The 2016 Charlotte 49ers football team represented the

University of North Carolina at Charlotte The University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNC Charlotte or simply Charlotte) is a public research university in Charlotte, North Carolina. UNC Charlotte offers 24 doctoral, 66 master's, and 79 bachelor's degree programs through nine colle ...

(also called Charlotte or UNC Charlotte) in the

2016 NCAA Division I FBS football season The 2016 NCAA Division I FBS football season was the highest level of college football competition in the United States organized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The regular season began on August 26, 2016 and ended on Dec ...

. It was the school's fourth season of NCAA football, their second season of

NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision The NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), formerly known as Division I-A, is the highest level of college football in the United States. The FBS consists of the largest schools in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). As ...

(FBS) play, and their second season as a member of

Conference USA Conference USA (C-USA or CUSA) is an intercollegiate athletic conference whose current member institutions are located within the Southern United States. The conference participates in the NCAA's Division I in all sports. C-USA's offices are l ...

'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 McColl–Richardson Field at Jerry Richardson Stadium is a college football stadium in University City, Charlotte, North Carolina, United States and the home field of the Charlotte 49ers football team representing the University of North Car ...

Charlotte, North Carolina Charlotte ( ) is the most populous city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. Located in the Piedmont region, it is the county seat of Mecklenburg County. The population was 874,579 at the 2020 census, making Charlotte the 16th-most populo ...

. This was the first season the 49ers were eligible to participate in a

bowl game In North America, a bowl game is one of a number of post-season college football games that are primarily played by teams belonging to the NCAA's Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). For most of its history, the Division I Bowl Subdivis ...

. They 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 Eastern may refer to: Transportation *China Eastern Airlines, a current Chinese airline based in Shanghai * Eastern Air, former name of Zambia Skyways * Eastern Air Lines, a defunct American airline that operated from 1926 to 1991 * Eastern Air ...

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. After three years with the 49ers Napoleon Sykes returned to

Navy A navy, naval force, or maritime force is the branch of a nation's armed forces principally designated for naval warfare, naval and amphibious warfare; namely, lake-borne, riverine, littoral zone, littoral, or ocean-borne combat operations and ...

to coach defensive line for the Midshipmen.

NC State North Carolina State University (NC State) is a public land-grant research university in Raleigh, North Carolina. Founded in 1887 and part of the University of North Carolina system, it is the largest university in the Carolinas. The university ...

quality control coach Ulrick Edmonds joined the staff of February 12, 2016. He replaced Sykes as outside linebackers coach. 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 Kevin Thomas Donnalley (born June 10, 1968) is an American football coach and former player. He played professionally as a guard in the National Football League (NFL) for the Houston/Tennessee Oilers, Miami Dolphins, and Carolina Panthers. He ...

returned the Charlotte 49ers radio broadcast team.

Recruiting

Position key

Recruiting class

The following recruits and transfers have signed letters of intent to the Charlotte 49ers football program for the 2016 recruiting year.

Players

Player gameday honors

Roster

Awards and honors

Preseason

In Season

Post-season

Depth chart

Schedule

:The game between Charlotte and Florida Atlantic scheduled for a 3:30 pm kickoff on October 8, 2016, was postponed due to the effects of

Hurricane Matthew Hurricane Matthew was an extremely powerful Atlantic hurricane which caused catastrophic damage and a humanitarian crisis in Haiti, as well as widespread devastation in the southeastern United States. The deadliest Atlantic hurricane sinc ...

. The game was played the following day on October 9, 2016 with a noon kickoff. :Schedule Source:

Television

Charlotte 49ers home games and conference road games will be broadcast through Conference USA's television partners

ESPN ESPN (originally an initialism for Entertainment and Sports Programming Network) is an American international basic cable sports channel owned by ESPN Inc., owned jointly by The Walt Disney Company (80%) and Hearst Communications (20%). The ...

CBS Sports CBS Sports is the sports division of the American television network CBS. Its headquarters are in the CBS Building on W 52nd Street in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, with programs produced out of Studio 43 at the CBS Broadcast Center on W 5 ...

, ASN,

beIN Bein (German for ''leg'') is a German and Yiddish surname and may refer to: People * Alex Bein, Jewish scholar * Kazimierz Bein, Polish ophthalmologist, the founder and sometime director of the Warsaw Ophthalmic Institute * Uwe Bein, German footbal ...

, and

Campus Insiders Campus Insiders was a college sports website and internet television service. It was owned by a joint venture between IMG College and Silver Chalice. The service was oriented towards live streaming of U.S. college sports, streaming live and replay ...

. Additional games will be available online through CUSA.tv.

Radio

Radio coverage for all games is broadcast by

IMG College LEARFIELD, formerly Learfield IMG College, is a large collegiate sports marketing company, representing more than 200 of the nation's top collegiate properties including the NCAA and its 89 championships, NCAA Football, leading conferences, and ...

through the Charlotte 49ers Radio Network flagship station WFNZ 610 AM (102.5 FM) The Fan and the

TuneIn TuneIn is a global audio streaming service delivering live news, radio, sports, music, and podcasts to over 75 million monthly active users. TuneIn is operated by the company TuneIn Inc. which is based in San Francisco, California. The company ...

Charlotte 49ers IMG Sports Network app. The radio announcers are "Voice of the 49ers" Matt Swierad with play-by-play, former Carolina Panther

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.

Preseason media poll

Conference USA released their preseason media poll on July 21, 2016, with the 49ers predicted to finish in last place in the East Division.

Game summaries

#19 Louisville Cardinals

*Sources: The 49ers faced their first

ACC ACC most often refers to: * Atlantic Coast Conference, an NCAA Division I collegiate athletic conference located in the US *American College of Cardiology, A US-based nonprofit medical association that bestows credentials upon cardiovascular spec ...

opponents when they met their former

C-USA Conference USA (C-USA or CUSA) is an intercollegiate athletic conference whose current member institutions are located within the Southern United States. The conference participates in the NCAA's Division I in all sports. C-USA's offices are ...

and

Metro Conference The Metropolitan Collegiate Athletic Conference, popularly known as the Metro Conference, was an NCAA Division I athletics conference, so named because its six charter members were all in urban metropolitan areas, though its later members did n ...

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: *First ACC opponent for the 49ers. *First Nationally ranked FBS opponent.

Elon Phoenix

*Sources: 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

*Sources: 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: *First MAC opponent for the 49ers.

Temple Owls

*Sources: 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: *First game for the 49ers in the State of

Pennsylvania Pennsylvania (; ( Pennsylvania Dutch: )), officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a state spanning the Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern, Appalachian, and Great Lakes regions of the United States. It borders Delaware to its southeast, ...

Old Dominion Monarchs

*Sources: 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

*Sources: 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 The Hail Mary ( la, Ave Maria) is a traditional Christian prayer addressing Mary, the mother of Jesus. The prayer is based on two biblical passages featured in the Gospel of Luke: the Angel Gabriel's visit to Mary (the Annunciation) and Mary's ...

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: * First

win in program history. * Game delayed one day due to local effects of Hurricane Mathew. * First Sunday game in program history. * Austin Duke reached the 3000 yard career reception mark. * Hasaan Klugh was named C-USA Co-offensive Player of the Week.

FIU Panthers

*Sources: 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 Homecoming is the tradition of welcoming back alumni or other former members of an organization to celebrate the organization's existence. It is a tradition in many high schools, colleges, and churches in the United States, Canada and Liberia. ...

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: *Larry Ogunjobi, the 49ers' all-Conference USA nose tackle had 4.5 tackles for a loss, including 1.5 sacks, and a team-best 10 tackles.

Marshall Thundering Herd

*Sources: Charlotte visited the State of

West Virginia West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian, Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions of the United States.The Census Bureau and the Association of American Geographers classify West Virginia as part of the Southern United States while the Bur ...

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: *First game in the State of West Virginia. *Kalif Phillips, the 49ers' running back ran for 123 yards, his fourth 100-yard-plus performance this season.

Southern Miss Golden Eagles

*Sources: Charlotte visited the State of

Mississippi Mississippi () is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States, bordered to the north by Tennessee; to the east by Alabama; to the south by the Gulf of Mexico; to the southwest by Louisiana; and to the northwest by Arkansas. Miss ...

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: *First game in the State of Mississippi. *Coming off a 4-week injury, Terrence Winchester was named C-USA Defensive Player of the Week. *Juwan Foggie was named C-USA Special Teams Player of the Week. *First time Charlotte has won back-to-back FBS and conference games.

Rice Owls

*Sources: 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: * Charlotte's second 1-point loss of the season.

Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders

*Sources: 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: *Twenty-seven 49ers would participate in their final home collegiate game, including nineteen from Charlotte's very first recruiting class: Brandon Banks, Jarred Barr, Justin Bolus, Trent Bostick, Blake Brewer, Justin Bridges-Thompson, Zach Bumgardner, Devin Clegg, Nick Cook, Cameron Curlings, Jamal Covington, Kendrick Davis, Austin Duke, Tanner Fleming, Kyle Hoffman, Matt Johnson, Thomas La Bianca, Daquan Lucas, Lee McNeill, Stephen Muscarello, Cassy Perry, Hayden Pezzoni, Kalif Phillips, Larry Ogunjobi, E.J. Rhinehart, Keaston Sinicki, Bradan Smith, Terrance Winchester.

UTSA Roadrunners

*Sources: 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: *Matt Johnson would finish his collegiate career with 5,405 passing yards to become to the 49ers' all-time leading passer, with an additional 1,273 rushing yards to his credit. *Kalif Phillips would finish his collegiate career with 4,020 rushing yards, and 41 rushing touchdowns (43 overall) becoming the 49ers' all-time rushing leader and scorer. *Austin Duke would finish his collegiate career with his 4th 100 yard game of the season and his 13th 100 yard game overall. *Duke would also finish his collegiate career with 3,437 receiving yards, becoming the 49ers' career leader in receptions and 24 receiving touchdowns (25 overall). He is the 49ers' #2 all-time leading scorer behind Phillips. *Larry Ogunjobi would finish his collegiate career with 49 tackles for losses, 13 sacks, and 217 tackles to become the 49ers' all-time leader in each category. He also started all 46 games in program history. *Ogunjobi was selected to participate in the 2017

Senior Bowl The Senior Bowl is a post-season college football all-star game played annually in late January or early February in Mobile, Alabama, which showcases the best NFL Draft prospects of those players who have completed their college eligibility. Pr ...

Attendance

Players drafted into the NFL

References

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Charlotte Charlotte ( ) is the List of municipalities in North Carolina, most populous city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. Located in the Piedmont (United States), Piedmont region, it is the county seat of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, Meckl ...

Charlotte 49ers football seasons

Charlotte 49ers football The Charlotte 49ers football program represents the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in college football. The UNC Charlotte Board of Trustees officially voted to add a football program on November 13, 2008, after a unanimous recommendati ...