The 2021 Charlotte 49ers football team represented the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The 49ers played their home games at Jerry Richardson Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, and competed in the East Division of Conference USA (C–USA). They were led by third-year head coach Will Healy.
Coaching staff On December 29, 2020 offensive line coach Lee Grimes left to take the same position at Kansas. On February 2, Texas co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Herb Hand was named to the same position at Charlotte. By February 18, he accepted a position on Gus Malzahn's new staff at UCF. On February 3, wide receivers coach Montario Hardesty joined the South Carolina staff as running backs coach. On February 9, tight ends coach Cody Woodiel returned to the Oregon Ducks as recruiting director. On February 15, South Carolina receivers coach and Charlotte native Joe Cox was named the 49ers' tight ends coach. On February 18 Ridge View High School head coach Perry Parks was brought on to coach wide receivers. On March 3, former NCAA Division II coach of the Year Pete Rossomando came on board to coach offensive line. On June 30, Tyler Hancock joined the staff as special teams coordinator after working as a senior analyst for West Virginia.
Name Position Seasons atCharlotte Alma mater Will Healy Head coach 3 Richmond (2008) Marcus West Assistant Head coach/co-Defensive coordinator/Defensive line 3 Memphis (2005) Mark Carney Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach 3 Fordham (2004) Brandon Cooper Co-Defensive coordinator/Safeties 3 UT Martin (2007) Adam Braithwaite Linebackers coach 2 William and Mary (2002) Joe Cox Tight ends coach 1 Georgia (2009) Sean Dawkins Runningbacks coach/Run game coordinator 3 Troy (2007) Tyler Hancock Special teams coordinator 1 Kentucky Wesleyan (2012) Eddie Hicks Cornerbacks coach 3 So Miss (2010) Pete Rossomando Offensive line coach 1 Boston U. (1995) Perry Parks Wide receivers coach 1 Coastal (2007)Reference:
Recruiting
Position key
HalfbackHBCenterCCornerbackCBDefensive backDBDefensive endDEDefensive linemanDLDefensive tackleDTEndEFullbackFBGuardGHalfbackHBKickerKKickoff returnerKROffensive tackleOTOffensive linemanOLLinebackerLBLong snapperLSPunterPPunt returnerPRQuarterbackQBRunning backRBSafetySTight endTEWide receiverWR
Recruiting class The following recruits and transfers have signed letters of intent or verbally committed to the Charlotte 49ers football program for the 2021 recruiting year.
Key transfers Player PositionPreviousHome townHigh schoolClassHeightWeightJon AlexanderSafetyKansasFort Worth, TXTrimble TechGrad6'-3"210 lbsJoshua BaileyDefensive tackleIowa St.Jacksonville, FLWilliam Raines HSR-SR6'-2"300 lbsShadrick ByrdRunningbackIowaAlabaster, ALThompson HSR-SO5'-10"210 lbsJames FosterQuarterbackTexas A&MMontgomery, ALSidney Lanier HSR-SO6'-2"210 lbsDavondre RobinsonSafetyECUHolly Hill, SCLake Marion HSGrad6'-0"200 lbsKofi WardlowDefensive endNotre DameWashington, D.C.St. John's HSGrad6'-3"250 lbsJustin WhisenhuntLinebackerTroyBirmingham, ALRamsay HSGrad6'-1"225 lbs
Players
Roster
Depth chart
Awards and honors Preseason Maxwell AwardChris ReynoldsQBRSRWuerffel TrophyPeter AgabeLBRSRJohnny Unitas Golden Arm AwardChris ReynoldsQBRSRSenior BowlTyler MurrayLBRSR
In season
Manning AwardChris ReynoldsQBRSRBurlsworth Trophy SemifinalistChris ReynoldsQBRSR
Conference USA Offensive Player of the WeekChris ReynoldsQBRSRDukeConference USA Offensive Player of the WeekChris ReynoldsQBRSRMiddle TennesseeConference USA Special Teams Player of the WeekShadrick ByrdRBRSOFIU
Postseason
C-USA Freshman of the YearElijah SpencerWRFRC-USA All-Academic TeamChris ReynoldsQBRSRC-USA All-Freshman TeamShadrick ByrdRBRFRC-USA All-Freshman TeamShadrick ByrdKRRFRC-USA All-Freshman TeamElijah SpencerWRFRC-USA All-Freshman TeamBailey RicePFR
All Conference Honorable Mentions:
Offense: QB – Chris Reynolds, R-Sr. • TE – Ryan Carriere, Gr. • WR – Grant DuBose, So. • OL – Ashton Gist, Sr. • OL – Hunter Kelly, Gr.
Defense: DE – Markees Watts, R-Sr. • LB – Tyler Murray, R-Sr.
Special Teams: KR – Shadrick Byrd, R-Fr. • LS – Cameron Lyons, Gr.
Schedule
Television Charlotte 49ers home games and conference road games will be broadcast through Conference USA's television partners ESPN, CBS Sports, and Stadium.
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 alongside NFL veteran Al Wallace providing color commentary and Bobby Rosinski and Walker Mehl with sideline reports.
Preseason media poll
Conference USA released their preseason media poll on July 19, 2021, with the 49ers predicted to finish in fourth place in the East Division.
East Division 1 Marshall 2 Florida Atlantic 3 Western Kentucky 4 Charlotte 5 Middle Tennessee 6 FIU 7 Old Dominion
Game summaries Duke
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Following the previous year's drubbing in Durham, the 49ers were looking to regain their pride against the Blue Devils in the first full stadium home game since the 2019 season. The 49ers would score first in the first quarter on a Grant DuBose reception from Chris Reynolds and pad their lead early in the second quarter on a Jonathan Cruz 32 yard field goal. But the Blue Devils would find the endzone midway through the quarter and then take their first lead near the end of the half behind Mataeo Durant's first of three rushing touchdowns to take a 14 to 10 lead into the locker rooms.
Charlotte would regain the lead in the third quarter only to lose it again early in the fourth quarter. With three minutes left Charlotte would again take the lead only to see the Blue Devils again on top of the scoreboard with less than two minutes in regulation. Reynolds would then orchestrate a seven-play drive downfield that resulted in an eleven-yard touchdown pass to Shadrick Byrd with only thirty-three seconds left on the clock. With time expired Duke attempted a hook-and-ladder play, but the 49ers would stop it cold and gain their first victory over a Power 5 and ACC opponent in program history.
Top performances for the game included Charlotte's Chris Reynolds, who threw for 324 yards and three touchdowns. Duke's Mataeo Durant had 29 carries for 255 yards and 3 touchdowns. The 49er's Victor Tucker had 8 receptions for 133 yards. Charlotte's Grant DuBose also had 118 yards receiving with two touchdowns in his 49ers debut.
Game notes:
Charlotte's first victory over a Power 5 conference team and a team from the ACC. First time the 49ers have hosted a Power 5 conference team. The win was also Coach Healy's first victory over a Power 5 opponent. Chris Reynold's is now 39 yards away from breaking Matt Johnson's all-time passing record (5405 yards). Reynolds is also chasing Johnson's all-time passing touchdowns record, just 3 shy of Johnson's 42 career TDs. Reynolds was named Conference USA Offensive Player of the Week. Markees Watts' single sack placed him a half-sack away from Larry Ogunjobi's (13.0) number 2 spot on the 49ers all-time sack record. Alex Highsmith has the current career sack record with 20.0. Charlotte received votes for the first time in the National Coaches Poll after the win. 2nd game in the series since 2020 (Tied 1–1).
Gardner–Webb
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The 49ers were looking to build off of the previous week's success by dominating local rival Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs. Charlotte would find the endzone first and never really looked back as they were able to hold Gardner-Webb to 10 total points of offense. Charlotte's bend-but-don't-break defense allowed GWU to move the ball down the field but was able to frustrate most of the Runnin' Bulldogs' scoring attempts as the 49ers walked away with a 38 to 10 home victory.
Top performances of the game included the 49ers' Chris Reynolds who threw for 103 yards and a touchdown with 2 interceptions. Gardner-Webb's Narii Gaither had 16 carries for 82 yards and a touchdown. The Runnin' Bulldogs' Justin Franklin had 4 receptions for 53 yards.
Game notes:
Chris Reynolds would connect to his favorite receiver of 4 years Victor Tucker on a 28 yard pass in the 3rd quarter to move into 1st place all-time on the 49ers passing yardage board. He'd finish the game with 5,469 career passing yards, moving past previous record holder Matt Johnson's 5,405 yards. Reynolds is now 2 passing touchdowns away from tying Johnson's career touchdown passes record (42). Markees Watts' sack in this game moved him past Larry Ogunjobi into second place on the 49ers career sacks list with 13.5 sacks. 4th game in the series since 2013, (Char. 3–1)
Georgia State
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Rain and slick conditions would help turn this matchup into a ground and pound event dominated be defense. Charlotte would score first in the second quarter but Georgia State would tie it up moving into halftime.
The second half resulted in Charlotte retaking the lead on an intention grounding safety, but the Panthers would retake the lead before the end of the quarter. The 4th quarter was more of the same running game for both teams but Georgia State was able to find their running game rhythm and would put the game out of reach on a final touchdown with less than two minutes to go in the contest.
Georgia State dominated the top performances with Darren Grainger passing for 139 yards, 2 touchdowns and an interception. Running back Dustin Coates had 4 carries for 83 yards. Jamari Thrash had 2 receptions for 62 yards and a touchdown.
Game notes:
The 2nd quarter touchdown pass from Chris Reynolds to Elijah Spencer was Reynolds' 41st career pass. He was one touchdown pass away from tying the 49ers career passing TD leader Matt Johnson (42). Jonathan Cruz broke the record for consecutive PATs, passing Blake Brewer's record of 46. The 49ers' first visit to Center Parc Stadium. The previous meeting in Atlanta took place in the Georgia Dome. 3rd game in the series since 2015, (GAST 2–1)
Middle Tennessee
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Charlotte would score first only to have Middle Tennessee tie it up before a go ahead touchdown would again give the 49ers the lead. In the 2nd quarter the Blue Raiders would tie the game up again and take their first lead into halftime off a field goal.
Charlotte and Middle Tennessee would again swap leads in the 3rd quarter with the 49ers up heading into the 4th quarter. The 49ers would stretch their lead to 11 points early in the 4th only to see the Blue Raiders cut the lead down to 3 points after a successful two-point conversion. Charlotte would then tack on another touchdown only to see the Blue Raiders again cut the lead to 3 points with slightly more than 2 minutes left in the game, but Middle Tennessee's on-sides kick attempt would fail and with no time outs left the 49ers were able to take a knee to their 3rd home victory of the season.
Top performers of the game included Middle Tennessee's Chase Cunningham who passed for 379 yards and 5 touchdowns. The 49ers' Chris Reynolds would match Cunningham's touchdown performance with 339 yards of passing with 4 passing touchdowns and a 1 yard rushing touchdown. Charlotte's Calvin Camp had 12 carries for 101 yards and a touchdown. The 49ers' Grant DuBose had 9 receptions for 14 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Game notes:
Chris Reynold's 4 passing touchdowns in the game moved him past Matt Johnson (42) with 45 career touchdown passes making him the new career passing leader. Reynolds also added a rushing touchdown for 5 total touchdowns in the game. Reynold's received his 2nd Conference USA Offensive Player of the Week award for the season. Grant DuBose (114 receiving), Victor Tucker (108 receiving), and Clavin Camp (101 rushing) all had 100 yard performances in the game. 6th game in the series since 2015, (MT 4–2).
Illinois
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