Matt’s Stats: Charlotte is More Dangerous in 2018

The Charlotte 49ers football program is still in its infant stages and with that comes growing pains. However, with all of its struggles…

Oct 10, 2018

The Charlotte 49ers football program is still in its infant stages and with that comes growing pains. However, with all of its struggles, Charlotte has an opportunity to take another step forward Saturday.

Facing a Western Kentucky team that has so far struggled to finish, Charlotte has significantly more firepower than its previous rosters. In almost every category, Charlotte has shown more ability in its first five games than it did in its 12 in 2017.

Favored by 9.5, WKU is heavily favored to leave the Tar Heel State victorious. However, statistically, Charlotte poses much more of a threat than it did last year when WKU trounced the 49ers, 45–14.

The Resume

Scoff if you dare, but look at this laundry list of improvements for the 49ers:

In General:

Charlotte has already surpassed its win total after just five games.
Instead of a scoring margin of four touchdowns, Charlotte averages a much more modest margin at 10 points per game.
In 2017, Charlotte averaged 14.2 points per game. Charlotte averages 21.8 in 2018.
Charlotte’s defense previously surrendered 38 points per game. The 49ers now give up a much more respectable 31.

Offense:

Charlotte was better in 2017 in rushing, but every other metric has received an impressive upgrade. Charlotte ran a pure read option offense, because quarterback Hassan Klugh physically could not complete half of his passes.
Charlotte averages 35 more yards per game overall this from last year to this year.
More importantly, one of the nation’s worst pass games has now improved to respectable, adding 75 yards per game (total: 212.4).
More importantly, Charlotte’s completion percentage has gone from 47% to 63%. Charlotte barely mustered 1,600 yards through the air in 2017 and is now on pace to increase its passing production by nearly 1,000 yards through the air.
Most alarming, through five games, Victor Tucker, 49ers receiver, has more yards than any receiver did in 2017.

Defense:

Charlotte’s defense surrendered 450 yards per game last season. This year, they allow 345.
Instead of allowing over 200 yards on the ground, the defense barely allows 100.
One of the few programs in the country to do so, Charlotte (11) mustered less sacks than WKU (12) last year. This year, Charlotte (eight sacks through five games) should surpass that number within the next few games.

Special Teams:

Most mind-blowing, Charlotte was 4-of-13 on field goals and 16-of-19 on PAT’s. Charlotte recruited a true freshman, Jonathan Cruz. All-State in high school in Georgia, Cruz landed at Charlotte. Incredibly, the freshman is 8-of-9, 4-of-4 from beyond 40 (long of 54), and is yet to miss a PAT.

Charlotte is Just Better

WKU is still favored by 9.5 on the road at Charlotte and the Tops rightfully should be. Charlotte is not a good football team. They may find a few more wins, but the point is Charlotte is way more dangerous. They’re just better than the 1–11 team in Bowling Green last season in each phase of the game.

Just like WKU improving its running game and shoring up the offensive line to a serviceable level, Charlotte having a quarterback that can throw the football is a game changer. Having a defense that can get a stop is a welcome change. An NFL level kicker as a freshman who also is a decent punter could be quite the difference maker in a close battle.

This game may be nothing to worry about for the Tops. It may be close and result in a WKU win. Great. WKU should win this game, but a blowout to the tune of 45–14 is unlikely.