Charlotte opens its 2026 football season Saturday, Sept. 5, when the 49ers host The Citadel at Jerry Richardson Stadium.
The 49ers begin their second season under coach Tim Albin with Western Carolina transfer Cole Gonzales taking over at quarterback. The Citadel enters the matchup 0-1 after falling to Wofford 42-14 in its season opener.
Here’s everything to know about The Citadel at Charlotte, including kickoff time, TV and streaming information, latest lines, injury updates and key storylines.
🔄 Last Updated: September 1, 2026 6:18 pm
🏟️ The Citadel vs. Charlotte Game Center
Date: Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Jerry Richardson Stadium (Charlotte, NC)
Records: The Citadel 0-1 | Charlotte 0-0
TV/Stream: ESPN+
Announcers: Tom Werme and Reggie Walker
Listen: Charlotte 49ers Athletics mobile app
Weather Forecast: Hot and humid with highs in the mid-90s. Heat index could make it feel over 100°F.
Spread: Charlotte -15.5
Over/Under: 46.5 points
Moneyline: Charlotte -1100 | The Citadel +700
Lines via DraftKings, September 1, 2026
🩹 Injury Updates
- Charlotte backup quarterback Conner Harrell is listed as questionable. He suffered a season-ending knee injury during 2025 and is still on the mend. Cole Gonzales (former WCU and Pitt QB) is the announced starter for the 49ers.
- The Citadel has announced no major injury news.
🔍 What to Know About The Citadel at Charlotte Football
What time is The Citadel at Charlotte football game?
The Citadel and Charlotte kick off at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Sept. 5, at Jerry Richardson Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
How to watch The Citadel vs. Charlotte game?
The Citadel-Charlotte game can be found on ESPN+ and via streaming services like Fubo. Additionally, starting in 2026 audio is available on the Charlotte 49ers digital platform.
Charlotte opens the 2026 season
Charlotte will make its 2026 debut Saturday after finishing 1-11 in Tim Albin’s first season. The 49ers enter Year 2 under Albin with a significantly reworked roster as they look to improve on last season’s lone victory.
👉 Read more: Charlotte 49ers 2026 season preview
Cole Gonzales takes the helm at quarterback
Cole Gonzales, a fifth-year from Ocala, FL, was named the 49ers’ starting quarterback in the preseason. Gonzales joined the Charlotte roster in the spring and is well-traveled at the college level, starting his career at Western Carolina, then transferring to Pitt after a brief stop at Oklahoma.
Gonzales was All-Southern Conference first team and a Walter Payton Award finalist in both 2023 and 2024 while at WCU. He finished with 6,682 passing yards and 51 touchdowns over 27 games with the Catamounts.
Tim Albin returns for Year 2 at Charlotte
Tim Albin built Ohio into a MAC championship contender during his tenure with the Bobcats before taking the Charlotte job. He went 1-11 in his first season with the 49ers.
Charlotte needs to find some offense in 2026
The 49ers averaged just 14.3 points per game last season, one of the nation’s lowest scoring offenses. Albin worked in the off-season to add weapons on that side of the ball, including Gonzales, transfer running back Chance Williams and former App State receiver Jaden Barnes.
The Citadel is coming off a loss
The Bulldogs, who compete at the FCS level, opened their 2026 campaign with a conference game on Aug. 29, falling to Wofford 42-14. The Citadel outgained the Terriers 351-341 but committed three turnovers, including a fumble inside the Wofford 5.
Charlotte’s lone win in 2025 came against an FCS opponent, a 42-35 decision over Monmouth last September.
📚 Series History
The Citadel leads the series 1-0 The only meeting was a wild one, a 63-56 double-overtime victory by the Bulldogs in Charleston, S.C. on Oct. 11, 2014 – the second year of Charlotte’s return to football.
Charlotte rallied from deficits of 35-17 and 42-31 to force overtime. Matt Johnson hit Austin Duke on a 71-yard pass play in the final two minutes to bring the teams even. The 49ers scored first in OT but The Citadel stuffed them on fourth down in the second extra period to preserve the victory.
🔗 More North Carolina College Football Coverage
- Charlotte Football Schedule
- Charlotte 2026 Football Preview
- American Conference Standings
- 2026 week-by-week schedule
- North Carolina college football scores
