Charlotte will enjoy a national TV audience Thursday night, welcoming Tulane to the bright lights of Jerry Richardson Stadium.
The game kicks off at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN. Charlotte will face its third-straight ranked opponent.
Here are 10 things to know about American Athletic Conference showdown:
Historic Broadcast: ESPN’s SportsCenter will broadcast live from Charlotte’s campus for the first time, airing the 2 p.m. hour from the campus quad to celebrate the game day atmosphere.
First-Ever Meeting: This is the inaugural game between Charlotte (3-5, 2-2 AAC) and Tulane (6-2, 4-0 AAC), adding an extra layer of anticipation to the Thursday night showdown.
Prime-Time Under the Lights: This will be Charlotte’s first home game broadcast on ESPN’s main network, following past appearances on ESPN’s affiliates and the Bahamas Bowl.
Charlotte’s Improvement Target: A win would give Charlotte its fourth victory this season, marking the most wins since 2021 after consecutive 3-9 seasons.
Tough Road So Far: Charlotte’s losses have come against opponents with a combined 31-8 record, highlighting the strength of their competition. The 49ers battled Memphis to the wire last weekend before dropping a 33-28 contest.
Tulane’s Winning Streak: Tulane enters the game on a five-game win streak, topping the AAC with 14 straight conference victories and posting an impressive 29-7 record over the last two seasons.
High-Powered Offense: Tulane’s scoring offense ranks 8th nationally at 40.5 points per game, driven by standout rusher Makhi Hughes, who had 195 yards last week.
Defensive Challenges: Charlotte’s defense ranks 119th in points allowed (34.3), while Tulane holds the advantage with a defensive ranking of 51st (22.3 points allowed).
Charlotte’s Halloween Record: The 49ers are 0-2 on Halloween games, previously falling to Marshall (2015) and Duke (2020).
Biff Poggi’s Second Season: Charlotte’s head coach Biff Poggi, in his second year, looks to make a statement as the 49ers face their third straight ranked opponent.
This story was compiled and written with the help of ChatGPT. All stories are edited by real human beings.
