FIU preparing to face creative Charlotte quarterback Chris Reynolds
Charlotte and FIU are two of the worst three teams in Conference USA in terms of points scored and points allowed.
On Saturday at 3:30 p.m., Charlotte (1-6, 0-3) will host FIU (2-4, 0-2).
The Panthers, who have one of the youngest rosters in the nation -- with 48 newcomers, including 24 freshmen – are last in the league in scoring (15.5). FIU also ranks ninth in points allowed (36.8).
Charlotte ranks last in the league in points allowed (44.6). The 49ers rank ninth in scoring (25.0).
But despite Charlotte’s struggles, they have a talented sixth-year-senior quarterback, Chris Reynolds, who ranks fourth in the league in passing yards per game (260.2).
Reynolds, a former walk-on from North Carolina, is Charlotte’s career passing leader, and he’s especially dangerous when he’s scrambling.
“He’s able to move and stay alive in the pocket,” FIU coach Mike MacIntyre said. “It’s something I’ve noticed he does really well. He’s able to escape but not to run.
“A lot of Charlotte’s big plays come when he’s able to escape and make nice throws downfield.”
Reynolds has come a long way since arriving at Charlotte in 2017. The 5-11, 200-pounder became a part-time starter in 2018, a full-time starter in 2019 and a team captain in 2020.
He has 41 games of experience, including two against FIU.
In 2019, FIU beat him, 48-23. Last year, however, Reynolds completed 21-of-27 passes for 203 yards and four touchdowns in a 45-33 Charlotte win. He was not intercepted, although FIU sacked him three times.
Reynolds’ favorite target is 6-1, 195-pound wide receiver Elijah Spencer, who ranks third in the league in reception yards (641). Among the league’s top 10 receivers, he is No. 1 in average per catch (20.0).
Meanwhile, FIU quarterback Grayson James, who has only made five career starts, is last in the league in passing yards per game (182.2).
The injury to star FIU wide receiver Tyrese Chambers has badly hurt James and the Panthers.
“Tyrese is able to do a little bit,” MacIntyre said when asked how much Chambers has done in practice. “We’ll know more at the end of the week.”
Defensively, FIU has three of the league’s top nine tacklers in safety Demetrius Hill and inside linebackers Gaethan Bernadel and Donovan Manuel.
“You want your linebackers to be your leading tacklers,” MacIntyre said. “You want your safety to be up there high, but you don’t want him to be your leading tackler. There are too many downfield runs (against FIU).
“But the thing about Demetrius is that he has a good instinct about finding the ball, and he’s a sure tackler when he gets there.”
THIS AND THAT
▪ FIU tight end Rivaldo Fairweather had 16 catches in seven games last year, averaging 15.4 yards per reception. In six games this year, he has just nine catches and an 11.1 average. “He’s a really good player,” MacIntyre said. “We want him to keep pushing.”
▪ Charlotte coach Will Healy said he was proud of his team’s “fight” in last week’s 34-20 loss to UAB, which rushed for 279 yards and a 5.3 average. “But,” Healy said, “there comes a time when our fight and effort have to be matched with a significant increase in execution.”
▪ Gunnar Holmberg, FIU starting quarterback on opening night, has recovered from his shoulder injury and should be available this week as needed, MacIntyre said.
▪ FIU outside linebackers DJ Kinsler and Alex Nobles are also back from injuries, MacIntyre said.