James uses arm, legs to dominate 49ers on road
CHARLOTTE, N.C.
Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.
Murphy’s law encapsulated Charlotte’s homecoming football game, losing 34-15 to Florida International, despite being 14-point favorites at kickoff.
The Panthers (3-4, 1-2 C-USA) came into Richardson Stadium with nothing to lose, and ripped the 49ers (1-7, 0-4), dominating head coach Will Healy’s team from the game’s opening snap.
A strip sack on the game’s second play was the first domino in Charlotte’s downfall, and Panthers’ quarterback Grayson James wasted no time lighting up the scoreboard and bringing out the boobirds from the 49er faithful.
James would score touchdowns on consecutive possessions, calling his own number from 12 and nine yards out to give the visitors an early advantage.
Tailback Flex Joseph would continue the Panthers’ ground-game success, scoring multiple touchdowns on the ground for the first time in his career, from 15 and one yards out.
Joseph gained 72 yards on 17 carries. Florida International would pour on the onslaught in the second half building a 34-0 lead in the third quarter, despite Charlotte’s defense blocking a field goal and recording an interception.
James’ afternoon would conclude midway through the third quarter, completing 25 of his 33 attempts for 302 yards and one touchdown. James also ran 10 times for 53 yards, and scored twice.
James’ favorite receiver was Tyrese Chambers, who hauled in 10 catches for 143 yards. Kris Mitchell caught eight passes for 84 yards and one TD reception.
Chris Reynolds was under pressure the entire game, completing 23 of his 38 passes for 244 yards and three interceptions. He added the 49ers’ first touchdown on a quarterback sneak from one yard out.
FIU outgained Charlotte 449-337, capitalizing on five total turnovers and scoring touchdowns on five of their seven red zone trips.
The Panthers’ defense intercepted Chris Reynolds three times. Andrew Volmar, Dorian Hall and Demetrius Hill each had a pick.
Charlotte was shut out in the first half for the first time since Dec. 6, 2020, against Western Kentucky. The 49ers’ first-half drives went as follows: fumble, punt, punt, fumble, interception, turnover on downs, interception.
Offensive coordinators script their opening drive at nearly every level of football, but there was clear confusion on the game’s first snap, with Reynolds throwing a goball and Elijah Spencer running a comeback. That was just the beginning.
If a fumble on the first possession wasn’t bad enough, Charlotte’s first punt of the day went for just eight yards.
The Panthers would quickly capitalize as James found the end zone for his first score on the game. The Panthers would score four rushing touchdowns in the opening 30 minutes.
Florida International recorded six tackles for loss, four interceptions and three sacks in the first half alone, and the Panthers’ front seven wreaked havoc in Charlotte’s backfield nearly every snap. Charlotte crossed midfield on just two drives, resulting in a turnover on downs and an interception on the Hail Mary prior to the half.
It’s just shy of three years since Charlotte beat Marshall in front of the 49er faithful to achieve bowl eligibility for the first time.
Fast-forward three seasons, Charlotte is now winless at Richardson Stadium in four tries this year and hasn’t won a home game in 350 days.
After posting the first winning record and bowl appearance in program history during his first season, Charlotte has failed to qualify for bowl eligibility in three consecutive seasons, including losing 12 of their last 14 games by an average of 24 points.
Following the seasonopening loss, 43-13 at Florida Atlantic, Healy’s message to reporters was, “This isn’t going to be the story of the 2022 season.”
Charlotte surrendered 43 points and 482 yards of total offense in that contest, nearly mirroring their season averages of 43.25 and 527 yards per game through eight contests.
The Panthers return home to play Louisiana Tech next Friday at 8 p.m. The game will be televised on CBSSN.