The 2018 Charlotte 49ers football team represented the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The 49ers played their home games at Jerry Richardson Stadium in Charlotte, NC, and competed in the East Division of Conference USA (C–USA). They were led by sixth-year head coach Brad Lambert. They finished the season 5–7, 4–4 in C-USA play to finish in fourth place in the East Division.
On November 18, head coach Brad Lambert was fired. He was allowed to stay on to coach their final game of the season. Lambert, who was the first and only coach Charlotte had in their history to that point, finished with a six-year record of 22–48.
On December 5, Charlotte hired Austin Peay head coach Will Healy for the job.
Coaching staff
Following the disappointing one win season, there was speculation that Brad Lambert would be released. Charlotte Chancellor Phillip Dubois and athletics director Judy Rose issued a statement just days after the final game informing the community that Lambert would be retained for the following season. Lambert shook up his staff, firing defensive coordinator Matt Wallerstedt, quarterbacks coach and former offensive coordinator Jeff Mullen and receivers coach Damien Gary. Greg Adkins had replaced Mullen as offensive coordinator mid-season but went back to only having responsibility for the offensive line and running backs and would soon resign to join the staff at conference rival Marshall. Before the end of the year Youngstown State offensive coordinator and former Miami of Ohio head coach Shawn Montgomery would be called in to serve as the 49ers' play caller on offense. In February, former Oklahoma State defensive coordinator Glenn Spencer took the same position on the 49ers' staff. Charlie Shalaski took over responsibility for receivers at the same time. A week later Howard co-defensive coordinator Chip West would join the staff to serve as co-defensive coordinator with Spencer, with Spencer being responsible for linebackers and West being in charge of Cornerbacks. Graduate assistant Brad Queen would move up to the coaching staff to coach defensive tackles. Former Tulane head coach Chris Scelfo joined the staff before the Spring Game to serve as the 49ers offensive line coach and run game coordinator. James Adams's promotion to assistant head coach before the Spring Game rounded out the staff changes for the upcoming 2018 season.
Name Position Seasons atCharlotte Alma mater Brad Lambert Head coach/Defensive line 6 Kansas State (1987) Shane Montgomery Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks 1 NC State (1989) Glenn Spencer Co-Defensive coordinator/linebackers 1 Georgia Tech (1987) Chip West Co-Defensive coordinator/Cornerbacks 1 Livingston College (1993) James Adams Assistant Head coach/Safeties 6 Wake Forest (2006) Ulrick Edmonds Recruiting coordinator/Defensive Ends 3 James Madison (2001) Keith Henry Running backs 2 Catawba College (1989) Brad Queen Defensive tackles 3 Kentucky Christian (2011) Johnson Richardson Tight ends 6 Wofford (2010) Chris Scelfo offensive line/run game coordinator 1 UL-Monroe (1986) Charlie Skalaski Receivers/Special teams 2 Florida (1978)Reference:
Recruiting
Recruiting class
The following recruits and transfers have signed letters of intent or verbally committed to the Charlotte 49ers football program for the 2018 recruiting year.
Players
Roster
Awards and honors
Preseason
Wuerffel TrophyJuwan FoggieLBSRPreseason All-Conference USA TeamBen DeLucaDBJR
In-Season
Conference USA Special Teams Player of the WeekJonathan CruzKFRAppalachian StateConference USA Defensive Player of the WeekJuwan FoggieLBSRWestern KentuckyConference USA Special Teams Player of the WeekJonathan CruzKFRSouthern MissConference USA Defensive Player of the WeekAlex HighsmithDERJRTennesseeConference USA Special Teams Player of the WeekJonathan CruzKFRFlorida AtlanticPFF National Team of the WeekAlex HighsmithDERJRFlorida AtlanticCollege Sports Madness Conference USA Defensive Player of the WeekAlex HighsmithDERJRFlorida Atlantic
Post-season
2019 Reese's Senior BowlNate DavisOLRSRCoSIDA Google Cloud First Team all-Academic District 3Tyriq HarrisDERJRConference USA all-Academic TeamTyriq HarrisDERSR
2018 all-C-USA Freshman Football TeamPlayerPositionRico ArnoldWRJonathan CruzKHenry SeguraLBVictor TuckerWR
2018 all-Conference USA Football TeamSelectionPlayerPositionYearFirst TeamAlex HighsmithDERJRSecond TeamBenny LeMayRBJRSecond TeamNate DavisOLRSRSecond TeamJuwan FoggieLBRSRSecond TeamJonathan CruzKFRHonorable MentionChris PhillipsTERSRHonorable MentionTyriq HarrisDERJRHonorable MentionBen DeLucaDBJR 2018 PFF all-Conference USA Football TeamSelectionPlayerPositionYearFirst TeamAlex HighsmithDERJRFirst TeamCameron ClarkOLRJRFirst TeamJonathan CruzKFRFirst TeamDen DeLucaDBJR 2018 Phil Steele Publications all-Conference USA Football TeamSelectionPlayerPositionYearFirst TeamBenny LeMayRBJRFirst TeamNate DavisOLRSRSecond TeamAlex HighsmithDERJRSecond TeamJuwan FoggieLBRSRSecond TeamJonathan CruzKFRThird TeamJeff GemmellLBRJRThird TeamTyriq HarrisDERJRThird TeamBen DeLucaDBJR
Player gameday honors
Wearing Jersey #49 Position Game Brian McDonoughLong SnapperFordhamTimmy HorneDefensive LinemanAppalachian StateAlex HighsmithDefensive LinemanOld DominionChris BrownOffensive linemanMassachusettsChris Phillips Tight end UABJeff GemmellLinebackerWestern KentuckyHasaan KlughQuarterbackMiddle TennesseeTyler FainDefensive LinemanSouthern MissCameron ClarkOffensive linemanTennesseeTyriq HarrisDefensive LinemanMarshallNate DavisOffensive linemanFIUHasaan KlughQuarterbackFAUReference:
Depth chart
Schedule
Television
Charlotte 49ers home games and conference road games will be broadcast through Conference USA's television partners ESPN, CBS Sports, Stadium, beIN, and Facebook Watch. Additional games will be available locally in the Charlotte TV market on WCCB.
Radio
Radio coverage for all games is broadcast by IMG College through the Charlotte 49ers Radio Network flagship station WZGV ESPN Radio 730 AM The Game, 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 Mondays.
Preseason media poll Conference USA released their preseason media poll on July 17, 2018, with the 49ers predicted to finish in last place in the East Division.
Game summaries
Fordham Rams
Sources:
Lightning delayed the start of the game for over an hour and both teams started off slowly after the delay. Charlotte took a one score lead into the halftime period, which saw another lightning delay force a temporary evacuation of the stadium. Fordham would get the score down to a field goal difference, but the Charlotte offense would finally pull away late with three consecutive touchdowns to end the game nearly five and a half hours after its scheduled start time.
Top performances for the game were narrowly dominated by the 49ers. Quarterback Chris Reynolds threw for 267 yards and a touchdown. Rusher Benny LeMay had 25 carries for 135 yards and two touchdowns. Victor Tucker had 7 receptions for 127 yards and a touchdown.
Game notes:
First Lightning delayed game in program history. First time Jerry Richardson Stadium had to be evacuated.
Appalachian State Mountaineers
Sources:
These two in-state schools met for the first time on the gridiron in this clash that saw high local interest. App, coming off a near upset win at ranked Penn State the previous weekend wanted to make a statement. They kept the Niners out of the endzone for the entire game. All nine of the Niners points came in the second quarter and from greater than 46 yards away off the foot of Jonathan Cruz. The game was still in reach at halftime, but three second half touchdowns sealed the victory for the Mountaineers.
Top performers for the game include App State quarterback Zach Thomas, who passed for 295 yards and two touchdowns. Both teams defenses were stingy on the ground. App's Jalin Moore and Charlotte's Benny LeMay had similar rushing states with Moore having 11 carries for 38 yards, and LeMay getting 35 yards on 7 carries. App's Corey Xavier Sutton had 3 receptions for 155 yards and two touchdowns.
Game notes:
For the first time, temporary bleachers were brought in to meet high game ticket demand. A new Jerry Richardson Stadium attendance record was set at 19,151. First meeting between these in-state schools. Kicker Jonathan Cruz was named the Conference USA Special Teams Player of the week.
Old Dominion Monarchs
Sources:
Due to the expected effects of Hurricane Florence along the eastern seaboard this game, originally scheduled for Saturday, September 15, was moved up two days earlier to Thursday, September 13. Both teams would trade scores throughout the game but Charlotte would finish with the most to secure the conference opener victory and end the three-game season-opening home stand at two wins, one loss.
Top performers for the game were Charlotte quarterback Chris Reynolds who threw for 202 yards and two touchdowns. Old Dominions' Lala Davis rushed for 63 yards on 25 carriers earning two touchdowns. The Monarch' Jonathan Duhart had 7 receptions for 127 yards and a touchdown.
Game notes:
First weather advanced game in program history. First win for the 49ers against their C-USA East Division rival Monarchs.
Massachusetts Minutemen
Sources:
Charlotte's first visit to the State of Massachusetts didn't go quite as they had planned. Giving up a devastating three touchdowns in the first three and a half minutes of the game, including an opening kickoff 93-yard return, a fumble recovery which one play later added another touchdown for the Minutemen, and a blocked punt that three plays later added the third UMass touchdown, would prove insurmountable for the Niners to overcome. Though the Niners would eventually find their offense and trade scores with the Minutement for the final three quarters of the game, the four first quarter touchdowns the Niners gave up proved to be the difference in the final score.
Top performers for the game included Charlotte quarterback Chris Reynolds, who passed for 283 yards and three touchdowns. UMass rusher Marquis Young had 12 carries for 77 yards and two touchdowns. The Minutemen's' Andy Isabella had 6 receptions for 85 yards and a touchdown.
Game notes:
First game for the program in the State of Massachusetts.
UAB Blazers
Sources:
Though a mostly defensive struggle, the eventual C-USA Champions never let the Niners get into their offensive groove, denying them a scoring chance until the fourth quarter. UAB would get the home win to avenge their previous season loss to the Niners, which had been the Niners' only win the previous season.
UAB quarterback A.J. Erdely passed for 214 yards and a touchdown. The Blazers' Spencer Brown had 18 carries for 68 yards and two touchdowns. Blazers' receiver Andre Wilson made the most of his two catches with 67 yards and a touchdown.
Game notes:
First game in the State of Alabama in team history.
WKU Hilltoppers
Sources:
The struggling Hilltoppers rolled into Charlotte for the first time to take on the 49ers at home. The game was low scoring and close at halftime, but Charlotte soon found their offensive stride in the third quarter to put the game well out of reach.
Top performers for the game included Charlotte quarterback Chris Reynolds, who threw for 119 yards before a season-ending leg injury took him out of the game. Charlotte's Benny LeMay had 17 carries for 1231 yards and two touchdowns. Charlotte's Victor Tucker had 9 receptions for 91 yards.
Game notes: