yd pass from Bailey ZAPPE (Brayden NARVESON Kick) WKU 35-13 4 12:28 WKU Brayden NARVESON 35 Yd Field Goal WKU 38-13 4 5:09 WKU Noah WHITTINGTON 1 Yd Run (Brayden NARVESON Kick) WKU 45-13

In a light rain the 49ers struggled behind backup quarterback James Foster to establish an offensive rhythm. This was not an issue WKU had as they scored first in the game and already had 4 touchdowns before the half. Charlotte would split the uprights twice and find the endzone once to keep the game within reach heading into the locker rooms, 28 to 13.

The second half would be significantly less active, but it was all Hilltoppers, adding two more touchdowns and a field goal to put the game safely in their pocket. The final score was WKU 45, Charlotte 13.

Top performances of the game were dominated by the Hilltopper's, whose Bailey Zappe threw for 393 yards, 4 touchdowns and 2 interceptions on his way to collecting a CUSA Offensive Player of the Week Award. Noah Whittingham rushed for 66 yards on 10 carries for a touchdown. Jerreth Sterns had 10 receptions for 89 yards and a touchdown.

Game notes:

• Jonathan Cruz's 56 yard field goal tied his own school record.
• The 56 yard field goal also matched the season longest NCAA field goal up to that point in the season.
• 5th game in the series since 2017, (WKU 4–1).

Rice

See also: 2021 Rice Owls football team

Rice vs Charlotte

1 2 3 4 OT Total Owls 0 7 10 7 0 24 • 49ers 7 7 0 10 7 31 Date: November 6 Location: Jerry Richardson Stadium Charlotte, NC Game start: 3:35 pm EDT Elapsed time: 3:30 Game attendance: 16,050 Game weather: 56 °F (13 °C) • Weather: Cloudy • Wind: S 15 MPH Referee: Kevin Randall TV announcers (ESPN+): Bobby Rosinski, Reggie Walker Jr. Sources:

Scoring summary 1 4:37 CHAR Calvin CAMP 53 Yd pass from Chris REYNOLDS (Jonathan CRUZ Kick) CHAR 7-0 2 11:29 RICE Ari BROUSSARD 22 Yd Run (Christian VANSICKLE Kick) TIED 7-7 2 7:49 CHAR Shadrick BYRD 1 Yd Run (Jonathan CRUZ Kick) CHAR 14-7 3 8:01 RICE Christian VANSICKLE 25 Yd Field Goal CHAR 14-10 3 2:48 RICE Jordan MYERS 1 Yd Run (Christian VANSICKLE Kick) RICE 17-14 4 6:35 RICE Ari BROUSSARD 2 Yd Run (Christian VANSICKLE Kick) RICE 24-14 4 4:09 CHAR Jonathan CRUZ 32 Yd Field Goal RICE 24-17 4 1:14 CHAR Elijah SPENCER 8 Yd pass from Chris REYNOLDS (Jonathan CRUZ Kick) TIED 24-24 OT OT CHAR Elijah SPENCER 25 Yd pass from Chris REYNOLDS (Jonathan CRUZ Kick) CHAR 31-24

Charlotte scored first on the windy afternoon in the first quarter. Rice would answer early in the 2nd quarter to tie it up but mid-way through that quarter the 49ers would again find the endzone to take a 14 to 7 lead in at the half.

Rice split the uprights midway through the 3rd quarter after the 49ers turned it over in the redzone. Rice would take their first lead of the game late in the third quarter and early in the fourth quarter would extended it to a two score lead. The 49ers again would find the redzone but would be forced to settle for a field goal to get it back down to a one score game. With less than a minute and a half left in regulation Chris Reynolds would find Elijah Spencer in the corner of the endzone to tie the game for the second time. Rice would go 4 and out and Charlotte would take their chances in overtime.

Charlotte took possession first in the overtime and on the first play Reynolds again would find Spencer to take a 7 point lead. On their second play of the overtime Rice's Jake Constantine would be flushed from the pocket and throw up a game winning interception to Charlotte's Luke Martin, securing the overtime win for the 49ers at 31 to 24.

Top performances of the game included Charlotte's Chris Reynolds, who threw for 292 yards and 3 touchdowns. Rice's Ari Broussard had 20 carries for 186 yards and 2 touchdowns. The 49ers' Elijah Spencer had 6 receptions for 77 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Game notes:

• 49th home game at Richardson Stadium for the 49ers.
• 49th Conference USA game for the 49ers.
• First overtime game for the 49ers since the 2017 season.
• 3rd game in the series since 2015, (Rice 2–1).

Louisiana Tech

See also: 2021 Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football team

Charlotte vs Louisiana Tech

1 2 3 4 Total 49ers 0 7 10 15 32 • Bulldogs 7 7 14 14 42 Date: November 13 Location: Joe Aillet Stadium Ruston, LA Game start: 3:36 pm EST Elapsed time: 3:30 Game attendance: 14,068 Game weather: 58 °F (14 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: 0 MPH Referee: Ed Ardito TV announcers (Stadium): Chris Hassel, Sed Bonner Sources:

Scoring summary 1 3:16 LTECH Marcus WILLIAMS Jr. 2 Yd Run (Jacob BARNES Kick) LTECH 7-0 2 5:55 CHAR Shadrick BYRD 1 Yd Run (Jonathan CRUZ Kick) TIED 7-7 2 1:38 LTECH Marcus WILLIAMS Jr. 8 Yd Run (Jacob BARNES Kick) LTECH 14-7 3 12:58 LTECH Marcus WILLIAMS Jr. 6 Yd Run (Jacob BARNES Kick) LTECH 21-7 3 9:06 CHAR Jonathan CRUZ 26 Yd Field Goal LTECH 21-10 3 7:22 LTECH Isaiah GRAHAM 32 Yd pass from Aaron ALLEN (Jacob BARNES Kick) LTECH 28-10 3 3:52 CHAR Chris REYNOLDS 12 Yd Run (Jonathan CRUZ Kick) LTECH 28-17 4 13:36 LTECH Smoke HARRIS 17 Yd pass from Aaron ALLEN (Jacob BARNES Kick) LTECH 35-17 4 12:18 CHAR Keith PEARSON 18 Yd pass from Chris REYNOLDS (Chris REYNOLDS Pass to Keith PEARSON LTECH 35-25 4 11:06 LTECH Marcus WILLIAMS Jr. 25 Yd Run (Jacob BARNES Kick) LTECH 42-25 4 8:44 CHAR Keith PEARSON 21 Yd pass from Chris REYNOLDS (Jonathan CRUZ Kick) LTECH 42-32

In the first ever match between these conference foes the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs, already eliminated from bowl contention, got to play spoiler to the 49ers who were still seeking their second bowl qualification in program history.

The game started slow with the Bulldogs taking the early lead at home, but the 49ers would tie the game up before the Bulldogs would score again to take a 14 to 7 lead into the half.

Once again Charlotte experienced a second half change in pace as the Bulldogs early in the third quarter took a commanding two score lead. The 49ers would gain a field goal and a touchdown in the quarter but La. Tech would also find the end zone again to preserve a two score lead heading into the last quarter of play. Charlotte would add two more touchdowns in the fourth quarter but so would the Bulldogs who would win the battle at home to the score of 42 to 32, denying Charlotte a bowl qualification for at least another week and continuing Charlotte's road winless tour.

Top performances for the game included Charlotte's Chris Reynolds, who threw for 448 yards with 2 touchdowns and an interception. The Bulldogs' Marcus Williams Jr. rushed for 131 yards on 29 carries with 4 touchdowns. The 49ers' Keith Pearson had 6 receptions for 150 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Game notes:

• First time the 49ers will visit the State of Louisiana.
• First time these two cross-division conference mates will meet.
• Chris Reynold's 448 passing yards set a new school single-game record.
• Reynold's became the first 49ers' passer to cross 7,000 career passing yards.
• Louisiana Tech is the final team in Conference USA the 49ers have yet to play.

Marshall

See also: 2021 Marshall Thundering Herd football team

Marshall vs Charlotte

1 2 3 4 Total • Thundering Herd 7 14 21 7 49 49ers 7 7 0 14 28 Date: November 20 Location: Jerry Richardson Stadium Charlotte, NC Game start: 3:37 pm EST Elapsed time: 3:14 Game attendance: 13,211 Game weather: 54 °F (12 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: S 3 MPH Referee: Patrick Foy TV announcers (Stadium): Josh Appel, Patrick Russell Sources:

Scoring summary 1 8:42 CHAR Keith PEARSON 6 Yd pass from Chris REYNOLDS (Jonathan CRUZ Kick) CHAR 7-0 1 5:14 MARS Rasheen ALI 25 Yd Run (Shane CIUCCI Kick) TIED 7-7 2 12:12 MARS Rasheen ALI 5 Yd Run (Shane CIUCCI Kick) MARS 14-7 2 4:13 CHAR Cameron DOLLAR 21 Yd pass from Chris REYNOLDS (Jonathan CRUZ Kick) TIED 14-14 2 3:26 MARS Corey GAMMAGE 64 Yd pass from Grant Wells (Shane CIUCCI Kick) MARS 21-14 3 11:49 MARS Xavier GAINES 22 Yd pass from Grant WELLS (Shane CIUCCI Kick) MARS 28-14 3 7:45 MARS Sheldon EVANS 15 Yd Run (Shane CIUCCI Kick) MARS 35-14 3 2:07 MARS Rasheen ALI 4 Yd Run (Shane CIUCCI Kick) MARS 42-14 4 11:37 CHAR Cameron DOLLAR 4 Yd pass from Chris REYNOLDS (Jonathan CRUZ Kick) MARS 42-21 4 8:36 MARS Sheldon EVANS 25 Yd Run (Shane CIUCCI Kick) MARS 49-21 4 4:33 CHAR ChaVon MCEACHERN 5 Yd pass from James FOSTER (Jonathan CRUZ Kick) MARS 49-28

Charlotte would find the endzone first to take the early lead before Marshall would tie the game going into the second quarter. The Herd would take the lead early in the second quarter before the 49ers would again tie the score before a late Marshall touchdown let them take a 21 to 14 lead in at the half.

Charlotte's second half woes would again plague the team as Marshall rattled off three third quarter touchdowns, and their fourth touchdown in a row, before the Niners could answer early in the fourth quarter. The teams would exchange two more touchdowns to end the game behind both teams' second string quarterbacks but the game was effectively over in the third quarter with Marshall winning 49 to 28.

Top performers of the game included Charlotte's Chris Reynolds, who threw for 178 yards with 3 touchdowns and an interception on his way to setting a new program single season touchdown record. Marshall's Rasheen Ali rushed for 203 yards on 23 carries for 3 touchdowns. The Herds' Corey Gammage had 3 receptions for 78 yards and a touchdown

Game notes:

• 100th game in Charlotte program history.
• Chris Reynold's 3 touchdown passes in the game broke his own single season touchdown record (24 vs 22).
• 6th game in the series since 2015, (Mar. 4–2).

Old Dominion

See also: 2021 Old Dominion Monarchs football team

Charlotte vs Old Dominion

1 2 3 4 Total 49ers 0 14 14 6 34 • Monarchs 14 14 7 21 56 Date: September 11 Location: S.B. Ballard Stadium Norfolk, VA Game start: 2:05 pm EST Elapsed time: 3:48 Game attendance: 15,874 Game weather: 45 °F (7 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: 0 MPH Referee: Kevin Randall TV announcers (ESPN+): Ted Alexander, Andy Mashaw, James Witham Sources:

Scoring summary 1 9:15 ODU Nick Saldiveri 0 Yd Run (Nick RICE Kick) ODU 7-0 1 2:51 ODU Elijah DAVIS 12 Yd Run (Nick RICE Kick) ODU 14-0 2 12:11 ODU Ali JENNINGS III 46 Yd pass from Hayden WOLFF (Nick RICE Kick) ODU 21-0 2 10:45 CHAR Elijah SPENCER 19 Yd pass from Chris REYNOLDS (Jonathan CRUZ Kick) ODU 21-7 2 7:40 ODU Ali JENNINGS III 34 Yd pass from Hayden WOLFF (Nick RICE Kick) ODU 28-7 2 2:59 CHAR Luke MARTIN 8 Yd Interception Return (Jonathan CRUZ Kick) ODU 28-14 3 10:49 CHAR Grant DUBOSE 9 Yd pass from Chris REYNOLDS (Jonathan Cruz Kick) ODU 28-21 3 6:06 CHAR Calvin CAMP 6 Yd Run (Jonathan CRUZ Kick) TIED 28-28 3 3:25 ODU Blake WATSON 3 Yd Run (Nick RICE Kick) ODU 35-28 4 13:09 CHAR Jonathan CRUZ 39 Yd Field Goal ODU 35-31 4 10:04 CHAR Jonathan CRUZ 44 Yd Field Goal ODU 35-34 4 6:42 ODU Blake WATSON 2 Yd Run (Nick Rice RICE) ODU 42-34 4 3:49 ODU Ali JENNINGS III 36 Yd pass from Hayden WOLFF (Nick RICE Kick) ODU 49-34 4 2:52 ODU Deeve HARRIS 1 Yd Fumble Return (Nick RICE Kick) ODU 56-34

Both teams in this contest need the win to become bowl eligible. Old Dominion had turned a 1-6 start into 5 straight wins. Charlotte had lost 4 of 5 after starting the season 4-2. For these two teams on different wave trajectories, this battle was critical to continue their seasons for a bowl game.

After the usual slow start for the 49ers the Monarchs rattled off two 1st quarter touchdowns and started the 2nd quarter with another to take an early commanding lead before Charlotte would find the endzone. ODU would score again before Charlotte's Luke Martin would intercept a batted pass and return it for the 49ers' second score of the game. The Monarchs took a 28 and 14 lead in at the half.

The start of the 2nd half would be Charlotte's turn to score as tow touchdowns in the 3rd quarter tied the game up at 28-all before ODU would tack on a touchdown to retake the lead heading into the final quarter of regulation. Charlotte would get into ODU's half of the field twice early in the 4th quarter but would have to settle for twin Jonathan Cruz field goals to make it a 1 point game, but with less than 7 minutes left in the game ODU would score two offensive touchdowns and return a 49ers' fumble for a third touchdown to win the game 56 to 34.

Old Dominion dominated the top performances of the game with Hayden Wolff throwing fir 328 yards, 3 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. Blake Watson rushed for 106 yards on 18 carries for 2 touchdowns. Ali Jennings III had 9 receptions for 252 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Game notes:

• Charlotte's first time visiting the newly rebuilt S.B. Ballard Stadium.
• Charlotte's 2nd Oyster Bowl, the series is tied 1-1.
• Chris Reynolds set a new single season passing record for the 49ers with 2,684 yards.
• 6th game in the series since 2015, (ODU 4–2).

Attendance

Season	Games	Sellouts	W–L (%)	Attendance	Average	Best
2021	6	1	4–2 (.667)	79,753	13,292	16,050