Charlotte 49ers search for complimentary football 

TIM LACZKO | THE CHARLOTTE POST

For the second straight week, Charlotte 49ers football coach Tim Albin was left to lament unfulfilled chances to win an American Conference game, this time against Alabama Birmingham in a 23-12 loss.

Charlotte needs to find a way to put a total game together.

For the second week in a row, the 49ers (1-8, 1-4 American) lost despite plenty of chances to put the game away. This time it was against Alabama Birmingham (5-4, 3-2 American), where they gave up two fourth quarter touchdowns in a 23-12 loss. 

Charlotte led 6-3 lead midway through the third quarter, but couldn’t take advantage of four takeaways in the first three quarters. 

“We had our chances offensively with the turnovers that we got,” 49ers coach Tim Albin said. “Really for the second week in a row to get some points on the board and get them out of their game plan offensively. We couldn’t muster that up. … We went into the game being somewhat conservative on third down, as long as the score was still a ball game, which it was until the last eight minutes probably.”

The problems for Charlotte were opposites from a week ago against Tulane. Last week the offense was in rhythm while the defense stumbled late. This week the offense couldn’t find a groove. 

“I wish I could say, ‘Hey, this is what it is going to take,’” Albin said. “There is a lot that goes into [complimentary football]. Offensively, we just weren’t as sharp on some things, but you have to give credit to the defense we were playing, because they dictated the game. They lined up and just played their base stuff because we couldn’t get to them. We didn’t put any pressure on them.”

Charlotte had a chance to get within a score with just over four minutes to go. Conner Harrell found a wide-open Jaden Barnes, who dropped the pass that effectively ended the 49ers’ comeback aspirations as the Blazers proceeded to score and put the game out of reach.

“[Barnes] is a competitor,” Albin said. “He’s made plays all year for us. He is a competitor and he cheers the defense on. He is a great teammate. I like where he is at. I played [the] position. You can’t catch them all. You want to.” 

Charlotte has three games left, with two at home, starting next week against in-state rival East Carolina at Richardson Stadium. 

“I just challenged our guys,” Albin said. “We are at home two out of the last three weeks and we’ve got a lot to play for. We have to protect how we play and how we prepare. That is the big challenge moving forward. They can’t take coaching personally, but we are going to correct the mistakes and look forward to playing in front of Niner Nation against ECU, an in-state rival.”

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