CHARLOTTE – In a heart-stopping senior day finale, the Charlotte 49ers secured a dramatic 29-27 victory over UAB, clinching the program's first five-win season since 2021.

Freshman quarterback Deshawn Purdie emerged as the game's defining player, connecting with O'Mega Blake on a critical 46-yard touchdown pass that proved decisive. Despite struggling throughout much of the game, Purdie delivered when it mattered most, with interim coach Tim Brewster noting, "The moment is never too big."

The victory was a testament to the team's unity, embodied by running backs Hahsaun Wilson and Cartevious Norton, who both scored touchdowns. Wilson reflected on the team's spirit, stating, "When you have a team that's playing selfishly and doesn't play for anything but themselves, it gets hard. When you stick together and band together, nobody can stop (you)."

The game's dramatic conclusion came down to the wire, with UAB attempting a potential game-winning field goal. Defensive end Mike Kelly-Lawson captured the moment's intensity, saying, "I've been here for six years, I've been through five playing seasons and a lot of crazy games. The football gods have to be on your side."

Senior wide receiver Sean Brown achieved a personal milestone, recording his first 100-yard game in his final collegiate appearance. "It feels pretty good. I always wanted one," Brown said. "But in the last game? It feels pretty good to get it."

Interim coach Tim Brewster saw the win as more than just a single game, declaring, "These seniors have this victory for the rest of their lives." He emphasized the team's potential, noting, "This is a really great job. I think the future is extremely bright."

O'Mega Blake tied the program's single-season touchdown record with his ninth score, while freshman quarterback Purdie continued to make history by setting multiple first-year player records.

The victory was a fitting conclusion to a challenging season, with players and coaches celebrating a moment of triumph that transcended the final score. As Brewster put it, "This is why you lift all the weights, and you do everything that you do — to experience moments like we did tonight."

Charlotte's win not only secured a positive end to their season but also showcased the program's resilience and potential for future success. The next step for the 49ers will be to find the program's fourth head coach in its history.

In Saturday afternoon’s NCAA Division II national quarterfinal game, the visiting Lenoir-Rhyne Bears dominated the host Valdosta State Blazers in a decisive victory. Despite the rainy weather at Valdosta’s Bazemore-Hyder Stadium, the Bears showcased their knack for defeating top teams on the road, walking away with a 35-7 victory and a trip to the national semifinals next week.

After a scoreless first quarter that saw both teams struggling to find any offensive momentum, the Bears took control of the game in the second quarter, scoring four straight touchdowns to take a commanding lead. Dwayne McGee initiated the scoring with a 1-yard run, followed by Zayvion Turner-Knox with a 2-yard run. Sean White added to the tally with a 4-yard run, and Turner-Knox rounded off the quarter with an impressive 87-yard run for his second touchdown on the day. Jake Brown successfully kicked after each touchdown, bringing the score to 28-0 in favor of the Bears at halftime.

The Blazers attempted a comeback in the third quarter with Tyler Ajiero catching a 6-yard pass from Sammy Edwards for a touchdown. Estin Thiele's successful kick brought the score to 28-7. However, the Bears responded in the fourth quarter with Dwayne McGee's 2-yard run and Jake Brown's successful kick, sealing the game at 35-7.

The Bears' offense was relentless on the ground, with a strong showing of 307 rushing yards. The defense was equally formidable, with Jon Ross Maye leading the team with 5 tackles and Rashad Yelding contributing 2 sacks for a loss of 26 yards.

The game ended with the Bears' possession time dominating at 38 minutes compared to the Blazers' 22 minutes. The Bears' superior execution on both sides of the ball kept Valdosta State at bay for most of the afternoon, propelling the Bears into the semifinals of the NCAA Division II playoffs.

Notable Performances

• Dwayne McGee (LR): McGee was a key player in the Bears' offense, contributing two touchdowns. He made a 1-yard run and a 2-yard run, resulting in a net gain of 102 yards from 22 attempts.
• Zayvion Turner-Knox (LR): Turner-Knox was another standout on the Bears' offense. He made two significant runs, one for 2 yards and another impressive 87-yard run, resulting in a total net gain of 145 yards from 15 attempts.
• Sean White (LR): White, the Bears' quarterback, completed 9 out of 15 passes for a net gain of 51 yards. He also contributed a 4-yard run for a touchdown.
• Tyler Ajiero (VSU): Ajiero was a bright spot in the Blazers' offense, catching a 6-yard pass from Sammy Edwards for a touchdown.
• Jon Ross Maye (LR): On the defensive side, Maye led the Bears with 5 tackles, including 2 solo and 3 assisted. He also contributed to a forced fumble.

Up Next

Lenoir-Rhyne awaits its opponent in the national semifinals as the teams are reseeded once regional play is completed.

BIRMINGHAM, AL – Charlotte pushed host UAB to the limit, taking a 20-19 lead early in the fourth quarter, but the Blazers (4-2; C-USA: 2-1) scored the final two touchdowns to claim a 34-20 Conference USA victory Saturday.

"We can't shoot ourselves in the foot," said head coach Will Healy, alluding to three 49ers' turnovers. "I know it's frustrating for our team, frustrating for our fans, and frustrating for our staff. We're getting better on (the defensive) side of the ball. We gave up a couple big plays and weren't great on third down but we had some major stops in the red zone – a  kind of bend but don't break mentality. Us eliminating three and outs on offense was so important. We needed to keep our defense off the field to make sure we had some gas left in the fourth quarter.  Credit to (UAB) being able to put the thing away."

Charlotte's Geo Howard intercepted UAB on the second play of the game to help Charlotte (1-6; C-USA: 0-3) to a 14-7 lead after the first quarter. 

Chris Reynolds was 8-of-11 in the first quarter for 127 yards, including a season-best 60-yard TD pass to Elijah Spencer.  It was Spencer's 10th career TD – the seventh player in 49ers history to reach double figures and marked the 21st straight game in which Reynolds has played and thrown a TD pass.

Reynolds connected with Spencer again for a 28-yard pass on second-and-19 to set up a two-yard TD run by Shadrick Byrd to send the 49ers ahead 14-7.

In the second quarter, the 49ers defense held strong on a pair of goal-to-go possessions.  On a first-and-goal from the five, Charlotte held the line and Tank Robinson added a 10-yard TFL that gave Charlotte the ball on downs.  Another Blazer drive late in the quarter gave UAB a first-and-goal from the two.  Again, the defense stepped up and forced a 20-yard field goal that made it 14-10 heading into the half.

A pair of second-half turnovers led to nine Blazer points as UAB took a 19-14 lead with 2:15 left in the third quarter.

After a Reynolds interception to open the second half, UAB drove to the 12 but settled for a 29-yard field goal to cut the lead to one, 14-13. A fumble on a promising drive at the UAB 27 led to the Blazers' second TD of the game.  A stop on the two-point conversion left the Blazers with that five-point lead, 19-14.

On Charlotte's ensuing possession, Reynolds hit Henry Rutledge for 19 yards, Grant DuBose for 18, and Taylor Thompson for 24 to set the 49ers up at the one-yard line. Shadrick Byrd cashed in for his second TD of the game to put Charlotte ahead, 20-19 early in the fourth quarter.

UAB retook the lead, 27-20, on its next possession and added a breakaway run in the closing minutes to ice the game, 34-20.

"What stings is all I want them to do is have a great experience here and ultimately winning is part of that experience," Healy said. "You're seeing strides.  You're just dying for success."

NEXT:  

Charlotte hosts FIU, Saturday at 3:30 in another C-USA game.  It will be the 49ers' annual Homecoming Game. 

Jerry Richardson Stadium

What the Coaches are Saying

Game Information