The Scouting Report: Temple vs. Charlotte

Tagged under: Pennsylvania Colleges, Temple

Mike Livingston | October 14, 2026

Temple has spent the first half of its season searching for consistency. Saturday presents perhaps its best opportunity yet to find some.

The Owls (2-4, 1-1 American) welcome winless Charlotte (0-6, 0-2) to Lincoln Financial Field at 1 p.m., looking to rebound from a 34-20 loss to UConn and enter their bye week with a conference victory.

The 49ers have lost 15 consecutive games, their last victory coming against FCS opponent Monmouth in September 2025. Second-year head coach Tim Albin’s team has been outscored 253-96 through six games, including a combined 109-18 over its last two losses to Memphis and North Texas.

Charlotte ranks near the bottom of the FBS in several major statistical categories. Its offense averages 16 points per game, while its defense surrenders 42.2, the second-worst mark nationally entering Week 7.

Temple has never lost to Charlotte, winning all three previous meetings by at least 28 points. The Owls defeated the 49ers 49-14 on the road last October, a victory that marked head coach K.C. Keeler’s 275th career win.

But after another uneven performance against UConn, Temple’s challenge extends beyond beating an overmatched opponent. The Owls must demonstrate they can eliminate the mistakes that have prevented them from building momentum through six games.

Here’s a closer look at the 49ers ahead of Saturday’s matchup.

Charlotte’s Offense

Charlotte’s offense has struggled to sustain drives, protect the football and consistently reach the end zone.

The 49ers average just 287.8 total yards per game, ranking 131st nationally. Their 16 points per contest also rank 131st, while their 26.7% third-down conversion rate ranks 137th among 138 FBS teams.

Charlotte has scored just 55 points across its last five games after putting up 41 in a triple-overtime season-opening loss to The Citadel.

The quarterback position has been particularly unsettled.

Fifth-year quarterback Cole Gonzales started Charlotte’s first five games, completing 79 passes for 802 yards, three touchdowns and seven interceptions. Gonzales transferred from Western Carolina, where he threw for 6,682 yards and 51 touchdowns in 27 appearances.

Against North Texas last Saturday, Charlotte turned to Conner Harrell.

Harrell, another fifth-year quarterback, made his first start since suffering a season-ending knee injury in Week 4 of 2025. He completed 15 of 22 passes for 218 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions in the 50-10 defeat.

Charlotte’s Week 7 depth chart lists Harrell and Gonzales as potential starters, leaving uncertainty surrounding who will lead the offense against Temple.

Regardless of who starts, turnovers have been a persistent problem. Charlotte has thrown nine interceptions and lost six fumbles through six games, contributing to a minus-1.83 turnover margin per contest, the worst in the FBS.

The 49ers’ most dependable receiving option has been senior Jaden Barnes.

Barnes leads Charlotte with 35 receptions for 343 yards. His reception total ranks second in the American Conference and 22nd nationally, according to Charlotte’s weekly game notes.

He caught nine passes for 94 yards against North Texas, marking his second nine-reception performance of the season.

Derrick Eley provides another threat through the air. The junior receiver caught a 75-yard touchdown pass from Harrell against North Texas, Charlotte’s only touchdown of the afternoon.

The completion was tied for the sixth-longest passing play in program history and the 49ers’ longest since 2024.

Charlotte has also demonstrated occasional explosiveness on the ground, despite averaging just 101.5 rushing yards per game, ranking 129th nationally.

Senior running back Khamani Alexander leads the team with 216 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 46 carries. His best performance came in the season opener against The Citadel, when he rushed for 138 yards and scored on a 66-yard run.

Fifth-year running back Henry Rutledge has added 208 yards on 35 carries. He recorded his first career 100-yard performance against Memphis on Oct. 3, finishing with 111 yards and a 75-yard touchdown.

Those explosive plays provide a reminder that Charlotte’s offense, although largely ineffective, is not entirely without dangerous personnel.

The 49ers have recorded one-play touchdown drives in consecutive games for the first time since 2014, with Rutledge’s run against Memphis and Harrell’s completion to Eley against North Texas.

For Temple, the priority will be forcing Charlotte to sustain long possessions rather than allowing the 49ers to score on isolated breakdowns.

The Owls surrender 397.2 yards per game and struggled to contain UConn’s rushing attack last week. However, Charlotte’s offensive inefficiency should present opportunities for Temple to generate pressure, force turnovers and get off the field.

Charlotte’s Defense

If Charlotte’s offense has struggled to produce points, its defense has struggled even more to prevent them.

The 49ers allow 466.8 yards per game, ranking 132nd nationally. Their 42.2 points allowed per contest rank 137th.

Opponents have particularly exploited Charlotte through the air, averaging 282.8 passing yards per game, the worst mark in the American Conference.

The 49ers have surrendered 16 passing touchdowns and 16 rushing touchdowns through six games. Opposing quarterbacks have completed 138 of 189 passes, a completion rate of 73%.

Charlotte’s defense has also struggled to create takeaways. It has intercepted just two passes and recovered two opposing fumbles.

Those numbers suggest a favorable matchup for Temple quarterback Ajani Sheppard, who delivered one of his most efficient performances of the season against UConn.

Sheppard completed 19 of 25 passes for 260 yards and a touchdown against the Huskies. His 76% completion rate was his highest of the season.

Temple’s passing game has lacked consistency, averaging just 172.7 yards per contest, but Charlotte’s secondary presents an opportunity for the Owls to generate another productive afternoon.

Wide receiver JoJo Bermudez caught a 79-yard touchdown against UConn, while tight end Peter Clarke finished with a season-high 88 receiving yards.

Clarke also enters Saturday one touchdown reception away from becoming Temple’s outright career leader among tight ends. His 10 career touchdown catches are tied with Randy Grossman, who played from 1970-73.

Charlotte’s rushing defense presents another potential mismatch.

The 49ers allow 184 rushing yards per game, ranking 118th nationally. Temple, meanwhile, averages approximately 201 yards on the ground, the 33rd-best mark in the FBS.

Running back Keveun Mason leads Temple’s rushing attack, while Sam Brown and Hunter Smith provide additional options in the backfield.

Temple has surpassed 100 rushing yards in all six games this season, including four performances with at least 200.

The Owls should have opportunities to establish their ground game and create manageable passing situations.

Still, Charlotte’s defense has occasionally demonstrated the ability to disrupt opposing offenses.

Senior linebacker Gavin Willis leads the 49ers with 47 tackles and five tackles for loss. The former Bucknell transfer has accumulated 299 tackles during his collegiate career and serves as one of Charlotte’s defensive captains.

The 49ers also recorded 10 tackles for loss and three sacks against Louisiana on Sept. 26, holding the Ragin’ Cajuns to 292 total yards.

Charlotte’s defense produced touchdowns in consecutive games against Appalachian State and Louisiana. Collin Gill returned an interception 36 yards for a score against Appalachian State, while Jaylon Johnson returned a fumble 54 yards against Louisiana.

The defensive scores marked the first time Charlotte had accomplished the feat in consecutive games since 2016.

For Temple, protecting the football will be critical.

The Owls lost two fumbles against UConn, with both leading to scoring opportunities for the Huskies. Those mistakes contributed to Temple scoring just six points after its opening two touchdown drives.

Charlotte’s defensive statistics suggest the Owls should move the ball effectively, but the 49ers have shown enough playmaking ability to punish careless possessions.

Charlotte’s Special Teams

Charlotte’s special teams unit features one of the more unusual specialists in college football.

Sophomore Ian Kelly handles the 49ers’ placekicking, punting and kickoff duties.

Kelly has made three field goals and seven extra points this season, accounting for 16 points. He averages 44.9 yards per punt, with a long of 61 yards, and has produced touchbacks on 13 of his 16 kickoffs.

Against Ole Miss, Kelly connected on three field goals, accounting for all nine of Charlotte’s points in a 41-9 defeat.

Charlotte’s game notes identify him as the first player in program history to handle punting and placekicking responsibilities in the same game.

Temple counters with kicker Carl Hardin and punter Dante Atton.

Hardin made field goals of 26 and 29 yards against UConn, while Atton has established himself as one of the more accomplished punters in program history.

Charlotte’s return game has been comparatively unproductive. The 49ers average 2.5 yards per punt return and 17.5 yards per kickoff return.

Temple should have an advantage in field position if its special teams unit executes consistently.

Three Matchups to Watch

Temple’s rushing attack vs. Charlotte’s front seven

This may be the most favorable matchup for the Owls.

Temple has averaged more than 200 rushing yards per game, while Charlotte allows 184.

Establishing Mason and the rest of the backfield should give Sheppard manageable passing situations and prevent the offense from becoming one-dimensional.

Charlotte linebacker Gavin Willis will be a key player to monitor, particularly near the line of scrimmage.

Charlotte’s explosive plays vs. Temple’s defense

Despite Charlotte’s offensive struggles, the 49ers have produced touchdowns of 75 yards in consecutive games.

Temple’s defense struggled against UConn, allowing the Huskies to establish their ground game early and score on a 39-yard run by Kenji Christian.

Avoiding missed tackles and breakdowns in coverage will be essential against Barnes, Eley, Alexander and Rutledge.

If Temple forces Charlotte to sustain long drives, the 49ers’ poor third-down conversion rate could make scoring difficult.

Temple’s ball security vs. Charlotte’s opportunistic defense

Temple’s two lost fumbles against UConn contributed to another frustrating defeat.

Charlotte has struggled defensively but has demonstrated the ability to score directly from turnovers.

Protecting possession will be particularly important if Temple builds an early lead.

The Owls should have enough offensive advantages to control the game without needing to force unnecessary plays.

The Prediction

Temple 34, Charlotte 13

Charlotte’s 0-6 record reflects a team struggling in nearly every major statistical category. Its offense ranks among the least productive in the country, while its defense has surrendered at least 34 points in five of six games.

Temple has been inconsistent, but the matchup strongly favors the Owls.

The combination of Temple’s improved rushing attack and Charlotte’s struggling secondary should allow the Owls to move the football and establish a lead by halftime.

Charlotte has enough explosive-play potential to produce a touchdown, and Temple’s defensive inconsistencies make a shutout unlikely.

However, the 49ers have struggled to sustain possessions and have committed 15 turnovers through six games. If Temple protects the football and limits explosive plays, it should be able to control the contest.

Expect the Owls to pull away in the second half, improve to 3-4 overall and enter their bye week with a much-needed conference victory.