David versus Goliath: Charlotte preps for Bill Belichick

TROY HULL | THE CHARLOTTE POST

Charlotte quarterback Conner Harrell will try to rebound from a lackluster performance in the season opener against North Carolina Saturday at Jerry Richardson Stadium.

Charlotte and North Carolina didn’t look good in Week 1. 

The 49ers lost 34-11 to Appalachian State and the Tar Heels fell flat against TCU 48-14. Taking everything into consideration, one could argue North Carolina’s loss was worse given the preseason hype. However, Week 1 results will matter not when Bill Belichick’s squad travels Saturday to Jerry Richardson Stadium.

“Neither one of us are playing in the game,” 49ers’ coach Tim Albin said. “But, judging by the number of Lombardi trophies, he is the greatest, end of story. I got a copy of his first book, when I got the head job at Ohio University. Someone sent it to me in the mail and to this day, I don’t know who. It just showed up in the mail. … It will be interesting watching [the game] unfold, but I am going to shake his hand and wish him well.”

Albin knows Charlotte did not look anything like he envisioned, but it is time to work on cleaning up before Saturday. 

“[Our players’] hearts hurt for not getting [the job] done,” he said. “Our opponent App State, they deserved to win that football game. They out-physicaled us at the line of scrimmage and made plays. I’m kicking myself attacking there right before halftime. We figured we could get a field goal and get the momentum back. Conner [Harrell] had probably his best throw of the night down on our sideline and then we had a turnover. They made a field goal… came out of halftime with the ball first and got points. We were playing from behind from that point on.”

Belichick said after the loss to TCU he is well aware the Tar Heels are a long way from where they need to be.

“We played competitively but just weren’t able to sustain it,” he said. “Obviously we have a lot of work to do. We need to do a better job all the way around, coaching and playing in all three phases of the game. It wasn’t where it needed to be, and I know we are a lot better and we need to fix those things and show it on Saturday.” 

Albin understands the challenges North Carolina will present the 49ers.

“There's going to be things we haven't seen, I can assure you that,” he said. “I don't think it’ll be a wholescale change. I think their offense, they want to establish the run, and it’ll be interesting to see what they do at quarterback. I don’t think they wanted [Max Johnson] to come in. He did a good job, got the ball out quick. And the gentleman that started for them, Mr. [Gio] Lopez, I’ve seen a lot of film on him. He was at South Alabama last year. We played him, and he’s good. He’s a creator, dual threat, cold runs. He’s very, very talented.”

Saturday’s storylines will include Harrell, Charlotte’s quarterback, who played at North Carolina before transferring. Harrell passed for 219 yards and accounted for three touchdowns (two passing) against the 49ers last season almost a year to the day from when the sides squared off. In his 49ers debut, Harrell struggled to establish rhythm against App State and knows there are things he has to clean up on quickly. 

“I think we didn't execute as well,” Harrell said. “We were behind the chains a lot, and it wasn’t less about App State, but just about our offense executing. I think, for my performance, I have to do better. And as an offense we're emphasizing what we'll have to focus on and on what we have to do, not the other team.”

Harrell isn’t letting the emotions of playing his former team get to him.

“I am just excited to play,” he said. “It is another Saturday, another week. Every week is exciting, so excited to get out there and be with my teammates and play the game.”

Comments