2016 Charlotte 49ers football team
The 2016 Charlotte 49ers football team represented the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (also called Charlotte or UNC Charlotte) in the 2016 NCAA Division I FBS football season. It was the school's fourth season of NCAA football, their second season of NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) play, and their second season as a member of Conference USA's East Division. The team was led by fourth-year head coach Brad Lambert and played its home games on campus at Jerry Richardson Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. This was the first season the 49ers were eligible to participate in a bowl game. They finished the season 4–8, 3–5 in C-USA play to finish in fifth place in the East Division.
2016 Charlotte 49ers football | |
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Conference | Conference USA |
East Division | |
2016 record | 4–8 (3–5 C-USA) |
Head coach | Brad Lambert (4th season) |
Offensive coordinator | Jeff Mullen (4th season) |
Offensive scheme | Spread |
Defensive coordinator | Matt Wallerstedt (2nd season) |
Base defense | 3–4 |
Home stadium | Jerry Richardson Stadium (Capacity: 15,314) |
2016 Conference USA football standings | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Conf | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Team | W | L | W | L | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
East Division | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Western Kentucky xy$ | 7 | – | 1 | 11 | – | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Old Dominion x | 7 | – | 1 | 10 | – | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Middle Tennessee | 5 | – | 3 | 8 | – | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
FIU | 4 | – | 4 | 4 | – | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Charlotte | 3 | – | 5 | 4 | – | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Marshall | 2 | – | 6 | 3 | – | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Florida Atlantic | 2 | – | 6 | 3 | – | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
West Division | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Louisiana Tech xy | 6 | – | 2 | 9 | – | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
UTSA | 5 | – | 3 | 6 | – | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Southern Miss | 4 | – | 4 | 7 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
North Texas | 3 | – | 5 | 5 | – | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rice | 2 | – | 6 | 3 | – | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
UTEP | 2 | – | 6 | 4 | – | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Championship: Western Kentucky 58, Louisiana Tech 44 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Previous season
The 49ers finished the season 4–8, 3–5 in C-USA play to finish in fifth place in the East Division.
Coaching staff
Former Eastern Kentucky head coach Dean Hood was announced as Assistant Head Coach and Tight Ends Coach on December 18, 2015. Lambert had worked with Hood at Wake Forest and had been his replacement as Defensive Coordinator for the Demon Deacons. Johnson Richardson moved from coaching Tight Ends to Offensive Line Coach.[1] After three years with the 49ers Napoleon Sykes returned to Navy to coach defensive line for the Midshipmen.[2] NC State Quality Control Coach Ulrick Edmonds joined the staff of February 12, 2016. He replaced Sykes as Outside Linebackers Coach.[3] After a one-year stint as Offensive Line Coach, having stepped into the role after the sudden death of Phil Ratliff, former Carolina Panther, Kevin Donnalley returned the Charlotte 49ers radio broadcast team.
Name | Position | Seasons at Charlotte | Alma Mater |
Brad Lambert | Head coach/Special teams | 4 | Kansas State (1987) |
Dean Hood | Assistant head coach/Tight ends | 1 | Ohio Wesleyan (1985) |
Jeff Mullen | Offensive coordinator/Quarterbacks | 4 | Wittenberg (1990) |
Matt Wallerstedt | Defensive coordinator/Inside linebackers | 2 | Kansas State (1988) |
James Adams | Secondary | 4 | Wake Forest (2006) |
Aaron Curry | Defensive line | 3 | Wake Forest (2008) |
Ulrick Edmonds | Outside linebackers | 1 | James Madison (2001) |
Damien Gary | Running backs | 4 | Georgia (2005) |
Johnson Richardson | Offensive line | 4 | Wofford (2010) |
Joe Tereshinski III | Wide receivers/Recruiting coordinator | 4 | Georgia (2006) |
Reference:[4] |
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 to the Charlotte 49ers football program for the 2016 recruiting year.
US college sports recruiting information for 2016 recruits | ||||||
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Name | Hometown | High school / college | Height | Weight | 40‡ | Commit date |
Theis Bagnkop OL |
Frederikshavn, Denmark | Louisburg College | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 300 lb (140 kg) | – | Feb 3, 2016 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: | ||||||
Anthony Butler LB |
Charlotte, NC | Vance H.S. | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 181 lb (82 kg) | – | Jun 16, 2015 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: | ||||||
Ryan Carrierre TE |
Loganville, GA | Grayson H.S. | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 230 lb (100 kg) | – | Jul 1, 2015 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: | ||||||
Ben DeLuca DB |
Orlando, FL | Bishop Moore H.S. | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | – | Jul 17, 2015 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: | ||||||
Jacione Fugate RB |
Hampton, VA | Kecoughtan H.S. | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | 4.6 | Jan 24, 2016 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: | ||||||
Tim Horne DT |
Wadesboro, NC | Anson H.S. | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 270 lb (120 kg) | – | Jun 17, 2015 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: | ||||||
Benjamin LeMay RB |
Matthews, NC | Butler H.S. | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) | 213 lb (97 kg) | 4.56 | Feb 26, 2015 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: | ||||||
Nick Martin DL |
Lexington, KY | P. L. Dunbar H.S. | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 230 lb (100 kg) | – | Feb 3, 2016 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: | ||||||
Aaron McAllister WR |
Live Oak, FL | Suwannee H.S. | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | 4.86 | Feb 3, 2016 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: | ||||||
Kevin Olsen QB |
Riverside, CA | Riverside C.C. | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 220 lb (100 kg) | 4.86 | Dec 16, 2015 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: | ||||||
Austin Paraison DT |
Lehigh Acres, FL | Lehigh H.S. | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) | 270 lb (120 kg) | – | Jan 24, 2016 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: | ||||||
Johnny Ray DE |
Mount Pleasant, SC | Wando H.S. | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 260 lb (120 kg) | 4.86 | Jun 2, 2015 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: | ||||||
Joe Thompson QB |
Ashburn, VA | Stone Bridge H.S. | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 205 lb (93 kg) | 4.89 | Mar 21, 2015 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: | ||||||
Robert Washington RB |
Huntersville, NC | East Gaston H.S. | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | – | Feb 3, 2016 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: | ||||||
Jamar Winston DE |
Hutchinson, KS | Hutchinson C.C. | 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) | 250 lb (110 kg) | – | Dec 16, 2015 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: | ||||||
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 118 Rivals: 123 247Sports: 110 ESPN: N/A | ||||||
Sources:
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Players
Player gameday honors
Wearing Jersey #49 | Position | Game | Game Captains | Flag Carriers |
Justin Bolus | H-Back | Louisville | ||
Matt Johnson | Running Back | Elon | Kalif Phillips, Thomas La Bianca, Larry Ogunjobi, Kedrick Davis | Robert Washington, Randy Suydam, Anthony Covington |
Justin Bridges-Thompson | Linebacker | EMU | Brandon Banks, Austin Duke, Tanner Fleming, Kyle Hoffman | Jeff Gemmell, Ben LeMay, Jack Wellenhofer |
Tyriq Harris | Linebacker | Temple | Nick Cook, Austin Duke, T.L. Ford, Larry Ogunjobi | Justin Bridges-Thompson, Arthur Hart, Robert Washington |
Nate Davis | Offensive Lineman | ODU | Brandon Banks, TL Ford II, Larry Ogunjobi, Kalif Phillips | Cam Clark, Tyriq Harris, Chris Montgomery |
Eugene German | Offensive Lineman | Florida Atlantic | Brandon Banks, Kyle Hoffman, Larry Ogunjobi, Kalif Phillips | None |
Thomas La Bianca | Offensive Lineman | FIU | Nick Cook, Eugene German, Hasaan Klugh, Larry Ogunjobi | None |
Ben Deluca | Defensive Back | Marshall | Brandon Banks, Austin Duke, Eugene German, Larry Ogunjobi | None |
Jarred Barr | Offensive Lineman | Southern Miss. | Nick Cook, Jamal Covington, Kyle Hoffman, Larry Ogunjobi | None |
Chris Brown | Offensive Lineman | Rice | Zach Bumgarner, Nick Cook, Jamal Covington, Terrance Winchester | None |
Zach Bumgarner | H-back | Middle Tennessee | Brandon Banks, Larry Ogunjobi, Casey Perry, Kalif Phillips | None |
Wolfgang Zacherl | Offensive Lineman | UTSA | Nick Cook, Austin Duke, Workpeh Kofa, Daquan Lucas | None |
Reference:[9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19] |
Roster
2016 Charlotte 49ers football team roster | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Players | Coaches | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Offense
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Defense
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Special teams
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Roster |
Awards and Honors
Preseason
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In Season
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Post-season
Depth chart
Schedule
TelevisionCharlotte 49ers home games and conference road games will be broadcast through Conference USA's television partners ESPN, CBS Sports, ASN, beIN, and Campus Insiders.[36][37] Additional games will be available online through CUSA.tv.[38] RadioRadio coverage for all games is broadcast by IMG College through the Charlotte 49ers Radio Network flagship station WFNZ 610 AM (102.5 FM) The Fan, sister station WBCN 1660 AM, 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 1660 AM.[39] Preseason media pollConference USA released their preseason media poll on July 21, 2016, with the 49ers predicted to finish in last place in the East Division.[40]
Game summaries#19 Louisville Cardinals
The 49ers faced their first ACC opponents when they met their former C-USA and Metro Conference foes. Top performers for the game were Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson, who passed for 286 yards and 6 touchdowns. Jackson also was the top rusher of the game, with 11 carries for 119 yards and 2 more touchdowns. Charlotte's Austin Duke had 5 receptions for 54 yards and a touchdown. Game notes:
Elon Phoenix
The Phoenix were looking to spoil the 49ers' home opener, but Charlotte got revenge for their first loss of the 2014 season. Top performers for the game were Charlotte quarterback Kevin Olsen, who passed for 155 yards and 3 touchdowns. Elon rusher Brandon Gentry had 9 carries for 56 yards and a touchdown. Charlotte's Austin Duke had 4 receptions for 103 yards and a touchdown. Game notes: Eastern Michigan Eagles
The 49ers hosted their first opponents from the MAC when the Eagles visited Charlotte for the first time. Top performers for the game were Eastern Michigan quarterback Todd Porter, who passed for 285 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception. Charlotte rusher Robert Washington had 20 carries for 120 yards. Eastern Michigan's Johnny Niupalau had 3 receptions for 72 yards and a touchdown. Game notes:
Temple Owls
Charlotte visited the "City of Brotherly Love" for the first time hoping to return the favor to their former A10 conference mates for the drubbing they received at the hands of the Owls the previous season. Unfortunately it was more of the same for the 49ers. Top performers for the game were Temple quarterback Phillip Walker, who passed for 268 yards and 2 touchdowns. Temple rusher Jahad Thomas had 15 carries for 68 yards and 2 touchdowns. Temple's Brodrick Yancey had 4 receptions for 70 yards and a touchdown. Game notes:
Old Dominion Monarchs
The 49ers were looking to even the series up when the Monarchs visited Charlotte for the first time. Unfortunately the Niners would fall hard to a fired-up Monarchs squad for the first C-USA game of the season. Top performers for the game were Old Dominion quarterback David Washington, who passed for 256 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 1 interception. ODU rusher Gemonta Jackson had 9 carries for 55 yards and a touchdown. ODU's Zach Pascal had 5 receptions for 68 yards and a touchdown. Game notes: Florida Atlantic Owls
Charlotte visited Boca Raton for the first time looking to avenge a fourth quarter loss at home from the previous season. Not only did they accomplish that, but they also got their first conference win in program history after a controversial call reversal on a no time left Hail Mary ruled touchdown pass by FAU. Top performers for the game were Charlotte quarterback Hasaan Klugh, who passed for 223 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 1 interception. FAU rusher Gregory Howell Jr. had 20 carries for 100 yards and 3 touchdowns. Charlotte's Austin Duke had 6 receptions for 111 yards and a touchdown. Game notes:
FIU Panthers
Charlotte was looking to even the series when the Panthers visited the Queen City for the first time. But a late score by FIU and a missed long range field goal would result in Charlotte's fourth lost Homecoming Game in a row. Top performers for the game were FAU quarterback Alex McGough, who passed for 315 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions. Charlotte rusher Kalif Phillips had 24 carries for 99 yards. FAU's Thomas Owens had 11 receptions for 148 yards. Game notes:
Marshall Thundering Herd
Charlotte visited the State of West Virginia for the first time looking to avenge a loss at home from the previous season. Task accomplished, the 49ers even the series with Marshall and notched their second C-USA road win of the season. Top performers for the game were Marshall quarterback Chase Litton, who passed for 262 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception. Charlotte rusher Kalif Phillips had 23 carries for 123 yards and 2 touchdowns. Marshall's Josh Knight had 10 receptions for 94 yards. Game notes:
Southern Miss Golden Eagles
Charlotte visited the State of Mississippi for the first time looking to avenge a loss at home from the previous season. Charlotte dominated the game, becoming the first time in C-USA history to win on the road at Marshall and Southern Miss. in a single season. Top performers for the game were Southern Miss. quarterback Nate Mullens, who passed for 249 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions. Charlotte rusher Kalif Phillips had 29 carries for 183 yards. Southern Miss's Chase Whitehead had 2 receptions for 84 yards and a touchdown. Game notes: Rice Owls
Charlotte pulled ahead for a three touchdown lead, but an anemic second half let Rice win the game off of quarterback Tyler Stehling's arms and legs. Top performers for the game were Rice Stehling, who passed for 279 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. Stehling was also the top rusher of the game, with 20 carries for 93 yards and two touchdowns. Rice's Zach Wright had 12 receptions for 111 yards. Game notes:
Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
In Charlotte's first ever C-USA game the hosting Blue Raiders set new program records by pounding out a 42 to 7 first quarter on the thunderstruck 49ers. Charlotte was looking to return the favor when the Blue Raiders visited Charlotte for the first time. After a valiant late push to tie the game up late in the fourth quarter, Middle Tennessee would get the go ahead score and end the 49ers' chances of bowl eligibility. Top performers for the game were Middle Tennessee quarterback John Urzua, who passed for 250 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions. Middle Tennessee rusher I'Tavius Mathers had 16 carries for 101 yards. Middle Tennessee's Richie James had 8 receptions for 89 yards and a touchdown. Game notes:
UTSA Roadrunners
The final home game of the 2015 season for Charlotte went down to the wire with the Roadrunners pulling out an overtime victory. Charlotte was looking to return the favor as they visited San Antonio for the first time. The game was controlled by the Roadrunners until Charlotte got within a touchdown score; but the Roadrunners would pull away late to clinch their spot in a bowl game, and end the 49ers' season with a loss. Top performers for the game were UT San Antonio quarterback Dalton Strum, who passed for 146 yards and a touchdown. UT San Antonio rusher Jarveon Williams had 19 carries for 48 yards. UTSA's Kerry Thomas Jr. had 5 receptions for 145 yards and a touchdown. Game notes:
Attendance
Players drafted into the NFL
References
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