Charlotte 49ers look for first win of season vs. Louisiana

MATT LACZKO | THE CHARLOTTE POST

Charlotte quarterback Cole Gonzales, left, and running back Khamani Alexander, right, will try to lift the 49ers to their first win of the season Saturday against Louisiana at Jerry Richardson Stadium.

Charlotte is home after a two-game road trip and coach Tim Albin is glad.

This week the 49ers (0-3) welcome the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns (2-1) to Jerry Richardson Stadium, the second straight Sun Belt Conference opponent. Charlotte lost to Appalachian State 25-21 last week.

“They have a really good scheme,” Albin said. “They basically have four or five transfers on their roster. It’s not the normal where everyone has 50 new kids. That speaks volumes to their staff. They’ve got a lot of guys with a good reputation, and a lot of guys from that area which I think helps with retention. They do a really good job. So, it will be a heck of a matchup, and we are glad we are at home.”

Charlotte battled back against App State in a game where 49ers quarterback Cole Gonzales didn’t throw for a touchdown and was twice intercepted. Gonzales has five interceptions on the season, but Albin isn’t putting all the blame on him. 

“Obviously with that position comes the scrutiny,” Albin said. “And the turnovers, we can't turn it over like that. It puts our defense in some tough spots, but Cole has the weight of the world on his shoulders, so he doesn't need to have that. He kept us in the game and gave us a chance to win the first one [against The Citadel]. A tough environment on the second one [against Mississippi], on the road, stood in the pocket and delivered the ball.”

This week’s challenges against Louisiana may be like what the 49ers faced against the No. 4-ranked Rebels in terms of quarterback play.

Lunch Winfield is a true running quarterback, who leads the Ragin’ Cajuns in rushing yards and in last week’s win against American Conference foe UAB, Winfield had 19 carries for 91 yards and two touchdowns in a 21-14 win. 

Having played a dual threat quarterback in Mississippi’s Trinidad Chambliss, it isn’t new to the 49ers. 

“You can be in one of your fancy third down packages, and no one, wide zone with the quarterback and the tailback as the fullback basically, and that’s something you don't see every week,” Albin said. “He's a tough, tough young man, a really good athlete. He runs it, he throws it up in there like a running back. [Defensive coordinator Nate Faanes] is going to be challenged with facing those types of things. 

“I hope there’s some carryover, from [the] Ole Miss quarterback, but it’s early. We haven’t had but one practice up to this point, but it’ll be a good challenge.”

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