#39 UNC Charlotte

Charlotte, NC

McColl-Richardson Field September 14, 2019 UNC Charlotte 52 – UMass 17 (ESPN Recap)

After lunch with Stefan, I drove to UNCC’s stadium. On a campus I expected to be like FIU or SJSU with no fan fare around campus or the program, my expectations were wrong. Charlotte has more of a NESCAC campus feel with a hilly, modern, and picturesque landscape. They drew ~15,000 to an almost capacity stadium...for the UMass game!

It was annoying to have to park a mile from the stadium in the lone cash parking garage, but it turned out to be a fun journey passing three different campus-sponsored alcohol-free tailgates. I got escorted out from one of them with my 12-pack of Bud Lite before finally making it to the upper parking pass area by the stadium. Parking cost more than the game ticket which did match my expectations.

Stephanie, Eric, and Jason took me into the only legitimate tailgate I came across (I repeat, more of a NESCAC feel with maybe 5 tailgates total and 1 TV). I didn’t see one UMass fan unless you count Alex K who drove up to play some cornhole. I sat with Jason for the game and he and his section have had season tickets since the inception of the program. They knew their roster 3-deep and are excited about the direction of the program (34-year old coach who was sharp on clock management and timeout usage, some talented running backs, and investments in the facilities).

UMass stinks! I mean, really bad on both sides of the ball. They gave up a quick 28 in the first quarter and Charlotte never looked back, playing all four of their QBs and RBs 1, 2, and 3. UNCC covered 1H, 2H and full game. I bet UMass 1H +11.5 and Charlotte 2H -7 for the split. Charlotte’s RB1 is apparently "the 25th best RB in the country" according to their fans whatever that means. Next week they are at Clemson which could easily be a flip of today’s score against them (Etienne is going to go for 200+). The UMass QB1 #12 is 5’7” and immobile. #9 on UMass housed a punt return which was their lone highlight of the game. Charlotte has #11 kicking bomb FGs they call “Cruz Missiles,” including a 53-yarder at the end of 1H that UMass pretty much handed them. Play of the game was a 70ish yard TD by Charlotte RB2 to put the 2H cover away for good. I think Charlotte could be good in a few years.

I don’t have 3-deep knowledge (or starting 11 knowledge) of either team.