Charlotte football falls in opener: 3 takeaways from the 49ers’ loss to James Madison

The energy was there inside Jerry Richardson Stadium on Saturday night, but it turned into déjà vu for the Charlotte 49ers.

With a sold-out crowd and a motivated team, Charlotte’s opener against James Madison had the makings of a special start to the season.

Instead, the 49ers began this season — the second under head coach Biff Poggi — much like they ended last season, falling to JMU, 30-7.

“It’s interesting, because I’m not disappointed — there were so many things they did so well that we didn’t see last year,” Poggi said. “So many things they did so well. Like I said to them at halftime, that was one of the worst halves of football you can play, and we’re down two points.

“Three turnovers, a lot of mistakes, and I said to them: ‘If we come out and play a cleaner game, we have a chance to win the football game.’ But we actually came out and did the exact opposite.”

Charlotte (0-1) held a strong James Madison squad without a touchdown until the waning moments of the first half, pounded the run and saw impressive glimpses from new quarterback Max Brown.

But the Dukes (1-0) pulled away early in the second half behind strong play from quarterback Alonza Barnett, who grew up east of Greensboro and starred at Grimsley High.

Here are three takeaways from the game:

Max Brown showed his athleticism

The team’s new face under center made his Charlotte debut.

Max Brown, the young quarterback who joined the Niners from Florida, used his legs effectively throughout the night, along with displaying some of his arm talent. He scrambled for a 20-yard rush on Charlotte’s opening drive and ended up throwing for nearly 200 yards.

Brown tossed the first touchdown of his collegiate career in the middle of the second quarter, delivering a strike over the middle to Isaiah Myers — a new wide receiver who primarily played basketball until early high school. It also marked the first Division 1 touchdown for Myers, an Ohio native who joined Charlotte from Independence Community College in Kansas.

The downside for Brown? Two key interceptions that killed Charlotte drives.

“I take a lot of responsibility for that loss on myself,” Brown said. “Can’t turn the ball over, lose the turnover margin. Just understanding the importance of taking care of the ball. Like Coach said, it’s a marathon, not a sprint. It’s understanding what you can do better going into next week, and taking advantage of the week in practice and watching film.”

Charlotte’s defense had its moments

Poggi emphasized the importance for his team’s defensive unit to minimize its opponents’ chances — and Charlotte held James Madison without a touchdown until late in the first half.

JMU came to the line three yards from the goal early in the first quarter, and the Niners came up with a huge stop on fourth down. Barnett attempted to fling a toss over the middle, and it was broken up by Charlie Jackson, a defensive lineman who played four years at Gardner-Webb.

Charlotte’s defense kept the Dukes’ hungry offense at bay until the very next play following a Max Brown interception. Barnett found receiver George Pettaway — who transferred from UNC — and put James Madison in front.

“We just got a little tired in the second half,” junior linebacker Reid Williford said. “Minor details that we need to fix. Mostly, we were worn out.”

Max Brown has more weapons this year

Graduate student Sean Brown, a Charlotte receiver of no relation to his quarterback, had his best game as a Niner.

The Waxhaw native and Marvin Ridge graduate came to the 49ers in 2022 after starting his career at UNC Pembroke. Brown, who totaled just four catches over the past two seasons, hauled in five passes for 70 yards on Saturday night.

Colin Weber, the red-shirt junior who became the first tight end in program history to lead the team in receptions, also caught five passes, totaling 45 yards. Bryce Kennon, another Marvin Ridge alum, also recorded a trio of catches; and Myers totaled 45 yards on a pair of receptions.

“Losing the turnover margin, penalties, it’s hard to win the game,” Max Brown said. “Like Coach said, we were down two points going into the half. So, even down two points going into the half — knowing that you played the way things shouldn’t have gone in the first half — it’s kind of promising.

“You just got to be able to move past it and understand.”