Charlotte football finally hits the road for the first time this season, and the 49ers do so under the Friday night lights in front of a national audience.
After four straight games in their home city, Charlotte (1-3, 0-1 American) travels to Raymond James Stadium in Tampa to face South Florida (3-1, 0-0) in an ESPN2 showcase. The Niners arrive banged up, turning to Duke transfer Grayson Loftis at quarterback, while the Bulls enter with momentum and two ranked wins already in their pocket.
Vitals: When is the Charlotte at USF Game?
🏈 Matchup: Charlotte (1-3, 0-1 AAC) at USF (3-1, 0-0 AAC)
🏟️ Stadium: Raymond James Stadium | Tampa, FL
⏰ Kickoff: Friday, 7:00 p.m. ET
📺 TV/Streaming: ESPN2
🧾 Line: USF -26.5 | O/U: 55.5 (DraftKings on 10/2/25)
📅 Last Meeting: USF 59, Charlotte 24 (Nov. 16, 2024, at Charlotte)
Charlotte Preview: ‘Next Man Up’
Head coach Tim Albin announced this week that starting quarterback Conner Harrell and running back Henry Rutledge are both out for the year with lower-body injuries. That means Duke transfer Grayson Loftis will make his first Charlotte start.
Loftis is no stranger to the spotlight or stepping up when a starter goes down. He went 3-2 as a true freshman at Duke in 2023, including a Birmingham Bowl win over Troy, in relief of injured QB Riley Leonard.
But his relief appearances this fall have been bumpy: three turnovers and just 52.3 percent completions in limited action. He’ll have to settle in quickly against a USF defense that thrives on creating takeaways.
Rod Gainey Jr. is the leading rusher for Charlotte right now, rushing for a modest 145 yards and one TD over four games. The next closest is CJ Stokes (95 yards).
Charlotte has seen bright spots on special teams. Liam Boyd drilled three first-half field goals against Rice, tying the home stadium record, while return men Javen Nicholas (13.8 yards per punt return) and Derrick Eley (30.8 yards per kick return) both rank top-20 nationally. Nicholas scored a touchdown and 2-point conversion in the Rice game.
USF Preview: Bulls Eye Fast Start
The Bulls enter conference play with marquee wins over #25 Boise State (34-7) and #13 Florida (18-16). Their lone setback came against No. 5 Miami, but they bounced back with a 63-14 rout of South Carolina State.
Quarterback Byrum Brown has completed 62.9 percent of his passes for 983 yards and six TDs, while Tennessee transfer Chas Nimrod (26.2 yards per catch, two straight 100-yard games) has been the breakout star at receiver. USF’s defense has forced seven turnovers in four games, continuing its top-15 national form from the past two years.
Head coach Alex Golesh calls this the Bulls’ “second season” with the team aiming to win the American and possibly grab a College Football Playoff spot. He expects Raymond James Stadium under Friday night lights on ESPN2 to showcase his program’s toughness and detail to a national audience.
Matchup History
This will be the third meeting between the programs. USF leads the series 2-0, and both games were lopsided. Last year, the Bulls ran for a program-record 425 yards in a 59-24 road win.
Key Matchups to Watch
- Grayson Loftis vs USF’s secondary – Loftis must protect the ball and handle pressure to keep Charlotte competitive.
- Charlotte’s return game – Special teams could provide momentum swings if Nicholas or Eley can break for big gains.
- USF WR Chas Nimrod vs Charlotte’s corners – The 49ers can’t afford explosive plays over the top.
- Turnovers – Charlotte’s thin margin for error shrinks further if giveaways pile up.
Prediction
Charlotte will be motivated under the Friday night ESPN spotlight, but USF’s talent, depth and playmaking edge are significant. Most oddsmakers see a multi-touchdown margin, and history supports that view.
Our Pick: USF 45, Charlotte 13
