49ers Do or Die Time
CHARLOTTE, NC: With just two games left, Charlotte is eyeing in on its first ever bowl game appearance in just their second FBS season of play. Charlotte has four wins this season, three of which came on the road, but must win its final two games for a bowl berth. The Niners host conference opponent Middle Tennessee State this Saturday at Jerry Richardson Stadium, and travel to San Antonio to face UTSA on November 26th.
After dropping two heartbreaking games at home to conference foes Florida International and Rice; each by one point, the Niners are looking to enact on "revenge" in these last games. The loss to FIU came upon a fourth quarter debacle allowing two scores in the last five minutes and a missed field goal as time expired. Rice was more of the same. A built up 21-0 first half lead came asunder and Charlotte lost 22-21. Had these games gone in Brad Lambert's 49ers favor, they would be 6-4 and looking to make history as having one of the fastest come-up-to-FBS turnarounds ever with two games remaining. Instead, they are on the outside looking in.
The Niners strength seems to be unconventionally winning on the road-- in conference play. Ever since transfer sophomore QB Hasaan Klugh was handed the reigns against FAU, Charlotte football has undergone fundamental change boasting a 3-2 record. Every facet from play-making, aggression and execution have improved. Not to mention Charlotte beat FAU 28-23 behind Klugh's 3 TDs. Charlotte has not had much issue performing on the road. They set a C-USA record by becoming the first school in its history to defeat Marshall and Southern Mississippi on the road in the same season. Home play has not bode well for the Niners this year at 1-4. That is why it is crucial to solidify the win against MTSU this Saturday. A win would bolster confidence and emotion going into the clinching road game. MTSU will however be without starting QB Brent Stockstill. Stockstill has been an enormous threat this season passing for over 2,800 yards and 27 touchdowns in the eight games he has played. This is big news for the Niners because he lit up the defense last year throwing for five TDs in his third collegiate game. The sophomore Stockstill owns of FBS's better QBR ratings this season with a 150.3. Charlotte also must find a way to stop the short passes as Tyler Stehling was able to throw for 270 yards last week. Charlotte is also looking for Sr. defensive lineman and NFL prospect Larry Ogunjobi to stop the rushing attack of C-USA's 2nd leading rusher I'Tavious Mathers (1,190). Ogunjobi, an original member of the football program is playing in his last game at Jerry Richardson,
"It's bittersweet getting ready to play our last home game," Ogunjobi said, "but I can't thank Charlotte enough for the last five years." Expect an emotion and heart filled effort from these seniors that could propel them to victory.
On the offensive side of the ball Charlotte must get off to an early lead and not play to win. 'Playing to win' or conservatively is what cost the games against FIU and Rice. Hasaan Klugh has made his case as to why he is one of the most valuable players in Division I. In just five games he has brought a swagger to the locker room and field that other Charlotte teams have been unable to match. Klugh is also a dual threat QB which is very important in college football today; something Kevin Olsen was unable to bring. Klugh and Olsen have each thrown 155 passes this year. Klugh has completed 92/155 compared to 80/155 with 209 more yards giving him a little over two YPT better. These stats accompany eight total TDs as well. He will become Charlotte's first 1,000 yard passer in school history. His elusiveness and play-making ability have carried the offense this season. Kalif Phillips also must establish the early ground game like at USM with his dominating 189 yard performance. Running has been a strong point for the Niners while cycling through a pair of 440 plus yard rushers. But the Niners run game has been downplayed this season with the present talent, but the emotion and meaning may produce an electrifying effort.
If the 49ers can win out and advance to a bowl game in their second FBS season they will be among high company to do so. Coach Lambert has increased the win total by 100% from last season from 2-10 to 4-6 with two games left.
The Charlotte Middle Tennessee State game will begin at 2pm Saturday on ESPN3 and Watch ESPN.
Aaron Blake
UNC Charlotte
