Charlotte 49ers overwhelmed 54-20 by North Texas 

CHARLOTTE ATHLETICS

Charlotte receiver Javen Nicholas sprints downfield on a 33-yard touchdown catch-and-run on Grayson Loftis' pass in the 49ers' 54-20 loss to North Texas Oct. 24, 2025 at Jerry Richardson Stadium.

Charlotte competed for three quarters with North Texas. Then there was the fourth. 

The 49ers (1-7, 0-5 American) led the Mean Green (7-1, 3-1 American) 17-7 but managed just three more points in a 54-20 loss Friday at Jerry Richardson Stadium. North Texas, meanwhile, scored 47 more points to cruise to an easy victory. Coach Tim Albin was proud of the way his team competed early but recognized they maintain that intensity for all four quarters.

“Hat tip to North Texas,” Albin said. “Their staff did a really good job tonight. They have a 7-1 football team. I think they are probably one of the better offenses I’ve seen in my career, to be honest with you. With what they do, I think they are leading the country in scoring. We knew it was going to be a huge challenge coming into the game offensively. We just couldn’t put enough pressure on them to make it a game late in the second half.”

Tied at 17-17, the Mean Green were driving before Charlotte defensive lineman Yamil Talib secured an interception to give the 49ers the ball with just over a minute to play in the first half. After two runs, Albin decided to let time expire, which left the 49er faithful booing. 

“Where we were field position wise, and I think we only had one time out left, I'd used two in earlier in the game, in the first half,” Albin said, “and just where we were and the type of offense that we got with one time out, I just thought to play it safe. I didn't want to lose the game right there. …I'm the one that said, ‘Todd [Fitch], No, shut it down.’ I’m the one. Make no mistake about that.”

Early in the fourth quarter, Charlotte trailed 27-20 and appeared to be heading out for a punt on fourth-and-11 from their own 23. To nearly everyone’s surprise, the 49ers tried a fake punt and failed, setting up a Mean Green touchdown four plays later. 

“It’s a numbers thing for us,” Albin said, “It is not an automatic check. We have to tell them we are OK with it. And, we thought we had numbers and they had a spy guy. That is kind of how it went down. Should I have done it? No. Right now, now that it is over, but again, our mindset going [into the game] was that we were going to be aggressive.” 

At 1-7, this is not where Albin expects this team can be. He recognized most of the games have been lopsided but implores fans to stick with the team.

“The scores suggest the [gap to where we need to be] but my 30 years of coaching say it’s not as big as the scores. It’s obviously bigger than what you want, but I’m hanging my head on the recruiting class we’ve got committed. We all know that you’re not going to be able to flip it and turn it around with all high school kids. But we want to be 60% developmental or high school and a 40% transfer program. I think we have a good nucleus that is fighting. So, we are going to get some resources and this coaching staff I’ve been bragging on and we’re going to be able to close the game sooner than what you think.”

Comments