CHARLOTTE – The Charlotte 49ers secured their most decisive conference win in program history Saturday, defeating East Carolina 55-24 at Jerry Richardson Stadium in front of 17,102 fans.
The 49ers’ offense operated with precision from the start, opening with back-to-back touchdown drives for the first time under head coach Biff Poggi. Running back Cartevious Norton scored on an 11-yard rush, followed by Deshawn Purdie’s 1-yard touchdown run to give Charlotte an early 14-0 lead.
East Carolina responded with a 38-yard field goal by Noah Perez, but struggled to match Charlotte’s offensive output throughout the game. The Pirates did show signs of life in the second quarter when quarterback Jake Garcia connected with Tyler Savage for a 13-yard touchdown, Savage’s first career score.
Charlotte’s ground game proved unstoppable, with the 49ers rushing for six touchdowns, tying a program record set in 2013 against Morehead State. Hahsaun Wilson led the charge with 164 yards on 15 carries and three touchdowns, while Norton added 88 yards and two scores.
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| Charlotte's Hahsaun Wilson scores one of his three touchdowns Photo Credit: Ed Conway |
The 49ers’ quarterback Deshawn Purdie had his most productive game of the season, throwing for a career-high 206 yards. Purdie effectively utilized his receivers, connecting with Jairus Mack for gains of 32 and 23 yards to set up scoring opportunities.
Charlotte’s defense matched the offense’s intensity. Elijah Culp intercepted Garcia in the second quarter, leading to a Wilson touchdown that extended the lead. The defensive highlight came in the fourth quarter when Stone Handy returned an interception 53 yards for a touchdown, the third-longest interception return in program history and the longest ever by a Charlotte defensive lineman.
The Pirates’ offense showed occasional flashes, particularly in the run game. London Montgomery broke free for a 48-yard touchdown run in the third quarter, finishing with a team-high 56 yards on just three carries. Chase Sowell led East Carolina’s receivers with 82 yards on four receptions.
East Carolina’s special teams provided a bright spot late in the game when Winston Wright Jr. returned a kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. Wright finished the game with 161 all-purpose yards.
Charlotte’s Stephen Rusnak had a notable performance, scoring 13 points on two field goals and seven extra points, the second-highest point total for a kicker in program history.
The victory marked several milestones for Charlotte. The 55 points scored were the most under Coach Poggi and the fifth-highest in program history. The 31-point margin of victory ranks as the second-largest against a conference opponent. The win also gave Charlotte its first 2-0 start in conference play in program history.
For East Carolina, the loss dropped their record to 3-3 overall and 1-1 in conference play. Head coach Mike Houston’s record against Charlotte fell to 0-2.
Defensively, Charlotte held East Carolina to 343 total yards. The Pirates split quarterback duties, with Jake Garcia completing 6 of 8 passes for 111 yards, one touchdown, and one interception, while Katin Houser went 11 for 28 for 84 yards and an interception.
The game marked a significant shift in momentum for Charlotte, who had previously relied on comebacks for victories. This time, they controlled the game from start to finish, amassing 517 total yards of offense, including 311 on the ground.
On defense, Charlotte’s pressure was evident, with Lacota Dippre recording his first career sack. The 49ers’ defensive performance was particularly impressive in the first half, holding East Carolina to just 10 points while the offense built a 31-10 lead.
The Pirates’ defense struggled throughout the game, with Ja’Marley Riddle leading the unit with a career-high nine tackles. East Carolina’s defensive line managed only two sacks and five tackles for loss against Charlotte’s efficient offense.
The victory represents a significant step forward for Charlotte’s program under Poggi, demonstrating their ability to compete and win decisively in the American Athletic Conference. For East Carolina, the loss highlights areas needing improvement as they move deeper into their conference schedule.
Up Next
Both teams now enter their scheduled bye week. Charlotte (3-3, 2-0 AAC) will travel to face Navy on October 19, while East Carolina (3-3, 1-1 AAC) will head to West Point to face Army on the same date.
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