Charlotte football blows second-half lead, falls to Middle Tennessee in Conference USA tilt

In what was a very winnable game for Charlotte, Middle Tennessee’s defense stifled the 49ers, pitching a second-half shutout on its way to a 24-14 victory.

Despite committing four fumbles and an interception, the Blue Raiders’ offense did just enough to keep their bowl hopes alive and fend off the visiting 49ers. Prior to Saturday’s contest, the Blue Raiders (5-5, 2-4 Conference USA) were undefeated when tailback Frank Peasant found the end zone. Peasant scored twice in the victory, including a 13-yard scamper to ice the game late.

Charlotte (2-9, 1-6) had its chances to score its third and final road victory of the season, but more untimely miscues and special teams woes resulted in more of the same — another heartbreaking loss.

“Aggressiveness was definitely not the issue. It was poor execution on our part. Bad play-calls and bad execution,” interim head coach Pete Rossomando said after the game.

With starting quarterback Chase Cunningham sidelined with injury, backup Nicholas Vattiato started for the Blue Raiders, completing 22 of 29 passes for 203 yards and an interception. Middle Tennessee was without five offensive starters, but strung together 17 unanswered points in the final 30 minutes to secure the win.

Charlotte wideout Elijah Spencer started the game’s scoring, walking in untouched from 1 yard out on a quick pass from Reynolds. The Blue Raiders answered, driving 70 yards in 11 plays to knot the score at seven on the legs of Peasant from 1 yard out.

Reynolds’ second touchdown of the evening found Grant Dubose, reeling in his ninth touchdown of the season from 24-yards out to give the 49ers the lead.

Charlotte’s defense turned in one of its best performances of the season. A strip-sack by Amir Siddiq and Solomon Rogers’ first career interception on consecutive possessions kept Charlotte afloat in the first half, but the offense never found a rhythm.

Reynolds finished 28 of 49 for 277 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. DuBose caught nine of his 19 targets for a season-high 112 yards and a touchdown. Spencer and DuBose are tied for the program record in touchdown catches with nine each.

PRESSURE, FINALLY

For the first time this season, the Charlotte 49ers’ front four consistently wreaked havoc. And it still wasn’t enough.

Charlotte’s defense brought the energy in the first half, playing easily its best 30 minutes of football to this point in the season, notching four sacks, three forced fumbles, two takeaways and allowed just seven points and 155 yards.

Amir Siddiq nearly doubled his sack total on the season (three), with 2.5 sacks, 3.5 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles in the victory. Markees Watts recorded seven tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, a sack, forced fumble and fumble recovery in the loss.

“Amir played great. I think he sees the sand going through the hourglass right now, and he’s going to continue to play hard,” Rossomando said about Siddiq. “That’s one thing about Amir, is he doesn’t let circumstances affect how he goes out and plays. I was proud of him for doing that today.”

Despite allowing just 306 yards and winning the time-of-possession battle by more than five minutes, Charlotte couldn’t pull off the upset.

UNTIMELY MISCUES

The special teams’ struggles started for the 49ers on the game’s opening drive, with Antonio Zita’s 29-yard attempt being blocked, the first of two blocks on the evening for the Blue Raiders.

Charlotte looked to have control early, leading 14-7 at the break. The game changed when Shadrick Byrd was stopped just shy of a first down, forcing the 49ers to punt. Disaster struck on the ensuing play when Marley Cook blocked the 49ers’ punt, and Jordan Ferguson scooped up the loose ball and walked in to knot the score at 14.

“Ninety percent of the teams that block a punt win the game. That was absolutely the turning point in the game,” said Rossomando.

After scoring two first-half touchdowns, offensive coordinator Mark Carney’s play-calling was conservative in the final 30 minutes. The 49ers had five different ball carriers on the game, none of which were Calvin Camp, the last 49er to rush for 100 yards — against the Blue Raiders a season ago.

The nail in the coffin came with just under seven minutes to play, when Charlotte faced a crucial fourth-and-1 in Middle Tennessee territory, trailing by a touchdown. Center Ashton Gist was called for a snap infraction, pushing Charlotte back 5 yards. Reynolds’ pass to DuBose would be broken up by Decorian Patterson, resulting in a turnover on downs. The 49ers finished the game 1 of 4 on fourth down.

“After last week, (the team) could’ve easily packed it in and started getting ready for 2023. But they worked really hard, and we’ll do it again next week for our final game,” Rossomando said. “We’ve got seven days. Anybody can do it for seven days. These guys have been resilient all year. Every day makes me excited to get up in the morning and go in there and work with these guys. I’m fired up for them for one last game. Obviously, hate the outcome of this game, but you’ve got to tip your hat to Middle Tennessee.”

Louisiana Tech will travel to the Queen City next Saturday, Nov. 19, for the 49ers’ senior day. Reynolds, Victor Tucker, Gist, Watts and 16 other seniors will be honored in front of the home crowd. Charlotte hasn’t won a game at Richardson Stadium in over a calendar year and has one final chance to break the streak in 2022.