Photo Credit: Ryan Amstutz, Charlotte Athletics

I told everyone during the tailgate on Friday that I had no idea what to expect, and I can safely say, I didn't expect what we all saw. I wanted to see competency and competitiveness, and unfortunately Charlotte fell short in Head Coach Tim Albin's debut. The Niners fell to 0-4 against Appalachian State, and the series will continue for at least the next 5 seasons, with next years game on campus in the 704.

Good things I saw

• The tailgate scene was fantasitic over at the Normbulance, as always, as well at Clutch Pour House & Kitchen. Kudos to all involved in that.
• Special Teams, which graded out by PFF as the 34th best ST unit in Week 1, looked great.
• Ja'Qurious Conley looked great
• Charlotte's OL allowed 0 sacks

Bad things I saw

This is not meant to beat a dead horse, but its the first chance I've had to just put my thoughts down:

• Penalties, primarily on the offensive side. Charlotte could not get out of their own way, with either false starts or holding on the first play of a drive. it put them off schedule all night and it proved to be insurmountable.
• Connor Harrell is a running quarterback, and we did not see nearly enough of that from him. Did App State simply take it away? If yes, we have to take advantage of that down the field. Did we just not call enough plays for him to run, or did he make wrong reads on read-option calls? Either way, if he's the guy, we have to find a way to maximize what he brings to the table.
• Pass Rush, where art thou? Per PFF, App ran 55 pass plays, Charlotte netted 1 sack. There were some hits on AJ Swann, but the Niners just couldn't get to him in time, and Charlotte paid for it repeatedly.

Rankings

ESPN just dropped their Bottom 10, and Charlotte is 9th. UNC Chapel BHill is 10th, setting up quite the matchup Saturday Night at Jerry Richardson Stadium.

The Athletic has Charlotte at 127. ESPN FPI has Charlotte at 128, last in the AAC and projected at 2.8 wins.

Up Next

As mentioned, Charlotte hosts UNC-CH this Saturday night at 7pm, and will be available on ESPN+. For the second time in history, Charlotte will have temporary seating brought in, and limited seating is available. The First 49 is working with the UNC CHarlotte Alumni Association and will be collecting school supplies at the Normbulance's tailgate this Saturday. Due to expansion efforts, the tailgate location has changed. We will be anchored beside the PORTAL building, in a lot opposite of Grigg Hall.