Memphis returns to the gridiron on Saturday for its first conference matchup of the season against Charlotte. The game was originally scheduled for a 2:30 p.m. CT start, but on Thursday, it was announced the game would be moved to 10 a.m. CT [https://roundtable.io/sports/ncaa/memphis/community/memphis-game-at-charlotte-moved-to-10-a-m-due-to-weather] due to a threat of inclement weather Saturday afternoon. The 49ers enter the game 0-4 after struggling in non-conference play, and head coach Tim Albin is looking for positives after a slow start to his tenure. Albin has been in coaching since 1989, and Charlotte hired him after he went 33-19 in four seasons with Ohio. In that span, the Bobcats never finished worst than third in the conference and appeared in the conference championship twice. While he had a lot of success at his previous stop, it’s been anything but successful at Charlotte. Albin is 1-15 through the first four games of his second season, and fans are already asking for changes within the program. The 49ers began the season with a triple overtime loss to The Citadel, who is 0-3 against other FCS programs this season. Last week, they lost to Louisiana at home by 27 points. Albin’s offense is averaging 19.5 points per game, and they’re averaging only 311 yards of total offense per game. Charlotte has started senior Cole Gonzales in all four games, and he has thrown for 729 yards, three touchdowns and six interceptions. While Gonzales has started, Conner Harrell has been inserted in several games, but he has thrown for only 93 yards on 19 attempts. The two quarterbacks are listed with an “OR” between their names on the depth chart. The 49ers have two receivers with more than 200-yards receiving, and senior Jaden Barnes leads the team with 239 yards on 25 receptions. Sophomore Jaylen Hampton has 224 yards and two touchdowns on 20 receptions. In the run-game, Albin’s team has rushed for 421 total yards and five touchdowns, and sophomore Khamani Alexander leads the team with 176 yards and three touchdowns on 38 carries. Gonzales has added two rushing touchdowns. The 49ers have allowed 386.8 yards of total offense, including 154.5 yards per game on the ground, and they’re allowing 36 points per game. Senior linebacker Gavin Willis leads the team with 29 tackles and a forced fumble, while defensive back Collin Gill has added 27 tackles, a sack and an interception. Freshman Ian Kelly, who is listed as a punter, has handled kicking this season, and he’s 7-for-7 on extra points and 3-for-4 on field goals, but he hasn’t made one longer than 30 yards.
