Observing current iteration of the Charlotte 49ers football team is noticeably different. Although there are new players in almost every group on the field and competitions for positions are starting to take shape, one thing is certain: the offensive has significantly improved. In his first press conference, head coach Biff Poggi repeatedly emphasized that he intended to introduce the Big Ten style of offense—a combination of play-action and ground-and-pound rushing attack—to Charlotte. However, Poggi claims that this team is somewhat different in year two.
This year’s team is more balanced than the one that finished last year, when the 49ers were competitive in almost every game thanks to the defense of Ryan Osborn, the defensive coordinator for Charlotte. Additionally, the offensive is beginning to change the narrative after witnessing the defense control the offense throughout Poggi’s first year’s spring and fall, and more support is on the way. The final practice of the spring season will take place on Saturday, the day of the spring game. The 11-on-11 and 7-on-7 spring game, which is free and open to the public, will start at 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 20 at Jerry Richardson Stadium.
After a rigorous schedule of spring workouts, Poggi is pleased with the roster’s response and is eager to welcome the supporters back to Richardson Stadium on Saturday night. Meanwhile, Charlotte is still waiting on the return of several defensive players following off-season surgery.
Poggi told The Observer, “We’ve only had one injury since spring, and I’ve never heard of that before.” “What we did today is what we’re going to do on Saturday. We’re going to play a lengthy 7-on-7 after a full kicking game. After that, we’re going to get together to play 11-on-11 offense vs. defense with a focus on throwing. On Saturday, I believe there should be some entertaining events.
