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VOLUME 1, ISSUE 6
TABLE OF CONTENTS 4 Season schedule 5 Team roster 6 By the numbers 7 Tailgating policy 8 The Record Book 10 Q&A with Matt Johnson 13 Ticket Request 14 Game breakdown
STAFF NT SPORTS EDITOR
LIBBY WEIHSMANN
NT EDITOR -IN- CHIEF
EDEN CREAMER
sports@nineronline.com
editor@nineronline.com
NT MANAGING EDITOR
MARKETING DIRECTOR
PATRICK BOGANS
EMMANUEL LOREDO
managing@nineronline.com
mktdirector@uncc.edu
COVER PHOTO BY BEN COON SALES: DYLAN ROBISON CIRCULATION MANAGER: PRECIOUS SHEFF CIRCULATION: STUDENT UNION LOADING DOCK TEAM NINER MEDIA ADVISER: WAYNE MAIKRANZ MARKETING ADVISER: KELLY MERGES BUSINESS MANAGER: LAURIE CUDDY GRAPHICS & PRODUCTION: PETE HURDLE OFFICE MANAGER: MARK HAIRE
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T H E
I N AUGURAL
S EAS ON
UNC CHARLOTTE FOOTBALL 2013 SAT, AUG 31
SAT, OCT 12
Campbell
UNC Pembroke (HC)
at Charlotte, N.C.
12 p.m.
at Charlotte, N.C.
12 p.m.
SAT, SEP 7
SAT, OCT 26
Chowan
Charleston Southern
at Charlotte, N.C.
12 p.m. SAT, SEP 14
North Carolina Central
at Charlotte, N.C.
12 p.m. SAT, SEP 21
James Madison at Harrisonburg, Va.
6 p.m. SAT, SEP 28
Presbyterian at Clinton, S.C.
2 p.m.
at Charleston, S.C.
1:30 p.m. SAT, NOV 2
Coastal Carolina at Conway, S.C.
3 p.m. SAT, NOV 9
Wesley College at Charlotte, N.C.
12 p.m. SAT, NOV 23
Morehead State at Morehead, Ky.
1 p.m.
SAT, OCT 5
Gardner-Webb at Charlotte, N.C.
12 p.m. 4
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PLAYER ROSTER 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 50 50 51 52
Will Thomas Kariym Gent Corey Nesmith Jr. Lee McNeill Terry Caldwell Jalen Holt Matt Johnson Mark Hogan Austin Duke Mark Pettit C.J. Crawford Desmond Cooper Tank Norman Justin Bolus Joc Watkins Mikel Hunter Patrick O’Brien Martay Mattox Prince Mayela Donjore Gainey Daquan Lucas Alan Barnwell Kalif Phillips Cortezz Nixon Terrance Winchester Greg Cunningham Jr. Micah Bryan Quintin Gay Alex Petzke Damarrell Alexander Brandon Strupp Nico Alcade James Williams Jr. Nick Halmon Sam Dexter Zeb Little Ardy Holmes Jordan Abrams Caleb Clayton-Molby Tyler DeStefani Kendal Parker Devin Pearson DaQuavius Reid Mark Montini Keaston Sinicki Jarred Barr Karrington King Robert Williams Brandon Rodriguez
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WR SS SR QB ILB OLB QB OLB SR OLB H FS CB H H WR QB SS FS RB FS RB RB CB CB CB ILB RB SS RB P OLB CB SS FS OLB DB FS ILB OLB ILB CB OLB H LS OG DE ILB ILB
6’0 6’0 5’10 6’1 6’2 6’4 6’3 6’0 5’9 6’4 6’2 6’2 5’11 6’3 6’0 5’10 6’4 6’1 5’11 5’8 5’10 5’9 5’11 5’10 6’0 6’2 6’3 5’9 5’10 5’10 5’8 6’2 5’11 5’11 5’8 6’1 5’9 5’11 6’2 6’4 6’0 5’11 6’2 6’5 6’0 6’3 5’11 6-0 5-10
170 200 160 200 215 200 230 210 152 230 225 210 190 215 221 180 200 180 165 185 200 180 185 180 170 185 220 190 185 165 175 205 170 187 170 215 190 180 240 210 200 185 190 235 235 290 185 205 205
54 Jordan Starnes 55 Mason Sledge 56 Fletcher O’Neil 57 Justin Bridges-Thompson 58 Dustin Crouser 59 Payton Thomson 60 Cody Brown 61 Zach Thomas 62 Hayden Pezzoni 63 Cameron Curlings 64 Thomas Frazier 65 Larry Ogunjobi 66 Joe Wolljung 67 Mitch Monska 68 Danny Book 69 Stephen Muscarello 70 Casey Perry 71 Zach Bumgarner 72 Tevin Lawshe 73 Jamal Covington 74 Thomas La Bianca 75 Eugene German 76 Daniel Blitch 77 Wolfgang Zacherl 78 Kyle Hoffman 79 Jeff Walker 80 Reggie Woods 81 Trent Bostick 82 Jason Eury 83 Emmitt Afam 84 Darius Smalls 85 Luke Sonricker 86 Blake Brewer 86 Zach Ferguson 87 EJ Rhinehart 88 Dmarjai Devine 89 Elijah Roberson 90 Peter Fields 91 Nick Carroll 92 James Middleton 93 Hayden Beck 94 Kyle Taylor 95 Devin Clegg 96 Devon Johnson 97 Tanner Fleming 97 Garrett Stuart 98 Josh Tann 99 Brandon Banks ^ Jamel Ross ^ - will miss 2013 season
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OLB OG DE ILB ILB DE C OG K OG OG NT OG OG OT K OG OT OG OT C OT OT OT OT OT WR WR H SR WR WR K WR WR WR H H DE DE NT DE DE DE NT P DE DE WR
6-3 6-3 6-3 6-3 6-3 6-3 6-4 6-2 5-9 6-3 6-3 6-2 6-3 5-10 6-6 5-11 6-2 6-4 6-4 6-4 6-3 6-5 6-6 6-5 6-5 6-4 6-2 6-1 6-1 5-11 6-4 6-4 6-1 6-4 6-4 6-3 6-2 6-6 6-5 6-4 6-3 6-3 6-4 6-3 6-2 5-10 6-4 6-3 6-3
230 290 245 210 225 200 273 295 155 350 310 275 280 210 275 195 335 245 272 295 295 260 320 280 240 270 180 195 205 195 200 185 200 190 205 210 230 235 250 265 310 225 235 285 275 165 250 270 215
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175.1 4.5 262.4 11.7 437.5 5.8 20.4 25 31.6 6
rushing average per game rushing average per rush passing average per game passing average per catch total offense yards per game total offense yards per play average kick return
forced turnovers
average points per game
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GAME-DAY TAILGATING EDEN CREAMER EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
With the launch of a new football program, the need for an official policy regarding tailgating at the university becomes necessary. As the university revved up for football, a tailgating policy was created. Below are points from the tailgating policy, available in full online.
CAMPUS ENTRANCES AND LOT INFORMATION All entrances except the main entrance and the John Kirk Road entrance will be closed five hours prior to kickoff. Game-day entrances open four hours prior to kickoff. Parking and tailgating will be available in lots 5, 5A, 6, 7, 7A, 14, 18, 19, 23, 25, 27 and CRI 2 and 3. Decks available for parking are Union Deck, Cone Deck 1 and 2, West Deck and CRI Deck. On-campus residents not attending the game can park in East Deck 2 and 3 or North Deck.
LOT CONTRABAND Kegs, glass containers, drinking games, devices used to accelerate the consumption of alcohol, grills in parking decks and on brick pavers, open pit fires, staked tents, household furniture and animals are prohibited.
STADIUM CONTRABAND Tobacco products, other drugs, alcohol of all kinds and weaponry are prohibited.
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THE RECORD BOOK In the inaugural season for the Charlotte 49ers, the team already has plenty of accomplishments to add to their record book. LONGEST RUN
Alan Barnwell, 56 yards
MOST TACKLES FOR LOSS Nico Alcalde, 3 tackles Greg Cunningham Jr., 3 tackles Terry Caldwell, 3 tackles
LONGEST FIELD GOAL Blake Brewer, 43 yards
LONGEST KICKOFF RETURN Mikel Hunter, 96 yards
LONGEST PUNT
Brandon Strupp, 55 yards
MOST RECEIVING YARDS PER GAME Austin Duke, 128 yards
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MOST TACKLES
Martay Mattox, 18 tackles
MOST RUSHING YARDS PER GAME Alan Barnwell, 97 yards
MOST SOLO TACKLES
Caleb Clayton-Molby, 10 tackles Micah Bryan, 10 tackles
LONGEST PUNT RETURN Austin Duke, 22 yards
MOST TOUCHDOWNS ON THE SEASON Kalif Phillips, 7 touchdowns
LONGEST PASS RECEPTION Mikel Hunter, 53 yards
MOST INTERCEPTIONS
Terrance Winchester, 3 interceptions
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with MATT JOHNSON
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Niner Times Sports Editor, Libby Weihsmann, sat down with 49ers quarterback Matt Johnson to talk about his influences and what the season has been like for him. INTERVIEWED BY
LIBBY WEIHSMANN
PHOTOGRAPHED BY
CHRIS CREWS
What has it been like playing for a school with over 25,000 students? It was definitely a culture shock for me. When I got here, you’ve got over 25,000 students in a school, and I knew none of them really know a lot about football, and where I come from, football is a religion in Maiden. It kind of made me want to bring that here with the football team. It’s definitely a big adjustment, meeting new people. There’s a different kind of people that live down in Maiden. We’re all best friends. It’s almost just one big family. Coming here, it challenged me to reach out more.
Who inspired you to pursue football rather than any other sport? Actually, my dad. When I was 9-yearsold, I stopped playing soccer and I had never played football before. Soccer wasn’t doing it for me and I got here and found out that I’m a very aggressive kid who has a lot of emotional issues, so now I’m going to take it out on some people in a sport where I finally get to wear pads. I found out that it really clicked with me and was fun. I was very, very blessed. My dad played at Appalachian State in the 80s, but I had a lot of mentors in football. My middle school coach and even my rec ball coach, all my coaches are really great guys in my life who always saw that potential in me and kind of pushed me forward.
Johnson’s Individual Standings in the FCS National Poll
9th in touchdown passes with 19 on the season 14th in total offense averaging 287.3 yards per game 16th in passing yards averaging 255.4 yards per game GOLDRUSH
18th in passing yards with 2,043 total yards 19th in completions per game averaging 21.63 completed passes per game
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“I found out that [football] really clicked with me and was fun. I was very, very blessed.” -MATT JOHNSON
Matt Johnson Quick Facts
You’re close with your family. How is it having them at every game since you don’t see them often?
Originally from Maiden, N.C. Born Feb. 14, 1994
The longest time I spent from home was the first six weeks of football and it really did a toll on me because I am home person, you know I’ve been there a lot. They offer the biggest support. My sister drives from Appalachian State to come to most of the games when she can. I’m truly blessed to have two parents in my life that’ll do that for me and always put their time in me to make sure I’m comfortable and that I’m not stressing in any way, so it’s awesome.
Has one sister Majoring in Business Marketing at UNC Charlotte Signed with the 49ers on Feb. 1, 2012
What is your thought process going into each week facing a new team? One place where we have been consistent has been how we prepare for teams this week and every week. We have to be able to transfer that to Saturdays as consistently as we do throughout the week.
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For a full game review and photo slideshow from the Charlotte 49ers home football game against Wesley College on Saturday, Nov. 9, visit us online after the game at
Enrolled students are able to receive a free ticket to each regular season home game in three easy steps.
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request
Ticket request is available at the Official Ticketing Site of the Charlotte 49ers about six days before the game.
claim
Students can claim the ticket 48 hours after the initial request. This time will vary depending on the number of students who request tickets for the specific game and availability of tickets.
Immediately after claiming the ticket, students are encouraged to print the ticket directly from the ticketing webpage.
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GAME BREAKDOWN
The Charlotte 49ers host the Wesley College Wolverines for the last home game of the season on Nov. 9 at 12 p.m. MATT CHAPMAN
ASST. SPORTS EDITOR
The Charlotte 49ers will battle the Wesley Wolverines in the final home game of their inaugural season. While this game may seem like a mismatch on paper, the Wolverines are ranked No. 23 amongst all Division III programs in the nation and shouldn’t be taken lightly by the 49ers. Charlotte has experienced their fair share of ups and downs throughout a 2013 season in which they’ve hovered right around the .500 mark throughout the majority of the year. Aside from a thrilling 53-51 victory over the Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs, the 49ers haven’t been involved in a close game all season. Charlotte’s four wins this season have come by an average of 27.75 points while in their four losses on the year they’ve been outscored by an average of 24.75 points. Three of the four losses the 49ers have suffered this season have come against top25 opponents.
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Charlotte dropped road contests against the James Madison Dukes and Charleston Southern Buccaneers who are ranked No. 23 and No. 18 respectively amongst FCS programs. The 49ers also lost a tough one in their inaugural homecoming game against the UNC Pembroke Braves who are ranked No. 19 at the Division II level. While Wesley hasn’t quite faced the same level of competition that Charlotte has, they have been impressive winning six of their eight games so far in 2013. The Wolverines have struggled a bit away from the comforts of their home stadium as both of their losses this season have come on the road against Mary Hardin-Baylor and Rowan. This game will be a matchup of two high-powered offenses that like to march up and down the field using a balanced mixture of running and passing. The 49ers run their offense at a breakneck speed that has allowed them to put
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up an average of 31.6 points per game in 2013. Charlotte is very balanced on the offensive side of the ball. The 49ers have run the ball 309 times on the season and average 175.1 rushing yards per game. Charlotte has thrown the ball just 292 times this year but they average 262.4 passing yards per contest, which ranks 22nd best amongst all FCS schools. Redshirt freshman quarterback Matt Johnson has put up impressive numbers at the helm of this 49ers offense. Johnson has completed 62.5 percent of his passes while throwing for 2,043 yards with 19 passing touchdowns and just nine interceptions. Johnson has also shown that he isn’t afraid to put his shoulder down and run the football. He’s frequently taken many hard hits instead of sliding, which he plans to practice before the next season. Johnson has racked up 255 rushing yards on the season to go along with one touchdown on the ground. Johnson’s success this season has been aided by a trio of dangerous wide receivers placed at his disposal. Redshirt freshman Austin Duke, true freshman Trent Bostick and redshirt senior Mikel Hunter have all put up spectacular numbers for Charlotte. Duke leads the 49ers in receiving yards with 561 on the season. He also has 47 catches and has six touchdowns. Bostick is right behind Duke with 528 receiving yards on the season with 36 catches and four touchdowns. True freshman Kalif Phillips leads the
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49ers in rushing touchdowns with six. The Wolverines are no slouch on the offensive end either. Wesley has scored at a clip of 28.9 points per game so far throughout the 2013 season. The Wolverines have averaged 384.4 yards per contest this year with 119.1 of those coming on the ground and the remaining 265.2 coming through the air. Both defenses could run into some trouble trying to slow down the opposing offenses on Saturday afternoon. The 49ers defense has given up an average of 30.1 points per game throughout their first eight contests but this may be a bit misleading considering how often they are on the field. Opponents have run 646 total plays against the Charlotte defense this season thanks in large part to the up-tempo style of offense the 49ers have implemented. Charlotte’s defense, despite giving up so many points, is one of the most dangerous defenses in the FCS. The 49ers have forced a total of 25 turnovers this season which ranks second best in the nation behind only Sacred Heart. Wolverines ball carriers better keep both hands on the football. Charlotte has forced 14 fumbles on the season, more than any other FCS team. The Wolverines are a dangerous, ballhawking team much like the 49ers. Wesley has 18 interceptions on the season and has scored four defensive touchdowns. The Wolverines have terrorized opposing quarterbacks all year allowing just 201.9 passing yards per game while also racking up 31 sacks.
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