It’s ‘next man up’ for Charlotte 49ers against Tulsa following injuries, suspensions

The Charlotte 49ers have just four games left of Biff Poggi’s roller coaster first season as head coach.

Following Charlotte’s most recent loss, a 38-16 drubbing by Florida Atlantic, everything is going in threes for Poggi’s 49ers. Charlotte is down to their third-string quarterback with split-starters Jalon Jones and Trexler Ivey nursing injuries, meaning that Oklahoma transfer Micah Bowens or Dom Shoffner will see the field for their first meaningful snaps of the season.

Poggi suspended three players following the nationally televised home loss against FAU but elected not to name the individuals who will not be traveling with the team to Tulsa (3-5, 1-3 AAC) for Saturday’s game. Although unnamed in the press release, Charlotte has removed Eyabi Okie-Anoma and Stone Handy from their two-deep depth chart.

After scoring their first American Athletic Conference victory over in-state opponent East Carolina two weeks ago, it seemed momentum had turned in Charlotte’s (2-6, 1-3 AAC) favor with multiple winnable games remaining on their schedule. Now, searching for their third win of the season, Poggi and the short-handed 49ers hope to pull together and salvage the 63-year-old coach’s first season.

“We put out a statement on Saturday that I have suspended players for inappropriate behavior in the game Friday night against FAU,” Poggi told the media on Tuesday. “One of the hardest things I’ve had to do, but it was the right thing to do. What I care about most now is how does (the team) respond.

“Friday was inappropriate — it was totally inexcusable. So, we have to teach to that. And we’ll keep teaching. Not only on-field stuff, but what’s off the field,” Poggi continued. “We do have a lot of players injured, and we do have the suspensions, but it is what it is. It’s a chance for somebody else to step up and for everybody to learn a lesson.”

In a season that’s featured continuous uncertainty at quarterback, a new face will be asked to step up on Saturday afternoon, but Poggi and offensive coordinator Mike Miller are yet to name a starter.

“We’re not trying to be cute. We really don’t know,” Poggi said regarding the quarterbacks. “Jalon is probably the most serious (injury), and then Trexler, on that slide, got hit, and his injury is pretty serious also. Right now, we’re getting Dom Shoffner, Micah Bowens and Steven Johnson ready.”

Next man up

Shoffner saw his first action in a Charlotte uniform since the 2020 season on Friday night, making his second stop in the Queen City after a season with the Eastern Illinois Panthers in 2022. Initially brought in to compete with Chris Reynolds for the starting job under Will Healy, Shoffner is a boomerang quarterback who worked out at Richardson Stadium all offseason while searching for a home to play his final year of college football.

“I hit the portal in November of last year, and I came back to Charlotte and was just training ever since. I used to go to Charlotte’s game field and practice fields to work out and throw with some of the guys that I knew out here. One day, coach Biff saw me working out and liked what they saw, watched my film, and they wanted me. It was a great opportunity; I couldn’t pass it up.”

Since passing on an offer from NC State and returning to Charlotte, Shoffner has stayed committed to the process — even when his name wasn’t called.

“It’s a great life lesson. You never know when your name is going to be called, and when it is, be ready. Dom got his name called and executed,” Miller said. “He’s earned that. The kid was valeting cars six months ago, looking for a home, trying to play one more year of college football. It’s just a cool story on him, and he’s showed up every day to go to work.”

Shoffner saw his first action of the season in the fourth quarter of Friday’s loss to FAU, completing four of his six passes for 37 yards. Despite the game being well out of reach, Poggi was impressed with what he saw from the graduate student.

“I’m really proud of Dom. He’s a guy that never complains about anything and just comes prepared. He works really hard in practice, and I thought he did a great job when he came in the game,” Poggi said. “It’s harder when you don’t come out of the bullpen, so he’s got to have a really good week this week. We’ve got to do some things that play to his strengths.”

Charlotte’s offense has struggled all season, regardless of who was playing QB. Scoring just an average of 14.8 points through eight games, it’s hard to imagine that the 49ers’ offense will look drastically different against Tulsa.

Facing a Golden Hurricane defense that gave up 69 points to SMU a week ago and ranks last in the bottom three in the nation in passing yards allowed per game (301.1 yards), Shoffner, Bowens, or Johnson will have their opportunities.

Miller’s focus is finishing drives, which Charlotte has struggled to do all season, scoring just nine touchdowns on 19 red zone attempts.

“Really, it comes down to we were 1 for 5 in the red area (against FAU) — three field goals, one touchdown and a turnover on downs. We’ve seen improvement, but at the end of the day, we have to win games. We have to continue to coach our kids how to win, and that’s on me as the offensive coordinator.”

Defensive changes

Charlotte scored 16 points against UFA, tying its best point total since Week 3. But defensive coordinator Ryan Osborn put the loss on himself, allowing 38 points — the most Charlotte’s allowed in an AAC game this season.

Osborn vowed to make changes to defensive procedures for the remainder of the season.

“Ultimately, the execution of the player falls on the coach,” Osborn said. “When you ask yourself why aren’t my guys executing, a couple of things come to mind. Are you giving them all the resources in the meeting room, are you watching the tape with them, and are you putting the best guys on the field, given the situation? I would say on Friday night that did not occur, and ultimately, that falls on me.

“Going forward, when I say I’m putting the guys in that I trust, I have full control over anyone who is in the game,” Osborn continued. “If they’re in the game, it’s because I believe in them in that moment. I’m putting it all in my hands the next four weeks.”

Charlotte’s last hope of securing bowl eligibility starts on Saturday, and Poggi and the 49ers will need a dominating defensive performance to score their second consecutive road victory.