Charlotte's difficult week ends with  homecoming loss

CHARLOTTE ATHLETICS

Charlotte wide receiver Sean Brown grabs a pass in the 49ers' 49-14 loss to Temple Oct. 18, 2025 at Jerry Richardson Stadium. The loss extends Charlotte's homecoming losing streak to four.

Another week, another loss for the Charlotte 49ers. 

This time, a 49-14 result against Temple at Jerry Richardson Stadium, their fourth straight homecoming loss. Charlotte (1-6, 0-4 American) hasn’t won a homecoming game since 2021 against Rice.

After a promising start, the 49ers couldn’t keep pace with the Owls in a game that close for a quarter. Down 14-7, Charlotte was driving when quarterback Grayson Loftis threw a hitch route that Temple defender Adrian Laing jumped for a 64-yard pick-six. That play changed the game’s complexion so much the 49ers couldn’t overcome and left coach Tim Albin searching for answers. 

“We missed the hitch route, and they picked it,” he said. [It was the] right read. It’s a pick-six, and we couldn't overcome it. Part of my message to the team (was) to have the mental toughness and grit to wipe it away and fight to stop it. It’s not trying to be cute, you know. But I said it in a presser on Tuesday, I need the device from ‘Men in Black,’ with the glasses and they forget everything.”

Albin’s teams at Ohio before had those moments when they overcame mistakes to win games, something he hopes to apply at Charlotte.

“It’s tough to say, but I had guys throw four picks in the first half, and we end up winning,” Albin said. I've had Nathan Rourke. He’s the best player in the CFL, the best player hands down, and he had two pick-sixes in the first quarter. We battled back to win a game, so I’ve been in some tough things, and we found that we’ve had the resilience and the toughness and the grit to get past it. … I don’t have all the answers. I’m best when it’s an open dialogue.”

Saturday’s loss caps a difficult week at Charlotte. Thursday’s firing of athletics director Mike Hill took coaches by surprise and media weren’t allowed to ask Albin about his departure, but he did give a statement. 

“I'd like to start by thanking Mike Hill for believing Brooke and I and giving us a chance to lead this program here at Charlotte,” Albin said. “He's a friend. He will remain a friend and has contributed greatly to our 49er athletics program. I wish him and Jess and his entire family all the best in their next chapter. As we look ahead, I want to be perfectly clear, we are fully aligned with Chancellor [Sharon] Gaber and the vision she has for this university and the athletic department. Our focus remains squarely on the success of our student athletes and elevating this program and institution.”

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