Charlotte 49ers host Tulane with momentum on their side

CHARLOTTE ATHLETICS

The Charlotte 49ers (1-6, 1-2 American Conference), who won their first game of the season against Temple on Oct. 17, had a week off to prepare for Tulane (3-4) Friday at Jerry Richardson Stadium.

Charlotte football is looking to continue momentum from their first win of 2026.

After beating Temple and a week off, Charlotte (1-6, 1-2 American) is hoping to use that feeling Friday against Tulane (3-4, 1-2) at Jerry Richardson Stadium. 

“I think just us taking the field with great confidence,” coach Tim Albin said, “and just working with where we are program-wise and did a really great job with that. Then our football team showed a tremendous amount of grit and determination, and didn't really flinch, and could have flinched a couple times in the first half, and especially after the turnover. Just kept believing, so that was great.”

A week off after a breakthrough win can be a double-edged sword. Albin insists it was much needed, but continuity of momentum is also paramount. 

“My glass is half full on it,” he said. “You just never know, but we’ve certainly had discussions as staff how to handle it. I think it’s coming at an ideal time to be honest with you, just where we are health wise with five [games] to go. I go back and look at all the years – OK, what do we do this year, how did we finish? I certainly have the data, and it was talked about when I talked to Matthias with our training staff, our strength staff, on the best way to handle it.”

Tulane has had a rollercoaster season of close results. The difference has been ball security. Teams that have been able to force turnovers have usually won. The Green Wave have a balanced attack with a three-deep running back rotation. 

Green Wave quarterback Kadin Semonza has thrown for 804 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions. 

“The turnovers piece of that is obviously a huge factor in this last game [against UTSA],” Albin said. “I think there’s nine turnovers total in the game. We’ve been a part of a couple of those: Memphis, North Texas, and that’s why the score got out of hand. For them to keep the score at UTSA with I think they had six turnovers was pretty remarkable. They’re a football team that has been tested and been in some tight-type games.”

Albin said the plane ride from Temple revealed a renewed sense of confidence among the players. 

“The guys had some pep in their step coming on the plane,” he said. “I sat right there at the front [and saw] the guys coming in, a lot of big smiles. But to be honest with you, the guys weren’t overly crazy, but certainly there wasn’t as much tension in their shoulders and they were able to drop their shoulders a little bit, so it was a good thing.”

Quarterback Conner Harrell said at the end of the day if you aren’t having fun you aren’t doing it for the right reasons. 

“It's good to be on the bus back home and be able to smile and laugh and enjoy with the teammates,” he said, “and I think that's really good for the feeling of the locker room and going into the next week, gaining some confidence, like having fun playing this game. Losing is not fun, so it’s good to be able to have that [win].”

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