49ers Looking to Cut Down on Mistakes

CONCORD, N.C. (WCCB Charlotte) — It has been growing pains for Charlotte in its first season of facing off against FBS competition. The 49ers have committed 20 turnovers including 14 giveaways over the past two games.

“Nobody is trying to do bad,” head coach Brad Lambert said. “Guy falls down, with Austin (Duke) last game, you throw a pick. As an offense we have to value the ball. We are minus nine in the turnover margin.”

Lambert will suspend the two-quarterback system, at least temporarily, as Lee McNeil will get the start on Friday against Temple (3-0). The change of pace quarterback the last two weeks, Matt Johnson, will be out of Friday’s game because of a concussion suffered ‘sometime in the third quarter’ of the 17-7 loss to Florida Atlantic.

McNeil has completed just 15-of-37 passes for 116 yards with zero touchdowns and five intereceptions this year.

“First quarter he was four of eight and made some nice plays,” Lambert said. “We had a hard time on third and long. Lee got hit a lot, it gets a little rough back there. He did something’s that we can build on, no question.”

The bright spot for Charlotte last week was the defense who allowed just 184 yards of total offense and provided the only points for the 49ers–an interception return for a touchdown by Tank Norman.

The interception was one of five turnovers the Charlotte defense produced on Saturday–giving the unit a total of eleven takeaways this seaon.

“Coach Lambert says prior to the game we have to win the turnover margin,” defensive back Terrence Winchester said. “When the road gets bumpy you can’t fall. You have to pick it up and do the same thing next week.”

This week may be the 49ers toughest test of 2015 as a Temple team, who previously defeated Penn State, comes to town. The Owls also boasts wins over Cincinnati and UMass and is receiving votes in both the AP and USA Today Coaches Top 25 polls.

“This will be by far the best team that has come to our stadium,” Lambert said. “It’s a really good team coming in here. Their defensive front plays extremely hard its going to be a huge challenge for our offensive line and offense period.”

Along with quarterback Matt Johnson being sidelined, OT Jamal Covington and DL Devon Johnson will be out for Friday’s game against Temple. Linebacker Desmond Floyd is considered day-to-day with a knee injury. Lambert believes OL Eugene German and Corey Nesmith will be healthy enough to return as well.

Charlotte will play its second Friday game of the season. The game will be broadcasted live on CBS Sports Network at 7pm.