What Went Wrong
This incredibly young football program is still paining to gain any traction in FBS football. I still wonder aloud why this program is playing FBS football at all, especially when the Power Five and ESPN has so much sway over things that G5 football is largely becoming more of an afterthought than ever.
Brad Lambert was thought to be on his way out the door as head coach at the end of the season, but he made some staff changes, and will be given one more season to work it all out.
The passing game for the 49ers was a mess. They averaged just 136.9 yards passing per game, and a QBR of just 91.35 as a football team. Not great. Hasaan Klugh's QBR was marginally hire than the team average at just over 96, but he tossed 13 INTs to just 10 TD passes. No single receiver caught more than 31 passes, and a deep threat was merely a dream.
The 49ers defense really fell off as well, as they picked up just 50 TFLs this season, while allowing 78, and that is a sizable gap. The defensive unit also only picked up 11 sacks all season as well, while the offense allowed 22.
The secondary was a hot mess as well, picking off just two passes all season, while allowing 248.8 yards passing per game, and the defense as a while allowed 205.83 yards rushing per game. Charlotte rushed for just 13 TDs on the year, but allowed 26 rushing TDs, and also allowed 18 passing TDs against their almost non-existent two team INTs. Not one player defended more than five passes as well on the season.
The field goal unit was also abysmal, hitting just 4/13 FGs all season long. Three different kickers attempted FGs, all with negative results.
What Went Right
It certainly was not in fan support, as Charlotte never drew as many as 20,000 fans to a single home game all season. The lone win all season did, however, come against a resurgent UAB football team, and that was the bright spot.
As bad as the offense was, the 49ers still rushed for over 166 yards per game, with Klugh providing most of the scoring with nine rushing scores. Benny LeMay and Aaron McCallister both averaged over five yards per carry.
Senior Punter Arthur Hart was rock solid as well for a guy who so much was asked of. He averaged 43.47 yards per punt on 7.1 punts per game.
What Does the Future Hold?
Lambert gets one more season to try and get this football team on the rails again, but this team fell off miserably from any progress made in 2016 after a four win season. The needle is pointing the wrong way at this point, and so the battle is all uphill.
Tough games loom at home and on the road in non con play, as the 49ers get Fordham and Appalachian State at home, while they get an improving U Mass and Tennessee on the road. I would say Lambert making it back for another go after 2018 has long odds.
No comments:
Post a Comment