Tag: Charlotte

Oct 19, 2024; Annapolis, Maryland, USA; Charlotte 49ers head coach Biff Poggi looks on during the second half against the Navy Midshipmen at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images

Charlotte, with 3-7 record, fires football coach Biff Poggi

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Charlotte football program, after taking a fourth consecutive loss on Saturday, fired coach Biff Poggi on Monday.

Associate head coach Tim Brewster was appointed the interim head coach of the 49ers, who have a 3-7 overall record, 2-4 in the American Athletic Conference.

Poggi, 64, produced a 6-16 mark in his two seasons in charge at Charlotte.

Athletic director Mike Hill said in a statement, “I am thankful to Biff Poggi for his leadership and mentorship of our student-athletes over these past two seasons. No one can question Biff’s passion for helping young people succeed in life, both personally and professionally, but our on-field results have unfortunately fallen short of everyone’s expectations.

“As we move forward into the next chapter of Charlotte 49er Football, we will be looking for a leader to take our program to the next level as a consistent bowl and championship contender.”

Charlotte owned a 3-3 record before taking successive losses to Navy, Memphis, Tulane and South Florida, yielding at least 33 points in each contest and losing by 30-plus points three times in that span. A 59-24 home defeat to the Bulls spelled the end for Poggi.

Before taking over in Charlotte ahead of the 2023 season, Poggi spent two years as Michigan’s associate head coach under Jim Harbaugh.

The 49ers rank 125th out of 133 FCS teams in scoring defense, allowing 36.7 points per game. They sit 116th in total defense, surrendering 430.3 yards per contest.

Brewster, 64, was the head coach at the University of Minnesota from 2007-10, compiling a 15-30 record. He has served on college coaches staffs at North Carolina, Texas, Mississippi State, Florida State, Texas A&M, Florida, Jackson State and Colorado, and he has been an NFL assistant coach for the then-San Diego Chargers and the Denver Broncos.

Charlotte closes the season with a road game against Florida Atlantic on Saturday, then a home game against UAB on Nov. 30.

–Field Level Media

Oct 19, 2024; Annapolis, Maryland, USA; Navy Midshipmen running back Brandon Chatman (24) warms up before a game against the Charlotte 49ers at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images

Alex Tecza helps No. 25 Navy rout Charlotte

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Navy’s Alex Tecza notched three first-quarter touchdowns, Dashaun Peele returned two interceptions for scores and the No. 25-ranked Midshipmen walloped the turnover-prone Charlotte 49ers 51-17 Saturday in American Athletic Conference in Annapolis, Md.

A fullback, Tecza rushed for two scores and added a TD reception as 16-point favorite Navy (6-0, 4-0 AAC) scored 24 points inside the game’s first dozen minutes.

Tecza rushed for 68 yards on eight carries and caught one pass for 46 yards.

Blake Horvath went 7 of 13 for 117 yards and three TDs.

In addition to Peele’s two pick-sixes, linebacker Kyle Jacob produced an interception and fumble recovery as the Midshipmen created five turnovers.

The Midshipmen opened their season with six straight wins for the first time since 1979.

In losing for the first time in three games, Charlotte (3-4, 2-1) struggled as starting quarterback Max Brown completed 7 of 16 passes for 152 yards with two TDs and three interceptions. Backup Trexler Ivey also tossed an interception.

Playing as a ranked team for the first time since 2019, the Midshipmen deployed Tecza to slice through the visiting defense early.

On the game’s first series, Horvath ended a 73-yard drive with a strike of 46 yards to Tecza on a wheel route 1:53 into the matchup.

After Tecza found paydirt for the second time on a 12-yard run, Jacob intercepted Brown deep inside Charlotte territory at the 17-yard line. Tecza then made it 21-0 from 2 yards out.

Following Jacob’s fumble recovery, Nathan Kirkwood connected from 22 yards for a 24-0 lead.

On the 49ers’ fourth possession, they committed a third first-quarter turnover when Rayuan Lane III intercepted Brown in Charlotte territory with 1:42 left.

Navy continued to change the scoreboard, with Cody Howard grabbing an 11-yard pass from Horvath less than two minutes into the second.

Peele padded the lead to 38-0 by stepping in front of Ivey’s pass for a 61-yard pick-six.

Charlotte finally broke the ice when kicker Stephen Rusnak was good from 39 yards with 8:49 left in the half. Brown returned and fired a 20-yard TD pass to O’Mega Blake to bring the halftime score to 38-10.

In the third, Horvath hit Brandon Chatman on a 19-yard TD pass, but Brown answered from 13 yards with a strike to Duane Thomas Jr.

Peele brought another interception back 84 yards, bulling his way in over the goal line for the final 34-point margin.

–Field Level Media

Oct 5, 2024; Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA; Navy Midshipmen quarterback Blake Horvath (11) runs the ball as Air Force Falcons defensive back Camby Goff (11) defends in the second quarter at Falcon Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

No. 25 Navy puts rare ranking on line against Charlotte

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For the first time since the end of the 2019 season, No. 25 Navy is back in the AP rankings, and the player most responsible for the rise of the Midshipmen after four straight losing seasons is quarterback Blake Horvath.

When Navy (5-0, 3-0 American Athletic Conference) hosts Charlotte (3-3, 2-0) in its homecoming on Saturday, all eyes will be on Horvath, a typical Midshipmen quarterback in that he leads the team in rushing but also an atypical one considering his efficient passing numbers.

While Horvath doesn’t throw often, completing 39 of 59 passes for 771 yards and seven touchdowns with one interception, his dual-threat effectiveness has catapulted him to the top mark in the BCS in ESPN’s total quarterback rating (QBR) at 92.8.

“They throw it much better than a normal option team throws the football,” Charlotte coach Biff Poggi said. “The quarterback is a star.”

Horvath’s star turn came last month in a 56-44 upset of AAC preseason favorite Memphis as he rushed for 211 yards and four touchdowns and completed 9 of 12 passes for 192 yards and two more scores.

“Memphis has a lot of athletes on the defensive side,” Poggi said, “and he out-ran a bunch of guys.”

In Navy’s most recent win, 34-7 at Air Force on Oct. 5, Horvath carried 19 times for 115 yards and two touchdowns. He also threw for 134 yards as the Midshipmen ended a four-season losing streak against the Falcons.

It’s been a remarkable turnaround for a Navy squad that went 5-7 last year and was picked to finish 11th in the 14-team AAC in the preseason. With a win Saturday, the Midshipmen would be off to a 6-0 start for the first time since 1979.

“The one thing I’ve been most impressed with, with our football team, is just their ability to keep the blinders on and keep working,” Navy’s second-year coach Brian Newberry said. “Nothing’s changed from the first week to now.”

Charlotte has also exceeded expectations after being slotted to finish 13th in the AAC. The 49ers have won three of their past four, showing improvement under Poggi, who also is in his second year.

“You look across the board, they’re a big, long, athletic, physical football team,” Newberry said of the 49ers.

In its last game, a 55-24 romp over East Carolina on Oct. 5, Charlotte rolled up 311 rushing yards, its highest total in a game since 2019.

Hahsaun Wilson ran for 164 yards and three touchdowns, while Deshawn Purdie threw for 206 yards in his second career start.

Because of injuries, true freshman Purdie is one of three quarterbacks who have started games for the 49ers this year.

He came off the bench to throw two touchdown passes in the second half of a 21-20 come-from-behind win at Rice to earn the start against East Carolina.

With Navy and Charlotte coming off bye weeks, both teams enter in good health. The 49ers will regain the services of quarterback Max Brown, who started their opening game.

“Non-coach speak, it truly will be a game-time decision,” Poggi said about who would get the start. “We will have both (Brown and Purdie) ready to go.”

–Field Level Media

Sep 7, 2024; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels tight end Bryson Nesbit (18) with the ball as Charlotte 49ers linebacker Prince Wallace-Bemah (25) defends in the second quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Backups shine as North Carolina holds off Charlotte

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Conner Harrell passed for two touchdowns and rushed for a third and true freshman Davion Gause ran for 105 yards as North Carolina held off Charlotte 38-20 Saturday afternoon in Chapel Hill, N.C.

A sophomore making his second career start, Harrell was 16-of-25 passing for 219 yards and rushed for 39 more as the Tar Heels (2-0) ran for 269 yards despite losing leading rusher Omarion Hampton to injury in the second quarter.

True freshman Deshawn Purdie was 9-of-19 passing for 134 yards and two touchdowns for the 49ers (0-2) after taking over for injured starter Max Brown in the second quarter.

After settling for field goals their first two trips into the red zone in the first half, the 49ers scored on their third try when Purdie followed up a 34-yard strike to Jairus Mack with a 5-yard touchdown pass to Bryce Kennon early in the third quarter to cut their deficit to 21-13.

But the Tar Heels responded with Harrell’s 58-yard touchdown pass to Christian Hamilton and Noah Burnette’s 44-yard field goal to build a 31-13 cushion entering the fourth period.

Gause scored from a yard out in the fourth quarter to open the gap to 38-13, and Purdie ended the scoring with a 28-yard pass to Henry Rutledge.

The Tar Heels opened the game with a three-and-out but scored touchdowns on their next three series to build a 21-6 lead at the half.

Harrell threw for one score to Bryson Nesbit and scored on a 4-yard run, and Nate McCollum scored on a reverse from 37 yards out.

The 49ers settled for field goals after twice driving inside the Heels’ 10-yard line.

Injuries sidelined seven Charlotte starters in the first half, including Brown, who was 8-of-12 passing for 175 yards before leaving with an injured hand. He did not return.

North Carolina had three starters put out by injury, including running back Hampton who rushed for 77 yards in a little over a quarter before leaving for good.

–Field Level Media

Aug 29, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Conner Harrell (15) throws the ball against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the second half at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

North Carolina turns to QB Conner Harrell with Charlotte up next

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Redshirt sophomore Conner Harrell will get his second career start and first of the season when North Carolina hosts Charlotte on Saturday afternoon in Chapel Hill, N.C.

Harrell was thrust into action when starter Max Johnson sustained a season-ending leg injury in the third quarter of the season opener at Minnesota on Aug. 29.

The Tar Heels (1-0) were down 14-10 to the Golden Gophers when Harrell entered in the third quarter. He was only 2-of-4 passing for 34 yards the rest of the way, but one completion was a 32-yard strike to J.J. Jones in the fourth quarter that led to Noah Burnette’s decisive 45-yard field goal with 1:45 left in the Heels’ 19-17 win.

“All of us need to rally around Conner and step up because he’s really good,” North Carolina coach Mack Brown said.

Harrrell started last season’s Duke’s Mayo Bowl when Drake Maye sat out the postseason affair and was 18-of-27 passing for 199 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions in the Tar Heels’ 30-10 loss to West Virginia.

“We’ve got to make sure we figure out what he does best and let him do that,” Brown said. “Obviously, everybody is going to stack the box to stop (number) 28. So everything you do is to counteract that.”

No. 28 in the Tar Heels’ backfield is running back Omari Hampton, who rushed for 129 yards and caught five passes in the win at Minnesota.

Charlotte (0-1) is coming off a 30-7 loss to James Madison, but coach Biff Poggi is hoping to have available a couple of the eight starters back after they sat out the opener because of injuries.

“We’ll pick up one or two defensive linemen,” said Poggi, who has a policy of not naming injured players. “We had three out and we’ll pick up one. But he’ll be on a pitch count.

“It looks like we’ve lost an offensive lineman, another one in the game, but I think we’re getting one back there. Everybody else should be kind of like they were last week.”

Quarterback Max Brown was 22 of 45 for 193 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions in the loss to James Madison. Terron Kellman was the 49ers’ leading rusher with 76 yards on nine carries.

Sean Brown caught a game-high six passes for a team-high 70 yards, while Isaiah Myers scored Charlotte’s lone touchdown – a 26-yarder in the second quarter — for one of his two receptions.

–Field Level Media

Florida Gators wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (1) makes a one-handed catch for a first down during the first half against the Charlotte 49ers at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, September 23, 2023. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]

No. 25 Florida leans on defense to top Charlotte

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Graham Mertz threw for 259 yards, Trey Smack kicked five field goals and the defense of No. 25 Florida limited visiting Charlotte in a 22-7 win Saturday night in Gainesville.

Coming off an upset of then-No. 11 Tennessee, the Gators (3-1) started fast, scoring on their first four possessions as Mertz completed his first seven passes. But the rest of the night was a struggle for Florida.

Charlotte (1-3) stayed close as it repeatedly stopped the Gators when backed into its own territory, forcing Florida to settle for field goals.

The Gators’ defense ultimately paved the way, limiting the 49ers to 210 yards and 10 first downs.

Mertz completed 20 of 23 passes with a touchdown. Ricky Pearsall had six receptions for 104 yards, including a sensational one-handed grab in the first half that set up one of Smack’s field goals.

Running behind a Florida offensive line that was missing three injured starters, Montell Johnson Jr. grinded for 63 yards on 16 carries and Trevor Etienne added 48 yards on eight rushes.

Florida opened the game with a remarkably efficient, nine-play, 95-yard march in which it didn’t face a third down. Mertz went 3-for-3 in the drive for 51 yards with the last 6 coming on a touchdown pass to Arlis Boardingham.

The Gators increased their lead to 16-0 as Smack followed with field goals of 27, 23 and 54 yards.

But after that, Florida struggled against a Charlotte defense led by Eyabi Okie-Anoma, who recorded eight tackles, a sack and a forced fumble.

After punting on its first four possessions and failing to reach midfield, Charlotte scored late in the first half as quarterback Jalon Jones accounted for 60 of the yards in a 75-yard drive, including the last seven on a third-and-goal touchdown run to make it 16-7.

Jones finished with 11 completions in 16 attempts for 111 yards. He also was the 49ers’ top rusher with 65 yards on 20 carries.

In a static second half, neither team scored a touchdown. Florida extended its lead on Smack field goals of 36 and 23 yards.

– Field Level Media

Sep 16, 2023; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators running back Trevor Etienne (7) gestures to the crowd at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium after the game against the Tennessee Volunteers. Mandatory Credit: Chris Watkins-USA TODAY Sports

No. 25 Florida checks Charlotte with chance for rare 3-game streak

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Trevor Etienne and No. 25 Florida have a head of steam as they await Charlotte on Saturday in Gainesville, Fla.

Etienne set career highs in carries (23) and rushing yards (172) in the Gators’ 29-16 victory over then-No. 11 Tennessee last Saturday. His rushing total eclipsed his previous best of 129 yards, set during Florida’s 45-38 loss to Florida State on Nov. 25, 2022.

Etienne highlighted his performance against the Volunteers with a 62-yard touchdown run in the first quarter.

“I had the end zone in my eyesight, and I was going to do anything to get there,” he said, per the Gainesville Sun.

Etienne was recognized with the Doak Walker National Running Back of the Week Award.

A potent ground attack and an economical passing game — Graham Mertz completed 19 of 24 passes for 166 yards and a touchdown — allowed Florida to record a decided edge in time of possession (37:28-22:32).

After jumping back into the AP poll for the first time since Sept. 24 of last season, the Gators (2-1) vie for their first three-game winning streak since rolling off six straight victories in 2020.

“It validates your plan, what you’re selling to a degree,” Florida coach Billy Napier said of the team’s recent success. “That’s what you want as a leader. … That’s a lot more fun.”

Napier is keeping a keen eye on Charlotte (1-2), which posted a 24-3 win over South Carolina State in its season opener on Sept. 2 and led Maryland at halftime the following week before falling 38-20 to the Terrapins.

The 49ers dropped a 41-25 decision to Georgia State last week.

“I’d rather go back to where everybody in the world knows what we’re going to run on offense and defense but we can execute it,” Charlotte coach Biff Poggi said. “I am not going to sleep much. I am going to put on the film … and find out what we do best and do it.”

Trexler Ivey completed 20 of 28 passes for 257 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

Colorado transfer Jack Hestera reeled in seven catches for 109 yards and a score versus the Panthers. He leads the 49ers in catches (14) and receiving yards (194) this season.

Charlotte inadvertently caught a break on Monday after the Southeastern Conference suspended three Florida players for one half on Saturday over their roles in a scuffle at the end of the game against the Volunteers.

The SEC released a statement saying Gators offensive linemen Damieon George Jr. and Micah Mazzccua and tight end Dante Zanders were being punished for “flagrant unsportsmanlike actions.”

George and Mazzccua were Florida’s starting right tackle and right guard, respectively, to begin the season. Zanders is a backup tight end.

“We had multiple players that screwed up,” Napier said. “They compromised the entire team ’cause you may not be available in the future, whatever the case may be. No different than some guy calls you a name at the local bar on Friday night. Are you going to compromise your wife and kids, make a poor decision?

“These things are teachable moments. Ultimately hopefully we do enough on our part to teach ’em.”

–Field Level Media

Sep 9, 2023; College Park, Maryland, USA; Maryland Terrapins quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa (3) throws from the pocket during the first half against the Charlotte 49ers at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Maryland catches fire after slow start, tackles Charlotte

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Taulia Tagovailoa shrugged off a slow start to throw for 287 yards and a touchdown on Saturday night as Maryland rallied from an early two-touchdown deficit to top Charlotte 38-20 in College Park, Md.

Tagovailoa sealed the victory by lofting a 40-yard touchdown pass to Kaden Prather with 8:06 left in the game, three plays after Donnell Brown ended a promising 49ers drive by intercepting Jalon Jones at the Terrapins 26-yard line.

Tagovailoa completed 25 of 36 passes with two interceptions, while Roman Hemby rushed for 162 yards and a score on 19 carries. Maryland (2-0) outgained Charlotte 530-314 and scored 38 straight points until Joachim Bangda’s 1-yard touchdown run for the 49ers with 1:22 left.

Billy Edwards Jr.’s 1-yard TD run with 9:18 left in the third quarter put the Terrapins ahead for good. Teammate Colby McDonald made it 24-14 just over three minutes into the fourth quarter by zipping 23 yards off left tackle for a score.

Jones hit on 8 of 15 passes for 116 yards and ran for a team-high 67 yards on 16 carries for the 49ers (1-1).

Favored heavily at kickoff, Maryland laid a giant egg in the first quarter, enabling Charlotte to take a 14-0 lead just over three minutes into the game. Jones’ play-fake froze multiple defenders, allowing him to find Jairus Mack for a 48-yard touchdown strike.

On the Terrapins’ first snap from scrimmage, Tagovailoa tried a short pass, and Demetrius Knight II picked it off and went 16 yards to the end zone for a pick-6. It didn’t get any better for Maryland the rest of the quarter, as the 49ers had 105 yards to minus-2 for the Terrapins at one point.

But Maryland finally found some footing in the second quarter as Tagovailoa got going in the air. Charlotte did manage to stiffen once the ball reached the 30, forcing Jack Howes to boot 32, 38 and 45-yard field goals. That allowed the 49ers to lead 14-9 at halftime.

–Field Level Media

Sep 10, 2022; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Charlotte 49ers head coach Will Healy and friends take the field during the first quarter against the Maryland Terrapins at Jerry Richardson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Biff Poggi to be named Charlotte coach

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Michigan associate head coach Francis “Biff” Poggi is expected to be named the new head coach at Charlotte, according to multiple reports Tuesday.

It would be Poggi’s first head coaching stint in the collegiate ranks. He joined Jim Harbaugh’s staff at Michigan in July 2021 after a stint as the head coach at Saint Frances Academy in Baltimore.

Poggi would replace Will Healy, fired by Charlotte last month amid a 1-7 start to the season. Healy was 15-24 in three-plus seasons in Charlotte.

Offensive line coach Pete Rossomando has been serving as interim head coach.

–Field Level Media

Sep 24, 2022; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Charlotte 49ers head coach Will Healy directs his team against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the first quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Charlotte fires football coach Will Healy

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Charlotte fired coach Will Healy on Sunday amid a 1-7 start to the season, multiple outlets reported.

Healy, 37, was in his fourth season at the helm of the 49ers and had a 15-24 overall record. He led the 49ers to a 7-6 record and an appearance in the Bahamas Bowl in 2019 — the only season the team reached the .500 mark in Healy’s tenure.

This season, the team ranks last in FBS in scoring defense, giving up an average of 44.57 points per game.

Offensive line coach Pete Rossomando will serve as interim head coach. He has prior head coaching experience at Central Connecticut State and New Haven.

Charlotte lost 34-15 to FIU at home on Saturday to fall to 0-4 in Conference USA play. The 49ers turned the ball over five times and FIU jumped to a 27-0 halftime lead.

“It was really disappointing to have another performance at home where we didn’t play well and couldn’t find a way to get the win,” Healy said postgame. “I thought it was important to get on them early, and we did the complete opposite of that.”

Charlotte has lost 12 of the past 14 games as it prepares to move to the American Athletic Conference.

The Charlotte Observer said candidates to replace Healy include Pep Hamilton, a Charlotte native who is the Houston Texans offensive coordinator; Campbell coach Mike Minter; and Josh Gattis, the offensive coordinator at Miami.

Charlotte will play next Saturday at Rice.

–Field Level Media