HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Charlotte’s football program is still very much in its infancy and coach Brad Lambert is trying to give it the building blocks to be successful, good defense and a strong running game. Lambert has been able to do that but it hasn’t come with out growing pains.
While the 49ers boast the third ranked defense in the league, it’s 12th in Conference USA in total offense and have turned the ball over an astronomical 27 times.
Charlotte will rely on its strengths and try to snap a five game losing streak by grinding down the Herd.
It starts on defense where the 49ers will bring pressure from different looks.
“Their blitz percentage is higher than some of the teams we’ve played recently, but it is not crazy high. We’re talking maybe, close to 30 percent. So, 70 percent of the time they’re not blitzing. But they create such chaos with all the different looks you’re not sure if he’s coming or if he’s not coming,” scouted offensive coordinator Bill Legg.
The 49ers are 4th in the league in passing defense. Defensive back Terrance Winchester pulled in his 5th interception at ODU and now has a school record seven takeaways, which includes two fumble recoveries.
The strength of the defense is along the defensive line and it starts in the middle with nose guard Larry Ogunjobi. He registered a career-best 11 tackles against FAU and has 29-and-a-half tackles for loss in his career. Center Michael Selby will be lined up across from Ogunjobi all day.
“He’s a great player and probably one of the best defensive tackles we’ll see this year,” complimented center Michael Selby.
Legg says the 49ers scheme tries to get Ogunjobi isolated on blockers, avoiding double-teams and chip blocks. The 49ers want to Ogunjobi one-on-one with an offensive linemen and not allow the opposition to negate his effectiveness.
“It’s a very diverse defense and create a lot of different looks and create a lot of problems from that perspective,” said Legg.
Offensively, the 49ers will pound out yards. Running back Kalif Phillips averages 110 yards per game and is one of only three backs in C-USA who average over the century mark.
“He’ll be as good or better running back than we’ve played all year. He’s a really good player. He makes people miss in space and breaks tackles,” said Doc Holliday.
In three of his last four games, Phillips has rushed for 159, 125 and 204 yards and in each instance the rushing total was the most allowed by that opponent this year.
“They schematically do all the runs that create stress. Some people have one two but they have them all. That creates the anxiety that you have,” said defensive coordinator Chuck Heater.
Lambert has installed the building blocks for success, but 49ers are still far from being ready to contend for a Conference USA East Division crown. The 49ers are still looking for their first C-USA victory.