Photo credit: Charlotte Football

Biff Poggi and the Charlotte 49ers have stumbled out of the blocks with an 0-2 start and have been hampered by injuries. None of that matters Saturday when Gardner-Webb comes to town. It's a must-win, Charlotte cannot afford an 0-3 start with a road game looming at Indiana (Hoosiers have outscored opponents 108-10 through two games), and then a road game at Rice to begin conference play.

The Runnin' Bulldogs come to town with an 0-2 record as well, losing week one to Wofford (21-20), and to James Madison in week two by a score of 13-6, with JMU having a late Fourth-and-Goal stop to keep Gardner-Webb from tying it up. GW more than cut JMU's point production in half (Charlotte lost 30-7 to JMU) and allowed 120 less total yards. As Charlotte fans, we've seen first-hand in Jerry Richardson Stadium what an incoming FCS team can do in recent history, when William & Mary came in Charlotte and manhandled a Will Healy team (box score). Charlotte should be favored and more talented, but that will mean nothing come 6pm on Saturday evening.

With Biff Poggi reaffirming that starting Quarterback Max Brown will be out for at least this game (source), all eyes fall to true Freshman DeShawn Purdie, who flashed at times when thrust into action at Chapel Hill, going 9-19 for 134 yards and 2 touchdowns. Charlotte and Mike Miller must find a way to ignite the running game. Two games in and averaged 3.21 yards per carry, toting it 56 times for only 180 yards. Poggi has talked about winning games up front, and Charlotte's offensive line has to find a way to create running lanes for the CLT backs.

What I Hope to See

1. Charlotte needs a jolt of good vibes. It's all fine and well to say the team is significantly better than last season, but this is a results-oriented business, and yes, it's a business for the players now too. Injuries are a part of the game, Charlotte should against Gardner-Webb, so there's not baked in excuse here if Charlotte fails on Saturday night.
   
2. Run the Damn ball. As previously mentioned, the ground game has not materialized through the first two games of the season. The line is big, but they have to find more push on Saturday night.
   
3. Create havoc in the backfield. Charlotte's defense is led by their front seven, they need to impose their will and try to make GW one-dimensional.