Charlotte 49ers get first win of the season against Temple

CHARLOTTE ATHLETICS

Conner Harrell passed for two touchdowns and ran for a pair on the Charlotte 49ers' 38-31 win against Temple Oct. 17 at Lincoln Financial Field. The win was Charlotte's first of the season and first against an FBS opponent in coach Tim Albin's two seasons with the 49ers.

The Charlotte 49ers got their first win of the season.

In a back-and-forth game, the 49ers (1-6, 1-2 American) offense found a spark in their 38-31 win over Temple (2-5, 1-2). 

“It was a big win for our program and on the road,” Charlotte coach Tim Albin said. “I couldn’t be more excited, obviously, with the win. I thought our team showed just grit where it comes to mind in so many different areas. This coaching staff got these guys ready to go. You could not tell with how we warmed up what our record was. [We had] tremendous confidence and went out there and got off to a good start.”

Charlotte quarterback Conner Harrell played well in his second straight start since returning from a knee injury in the fourth game of 2025 going 23-for-31 passing for 281 yards and four touchdowns (two passing and two rushing). 

“We played North Texas last week, so this is like Conner’s week two,” Albin said. “Your biggest jumps come from Week 1 to Week 2. It was a great game for him to build off of. It is obviously going to help his confidence and the team’s confidence.”

Harrell didn’t take any personal credit for his performance or getting back to where he was before his injury. 

“Nothing in my power has gotten me back on the field,” Harrell said. “Everything comes from the Lord. I’ve gone through injuries and stuff before, and like I said, it takes a second for something to happen, and so I thank the Lord for keeping me safe through every snap I played. It’s nothing that I’ve done. My teammates are helping me, and my coaches have got me here, and hopefully can get us further.”

Charlotte kicker Aiden Bui iced the game with a 47-yard field goal with just over a minute and a half to go for a 10-point advantage. 

“I certainly went and found him after the game,” Albin said. “I told him I was proud of him. I was waiting for the guys to get off the field, and I looked in there, and he was body surfing in the locker room, but I’m very happy for him. He comes to work every day, and Ian [Kelly] has been handling a lower body bruise, and Aiden earned the duties this week. What a great opportunity to put us up two scores late in the game, on the road.”

Temple pulled within a touchdown late on a Carl Hardin field goal, so it was all up to the 49ers hands team to recover the onside kick. They did, and a pair of quarterback kneel-downs later the 49ers were winners against an FBS opponent for the first time in Albin’s two seasons as coach. 

Charlotte running back Henry Rutledge, who carried the ball 17 times for 123 yards, credited the offensive line and thinks the 49ers can use the momentum going into their off week.

“We’re in the second half of our season, and our coach basically said we’re 1-0 right now,” he said. “So, going into the next game, just preparing with a good mindset and just having more time to just sharpen our toolbox. It’s a good feeling.”

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