Memphis vs Charlotte: 3 Essential Keys to a Tough Test
Memphis vs Charlotte opens American Conference play for both teams on Saturday, Oct. 3. The Tigers (3-1) visit the winless 49ers (0-4) at Jerry Richardson Stadium in Charlotte, N.C. Kickoff is 11 a.m. ET, with streaming on ESPN+.
Memphis vs Charlotte game information
- Date: Saturday, Oct. 3
- Time: 11 a.m. ET
- Venue: Jerry Richardson Stadium, Charlotte, N.C.
- Streaming: ESPN+
- Forecast: 77 degrees, 34% chance of precipitation, per ESPN
How the Tigers have scored
Memphis, in Charles Huff’s first season as head coach, averages 33.5 points and 508 yards per game. The Tigers beat UNLV 27-21, beat Arkansas State 42-24, lost 38-20 at Boise State and rebounded with a 45-21 win over UT Martin. For more on the team that handed Memphis its only loss, see our Utah State vs. Boise State preview.
Quarterback Marcus Stokes has completed 70 of 98 passes for 1,053 yards, nine touchdowns and three interceptions. Running back Jaylin Carter has 437 yards and six touchdowns on 55 carries, an average of 7.9 yards per attempt. Receiver Hunter Tipton has 307 yards and three touchdowns on 16 catches.
Charlotte is still searching for a first win
Charlotte lost to The Citadel 43-41 in three overtimes, 41-9 at No. 9 Ole Miss, 26-21 at Appalachian State and 34-7 to Louisiana. The 49ers, in Tim Albin’s second season, average 19.5 points and 311.1 yards per game and have allowed 36 points per game.
Quarterback Cole Gonzales has completed 73 of 113 passes for 729 yards, three touchdowns and six interceptions. Khamani Alexander has 176 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 38 carries, and Jaden Barnes has 25 catches for 239 yards. Charlotte has converted 30.2% of its third downs and has given the ball away nine times.
Memphis vs Charlotte by the numbers
Season statistics through four games show why Memphis vs Charlotte looks lopsided on paper. Memphis leads in every offensive category below, while Charlotte has created more takeaways but also committed more turnovers.
- Points per game: Memphis 33.5, Charlotte 19.5
- Points allowed per game: Memphis 26.0, Charlotte 36.0
- Total yards per game: Memphis 508.0, Charlotte 311.1
- Rushing yards per game: Memphis 241.0, Charlotte 105.3
- Yards per carry: Memphis 6.5, Charlotte 4.0
- Third-down conversion rate: Memphis 43.9%, Charlotte 30.2%
- Takeaways/giveaways: Memphis 4/5, Charlotte 8/9
- Sacks: Memphis 10, Charlotte 6
Charlotte finished 1-11 last season, including 0-8 in conference play, in Albin’s first year as head coach. Memphis has not trailed the 49ers in any of the key offensive measures this season, though the Tigers’ defense has allowed at least 20 points in all four games.
Key matchup: Memphis’ ground game vs. Charlotte’s defense
In Memphis vs Charlotte, the Tigers’ rushing attack is the headline: Memphis rushes for 241 yards per game and 6.5 yards per carry. Charlotte has allowed 43 and 41 points in two of its four games, and it has not held a team below 26 points. Memphis also has 10 sacks, led by Elijah Kinsler’s 3.5, against a Charlotte offense that has thrown six interceptions. For another look at the conference, see our Navy vs Air Force preview.
What to watch
Memphis vs Charlotte is the first conference game for both teams, and both are 0-0 in American Conference play. Memphis looks to open with a win after its bounce-back against UT Martin, and Charlotte looks for its first victory of the season after an 0-4 start that included a game at No. 9 Ole Miss and a three-overtime loss to The Citadel. The Tigers also lost to Navy last November, a game we recapped in Navy Midshipmen Knock Off Memphis Tigers on Thanksgiving Night.
Records, statistics and the forecast come from ESPN’s official game data.