UNC Charlotte Football 2016

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A Look Backward

To say the 2015-2016 season was a rude awakening to the world of FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) football might be a massive understatement. The Forty-Niners finished the season 2-10, going 0-8 in their first season in Conference USA. This season though there is a quiet optimism about the program as they will have had time to learn from a humbling first season. Coach Brad Lambert aims to right the ship in his 4th season at the helm of the program, but will have no shortage of hurdles to overcome.

Charlotte played their first Power-5 program last season in Kentucky in what amounted to a glorified scrimmage, but this year the Forty-Niners head to Louisville to try to play spoiler to a hyped up Louisville team. Louisville will be by far the toughest challenge of the 2016 season barring the unexpected, yet the schedule is still no laughing matter from there on out. Charlotte will face 3 of CUSA's bowl eligible teams from the past season and plays in the much tougher division within CUSA. Charlotte will head into 2016 still looking for their first conference win, but there is plenty reason for optimism within the program.

Looking Forward with Optimism: 

There are several reasons for optimism for this coming season however from a personnel standpoint specifically. Top receiver Austin Duke and top running back Kalif Phillips both return and figure to have record setting seasons for the program. Miami transfer and 4-star quarterback Kevin Olsen also enters the fold this season and has already been named the starter for the 2016 season at the QB position by head coach Brad Lambert. The 49ers also welcome local recruit and 4-star running back Robert Washington onto campus this fall, and he figures to have an immediate role on the team. The 49ers also return star Defensive Tackle Larry Ogunjobi who has started all 34 games in the programs history and seems poised for a huge season after earning 2nd team all C-USA honors last season. Ogunjobi was also recently put on a watch list for the Bednarik Award (given to the nations top Defensive Lineman) and figures to lead the team next season. 

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