49ers look to keep bowl hopes alive on homecoming

CHARLOTTE ATHLETICS

Charlotte running back Henry Rutledge expects a rowdy crowd for Saturday's homecoming game against South Florida. "I'm expecting them to pack it out too and and be screaming and yelling," he said. It's always a good atmosphere at home."

The Charlotte 49ers are fresh off their second bye week and hoping to win on homecoming against South Florida.

Charlotte (3-6, 2-3 AAC) still has a glimmer of hope for a bowl game berth but the message from head coach Biff Poggi is the same. He wants his players and coaching staff alike to focus on one week at a time. If they don’t win this week, next week won’t matter.

“The goal is this game,” he said. “The goal is winning this game, this week. That is the goal. So, we are not talking about bowl games or winning out. This is the most important game because it is the next game, and that is how we are talking about it.”

Running back and return specialist Henry Rutledge echoed Poggi. Although he knows the chances of a bowl game are still there, there is no point in focusing on it, because the 49ers have to handle this week first.

“Obviously we want to win,” Rutledge said. “The coaches always say to focus on one game at a time. So, we can’t really look too far ahead. We do want to make a bowl game and that is one of our priorities but first we have to focus on [South Florida].”

South Florida [4-5, 2-3 AAC] has had a tough schedule similar to Charlotte’s. They faced nationally ranked Alabama and Miami (Fla.) in non-conference games and their fair share of struggles and injuries, too. Earlier in the season the Bulls lost starting quarterback Byrum Brown. Since then, South Florida has started Bryce Archie, who has helped the Bulls keep their heads afloat with a 2-2 record. Poggi said the 49ers are preparing for the possibility of both playing since Brown is available.

“Brown has a lot more experience, even though he is young,” Poggi said. “But [Brown and Archie] are both great players. We saw Brown last year and he had an unbelievable day against us. He can run it and he can throw it, but Archie can do the same. We are preparing for both because we think that both will be ready to go.”

Poggi has said on numerous occasions now that the quarterback position is a week-to-week decision on whoever has the best practice, either Max Brown or Deshawn Purdie. He has yet to decide. However, in practice Tuesday, Purdie was taking more first team snaps than Brown.

“I don’t think either played well the last game [against Tulane],” Poggi said. “So, again, it’s a competition. If both kids have played well, I’ll know who [the starter] is by Thursday. But I was not pleased with either of them last game.”

Rutledge and defensive lineman Dre Butler are expecting a rowdy crowd for homecoming. Home field advantage is pronounced at Charlotte, especially when fans are fully engaged.

“I know [the fans] are going to be excited,” Butler said. “It’s homecoming and it is a big game coming up. So, they will be very excited and it is going to be loud.”

Said Rutledge: “I’m expecting them to pack it out too and be screaming and yelling. It’s always a great atmosphere at home. We love playing in Charlotte.”

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