The Charlotte 49ers’ football program has two Power 4 eight American Athletic opponents on its 12-game schedule in 2024. Here is a look at the 49ers’ opposition in the team’s 12th season of football.
Game 1: James Madison
When/TV: 8 p.m., Aug. 31, ESPNU
Location: Jerry Richardson Stadium, Charlotte.
About the Dukes (11-2 in 2023): Curt Cignetti, who coached James Madison into national prominence in its first few FBS seasons, has left for Indiana. Several of his top players went with him. Bob Chesney, who coached Holy Cross to three straight FCS playoff berths, has taken over. Expectations remain high in Harrisonburg, Va., with RB Ayo Adeyi (2,230 rushing yards in three seasons at North Texas) and RB Tyler Purdy (980 yards at Holy Cross) coming aboard. Defense might be the question mark, as most of the top players from 2023 are gone.
Series history: James Madison leads 2-0
Did you know? The 49ers’ first game against a nationally-ranked opponent was their 34-7 loss in September 2013 to the No. 16 Dukes, when both were FCS programs. That game was played in a downpour in Harrisonburg.
Game 2: North Carolina
When/TV: 3:30 p.m., Sept. 7, ACC Network
Location: Kenan Stadium, Chapel Hill.
About the Tar Heels (8-5 in 2023): Quarterback Drake Maye is gone, but the Tar Heels have plenty left offensively — most notably, RB Omarion Hampton, who carried for 1,500 yards last season. The offensive line looks good, and there are capable receivers, so quarterback play will be important. Defense has been a problem in recent years for the Tar Heels, who have tried to outscore the competition. North Carolina was 6-0 last year when allowing 395 yards or less.
Series history: First meeting.
Did you know? These teams are scheduled to play again next year at Jerry Richardson Stadium. With a seating capacity of less than 16,000, tickets should be at a premium.
Game 3: Gardner-Webb
When/TV: 6 p.m., Sept. 14, ESPN+
Location: Jerry Richardson Stadium, Charlotte.
About the Runnin’ Bulldogs (7-5 in 2023): Much like James Madison, there has been a coaching and player turnover in Boiling Springs. Tre Lamb left to coach East Tennessee, and nearly 20 players went with him. Gardner-Webb returns only four starters from a Big South/Ohio Valley championship team, and new head coach Cris Reisert has gone to the transfer portal to build a roster. QB Ren Hefley, formerly of Presbyterian and Middle Tennessee, will be the key to how quickly the rebuild goes.
Series history: Charlotte leads 3-1.
Did you know? The 49ers’ first victory against a ranked team came in October 2013, their first season of football, when they rallied past No. 24 Gardner-Webb 53-51. Charlotte scored 29 points in the fourth quarter and rallied from a 21-point deficit.
Game 4: Indiana
When/TV: Sept. 21 (Time and TV to be determined)
Location: Memorial Stadium, Bloomington, Ind.
About the Hoosiers (3-9 in 2023): The 49ers open with James Madison, and then they faces James Madison North on Sept. 21. Curt Cignetti and a flock of his players left the Dukes and are now with the Hoosiers. This figures to be a transition year in Bloomington, but transfers D’Angelo Ponds (CB from James Madison) and Kurtis Rourke (QB from Ohio) could enable Indiana to surprise a few big-name foes this fall.
Series history: First meeting
Did you know? One of Charlotte’s most memorable men’s basketball victories came against the Hoosiers in December 2004, when Brendan Plavich sank a half-court shot in the 49ers’ 74-73 victory.
Game 5: Rice
When/TV: Sept. 28 (Time and TV to be determined)
Location: Rice Stadium, Houston.
About the Owls (6-7 in 2023): In recent years, Rice almost always wins when it is the favorite. The Owls will have a big offensive line and a standout RB in Dean Connors (1,174 rushing yards in 2023). Nearly each of the defensive players with multiple sacks and interceptions returns this fall. While not a conference favorite, the Owls could go bowling again.
Series history: Rice leads 3-2.
Did you know? Charlotte’s most memorable game in this series came in 2022, when the 49ers’ Chris Reynolds threw five touchdown passes in a 56-23 romp. It was Pete Rossomando’s debut in his four-game stint as interim coach.
Game 6: East Carolina
When/TV: Oct. 5 (Time and TV to be determined)
Location: Richardson Stadium, Charlotte.
About the Pirates (2-10 in 2023): East Carolina should be a solid defensive team, with nearly its entire line and secondary returning. Linebacker play is the question mark. The offense was a problem last year, and head coach Mike Houston is hoping one of three transfers — Jake Garcia (Missouri), Bryson Harrison (Georgia State) or Katin Houser (Michigan State) — can get points on the board. If the offense improves, East Carolina could improve dramatically this fall.
Series history: Charlotte leads 1-0.
Did you know? In the teams’ only meeting, last year, Charlotte’s defense set a program record by holding the Pirates to 127 yards’ total offense.
Game 7: Navy
When/TV: 3:30 p.m., Oct. 19, CBS Sports Network
Location: Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, Annapolis, Md.
About the Midshipmen (5-7 in 2023): Navy ranked 126th in FBS in offense last season, but new offensive coordinator Drew Cronic is considered a mastermind of running-oriented attacks. QB Braxton Woodson is a 6-3, 215-pounder who seems perfect for Cronic’s style. Defensively, Navy returns DE Justin Reed and most other key players from what was a strong unit. If the offense can move, Navy will have a shot at a bowl.
Series history: Navy leads 1-0.
Did you know? Navy and the 49ers were tied 0-0 at halftime last year, before the Midshipmen managed to win 10-0. The last 0-0 tie after four quarters in an FBS game was in 2014, between Wake Forest and Virginia Tech. Wake Forest won that contest 6-3 in overtime.
Game 8: Memphis
When/TV: Oct. 26 (Time and TV to be determined)
Location: Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, Memphis.
About the Tigers (10-3 in 2023): Memphis is the American Athletic preseason favorite, and for good reason. QB Seth Henigan (nearly 3,800 passing yards in 2023) returns, and the offense picked up talented TB Mario Anderson from South Carolina. The defense is stacked with returning starters and transfers, and the Tigers are positioned to gain a berth in the expanded 12-team playoff this season.
Series history: Memphis leads 1-0.
Did you know? The 49ers nearly shocked the Tigers last season, losing 44-38 in overtime. In that game, walk-on RB Hahsaun Wilson rushed for 198 yards and three touchdowns. Wilson is back this year, with a scholarship.
Game 9: Tulane
When/TV: 7:30 p.m., Oct. 31, ESPN.
Location: Richardson Stadium, Charlotte (Halloween night).
About the Green Wave (11-3 in 2023): Willie Fritz has been replaced by Troy’s Jon Sumrall as head coach. Most of the key players from last season are gone, but Sumrall brought some players with him from Troy and worked the transfer portal hard. One returnee is RB Makhi Hughes, who averaged about 135 rushing yards a game last season. Overall, though, you’ll have to put a big question mark over Tulane, because the play of transfers will go a long way in deciding if the Green Wave can return to the American Athletic title game.
Series history: First meeting.
Did you know? One good omen for Charlotte. The 49ers are 8-2 at home against Tulane, in men’s basketball. Their first meeting was nearly 53 years ago, with the 49ers winning 80-79 on Jan. 8, 1972.
Game 10: South Florida
When/TV: Nov. 16 (Time and TV to be determined)
Location: Richardson Stadium, Charlotte.
About the Golden Bulls (7-6 in 2023): QB Byrum Brown is very difficult to catch. He averaged 7.6 yards when he takes off with the ball, and he led an offense that threw a scare into Alabama last season. South Florida has a large number of returning offensive and defensive linemen, so Brown should get plenty of support. Pass defense has been a big problem in recent seasons, and the Bulls went to the transfer portal to shore up that weakness.
Series history: South Florida leads 1-0.
Did you know? The 49ers’ 48-14 loss last November to South Florida made the Golden Bulls bowl-eligible for the first time in five years. They went on to pummel Syracuse 45-0 in the Boca Raton Bowl.
Game 11: Florida Atlantic
When/TV: Nov. 23 (Time and TV to be determined)
Location: FAU Stadium, Boca Raton, Fla.
About the Owls (4-8 in 2023): The Owls have fallen off the radar since Lane Kiffin departed for Ole Miss after the 2019 season. Florida Atlantic ranks near the bottom of FBS in returning offensive production, and coach Tom Herman has, not surprisingly, hit the transfer portal hard. Offense was a big problem last year, and QB Cam Fancher (a Marshal transfer) has the job of trying to change that. Like several other American Athletic teams, the large number of transfers puts a big question mark over the 2024 Owls.
Series history: Florida Atlantic leads 7-2.
Did you know? The 49ers have played twice on Sundays. The first time was in 2016, with Charlotte beating Florida Atlantic 28-22 in a game postponed by Hurricane Matthew. The other Sunday game was in 2020, with the postponement due to COVID issues.
Game 12: UAB
When/TV: Nov. 29 or 30 (Time and TV to be determined)
Location: Richardson Stadium, Charlotte.
About the Blazers (4-8 in 2023): UAB was solid offensively last season under head coach Trent Dilfer, the former NFL player. QB Jacob Zeno excels in a short-yardage passing game, and the Blazers have several experienced receivers to complement Zeno. Defense was a problem last year, and (stop me, if this sounds familiar) a load of transfers has arrived to change things.
Series history: UAB leads 2-1.
Did you know? One of Charlotte’s most exciting victories came in the 49ers’ 2017 game against UAB. The 49ers went for a two-point conversion in overtime and won 25-24.
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