Connor Harrell accounted for four touchdowns – two passing and two rushing – and Charlotte beat Temple 38-31 for its first win of the season Saturday afternoon at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
The 49ers, who came into the game as three-touchdown underdogs, snapped a 15-game losing skid and gave second-year coach Tim Albin his first win against an FBS opponent. Charlotte last celebrated a victory on Sept. 13, 2025 when the Niners outlasted Monmouth 42-35.
Harrell completed 23-of-31 passes for 281 yards. His touchdown throws covered 24 yards to Derrick Eley in the third quarter and 9 yards to Gus McGee in the fourth.
Harrell gave Charlotte a 21-14 lead midway through the third period with an 8-yard touchdown run. The 49ers and Temple traded touchdowns, and Harrell eventually gave Charlotte the lead for good with a 10-yard TD scamper with 8:40 left.
A 47-yard Aiden Bui field goal stretched the lead to 38-28, and the 49ers held on down the stretch.
Warmed the place up for ya @Panthers 🤝 https://t.co/mgLacOECxQ — Charlotte Football (@CharlotteFTBL) October 17, 2026
Khamani Alexander notched Charlotte’s first TD on the opening drive of the game, plunging in from the one and setting the tone for the Niners’ most successful football day in awhile.
Charlotte (1-6, 1-2 American) will have a bye next weekend before hosting Temple on Friday, Oct. 30.
Notable
- Henry Rutledge rushed for 123 yards on 17 carries for the 49ers.
- Eley made six receptions for 96 yards
- Collin Gill and Kadin Schmitz led Charlotte in tackles with eight apiece.
- Charlotte finished with 26 first downs, 449 total yards and punted just once
- Temple dropped to 2-5 with the loss, 1-2 in conference play
- Peter Clarke made 5 catches for 127 yards and one touchdown for the Owls.
