Charlotte v. Georgia State Home Opener

49ers will face the Panthers on 9/26 at noon on ESPNU at Jerry Richardson Stadium

The Charlotte 49ers kick off their home opener against 0-1 Georgia State Panthers. This is the first meeting against GA State since 2017 when the Panthers shut out the 49ers 24-0 at Jerry Richardson Stadium. 

The game kicks off at noon on ESPN U. This will be the first ESPN nationally televised game at Jerry Richardson Stadium. This is the first game of a four year home and home series with the Panthers.

There are many challenges facing Charlotte going into this game with the most notable being the injury of starting QB, Chris Reynolds. Coach Healy said this week in a press conference that Reynolds will be out indefinitely and the recovery will be taken on a week-by-week basis. Reynolds reportedly injured his shoulder during the first drive of the game against Appalachian State. 

Charlotte’s QB to take his place will be Cary native, Dom Shoffner. Known as a duel threat with a cannon of an arm, this will be Shoffner’s chance to rise to the occasion and fill in the position Reynolds has temporarily left behind. 

Running Back, Tre Harbinson’s debut against Appalachian State will force teams to continue to respect Charlotte’s run game. He scored the only offensive touchdown for Charlotte against App State and rushed for 87 yards with 17 carries. This is a big position to fill after the career Benny LeMay had for the 49ers, but Harbinson is looking like a great replacement for the Charlotte great. 

Charlotte comes into this game with a rested team after the game against the Carolina Tar Heels was canceled due to five Offensive linemen having to quarantine after contact tracing last week. The game was scheduled to be played last weekend, but the coaching staff, Mike hill (athletic director), and UNC Charlotte administration decided it was safest and best to cancel the game in Chapel Hill.

GA State comes into this game after a 34-31 defeat against the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns. Their control of the line of scrimmage helped them dominate the beginning of the game but a few turnovers, in the end, were costly. 

They will be coming into Jerry Richardson looking to capitalize on the lack of a starting quarterback for Charlotte and will most likely utilize the running game as App State did a few weeks ago. 

ESPN has the game expected to be a fairly even matchup with the spread -3.0 to Georgia State.

Many questions are surrounding the Charlotte team with the lack of starting personnel in the offense and the ability of the defensive line to stop the run game. This will be a challenge for the 49ers, who will have to bring their A-game to defend their home turf.