Nearly 14,000 fans witnessed Green dominate White in Saturday’s inaugural spring game. Photo by Chris Crews
The first spring game in Charlotte 49ers football history was a tremendous success as the Green team defeated the White team by a score of 26-3 in front of an excited crowd of 13,950. The Green team, compiled of mostly projected starters for next year, thoroughly dominated from the opening kick to the final whistle.
Charlotte fans and coaches were clearly excited by the performance of Green team starting quarterback Matt Johnson, who played the entire first half and went 13-for-14 for 174 yards and a touchdown. Johnson’s only incompletion came on a dropped pass despite him throwing a perfectly timed spiral on a slant route splitting a few defenders. Johnson came out of the gates hot and completed a 47-yard pass on the first play from scrimmage, hitting wide receiver CJ Crawford behind the defense down the sideline. His next pass, a 10-yard slant in the red zone, was a touchdown.
When asked about his pre-game nerves, Johnson said “The nerves definitely turned down after that first big completion. Usually for me I’m alright after the first time that I get hit. The nerves were different today because there was definitely more pressure to perform in front of all these fans.”
The 49ers displayed an impressive, fast-paced, spread offense; similar to that of the always entertaining Oregon Ducks. The goal of this strategy is to tire out the defense and hopefully confuse them by reducing their ability to huddle between plays. Speed threats such as receiver Austin Duke and running back Alan Barnwell are suited perfectly for this offensive game-plan.
Running backs Barnwell and Damarrell Alexander both looked impressive in the backfield for the Green team. Barnwell carried the ball eight times for 32 yards and one touchdown, while also leveling a defender to free up his teammate on a reverse. Alexander got six carries of his own, compiling 36 yards and also reaching the endzone on a four yard scamper to third quarter.
Austin Duke looks to be a dangerous player if you can get him in space. Charlotte ran quite a few bubble screens to try and get him some open field to run on. Duke finished with four catches for 81 yards and one touchdown on a pass from Matt Johnson. After the game, Johnson called Duke one of the best athletes he’s ever seen at the wide receiver position.
Charlotte also looked impressive on the defensive end of the ball. Nose tackle Larry Ogunjobi was a terror in the backfield, totaling only three tackles but two of them went for negative yardage. The Green team also got two interceptions on the first two drives of the second half. Linebacker Terry Caldwell got a pick on the first play from scrimmage in the third quarter, executing the tip drill to perfection on an arid pass from Patrick O’Brien. The second interception came just two plays later on a dropped bubble screen. Free safety Desmond Cooper scooped it up before it hit the ground and set the green team up with exceptional field position.
Charlotte Head Coach Brad Lambert was pleased with his team after the game saying, “I was pleased with how our guys executed in a pressure situation in front of a big crowd. We got some turnovers on defense and Matt did a nice job throwing the ball.”
The 49ers will kickoff their first football season in school history on Aug. 31 when they take on the Campbell Camels at McColl-Richardson field.