Charlotte football hopes new coach, new schemes and new philosophy usher in winning era
College football is back in the Queen City on Saturday — and not just at Bank of America Stadium where UNC and South Caolina will square off in a high-profile ACC-SEC showdown.
The Charlotte 49ers — the city’s team — kick off their 11th season Saturday, the start of the Biff Poggi reign, against South Carolina State.
While ESPN’s “College Gameday” is featuring the “other” battle of the Carolinas just 10 miles north, Poggi made sure to emphasize the importance of packing Richardson Stadium at 6 p.m. Saturday evening.
“I expect them to be here to fill all the seats, to enjoy the atmosphere that they helped create, but also to enjoy our players,” Poggi said. “They’re going to see some really elite, high-level college football players, and I want them to enjoy that.”
Although Saturday will be a culmination of firsts for this group of 49ers, it also spells a last for South Carolina State head coach Oliver “Buddy” Pough, who announced it would be his 23rd and final year coaching the Bulldogs in 2023.
South Carolina State suffered a loss in its first game of the season in Week 0, a 37-7 drubbing by a revamped Jackson State program. The Bulldogs are past the first-game jitters, but that doesn’t matter to Charlotte edge Eyabi Okie-Anoma.
“I don’t really worry about the first hit because I’m the initiator. You’ve always got to be the hammer, or you’re going to be the nail. And I’m never the nail,” said Michigan transfer Okie-Anoma. “Either you’re going to come with it, or you’re going to have to deal with that. There’s no butterflies. We practice how we’re going to play.”
According to multiple returning players, Charlotte’s training camp schedule has been lighter and more efficient than during the Will Healy era, boding well for player health and availability. Poggi announced that despite the 49ers awaiting NCAA waiver decisions for three players, Charlotte is completely healthy for Week 1.
Charlotte player to watch
For the first time in 2,469 days (you read that correctly), quarterback Chris Reynolds will not be on the 49ers’ sideline. Succeeding the program’s leading passer will be quite the challenge, and in steps Jalon Jones, making his fifth stop across college football to reunite with Poggi, his high school coach from Saint Frances.
Charlotte fans saw two drives from Jones in the spring game, in which he completed 6 of 7 passes and led two scoring drives. The red precautionary jerseys are off for the first time, and Jones is free game for an opposing defense.
But he relishes that opportunity.
“I know Coach Poggi is going to hate this, but I like that first hit. Makes me feel like we’re playing football again. It makes me settle in and feel like we can play now,” Jones said. “All the hard work that we’ve been putting in for the last eight months since we’ve gotten here, we feel like it’s about time we get to see another opponent. Iron sharpens iron. Going up against tough talent every day has prepared us for this moment.”
That first hit is going to come, and whether it’s in the pocket or on a scramble play — which Jones is known for — is yet to be seen. But the second, third and fourth hits are up to the big guys in the trenches, and this is their first chance to show off a unit returning just two players who saw action a season ago.
Key matchup: First test for the offensive line
The 49ers’ offensive line has struggled through training camp against its own defensive front, and Saturday is the first real test.
The starting offensive line currently shows three Power Five transfers: LT Lucas Gramlick (UCLA), LG Kevin Williams Jr. (Nebraska), C Jonny King, RG Ja’Khi Green (Maryland) and RT Jasper Parks.
South Carolina State allowed 4.2 yards per carry and nearly 12 yards per pass attempt, giving up 356 yards and three scores through the air in Week 0.
When the 49ers put the ball in Jones’ hands, a matchup to watch will be left tackle Gramlick (No. 75) against Bulldogs’ defensive end Patrick Godbolt (No. 43). Godbolt was South Carolina State’s best defensive player in the Week 0 loss, matching his entire 2022 sack total with two against Jackson State.
Gramlick, a former rugby player for the USA Hawks following five years with the UCLA Bruins, is a 6-foot-7, 290-pound tackle who is starting his first collegiate game.
Charlotte’s offensive line has faced growing pains through the offseason, and executing on Saturday against an FCS program will set the stage for a trip to Maryland in Week 2.
Vegas betting odds
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SC State at Charlotte game and TV info
Who: South Carolina State (0-1) vs. Charlotte (0-0)
Where: Jerry Richardson Stadium, Charlotte
When: 6 p.m., Saturday
Stream: ESPN+
