2018 Charlotte 49ers football team

2018 Charlotte 49ers football
Conference	Conference USA
Division	East Division
Record	5–7 (4–4 C-USA)
Head coach	Brad Lambert (6th season)
Offensive coordinator	Shane Montgomery (1st season)
Offensive scheme	Pro-style
Co-defensive coordinator	Glenn Spencer (1st season)
Co-defensive coordinator	Chip West (1st season)
Base defense	4–3
Home stadium	Jerry Richardson Stadium

2018 Conference USA football standings

	Conf							Overall
Team		W		L					W		L
East Division
Middle Tennessee x		7	–	1					8	–	6
Marshall		6	–	2					9	–	4
FIU		6	–	2					9	–	4
Charlotte		4	–	4					5	–	7
Florida Atlantic		3	–	5					5	–	7
Old Dominion		2	–	6					4	–	8
Western Kentucky		2	–	6					3	–	9
West Division
UAB x$		7	–	1					11	–	3
North Texas		5	–	3					9	–	4
Louisiana Tech		5	–	3					8	–	5
Southern Miss		5	–	3					6	–	5
UTSA		2	–	6					3	–	9
UTEP		1	–	7					1	–	11
Rice		1	–	7					2	–	11
Championship: UAB 27, Middle Tennessee 25
$ – Conference champion x – Division champion/co-champions

The 2018 Charlotte 49ers football team represented the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The 49ers played their home games at Jerry Richardson Stadium in Charlotte, NC, and competed in the East Division of Conference USA (C–USA). They were led by sixth-year head coach Brad Lambert. They finished the season 5–7, 4–4 in C-USA play to finish in fourth place in the East Division.

On November 18, head coach Brad Lambert was fired. He was allowed to stay on to coach their final game of the season. Lambert, who was the first and only coach Charlotte had in their history to that point, finished with a six-year record of 22–48.

On December 5, Charlotte hired Austin Peay head coach Will Healy for the job.

Coaching staff

Following the disappointing one win season, there was speculation that Brad Lambert would be released. Charlotte Chancellor Phillip Dubois and athletics director Judy Rose issued a statement just days after the final game informing the community that Lambert would be retained for the following season. Lambert shook up his staff, firing defensive coordinator Matt Wallerstedt, quarterbacks coach and former offensive coordinator Jeff Mullen and receivers coach Damien Gary. Greg Adkins had replaced Mullen as offensive coordinator mid-season but went back to only having responsibility for the offensive line and running backs and would soon resign to join the staff at conference rival Marshall. Before the end of the year Youngstown State offensive coordinator and former Miami of Ohio head coach Shawn Montgomery would be called in to serve as the 49ers' play caller on offense. In February, former Oklahoma State defensive coordinator Glenn Spencer took the same position on the 49ers' staff. Charlie Shalaski took over responsibility for receivers at the same time. A week later Howard co-defensive coordinator Chip West would join the staff to serve as co-defensive coordinator with Spencer, with Spencer being responsible for linebackers and West being in charge of Cornerbacks. Graduate assistant Brad Queen would move up to the coaching staff to coach defensive tackles. Former Tulane head coach Chris Scelfo joined the staff before the Spring Game to serve as the 49ers offensive line coach and run game coordinator. James Adams's promotion to assistant head coach before the Spring Game rounded out the staff changes for the upcoming 2018 season.

Name	Position	Seasons at Charlotte	Alma mater
Brad Lambert	Head coach/Defensive line	6	Kansas State (1987)
Shane Montgomery	Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks	1	NC State (1989)
Glenn Spencer	Co-Defensive coordinator/linebackers	1	Georgia Tech (1987)
Chip West	Co-Defensive coordinator/Cornerbacks	1	Livingston College (1993)
James Adams	Assistant Head coach/Safeties	6	Wake Forest (2006)
Ulrick Edmonds	Recruiting coordinator/Defensive Ends	3	James Madison (2001)
Keith Henry	Running backs	2	Catawba College (1989)
Brad Queen	Defensive tackles	3	Kentucky Christian (2011)
Johnson Richardson	Tight ends	6	Wofford (2010)
Chris Scelfo	offensive line/run game coordinator	1	UL-Monroe (1986)
Charlie Skalaski	Receivers/Special teams	2	Florida (1978)
Reference:

Recruiting

Position key

H-Back	H-Back		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 2018 recruiting year.

US college sports recruiting information for 2018 recruits
Name	Hometown	High school / college	Height	Weight	40‡	Commit date
Damon Anderson DB	Scranton, PA	Lackawanna	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	200 lb (91 kg)	–	Dec 20, 2016
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN: N/A
Dantrell Barkley DT	Independence, KS	Independence CC	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	285 lb (129 kg)	–	Feb 7, 2018
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
John Brosnahan P	Concord, NC	Cox Mill	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	185 lb (84 kg)	–	–
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A    ESPN: N/A
Wesley Bullard WR	Matthews, NC	Jireh Prepartory School	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)	150 lb (68 kg)	–	Jan 2, 2018
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A    ESPN: N/A
Taylor Chandler DE	London, NC	North Stanly	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	207 lb (94 kg)	–	Dec 19, 2017
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A    ESPN: N/A
Jonathan Cruz K	Cartersville, GA	Cartersville	5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)	147 lb (67 kg)	–	Feb 7, 2018
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN: N/A
Ben Duyck OC	Charlotte, NC	Charlotte Christian	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	290 lb (130 kg)	–	Jan 26, 2018
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A    ESPN: N/A
Malik Harkness TE	Lugoff, SC	Lugoff-Elgin	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)	280 lb (130 kg)	–
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN: N/A
Jacob Hunt TE	Rome, GA	Darlington School	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	255 lb (116 kg)	–	Jun 27, 2017
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN: N/A
Justin Jeffrey ATH	Richmond Hill, GA	Richmond Hill	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	170 lb (77 kg)	–	Dec 20, 2017
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN: N/A
Matt Martinez DE	Mooresville, NC	Mooresville Senior	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	175 lb (79 kg)	–	Dec 20, 2017
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN: N/A
Jonnie Pitman DB	Oxon Hill, MD	Potomac	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	175 lb (79 kg)	–	Jul 7, 2017
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN: N/A
Brady Pope QB	Statesville, NC	Statesville	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	175 lb (79 kg)	–	May 10, 2017
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN: N/A
Tyler Ringwood WR	Buffalo, NY	Erie CC	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	221 lb (100 kg)	–	Feb 7, 2018
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN: N/A
Dejan Rasou OT	Jamestown, NC	Lucy Ragsdale	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)	250 lb (110 kg)	–	Jan 11, 2018
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals: N/A   247Sports:    ESPN: N/A
Moss Saccomanno TE	Dodge City, KS	Dodge City CC	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)	238 lb (108 kg)	–	Dec 20, 2017
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN: N/A
Terrick Smalls, Jr. RB	Savannah, GA	Benedictine Military	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)	200 lb (91 kg)	–	Dec 20, 2017
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Dominic Taylor OL	Hutchinson, KS	Hutchinson Community College	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)	280 lb (130 kg)	–	Dec 20, 2017
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN: N/A
Jonathan Timmons OL	Coffeyville, KS	Coffeyville CC	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)	335 lb (152 kg)	–	Dec 20, 2017
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN: N/A
B.J. Turner LB	Greensboro, NC	Page	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	208 lb (94 kg)	–	Feb 7, 2018
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN: N/A
Markees Watts LB	Lancaster, SC	Lancaster	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	215 lb (98 kg)	–	Dec 20, 2017
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN: N/A
Bryan Wallace DE	Berryville, VA	Clarke County	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)	235 lb (107 kg)	–	Jul 24, 2017
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN: N/A
Damon Weldon DE	Fork Union, VA	Fork Union Military	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)	235 lb (107 kg)	–	Dec 20, 2017
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN: N/A
Dalton Widner OL	Knoxville, TN	Gibbs	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	280 lb (130 kg)	–	Apr 29, 2017
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN: N/A
Chris Wiggins WR	Greensboro, NC	Grimsley	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	195 lb (88 kg)	–	Jun 30, 2017
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN: N/A
Emmanuel White DE	Decatur, GA	Georgia Prep Sports Academy	6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)	235 lb (107 kg)	–
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN: N/A
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 112   Rivals: N/A  247Sports: 112  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 December 6, 2018. "2018 Charlotte Football Commits". Scout.com. Retrieved December 6, 2018. "ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 6, 2018. "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout.com. Retrieved December 6, 2018. "2018 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved December 6, 2018.

Players

Roster

2018 Charlotte 49ers football team roster
Players			Coaches
Offense Pos. # Name Class WR 2 Cameron Bent RFr WR 3 Mark Quattlebaum RSr WR 4 Cameron Dollar RFr RB 5 Arron McAllister RSo WR 6 Workpeh Kofa RSr QB 7 Hasaan Klugh RSr H-Back 8 R.J. Tyler RSr WR 9 Victor Tucker RFr QB 10 Daniel Ratliff  Fr WR 12 Justin Jeffrey  Fr QB 13 Brady Pope Fr QB 14 Joe Thompson RSo QB 16 Evan Shirreffs GS QB 17 Chris Reynolds  RFr WR 19 Cade Barnhill RFr QB 19 Willie Green RFr WR 21 Rico Arnold Fr WR 22 Angelo Marreno RFr RB 26 Caleb Parker  Fr RB 29 Calvin Camp RFr RB 30 Ishod Finger  Fr RB 31 Terrick Smalls Jr.  Fr RB 32 Benny LeMay (C) Jr WR 35 Wesley Bullard Fr OL 51 Chris Brown RSr OL 53 Jalen Allen  Sr OL 55 Michael Adams RFr OL 60 Darren Drake Sr OL 63 Jacob Webb RFr OL 64 Nate Davis RSr OL 66 Jack Mitchell Fr OL 67 Ben Duyck Fr OL 68 Jaelin Fisher RSo OL 69 Dejan Rasuo  Fr OL 70 D'Mitri Emmanuel RFr OL 71 Cameron Clark (C) RJr OL 72 Gage Welborn  Fr OL 75 Dominic Taylor Jr OL 76 Jonathan Timmons RSo OL 77 Malik Harkness  Fr OL 78 Trevor Stacy RJr OL 79 Dalton Widner Fr WR 81 Tyler Ringwood RSo WR 82 Zach Gemmell RFr WR 83 Chris Wiggins  Fr H-Back 84 Ryan Eachus RJr H-Back 85 Ryan Carriere RSo H-Back 86 Moss Saccomanno  So TE 87 Chris Phillips Sr TE 88 Jacob Hunt Fr WR 89 Chris Tomberlin RJr TE 95 David Foust Sr	Defense Pos. # Name Class DB 2 Ed Rolle Sr LB 3 Darius Irvin RJr LB 5 Alex Highsmith RJr LB 7 Anthony Butler Jr DB 8 Nafees Lyon RJr DB 9 Quinton Jordan Sr LB 10 Tyriq Harris (C) RJr DL 14 Michael Holmes RJr DB 15 Marquavis Gibbs Jr LB 17 Luke Martin So LB 17 Lance McMillian  Fr LB 21 Juwan Foggie RSr DB 22 J.T. Starr RSo DB 23 Matt Martinez  Fr DB 25 Denzel Irvin RSr DB 26 Jacione Fugate RSo DB 27 Ben Bowbliss RFr DB 28 Ben DeLuca Jr DB 29 Jonnie Pitman  Fr DL 32 Julian Wheaton RJr LB 34 Jeff Gemmell (C) RJr DB 36 Robert Cheatem RSo DB 37 Keshaun Woods RSo LB 39 George Maya RFr LB 40 Markees Watts Fr DB 41 A.J. McDonald RJr LB 42 Henry Segura RFr DB 43 Christian Haynes RJr LB 44 Code Bartrum RFr LB 45 Javonte Misenheimer RFr LB 46 Dillon Overholt  Fr LB 52 Matthew Longley RSo DL 55 Spencer Hill Fr LB 56 William Graham RSo DL 58 Johnny Ray RSo LB 59 B.J. Turner  Fr DL 60 Bryan Wallace  Fr DL 61 Ernest King RFr DL 62 Tyler Fain RSr DL 74 Tim Baten RFr DE 80 Ben Jacques RJr DE 86 Antonie Shaw RFr DL 87 Isaiah Harris RJr DL 90 Tommy Doctor  RJr DL 91 Dantrell Barkley RSo DL 92 Nick Martin RSo DE 93 Emmanuel White RFr DE 94 Isiah Belk  Fr DE 97 Damon Weldon Jr.  Fr DL 98 Timmy Horne RSo DE 99 Taylor Chandler  Fr	Special teams Pos. # Name Class K 11 Jonathan Cruz Fr K 18 Jackson Vansickle RJr P/K 39 Kyle Corbett RSo LS 47 Jack Wellenhofer RSo P/K 48 Trey Smelcer Fr LS 54 Brian McDonough RSr P 65 John Brosnahan Fr K 95 Andrew Favaro RFr	Head coach Brad Lambert (Kansas State) Defensive line Coordinators/assistant coaches Shane Montgomery (NC State) Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks Glenn Spencer (Georgia Tech) Co-defensive coordinator/linebackers Chip West (Livingstone) Co-defensive coordinator/Cornerbacks James Adams (Wake Forest) Assistant head coach/secondary Ulrick Edmonds (James Madison) Recruiting coordinator/defensive Ends Keith Henry (Catawba) Running backs Brad Queen (Kentucky Christian) Defensive tackles Johnson Richardson (Wofford) Tight ends Chris Scelfo (Louisiana–Monroe) Offensive Line/Run Game coordinator Charlie Skalaski (Florida) Receivers/special teams Legend (C) Team captain (S) Suspended (I) Ineligible Injured Redshirt Roster Last update: December 7, 2018

Awards and honors

Preseason

Awards Watch List	Player	Position	Year
Wuerffel Trophy	Juwan Foggie	LB	SR
Preseason All-Conference USA Team	Ben DeLuca	DB	JR

In-Season

Award	Player	Position	Year	Game
Conference USA Special Teams Player of the Week	Jonathan Cruz	K	FR	Appalachian State
Conference USA Defensive Player of the Week	Juwan Foggie	LB	SR	Western Kentucky
Conference USA Special Teams Player of the Week	Jonathan Cruz	K	FR	Southern Miss
Conference USA Defensive Player of the Week	Alex Highsmith	DE	RJR	Tennessee
Conference USA Special Teams Player of the Week	Jonathan Cruz	K	FR	Florida Atlantic
PFF National Team of the Week	Alex Highsmith	DE	RJR	Florida Atlantic
College Sports Madness Conference USA Defensive Player of the Week	Alex Highsmith	DE	RJR	Florida Atlantic

Post-season

Award	Player	Position	Year
2019 Reese's Senior Bowl	Nate Davis	OL	RSR
CoSIDA Google Cloud First Team all-Academic District 3	Tyriq Harris	DE	RJR
Conference USA all-Academic Team	Tyriq Harris	DE	RSR

2018 all-C-USA Freshman Football Team

Player	Position
Rico Arnold	WR
Jonathan Cruz	K
Henry Segura	LB
Victor Tucker	WR

2018 all-Conference USA Football Team

Selection	Player	Position	Year
First Team	Alex Highsmith	DE	RJR
Second Team	Benny LeMay	RB	JR
Second Team	Nate Davis	OL	RSR
Second Team	Juwan Foggie	LB	RSR
Second Team	Jonathan Cruz	K	FR
Honorable Mention	Chris Phillips	TE	RSR
Honorable Mention	Tyriq Harris	DE	RJR
Honorable Mention	Ben DeLuca	DB	JR

2018 PFF all-Conference USA Football Team

Selection	Player	Position	Year
First Team	Alex Highsmith	DE	RJR
First Team	Cameron Clark	OL	RJR
First Team	Jonathan Cruz	K	FR
First Team	Den DeLuca	DB	JR

2018 Phil Steele Publications all-Conference USA Football Team

Selection	Player	Position	Year
First Team	Benny LeMay	RB	JR
First Team	Nate Davis	OL	RSR
Second Team	Alex Highsmith	DE	RJR
Second Team	Juwan Foggie	LB	RSR
Second Team	Jonathan Cruz	K	FR
Third Team	Jeff Gemmell	LB	RJR
Third Team	Tyriq Harris	DE	RJR
Third Team	Ben DeLuca	DB	JR

Player gameday honors

Wearing Jersey #49	Position	Game
Brian McDonough	Long Snapper	Fordham
Timmy Horne	Defensive Lineman	Appalachian State
Alex Highsmith	Defensive Lineman	Old Dominion
Chris Brown	Offensive lineman	Massachusetts
Chris Phillips	Tight end	UAB
Jeff Gemmell	Linebacker	Western Kentucky
Hasaan Klugh	Quarterback	Middle Tennessee
Tyler Fain	Defensive Lineman	Southern Miss
Cameron Clark	Offensive lineman	Tennessee
Tyriq Harris	Defensive Lineman	Marshall
Nate Davis	Offensive lineman	FIU
Hasaan Klugh	Quarterback	FAU
Reference:

Depth chart

Defense 4-3
FS Ben DeLuca A.J. McDonald ⋅		WLB MLB SLB JUWAN FOGGIE JEFF GEMMELL ANTHONY BUTLER Henry Segura Will Graham Luke Martin ⋅ B.J. Tyler ⋅					SS ED ROLLE Marquavis Gibbs ⋅
CB NAFEES LYON Christian Haynes ⋅		DE DT DT DE ALEX HIGHSMITH TYLER FAIN TIMMY HORNE TYRIQ HARRIS Michael Holmes Dantrell Barkley Nick Martin Ben JACQUES ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ⋅						CB D.J. ANDERSON Denzel Irvin ⋅
Offense Pro-style
WR VICTOR TUCKER Rico Arnold Cameron Bent	Slot MARK QUATTLEBAUM Cameron Dollar ⋅	LT LG C RG RT CAMERON CLARK DARREN DRAKE JAELIN FISHER CHRIS BROWN NATE DAVIS Dejan Rasuo Trevor Stacy Darren Drake Jonathan Timmons Dominic Taylor ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ⋅					TE CHRIS PHILLIPS R.J. Tyler ⋅	WR WORKPEH KOFA Tyler Ringwood ⋅
				QB CHRIS REYNOLDS Evan Sherriffs ⋅
							Special teams PK Jonathan Cruz PK Jackson Vansickle P Kyle Corbett P Trey Smelcer KR Aaron McAllister PR Mark Quattlebaum LS Brian McDonough H Chris Reynolds
				RB BENNY LEMAY Aaron McAllister ⋅

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
September 1	6:00 p.m.	Fordham*	Jerry Richardson Stadium Charlotte, NC	ESPN+	W 34–10	9,240
September 8	6:00 p.m.	Appalachian State*	Jerry Richardson Stadium Charlotte, NC	ESPN+	L 9–45	19,151
September 13	4:00 p.m.	Old Dominion	Jerry Richardson Stadium Charlotte, NC	ESPN3	W 28–25	8,204
September 22	3:30 p.m.	at UMass*	McGuirk Stadium Hadley, MA	ELVN	L 31–49	10,086
September 29	7:00 p.m.	at UAB	Legion Field Birmingham, AL	ESPN3	L 7–28	25,395
October 13	3:30 p.m.	Western Kentucky	Jerry Richardson Stadium Charlotte, NC	ESPN+	W 40–14	11,610
October 20	3:00 p.m.	at Middle Tennessee	Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium Murfreesboro, TN	ESPN3	L 13–21	13,102
October 27	2:00 p.m.	Southern Miss	Jerry Richardson Stadium Charlotte, NC	ESPN3	W 20–17	8,687
November 3	4:00 p.m.	at Tennessee*	Neyland Stadium Knoxville, TN	SECN	L 3–14	86,753
November 10	2:30 p.m.	at Marshall	Joan C. Edwards Stadium Huntington, WV	ESPN+	L 13–30	19,418
November 17	2:00 p.m.	FIU	Jerry Richardson Stadium Charlotte, NC	ESPN3	L 35–42	13,371
November 24	6:00 p.m.	at Florida Atlantic	FAU Stadium Boca Raton, FL	Stadium	W 27–24	11,638
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game 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, Stadium, beIN, and Facebook Watch. Additional games will be available locally in the Charlotte TV market on WCCB.

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, former Carolina Panther Kevin Donnalley with color commentary, and Bobby Rosinski with sideline reports. Swierad and Donnalley also host the "Gold Mine Live" Coaches Show each Monday during the season at noon from Norm's in the UNC Charlotte Student Union. "Gold Mine Live" can be heard on Mondays.

Preseason media poll

Conference USA released their preseason media poll on July 17, 2018, with the 49ers predicted to finish in last place in the East Division.

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

Game summaries

Fordham Rams

See also: 2018 Fordham Rams football team

Fordham at Charlotte

1 2 3 4 Total Rams 0 7 3 0 10 • 49ers 3 10 7 14 34 Date: September 1 Location: Jerry Richardson Stadium Charlotte, NC Game start: 7:14 pm Lightning delay (6:00 pm original time) EDT Elapsed time: 3:40 Game attendance: 9,240 Game weather: 83°F, Partly Cloudy, 3 mph ENE Referee: Jonathan Noli TV announcers (ESPN+): Bobby Rosinski, Jay Sonnhalter, Libby Clark Sources:

Scoring summary 1 4:37 CHAR Jonathan CRUZ 24 Yd Field Goal CHAR 3–0 2 12:49 CHAR Jonathan CRUZ 39 Yd Field Goal CHAR 6–0 2 11:58 FORD Austin LONGI 70 Yd pass from Luke MEDLOCK (Andrew MEVIS Kick) FORD 7–6 2 10:48 CHAR Benny LEMAY 2 Yd Run (Jonathan CRUZ Kick) CHAR 13–7 3 12:50 FORD Andrew MEVIS 32 Yd Field Goal CHAR 13–10 3 10:10 CHAR Benny LEMAY 4 Yd Run (Jonathan CRUZ Kick) CHAR 20–10 4 14:44 CHAR Victor TUCKER 12 Yd pass from Chris REYNOLDS (Jonathan CRUZ Kick) CHAR 27–10 4 4:34 CHAR Juwan FOGGIE 26 Yd Interception Return (Jonathan CRUZ Kick) CHAR 34–10

Lightning delayed the start of the game for over an hour and both teams started off slowly after the delay. Charlotte took a one score lead into the halftime period, which saw another lightning delay force a temporary evacuation of the stadium. Fordham would get the score down to a field goal difference, but the Charlotte offense would finally pull away late with three consecutive touchdowns to end the game nearly five and a half hours after its scheduled start time.

Top performances for the game were narrowly dominated by the 49ers. Quarterback Chris Reynolds threw for 267 yards and a touchdown. Rusher Benny LeMay had 25 carries for 135 yards and two touchdowns. Victor Tucker had 7 receptions for 127 yards and a touchdown.

Game notes:

• First Lightning delayed game in program history.
• First time Jerry Richardson Stadium had to be evacuated.

Appalachian State Mountaineers

See also: 2018 Appalachian State Mountaineers football team

Appalachaian State at Charlotte

1 2 3 4 Total • Mountaineers 10 14 7 14 45 49ers 0 9 0 0 9 Date: September 8 Location: Jerry Richardson Stadium Charlotte, NC Game start: 6:04 pm EDT Elapsed time: 2:53 Game attendance: 19,151 Game weather: 90°F, Party Cloudy, 0 mph Referee: Stephen LaManti TV announcers (ESPN+): Bobby Rosinski, Jay Sonnhalter, Libby Clark Sources:

Scoring summary 1 10:25 APP Chandler STATON 31 Yd Field Goal APP 3–0 1 1:03 APP Zac THOMAS 5 Yd Run (Chandler STATON Kick) APP 10–0 2 9:05 CHAR Jonathan CRUZ 46 Yd Field Goal APP 10–3 2 6:46 APP Corey STATON 27 Yd pass from Zac THOMAS (Chandler STATON Kick) APP 17–3 2 1:37 CHAR Jonathan CRUZ 54 Yd Field Goal APP 17–6 2 0:43 APP Dominique HEATH 7 Yd pass from Zac THOMAS (Chandler STATON Kick) APP 24–6 2 0:08 CHAR Jonathan CRUZ 48 Yd Field Goal APP 24–9 3 6:01 APP Thomas HENNIGAN 59 Yd Punt Return (Chandler STATON Kick) APP 31–9 4 14:45 APP Corey STATON 90 Yd pass from Zac THOMAS (Chandler STATON Kick) APP 38–9 4 9:28 APP Austin EXFORD 0 Yd Fumble Return (Chandler STATON Kick) APP 45–9

These two in-state schools met for the first time on the gridiron in this clash that saw high local interest. App, coming off a near upset win at ranked Penn State the previous weekend wanted to make a statement. They kept the Niners out of the endzone for the entire game. All nine of the Niners points came in the second quarter and from greater than 46 yards away off the foot of Jonathan Cruz. The game was still in reach at halftime, but three second half touchdowns sealed the victory for the Mountaineers.

Top performers for the game include App State quarterback Zach Thomas, who passed for 295 yards and two touchdowns. Both teams defenses were stingy on the ground. App's Jalin Moore and Charlotte's Benny LeMay had similar rushing states with Moore having 11 carries for 38 yards, and LeMay getting 35 yards on 7 carries. App's Corey Xavier Sutton had 3 receptions for 155 yards and two touchdowns.

Game notes:

• For the first time, temporary bleachers were brought in to meet high game ticket demand.
• A new Jerry Richardson Stadium attendance record was set at 19,151.
• First meeting between these in-state schools.
• Kicker Jonathan Cruz was named the Conference USA Special Teams Player of the week.

Old Dominion Monarchs

See also: 2018 Old Dominion Monarchs football team

Old Dominion at Charlotte

1 2 3 4 Total Monarchs 6 6 6 7 25 • 49ers 7 6 8 7 28 Date: September 13 Location: Jerry Richardson Stadium Charlotte, NC Game start: 4:04 pm EDT Elapsed time: 2:54 Game attendance: 8,204 Game weather: 84°F, Mostly Cloudy, 8 mph ENE Referee: D. Gautreaux TV announcers (ESPN3): Bobby Rosinski, Jay Sonnhalter, Libby Clark Sources:

Scoring summary 1 6:03 CHAR Victor TUCKER 18 Yd pass from Chris REYNOLDS (Jonathan CRUZ Kick) CHAR 7–0 1 3:02 ODU Kesean STRONG 4 Yd Run (Nick RICE PAT blocked) CHAR 7–6 2 11:25 CHAR Jonathan CRUZ 42 Yd Field Goal CHAR 10–6 2 4:27 CHAR Jonathan CRUZ 36 Yd Field Goal CHAR 13–6 2 1:51 ODU Lala DAVIS 20 Yd Run (Two-Point Pass Conversion Failed) CHAR 13–12 3 12:38 ODU Lala DAVIS 3 Yd Run (Two-Point Pass Conversion Failed) ODU 18–13 3 6:39 CHAR Mark QUATTLEBAUM 4 Yd pass from Chris REYNOLDS (Benny LEMAY Run for Two-Point Conversion) CHAR 21–18 4 8:45 CHAR Aaron MCALLISTER 14 Yd Run (Jonathan CRUZ Kick) CHAR 28–18 4 2:57 ODU Jonathan DUHART 2 Yd pass from Steven WILLIAMS (Nick RICE Kick) CHAR 28–25

Due to the expected effects of Hurricane Florence along the eastern seaboard this game, originally scheduled for Saturday, September 15, was moved up two days earlier to Thursday, September 13. Both teams would trade scores throughout the game but Charlotte would finish with the most to secure the conference opener victory and end the three-game season-opening home stand at two wins, one loss.

Top performers for the game were Charlotte quarterback Chris Reynolds who threw for 202 yards and two touchdowns. Old Dominions' Lala Davis rushed for 63 yards on 25 carriers earning two touchdowns. The Monarch' Jonathan Duhart had 7 receptions for 127 yards and a touchdown.

Game notes:

• First weather advanced game in program history.
• First win for the 49ers against their C-USA East Division rival Monarchs.

Massachusetts Minutemen

See also: 2018 UMass Minutemen football team

Charlotte vs UMass

1 2 3 4 Total 49ers 0 10 7 14 31 • Minutemen 28 7 7 7 49 Date: September 22 Location: McGuirk Stadium Amherst, MA Game start: 3:35 pm EDT Elapsed time: 3:12 Game attendance: 10,086 Game weather: 67°F, Overcast, 11 mph N Referee: Todd LaPenta TV announcers (ELVN): Eric Frede, Andy Gresh, Matt Neverett Sources:

Scoring summary 1 14:47 MASS Marquis YOUNG 93 Yd Kickoff Return (Mike CAGGIANO Kick) MASS 7–0 1 12:47 MASS Andy Isabella 15 Yd pass from Michael CURTIS (Cooper GARCIA Kick) MASS 14–0 1 11:46 MASS Marquis YOUNG 2 Yd Run (Mike CAGGIANO Kick) MASS 21–0 1 8:51 MASS Michael CURTIS 3 Yd Run (Cooper GARCIA Kick) MASS 28–0 2 4:37 CHAR Benny LEMAY 1 Yd Run (Jonathan CRUZ Kick) MASS 28–7 2 1:05 MASS Jessie BRITT 29 Yd pass from Michael CURTIS (Cooper GARCIA Kick) MASS 35–7 2 0:00 CHAR Jonathan CRUZ 33 Yd Field Goal MASS 35–10 3 7:52 MASS Michael CURTIS 2 Yd Run (Cooper GARCIA Kick) MASS 42–10 3 5:50 CHAR R.J. TYLER 16 Yd pass from Chris REYNOLDS (Jonathan GARCIA Kick) MASS 42–17 4 14:52 MASS Marquis YOUNG 43 Yd Run (Cooper GARCIA Kick) MASS 49–17 4 11:31 CHAR Chris PHIPPIPS 2 Yd pass from Chris REYNOLDS (Jonathan CRUZ Kick) MASS 49–24 4 0:22 CHAR Cameron DOLLAR 9 Yd pass from Chris REYNOLDS (Jonathan CRUZ Kick) MASS 49–31

Charlotte's first visit to the State of Massachusetts didn't go quite as they had planned. Giving up a devastating three touchdowns in the first three and a half minutes of the game, including an opening kickoff 93-yard return, a fumble recovery which one play later added another touchdown for the Minutemen, and a blocked punt that three plays later added the third UMass touchdown, would prove insurmountable for the Niners to overcome. Though the Niners would eventually find their offense and trade scores with the Minutement for the final three quarters of the game, the four first quarter touchdowns the Niners gave up proved to be the difference in the final score.

Top performers for the game included Charlotte quarterback Chris Reynolds, who passed for 283 yards and three touchdowns. UMass rusher Marquis Young had 12 carries for 77 yards and two touchdowns. The Minutemen's' Andy Isabella had 6 receptions for 85 yards and a touchdown.

Game notes:

First game for the program in the State of Massachusetts.

UAB Blazers

See also: 2018 UAB Blazers football team

Charlotte at UAB

1 2 3 4 Total 49ers 0 0 0 7 7 • Blazers 14 7 0 7 28 Date: September 29 Location: Legion Field Birmingham, AL Game start: 6:00 pm CDT Elapsed time: 2:53 Game attendance: 25,395 Game weather: 79°F, Cloudy, 0 mph Referee: Billy Williams TV announcers (ESPN3): Mike Grace, Chad Pilcher, Madi Morris Sources:

Scoring summary 1 11:15 UAB Andre WILSON 35 Yd pass from A.J. ERDELY (Nick VOGEL Kick) UAB 7–0 1 3:41 UAB Spencer Brown 2 Yd Run (Nick VOGEL Kick) UAB 14–0 2 4:28 UAB A.J. ERDELY 4 Yd Run (Nick VOGEL Kick) UAB 21–0 4 5:51 CHAR Chris REYNOLDS 4 Yd Run (Jonathan CRUZ Kick) UAB 21–7 4 3:30 UAB Spencer BROWN 2 Yd Run (Nick VOGEL Kick) UAB 28–7

Though a mostly defensive struggle, the eventual C-USA Champions never let the Niners get into their offensive groove, denying them a scoring chance until the fourth quarter. UAB would get the home win to avenge their previous season loss to the Niners, which had been the Niners' only win the previous season.

UAB quarterback A.J. Erdely passed for 214 yards and a touchdown. The Blazers' Spencer Brown had 18 carries for 68 yards and two touchdowns. Blazers' receiver Andre Wilson made the most of his two catches with 67 yards and a touchdown.

Game notes:

• First game in the State of Alabama in team history.

WKU Hilltoppers

See also: 2018 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football team

Western Kentucky vs Charlotte

1 2 3 4 Total Hilltoppers 7 0 0 7 14 • 49ers 6 3 21 10 40 Date: October 13 Location: Jerry Richardson Stadium Charlotte, NC Game start: 3:35 pm EDT Elapsed time: 3:08 Game attendance: 11,610 Game weather: 70°F, Sunny, 6 mph NNW Referee: Jonathan Noli TV announcers (ESPN+): Bobby Rosinski, Jay Sonnhalter, Stormy Buonantony Sources:

Scoring summary 1 13:15 CHAR Benny LEMAY 35 Yd Run (Two-Point Pass Conversion Failed) CHAR 6–0 1 3:20 WKU Kevaris THOMAS 4 Yd Run (Ryan NUSS Kick) WKU 7–6 2 4:30 CHAR Jonathan CRUZ 33 Yd Field Goal CHAR 9–7 3 9:42 CHAR Evan SHIRRIFFS 1 Yd Run (Jonathan CRUZ Kick) CHAR 16–7 3 4:20 CHAR Benny LEMAY 9 Yd Run (Jonathan CRUZ Kick) CHAR 23–7 3 3:25 CHAR Aaron MCALLISTER 14 Yd Run (Jonathan CRUZ Kick) CHAR 30–7 4 13:57 CHAR Jonathan CRUZ 51 Yd Field Goal CHAR 33–7 4 5:08 CHAR Rico ARNOLD 28 Yd pass from Evan SHIRRIFFS (Jonathan CRUZ Kick) CHAR 40–7 4 1:55 WKU Steven WITCHPSKEY 7 Yd pass from Steven Duncan (Ryan NUSS Kick) CHAR 40–14

The struggling Hilltoppers rolled into Charlotte for the first time to take on the 49ers at home. The game was low scoring and close at halftime, but Charlotte soon found their offensive stride in the third quarter to put the game well out of reach.

Top performers for the game included Charlotte quarterback Chris Reynolds, who threw for 119 yards before a season-ending leg injury took him out of the game. Charlotte's Benny LeMay had 17 carries for 1231 yards and two touchdowns. Charlotte's Victor Tucker had 9 receptions for 91 yards.

Game notes:

• Linebacker Juwan Foggie was named the Conference USA Defensive Player of the Week.
• Hilltoppers first visit to Jerry Richardson Stadium.

Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders

See also: 2018 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team

Charlotte vs Middle Tennessee

1 2 3 4 Total 49ers 6 0 0 7 13 • Blue Raiders 0 14 0 7 21 Date: October 20 Location: Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium Murfreesboro, TN Game start: 2:04 pm CDT Elapsed time: 2:57 Game attendance: 13,102 Game weather: 54°F, Scattered Clounds, 10 mph WNW Referee: Rodney Burnette TV announcers (ESPN3): Jake Rose, Alex Myers, Sara Cardona Sources:

Scoring summary 1 12:58 CHAR Benny LEMAY 57 Yd Run (Two-Point Pass Conversion Failed) CHAR 6–0 2 6:23 MTSU Ty LEE 29 Yd pass from Brent STOCKSTILL (Crews HOLT Kick) MTSU 7–6 2 4:24 MTSU Ty LEE 5 Yd pass from Brent STOCKSTILL (Crews HOLT Kick) MTSU 14–6 4 9:29 MTSU Gatlin CASEY 0 Yd Fumble Return (Crews HOLT Kick) MTSU 21–6 4 1:27 CHAR Mark QUATTLEBAUM 23 Yd pass from Evan SHIRREFFS (Jonathan CRUZ Kick) MTSU 21–13

Charlotte would score first and take that lead into the second quarter, but by halftime the Blue Raiders would add two touchdowns of their own. Neither team found points in the third quarter but a costly Charlotte fumble on their own goal line would let the Blue Raider defense score. Charlotte would tack on another touchdown near the end of regulation but it wouldn't be enough to get a win as Charlotte's road woes continued.

Top performers included Middle Tennessee quarterback Brent Stockstill who passed for 111 yards, all three of the Blue Raiders' touchdowns, and an interception. Charlotte's Benny LeMay had 19 carries for 129 yards and a touchdown. Middle Tennessee's Ty Lee had 6 receptions for 60 yards and two touchdowns.

Game notes:

Southern Miss Golden Eagles

See also: 2018 Southern Miss Golden Eagles football team

Southern Miss vs Charlotte

1 2 3 4 Total Golden Eagles 0 0 3 14 17 • 49ers 14 0 3 3 20 Date: October 27 Location: Jerry Richardson Stadium Charlotte, NC Game start: 2:05 pm EDT Elapsed time: 3:04 Game attendance: 8,687 Game weather: 51°F, Cloudy, 1 mph NW TV announcers (ESPN3): Bobby Rosinski, Reggie Walker, Libby Clark Sources:

Scoring summary 1 8:18 CHAR Hasaan KLUGH 5 Yd Run (Jonathan CRUZ Kick) CHAR 7–0 1 0:00 CHAR Juwan FOGGIE 79 Yd Interception Return (Jonathan CRUZ Kick) CHAR 14–0 3 10:12 CHAR Jonathan CRUZ 40 Yd Field Goal CHAR 17–0 3 5:58 Parker SHAUNFIELD 38 Yd Field Goal CHAR 17–3 4 9:34 De'Michael HARRIS 43 Yd pass from Tate WHATLEY (Parker SHAUNFIELD Kick) CHAR 17–10 4 4:19 CHAR Jonathan CRUZ 39 Yd Field Goal CHAR 20–10 4 1:11 Jordan MITCHELL 23 Yd pass from Tate WHATLEY (Parker SHAUNFIELD Kick) CHAR 20–17

Charlotte would take an early two touchdown lead in the first quarter, helped by a timely Juwan Foggie interception return on what looked otherwise like a scoring drive for the Golden Eagles. Charlotte held Southern Miss scoreless at the half. Both teams would tack on field goals in the third quarter before Southern Miss finally found the endzone in the fourth quarter. The Golden Eagles would add another touchdown late in the game but a 53-yard fourth quarter field goal from Jonathan Cruz proved to be the difference maker for the Niner's to get the home win.

Top performers for the game included Southern Miss quarterback Jack Abraham, who despite throwing 3 interceptions managed to gain 210 yards for the Golden Eagle through the air. Charlotte's Benny LeMay continued his march to a 1000-yard season with 19 carries for 62 yards. The Golden Eagles' Tim Jones had 5 receptions for 96 yards.

Game notes:

• Kicker Jonathan Cruz was again named Conference USA Special Teams Player of the Week.

Tennessee Volunteers

See also: 2018 Tennessee Volunteers football team

Charlotte vs Tennessee

1 2 3 4 Total 49ers 0 3 0 0 3 • Volunteers 14 0 0 0 14 Date: November 3 Location: Neyland Stadium Knoxville, TN Game start: 4:01 pm EDT Elapsed time: 3:00 Game attendance: 86,753 Game weather: 58°F, Sunny, 5 mph ESE Referee: Steve Matlowe TV announcers (SECN): Mike Morgan, Barrett Jones, Taylor Davis Sources:

Scoring summary 1 7:42 TENN Marquez CALLAWAY 82 Yd Punt Return (Brent CIMAGLIA Kick) TENN 7–0 1 0:17 TENN Josh PALMER 16 Yd pass from Jarrett Guarantano (Brent CIMAGLIA Kick) TENN 14–0 2 0:17 CHAR Jonathan CRUZ 20 Yd Field Goal TENN 14–3

Early on it looked like the game would get out of hand as the Volunteers gained a two touchdown lead in the first quarter, but Charlotte's 6th place nationally ranked run defense would hold the traditional SEC power to negative running yardage well into the fourth quarter. Tennessee would finish the game with only 20 yards on the ground, but the Tennessee defense was able to keep the Niners from finding the endzone.

Top performers of the game included Tennessee quarterback Jarrett Guarantano, who threw for 172 yards and a touchdown. Charlotte's Benny LeMay had 24 carries for 81 yards, single-handedly quadrupling the total team rushing yardage of the Volunteers. Tennessee's Josh Palmer had 5 receptions for 71 yards and a touchdown.

Game notes:

• First meeting between these two programs.
• Punter Kyle Corbett would kick a school-record 75-yarder.
• Defensive end Alex Highsmith was named Conference USA Defensive Player of the Week.

Marshall Thundering Herd

See also: 2018 Marshall Thundering Herd football team

Charlotte vs Marshall

1 2 3 4 Total 49ers 7 0 0 7 14 • Thundering Herd 6 3 21 10 40 Date: November 10 Location: Joan C. Edwards Stadium Huntington, WV Game start: 2:36 pm EST Elapsed time: 2:52 Game attendance: 19,418 Game weather: 39°F, Sunny, 8 mph WNW Referee: Jonathan Noli TV announcers (ESPN+): Jake Griffith; Mark Martin Sources:

Scoring summary 1 8:42 CHAR Evan SHIRREFFS 1 Yd Run (Jonathan CRUZ Kick) CHAR 7–0 1 5:00 MARSH Justin ROHRWASSER 23 Yd Field Goal CHAR 7–3 1 2:34 MARSH Anthony ANDERSON 1 Yd Run (Justin ROHRWASSER Kick) MARSH 7–10 2 4:21 MARSH Justin ROHRWASSER 33 Yd Field Goal MARSH 13–7 2 0:00 CHAR Jonathan CRUZ 40 Yd Field Goal MARSH 13–10 3 13:48 CHAR Jonathan CRUZ 35 Yd Field Goal TIED 13–13 3 9:59 MARSH Brenden KNOX 4 Yd Run (Justin ROHRWASSER Kick) MARSH 20–13 3 4:39 MARSH Justin ROHRWASSER 23 Yd Field Goal MARSH 23–13 3 0:37 MARSH Obi OBIALO 10 Yd pass from Isaiah GREEN (Justin ROHRWASSER Kick) MARSH 30–13

The game would stay a tight scoring affair with the Niner's evening the game up early in the third quarter, But Marshall would add two touchdowns and a field goal before the end of the quarter to earn the home victory and keeping the Niners winless on the road for the season.

Top performances for the game were Marshall quarterback Isaiah Green, with 178 passing yards and a touchdown. The Herd's Brendan Knox had 22 carries for 116 yards and a touchdown. Thundering Herd receiver Tyre Brady had 6 receptions for 95 yards.

Game notes:

FIU Panthers

See also: 2018 FIU Panthers football team

FIU vs Charlotte

1 2 3 4 Total • FIU 10 10 7 15 42 49ers 7 7 7 14 35 Date: November 17 Location: Jerry Richardson Stadium Charlotte, NC Game start: 2:05 pm EDT Elapsed time: 3:08 Game attendance: 13,371 Game weather: 60°F, Sunny, 3 mph E Referee: Steven LaMantia TV announcers (ESPN3): Bobby Rosinski, Jay Sonnhalter, Libby Clark Sources:

Scoring summary 1 12:49 CHAR Benny LEMAY 9 Yd Run (Jonathan CRUZ Kick) CHAR 7–0 1 8:49 FIU José Borregales 25 Yd Field Goal CHAR 7–3 1 5:33 FIU Sage LEWIS 61 Yd Fumble Return (José BORREGALES Kick) FIU 10–7 2 12:03 FIU José BORREGALES 28 Yd Field Goal FIU 13–7 2 9:37 CHAR Benny LEMAY 1 Yd Run (Jonathan CRUZ Kick) CHAR 14–13 2 3:38 FIU Napoleon MAXWELL 39 Yd Run (José BORREGALES Kick) FIU 20–14 3 12:54 FIU Anthony JONES 6 Yd pass from James MORGAN (José BORREGALES Kick) FIU 27–14 3 4:33 CHAR Benny LEMAY 1 Yd Run (Jonathan CRUZ Kick) FIU 27–21 4 14:56 FIU Anthony JONES 3 Yd pass from James MORGAN (James MORGAN Pass to Tony GAITER IV for Two-Point Conversion) FIU 35–21 4 9:33 CHAR Benny LEMAY 6 Yd Run (Jonathan CRUZ Kick) FIU 35–28 4 7:04 FIU Napoleon MAXWELL 52 Yd Run (José BORREGALES Kick) FIU 42–28 4 1:14 CHAR Chris PHILLIPS 12 Yd pass from Hasaan KLUGH (Jonathan CRUZ Kick) FIU 42–35

With the Panthers still in the hunt for the East Division crown and a chance to make the Conference USA Championship Game on the line, the 49ers faced a tall order on Senior Day. The two teams would trade leads with the Panthers heading in at the half with a one score lead. Despite a dominating ground performance from Charlotte rusher Benny LeMay, the Niners wouldn't find the lead again, but always managed to keep it within one score. A final on-sides recovery attempt failed and the Niners lost their second and last home game of the season.

Top performers for the game included Panthers' quarterback James Morgan, who threw for 268 yards and 2 touchdowns. Charlotte's Benny LeMay would rack up four touchdowns and 159 yards on 30 carries. Charlotte's Victor Tucker had 4 receptions for 115 yards.

Game notes:

• Benny LeMay would tie the single-game scoring record held by receiver Austin Duke of four touchdowns.
• LeMay would become the second 49er with a 1000-yard season, joining Kalif Phillips.
• LeMay also broke the 49ers' single-season rushing record as members of FBS.
• Head Coach Brad Lambert was released following the game and the Niner's elimination from bowl eligibility. He would coach the Niners in the final game of the season on the road at FAU.

Florida Atlantic Owls

See also: 2018 Florida Atlantic Owls football team

Charlotte vs Florida Atlantic

1 2 3 4 Total • 49ers 10 0 7 10 27 Owls 7 14 0 3 24 Date: November 24 Location: FAU Stadium CBoca Raton, FL Game start: 6:06 pm EST Elapsed time: 3:05 Game attendance: 11,638 Game weather: 84°F, Partly Cloudy, 17 mph WSW TV announcers (Stadium/WCCB): Chris Hassel, Max Starks, Kristen Balboni Sources:

Scoring summary 1 14:47 FAU Kerrith Whyte 75 Yd pass from Chris ROBINSON (Vladimir RIVAS Kick) FAU 7–0 1 9:52 CHAR Mark QUATTLEBAUM 12 Yd pass from Hasaan KLUGH (Jonathan CRUZ Kick) TIED 7–7 1 2:03 CHAR Jonathan CRUZ 30 Yd Field Goal CHAR 10–7 2 3:29 FAU John RAINE 23 Yd pass from Chris ROBINSON (Vladimir RIVAS Kick) FAU 14–10 2 0:46 FAU Chris ROBINSON 4 Yd Run (Vladimir RIVAS Kick) FAU 21–10 3 8:27 CHAR Benny LEMAY 54 Yd Run (Jonathan CRUZ Kick) FAU 21–17 4 14:21 CHAR Hasaan KLUGH 13 Yd Run (Jonathan CRUZ Kick) CHAR 24–21 4 3:12 FAU Vladimir RIVAS 33 Yd Field Goal TIED 24–24 4 0:25 CHAR Jonathan CRUZ 56 Yd Field Goal CHAR 27–24

The defending Conference USA Champions were looking to extend their season by becoming bowl eligible off of a fifth straight win. The Niners were looking for their first road win and to send their seniors and their head coach out as victors. It looked like the Owls would have the upper hand early when they scored on the very first play from scrimmage, however the Niners would have the lead heading into the second quarter. The Owls had their biggest lead of the game heading into halftime, but in the second half Charlotte would battle back to retake the lead early in the fourth quarter. The Owls would tie the game up with a little more than three minutes left on the clock, but Charlotte kicker and two time Conference USA Special Teams Player of the Week Jonathan Cruz would hit a decisive 56 yard field goal with under half a minute left on the clock to give the Niners their only road win of the season.

Top performers of the game included Florida Atlantic passer Chris Robinson who threw for 273 yards and 2 touchdowns. Charlotte's Benny LeMay capped a stellar season with 24 carries for 173 yards and a touchdown. The Owls' Kerrith Whyte Jr. had 3 receptions for 92 yards and a touchdown.

Game notes:

• The win gave Lambert his final victory as Charlotte 49ers head coach with an overall record of 22–48 in his six seasons (9–31 against FBS opponents).
• Jonathan Cruz's two 50+ yard field goals, including the game-winner, earned him an unprecedented third Conference USA Special Teams Player of the Week honor.
• Defensive end Alex Highsmith tied Larry Ogunjobi's single-game tackles for loss mark at 4.5 TFL's.
• Highsmith broke Ogunjobi's single-season TFL record with 17.5 TFL's.
• Highsmith was named to the Pro Football Focus National Defensive Team of the Week and the College Sports Madness Conference USA Defensive Player of the Week.
• Benny LeMay finished the season with 2135 all-purpose yards (1128 rushing, 1007 receiving).

Attendance

Season	Games	Sellouts	W–L (%)	Attendance	Average	Best
2018	6	1	4–2 (.667)	70,263	11,710	19,151

Players drafted into the NFL

See also: 2019 NFL draft

Round	Pick	Player	Position	NFL club
3	82	Nate Davis	G	Tennessee Titans