Charlotte continues its search for its first victory of the 2026 college football season Saturday when the 49ers visit Temple in an American Conference matchup at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
The 49ers (0-6, 0-2 American) have lost 15 consecutive games dating to last season and are coming off a 50-10 defeat at North Texas. Quarterback Conner Harrell returned to the starting lineup last week, throwing for 218 yards and a touchdown in his first start since a season-ending injury in 2025.
Temple (2-4, 1-1) also is looking to rebound after a 34-20 home loss to UConn. The Owls, led by veteran coach K.C. Keeler, have won all three previous meetings with Charlotte, including a 49-14 victory last season.
Here is everything to know about Charlotte at Temple, including kickoff time, TV and streaming information, betting odds, season results, statistical comparisons and what to watch.
🔄 Last Updated: October 13, 2026 11:32 pm
🏟️ How to Watch Charlotte vs. Temple Football
Matchup: Charlotte (0-6, 0-2 American) at Temple (2-4, 1-1 American)
Date: Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Location: Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia, Pa.)
TV/Streaming: ESPN+
Broadcast Team: Joe Tordy (play-by-play), Barrett Brooks (analyst), Jake Starr (sideline)
Charlotte Internet Radio: Charlotte49ers.com
Radio Team: Matt Swierad, Al Wallace, Bobby Rosinski
📊 Charlotte vs. Temple Betting Odds
Spread: Temple -21.5
Over/Under Total: 47.5 points
Moneyline: Charlotte +1280 | Temple -3500
Lines courtesy FanDuel Sportsbook. Odds will be refreshed periodically during the week. All lines are subject to change.
⏪ 2026 Season Rewind
Charlotte 49ers (0-6)
Sept. 5: Lost to The Citadel, 43-41 (3 OT)
Sept. 12: Lost at No. 9 Ole Miss, 41-9
Sept. 19: Lost at App State, 26-21
Sept. 26: Lost to Louisiana, 34-7
Oct. 3: Lost to Memphis, 59-8
Oct. 10: Lost at North Texas, 50-10
Temple Owls (2-4)
Sept. 5: Def. Rhode Island, 38-14
Sept. 12: Lost to No. 16 Penn State, 27-9
Sept. 19: Lost at Toledo, 49-48 (OT)
Sept. 25: Lost to Army, 21-17
Oct. 3: Def. South Florida, 17-13 (away)
Oct. 10: Lost to UConn, 34-20
Last Time Out
North Texas 50, Charlotte 10 (Oct. 10) – Conner Harrell made his first start since a season-ending injury in 2025 and completed 15 of 22 passes for 218 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions against North Texas. His 75-yard scoring pass to Derrick Eley accounted for Charlotte’s only touchdown in a 50-10 loss.
UConn 34, Temple 20 (Oct. 10) – The Owls traded early scores with UConn and led 17-14 during the second quarter before the Huskies rallied. Temple trailed 24-20 entering the fourth quarter but lost a second fumble, and UConn pulled away with 10 unanswered points.
🔍 What to Know About Charlotte at Temple
Charlotte’s losing streak reaches 15 games
The 49ers have not won since defeating Monmouth 42-35 in September 2025, their only victory under second-year coach Tim Albin.
Charlotte has been outscored 253-96 through six games this season. The past two defeats have been particularly lopsided, with Memphis and North Texas combining to outscore the 49ers 109-18.
The schedule hasn’t been entirely unforgiving. Charlotte lost by just two points to The Citadel in triple overtime and by five at App State. But the 49ers have struggled to remain competitive in their past three outings.
Harrell gets another opportunity at quarterback
Conner Harrell returned to Charlotte’s starting lineup against North Texas after recovering from a season-ending injury suffered in Week 4 of 2025.
Harrell passed for 218 yards against the Mean Green, connecting with Derrick Eley on a 75-yard touchdown that tied for the sixth-longest passing play in Charlotte program history.
The 49ers have generated a 75-yard touchdown in consecutive games. Henry Rutledge broke a 75-yard scoring run against Memphis the previous week.
Harrell’s return provides a potential spark for an offense averaging only 16 points per game, although Charlotte must improve its ball security and consistency.
Temple’s running game presents another challenge
Temple has averaged more than 200 rushing yards per game, surpassing the 100-yard mark in all six contests and rushing for at least 200 yards four times.
Running back Keveun Mason leads the Owls with 444 rushing yards, while quarterback Ajani Sheppard has added 259 yards and three rushing touchdowns.
That could be a difficult matchup for Charlotte, which is allowing 184 rushing yards per game and 466.8 total yards per contest.
The Owls also have big-play capability through the air. Sheppard has thrown four touchdown passes of at least 50 yards this season, something no Temple quarterback had accomplished since P.J. Walker in 2016.
Sources: Charlotte dismisses strength coach
Charlotte parted ways with its strength and conditioning coach this week, per FootballScoop. Jake Miller was hired by head coach Tim Albin when he took the job in December 2024 and had served as director of strength and conditioning at Ohio when Albin was head coach there from 2021-23.
Ben Gilkey, who is currently the assistant strength coach, will assume duties of leading the strength and conditioning program, FootballScoop reports.
A record within reach for Temple’s Peter Clarke
Temple tight end Peter Clarke needs one touchdown reception to become the program’s outright career leader at his position.
Clarke caught his 10th career touchdown pass against UConn, tying Randy Grossman’s school record for tight ends, set from 1970-73.
The scoring play came on a 29-yard pass from wide receiver Colin Chase, who recorded his first career passing touchdown.
Clarke also set Temple’s single-season tight end record with six touchdown catches in 2025.
Temple coach K.C. Keeler leads FBS football
Temple coach K.C. Keeler has compiled 278 career victories, making him the winningest active FBS head coach entering this week’s matchup.
His 275th victory came against Charlotte last season, when the Owls defeated the 49ers 49-14.
Keeler, now in his 33rd season as a collegiate head coach, has guided programs at Rowan, Delaware, Sam Houston State and Temple. He recently coached his 400th career game, becoming the 24th coach in NCAA football history to reach that milestone.
Temple is 7-11 over two seasons with Keeler at the helm.
📊 Charlotte at Temple Stats and Trends
Charlotte Team Highlights
Points For: 16.0 points per game
Points Against: 42.2 points per game
Passing Offense: 186.3 yards per game
Rushing Offense: 101.5 yards per game
Passing Defense: 282.8 yards allowed per game
Rushing Defense: 184.0 yards allowed per game
Charlotte Individual Leaders
Passing: Cole Gonzales – 802 yards, 3 TD
Rushing: Khamani Alexander – 216 yards, 3 TD
Receiving: Jaden Barnes – 35 receptions, 343 yards
Tackles: Gavin Willis – 47, including 24 solo
Interceptions: Collin Gill, Devon St. Clair – 1 interception each
Scoring: Khamani Alexander, Ian Kelly – 20 points each
Temple Team Highlights
Points For: 24.8 points per game
Points Against: 26.3 points per game
Passing Offense: 172.7 yards per game
Rushing Offense: 201.5 yards per game
Passing Defense: 231.7 yards allowed per game
Rushing Defense: 165.5 yards allowed per game
Temple Individual Leaders
Passing: Ajani Sheppard – 891 yards, 7 TD, 0 INT
Rushing: Keveun Mason – 444 yards, 2 TD
Receiving: Colin Chase – 12 receptions, 234 yards, 2 TD
Tackles: Curly Ordonez – 58
Interceptions: Tyree Alualu and Jamarcus Pierre – 1 each
Scoring: Carl Hardin – 39 points
📈 What the Numbers Say
- 15: Consecutive losses for Charlotte, which is seeking its first victory since September 2025.
- 26.3%: Charlotte’s third-down conversion rate. The 49ers have converted just 20 of 76 opportunities, compared with Temple’s 40.3% success rate.
- 109: Points allowed by Charlotte in its past two games, losses to Memphis and North Texas.
- 4: Touchdown passes of at least 50 yards thrown by Temple quarterback Ajani Sheppard this season.
- 134-37: Temple’s combined scoring advantage in three previous meetings against Charlotte. The Owls have scored at least 37 points in each game.
📚 Charlotte vs. Temple Series History
- All-Time Series: Temple leads 3-0
- Last Meeting: Temple defeated Charlotte 49-14 on Oct. 18, 2025, in Charlotte.
- First Meeting: Temple defeated Charlotte 37-3 on Oct. 2, 2015, in Charlotte.
- Last Meeting in Philadelphia: Temple won 48-20 on Sept. 24, 2016.
- Temple has dominated the series, outscoring Charlotte 134-37 in three games.
- The Owls’ 2025 victory included two defensive touchdowns – a 64-yard interception return and a 73-yard fumble return – as Temple scored 42 unanswered points after the teams were tied 7-7 in the first quarter.
- Saturday’s matchup will be the fourth meeting between the programs and Charlotte’s second trip to Philadelphia to face the Owls.
🔗 More North Carolina College Football Coverage
- Charlotte Football Schedule
- American Conference Standings
- 2026 week-by-week schedule
- North Carolina college football scores
