Charlotte 49ers vs Southern Miss Eagles Preview
The Charlotte 49ers are playing for Homecoming this week. Their opponent for this special day is the Southern Miss Eagles, one of the traditional powers of Conference USA.
The Eagles won the conference four years ago under current Tar Heel coach Larry Fedora and have been trying to rebuild ever since. Coach Jeff Monken. That project has got the Eagles playing tough once again, their only blowout loss was to league favorite Marshall.
The 49ers come out of a game with Old Dominion that they could have won. They outgained the Monarchs 536-482. Kalif Phillips ran for more than two hundred yards. Yet once again the 49ers gave the ball away one too many times – three turnovers to two for Old Dominion. The 49ers should view Southern Miss as a good challenge, beatable but requiring one of their better efforts this season.
Opponent: Southern Miss Eagles (4-3, 2-1 CUSA)
Date: October 24
Time: Noon
TV: WCCB
Venue: McColl-Richardson Field
The 49ers seem to have decided on Lee McNeil at quarterback. They keep getting good performances from Kalif Phillips at tailback. This will allow to build some consistency. The question is what is their defense looking at to break a four game losing streak?
Southern Miss is built much like Old Dominion was. They will be putting a quick strike spread offense on the field that relies on the decision making of their quarterback. That quarterback would be Nick Mullens and he has a 64% completion rate thus far. He has 2358 yards and seventeen passing touchdowns. Both of those are career highs and we’re just at midseason. Troubling their passing game will be critical for the defense.
On offense, the ball should be given to Phillips a lot to shorten the game and deny the Eagles more possessions. Ball control and no turnovers will leave the game winnable in the fourth quarter. That is what the 49ers must achieve.
Prediction: 28-20 Southern Miss