49ers Football Are Mining a New Path
CHARLOTTE, NC – A 28-25 win against Old Dominion University marks the second time in school history that UNC Charlotte Football has won two of their first three games. The 49ers were led by junior running back Benny LeMay (25 rush attempts, 93 yards) & redshirt freshman quarterback Chris Reynolds (23-34, 202 yards passing & two passing touchdowns) on the offensive end. On defense, junior linebacker Anthony Butler led the team with 11 tackles & redshirt senior linebacker Juwan Foggie & junior safety Marquavis Gibbs both had an interception.
Even though the 49ers outnumbered ODU in major statistical categories such as total yards (378-338), TOP (38:17-21:43) & turnovers (2-1), the Monarchs were able to hang in the game until the very end. Still, 49ers head coach Brad Lambert was happy with the way his team played coming off a short week.
“The game you know I thought went pretty much the way I wanted it to go. We made some good plays all the way across the board,” said Lambert.
The 49ers’ locker room is in high spirits after this game, as they should be. They were able to make the big plays when needed. That’s something that couldn’t be said in years past.
“That (finishing) was a big emphasis this year. Getting those turnovers and executing,” said Foggie.
The 49ers showed a tremendous amount of poise throughout the game and were never rattled. Even when trailing 18-13 in the 3rd quarter, Reynolds and the 49ers offense responded with an incredible 13 play, 75 yards & 5:59 TOP touchdown drive.
“When a team scores, you can’t let the momentum swing like that. So my job as a quarterback is to make sure our players are ready to roll, to drive down the field and answer right away,” said Reynolds.
The Monarchs (0-3, 0-2 C-USA) look to bounce back from today’s lost against Virginia Tech on Sat, 9/22.
The 49ers (2-1, 1-0 C-USA) look to carry their momentum into their first road game of the season against UMass on Sat, 9/22. In the words of Butler,
“I just can’t wait.”