The Charlotte 49ers look to start the 2017 season by continuing the momentum of a 2016 season which saw the upstart program win its first games in Conference USA. Charlotte opens the season at Eastern Michigan on Friday night.
Although the Green and White will be without the foundation-laying nucleus of the first class as stars Larry Ogunjobe, Austin Duke, and Kalif Phillips look to make their way in the NFL, the cupboard is certainly not bare for head coach Brad Lambert.
Returning quarterback Hassan Klugh will lead an offense that looks to add on its 25.2 points per game average. Key pieces to the offense this year will be the running back tandem of Benny LeMay and Robert Washington and trio of returning receivers in TL Ford, Workpeh Kofa, and Trent Bostick (who is returning from a 2016 redshirt). Looking to make room and give the offense time to work will be returning offensive linemen Nate Davis, Chris Brown, and Eugene German.
Defensively, the 49ers hope to improve a unit that gave up over 30 points a game last year. Returning to lead this charge will be linebackers Karrington King and Tyriq Harris along with defensive lineman Nick Carroll. Three returning defensive backs in Anthony Covington, Ben DeLuca and Ed Rolle will seek to shut down opposing receivers and pick off quarterbacks more than last year when Charlotte led Conference USA with a school-record 16 interceptions.
Charlotte at Eastern Michigan
Friday, Sept. 1, 2017 - 6:30 pm
Rynearson Stadium (30,200)
Ypsilanti, Mich.
Live Video: ESPN3
Dan Gutowsky, Mark Herrmann
Radio: Charlotte IMG Network/730 The Game
Matt Swierad, Kevin Donnalley, Bobby Rosinski
Series Record: EMU leads, 1-0
Sept. 17, 2017 (Jerry Richardson Stadium) - EMU 37, Charlotte 19
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