CHARLOTTE VS. OLD DOMINION· OCT. 1, 2016
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STAFF PICKS FINAL SCORE: CHAR 21, ODU 31 “ODU uses momentum with their win over UTSA last week and puts enough pressure on the 49ers offense to slide by with a victory.”
FINAL SCORE: CHAR 14, ODU 17 “ODU is tough competition. While the 49ers will be able to hang with them for the majority of the game, a field goal from ODU will deal the 49ers another loss”
FINAL SCORE: CHAR 21, ODU 35 “Charlotte will be able to run the ball. The question is if the 49ers can make it happen through the air. The Charlotte defense could have trouble too as the Monarchs are one of the more efficient offenses in the conference.”
FINAL SCORE: CHAR 14, ODU 11 “Charlotte uses the momentum of a home crowd to get their second victory against ODU, (also if ODU scores 11 points I get a free dinner.)”
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GOLDRUSH · A NINER TIMES SPECIAL SECTION
49ERS LOOK FOR REDEMPTION ANDY GUSTAFSON ASST. SPORTS EDITOR
The Charlotte 49ers return to Jerry Richardson Stadium this week after a one-week hiatus from the Queen City. Last week, the 49ers traveled to Philadelphia to play Temple in their final non-conference game on their schedule. Despite an impressive performance by the running game, namely Kalif Phillips, Charlotte fell to Temple 48-20. Charlotte opens Conference USA play with a matchup against Old Dominion. Last season, the 49ers fell to the Monarchs in a nail-biter 37-34 on the road in Norfolk. In fact, Charlotte had a 12-point halftime lead and put up more than 500 total yards of offense on Old Dominion. Fast forward to present day, Old Dominion sits at 2-2 on the season after winning their C-USA opener against Texas-San Antonio. Something to remember: Charlotte remains winless in C-USA, losing every game in their first season in the conference. The game is scheduled for 6 p.m. kickoff.
must be more production out of the passing game. Look at the victory over Elon: Olsen played great, completing 19 of 25 passes and three touchdowns. Another aspect is taking risks downfield. Olsen is averaging a mere five yards a pass, which ranks fifthworst in college football. Opening up the offense and throwing the ball more will take pressure off of Charlotte’s rushing attack.
ELIMINATE PENALTIES There are a lot of aspects of a football game that the players can’t control, but penalties do not fall into that category. The 49ers have committed 33 penalties for 334 yards through four games, averaging just over 80 yards of penalties per
game. In their only victory of the season against Elon, Charlotte only committed five penalties all night long for only 48 yards. SportsCenter and College Gameday took note of the 49er’s penalty struggles against Eastern Michigan, featuring them on a segment showing some of the most unfortunate plays of the past week. The 49ers received three personal foul penalties, allowing EMU to kick off from the 20-yard line, a totally bizarre scene in college football.
OLD DOMINION SCOUTING REPORT
averaged 43.5 points a game. The offensive efficiency comes from a balanced attack between their running and passing games. Senior quarterback David Washington knows how to protect the ball, with eight touchdowns and only one interception on the year. The Monarchs also have a strong running duo in Jeremy Cox and Ray Lawry, who have ran for 100-yard games of their own. Old Dominion, however, struggles against the run. Music to the legs of the Charlotte running backs. The Monarchs have given up ten rushing touchdowns on the year, which could bode well if Charlotte gets in red zone territory.
Old Dominion knows how to put up points. In the Monarchs two victories this season, they have
PASSING GAME WOES The Charlotte offense is able to move the ball. On the ground, at least. The trio of Phillips, Robert Washington and Ben LeMay is the center of the offense, averaging 167 rushing yards per game. Both Washington and Phillips have recorded 100-yard games of their own this season. LeMay has shown some spark as well, averaging five yards a carry. But what has plagued the offense is the lack of consistency in the passing game, something that the Charlotte program has missed since the beginning. Four games into the season and Kevin Olsen hasn’t proved the hype to be real. It’s still early in the season, but for Charlotte to start winning games, there
Justin Bridges-Thomas, wearing the honorary 49, is orchestrating the defense. Photo by Chris Crews CHARLOTTE VS. OLD DOMINION· OCT. 1, 2016
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ANDY GUSTAFSON
THE DUKE OF CHARLOTTE
ASST. SPORTS EDITOR
Head 20 minutes down Interstate contact over the summer. Once Duke 485 towards Independence High saw the opportunity to help, he didn’t School and you’ll come to the home of hesitate. He began raising money and Austin Duke. The only home Duke has the reaction from the community to known. Duke’s cause was much more than he The senior slot receiver for the expected. Charlotte football program is a born “People I haven’t spoken to in and bred Queen City native. Duke’s five years were donating a $100, playing career began when he was 7 mattresses, food, gift cards,” Duke years old with the Eastway Lions. But said. “It felt really good to see the it wasn’t until his senior year of high community of Charlotte, especially school that Duke began to grab the being from Charlotte, to see how much attention of college coaches. people love helping others out.” Blessed with incredible speed and Yet, with all the donations from the a solid set of hands, the only thing community, Duke continued to have holding Duke back from major colleges trouble finding a home for Frank. was his size. At 130 pounds, the senior Months go by and all the houses that only held offers from N.C. Central and could have been possible destinations Catawba, two small football schools. were out of his budget. Austin Duke, a native of the Queen City, did not intend to stay in Charlotte for college. “Being young and naive, I wanted A light would appear at the end Photo by Leysha Caraballo to leave Charlotte,” Duke said. “When of the tunnel, though. Duke came in year.” you’re from somewhere, you want to get contact with a realtor and explained his That process has helped Duke meet those away and see what life has to offer. Originally, I mission for Frank. But, again, houses that were expectations over his four years at Charlotte. The was looking everywhere to go except Charlotte.” options were too expensive. The realtor told Duke senior is Charlotte’s all-time leading receiver, As fate would have it, Duke remained in that she would call if houses became available. To owning each of the 49ers single-game, singleCharlotte. During his sophomore year, Duke make matters worse, Duke’s phone would break season and career records for receptions, yards would meet Brad Lambert, a coach at Wake and all contacts were lost. and touchdowns. Forest at the time, at a camp and a mutual “Something told me to pick up Frank and Now with 30 more pounds to his frame and respect between the two formed. Once Lambert physically look around,” Duke said. blonde tips in his hair, rivaling Odell Beckham became the first football coach at Charlotte, Frank told Duke of a woman that he previously Jr., Duke is looked upon as a leader of the team. recruiting Duke became a priority. But the workedfor, who owned rental properties. Ironically Certainly, Duke’s legacy at Charlotte speaks for Charlotte native took Lambert’s pitch as a myth. enough, when the two made it to the realtor’s, itself on the gridiron. But football isn’t everything Duke realized that it was the same woman he “Yo you’re lying, Charlotte doesn’t have a for the Charlotte native. In fact, it’s the work football team. I’m from Charlotte and I know spoke to on the phone the week prior to his Duke puts in for his hometown off the field that that,” Duke remembers telling Lambert. “But phone breaking. Magically enough, a house was when he told me the process, it was a no-brainer, I makes him more special. available for Frank. Two days later, Frank had a This past summer, while getting ready for his knew Charlotte was a place that I wanted to be.” home, furnished with a donated couch and bed. final season, Duke started his own non-profit Upon his arrival to University City, Duke “I was in tears, after reading what he was doing organization called “FaithByWorks.” While at his became a part of something special before ever and seeing the donations because I was so proud,” girlfriend’s birthday dinner, Duke asked a man to hitting the field. Duke, along with 18 other Bruce Duke, his father said. “This has to be his take a picture. The man’s name was Frank and at calling.” players, formed the first recruiting class in that moment his life would change, and so would Charlotte football history. Duke has also partnered with the Kannapolis “I didn’t know what to really expect, but I didn’t Duke’s. Police Department as part of their initiative “Cops “After taking the picture, something told me expect anything less than greatness and success,” Target Kids” charity that grants a Christmas to ask is there anything I can do for you,” Duke Duke said on his first time stepping on campus. shopping spree for less fortunate children in the asked Frank. “He told me that he had been “We (inaugural recruiting class) were here when area. homeless for about a month and life hit him hard there was no stadium. We didn’t have any games. “Life is so much more than football,” Duke said. and he lost his apartment.” It was waking up at five in the morning to go lift “This platform is all about how I can inspire and The two exchanged phone numbers and kept in and workout for a game we didn’t play for another motivate others to go after their dreams.”
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GOLDRUSH · A NINER TIMES SPECIAL SECTION
49ERS FALL ON THE ROAD
Charlotte could not recover from an early deficit on the road against the Temple Owls, losing 48-20
ZACH TIMMONS STAFF WRITER
FINAL SCORE
Temple Charlotte
48 20
On a cloudy Saturday in September, the Charlotte 49ers found themselves on the short end of the stick against Temple, losing 48-20. Temple got on the board first with a 36-yard field goal from kicker Austin Jones. However, Charlotte responded with an 8-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Kevin Olsen to receiver Workpe Kofa with 42 seconds left in the first frame. The score was their second connection this season. However, this touchdown would mark the only points that the 49ers would get for the rest of the half. Temple exploded for a 28-point second quarter, and Charlotte was unable to defend against the big play. Eight seconds into the second quarter, Phillip Walker hooked up
with receiver Adonis Jennings for a 51-yard touchdown that gave the Owls a 10-3 lead. Owl running back Jahad Thomas then scored on a 13-yard scamper, and later, Walker found Brodrick Yancy downfield for a 40-yard completion. Temple finished the half strong, with Ryquell Armstrong adding the final punch of the drive with a one yard touchdown run with only 40 seconds remaining. Armstrong’s run extended Temple’s lead to 31-7. “I think our guys came out and played a real physical game. I think we matched their physicality, we gave up too many big plays defensively to stay in the game, and that’s the thing that really hurt us down the stretch,” Charlotte coach Brad Lambert said. He expressed optimism about the team heading into conference play. “I told our team this is as physical as a team we’ll play all year. And
that gets you ready for conference play in understanding that our margin for error is not very big. We’ve got to be in the right place at the right time to make plays,” Lambert said. Once again, the 49ers backfield provided a spark. Kalif Phillips, in his first game back returning from injury, gave Charlotte their second touchdown with a 66-yard burst up the middle at the front end of the third quarter. The run was Charlotte’s longest play from scrimmage of the game and the fourth longest in Charlotte football history. Freshman back Robert Washington also added to his scoring totals, pounding in a four yard touchdown run with 8:35 remaining in the fourth quarter. However, the Owl running backs were not to be denied. Jahad Thomas scored on a one yard run at the 8:37 mark of the third quarter, and less than four minutes later, Armstead
pounded in another one yard score. Kicker Austin Jones provided the Owl’s final score when he knocked in a 31-yard field goal at the 12:52 mark of the final frame. “We’ll never stop fighting. We always finish until the clock stops and hits zero. I give the other team credit, they came in and did their job,” Phillips said. The game gave Phillips an opportunity to get back into the groove of things after an injury a few weeks ago. “I feel like this game actually put me back on track. The injury is gone, and I’m ready to go. The O-line gave me a great hole. It opened up quick, and I hit it quick, and all I saw was two defenders. I put my head down, and everything talked for itself,” Phillips said. Charlotte will return home Saturday Oct. 1, to face Old Dominion, at 6 p.m. in Jerry Richardson Stadium.
AT A GLANCE 49ers Owls First downs
25
26
Rush yards
231
210
Pass yards
429
507
3rd Down Attempts 8-18
5-12
Redzone Attempts
2-3
6-6
Penalties and Yards
5-40
5-31
Turnovers
2
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Workpeh Kofa breaks free from a defender against Eastern Michigan. Photo by Chris Crews CHARLOTTE VS. OLD DOMINION· OCT. 1, 2016
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COLLEGE GAMEDAY SIGNS MAKE IT TO CHARLOTTE
Andrew Josupait, a junior at Charlotte, makes signs before every game to bring the ‘College Gameday’ experience to Jerry Richardson Stadium. TREVOR WILT SPORTS EDITOR
A strong fan base is an aspect of the game that is vital for any college football team. The goal for fans is to give their team an edge at home and also disrupt the thought process for the visiting team. Andrew Josupait, pronounced Joe-Sup-eight does just that at Jerry Richardson Stadium. Josupait, a junior from Garner, N.C., can likely be found in the front row of the Charlotte 49ers student section, also known as Niner Nation, at the 30-yard line behind the visiting team’s bench. But before him and his core group of friends from Impact Charlotte Campus Ministry get to their seats, they are the first ones waiting outside the gates at Jerry Richardson Stadium, just over an hour before game time. When asked about why he started constructing these signs, he said, “I have watched the show “College Gameday” on ESPN on Saturdays since I have started college and figured that it would be pretty cool to make signs like that at Charlotte football and basketball games.” Although football season is upon us, Josupait made his first sign during his freshman year (2014-2015) at a basketball game against Southern Mississippi. “I saw a few days before that the game would be on American Sports Network and I made a
sign that said, ‘Hi Mom & Dad, Send Money.’ I made it on television for it,” said Josupait. When making these signs for football games, a trip to the store around the university is always planned during the week to get the materials needed to construct the signs. “A foam board usually costs about a dollar and a set of markers are usually pretty cheap,” said Josupait. With a new football program and in their second season at the FBS level, the 49ers have averaged just over 15,000 fans through their first two games at home in their 2016 campaign, knowing the importance of having a solid attendance at every game. Tanner Fleming, a senior on defense for the 49ers said, “A sold-out crowd is something that we can feed off of on third down especially. Getting that crowd noise and helping disrupt the opponent’s offense is huge. We love feeding off the energy that the crowd brings.” Josupait loves being that 12th man on the field for the 49ers, using the signs and time at the field to get away from the pressures that college brings each week. “The signs give me a great excuse to be crazy at football game. I also love the reactions of opposing teams players and fans when they see the signs.”
When asked about some of those reactions, Josupait said, “During the Elon football game this year, I had a lot of players comment on the sign I made for that game. I also had someone on the UTEP staff take a picture of me holding my sign up during pre-game warm-ups during our basketball game against them last year.” Although Josupait has made many signs over the last couple years, his favorite sign to this date occurred against the University of Alabama at Birmingham during last years basketball game at Dale F. Halton Arena. “The sign I made said, ‘Hey UAB, we have football!’ and it caused some angry and hateful tweets from UAB fans. It was funny to see the frenzy that the UAB fans went into over some words on a poster board,” Josupait said. When asked if he considered himself to be one of the biggest Charlotte fans, he humbly said, “I believe that I am Charlotte’s biggest fan, but I could be a little bit biased. I usually try to show my support at as many sporting events as I can.” So don’t be afraid to make signs and join in on the “College Gameday’ experience that Josupait and his friends bring to every game. You might find yourself on television with him one day.
Photo by Chris Crews
NT File Photo
Photo by Chris Crews
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GOLDRUSH · A NINER TIMES SPECIAL SECTION
2016 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE THURSDAY, SEPT. 1
FRIDAY, OCT. 1
SATURDAY, NOV. 5
Louisville, Ky.
Jerry Richardson Stadium
Hattiesburg, Miss.
#19/#23 Louisville 7 p.m. L, 70-14
Old Dominion
Southern Miss
6 p.m.
3:30 p.m.
SATURDAY, SEPT. 10
SATURDAY, OCT. 8
SATURDAY, NOV. 12
Jerry Richardson Stadium
Boca Raton, Fla.
Jerry Richardson Stadium
Elon
6 p.m. W, 47-14
Florida Atlantic 3:30 p.m.
Rice
2 p.m.
SATURDAY, SEPT. 17
SATURDAY, OCT. 15
SATURDAY, NOV. 19
Jerry Richardson Stadium
Jerry Richardson Stadium
Jerry Richardson Stadium
E. Michigan 6:00 p.m. L, 38-19
FIU
6 p.m.
Midd. Tennessee 2 p.m.
SATURDAY, SEPT. 24
SATURDAY, OCT. 22
SATURDAY, NOV. 26
Philadelphia, Pa.
Huntington, W.Va.
San Antonio, Texas
Temple Noon L, 48-20
Marshall 5:30 p.m.
UTSA 7 p.m.
15,444 AVERAGE HOME ATTENDANCE vs. Elon 15,807 vs. EMU 15,080
CHARLOTTE VS. OLD DOMINION· OCT. 1, 2016
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GOLDRUSH · A NINER TIMES SPECIAL SECTION