The Charlotte 49ers — a 6.5- point underdog — upset Duke 31-28 on Friday night for the first win over a Power Five opponent in program history.
Chris Reynolds completed 19-of-30 passes for 324 yards (10.8 AVG) and three touchdowns to lead Charlotte to the victory.
A 56-yard TD is how @CharlotteFTBL gets the scoring going in 2021! pic.twitter.com/xlsjznBuh5
— CBS Sports Network (@CBSSportsNet) September 3, 2021
Charlotte trailed 28-24 in the final 40 seconds, when Reynolds found Shadrick Byrd for an 11-yard touchdown.
omgomgomgomgomgogmogmogmgomgomg!!!!
SHADRICK BYRD!!!!
REYNOLDS HAS FOUR TOTAL TD'S!!!!
WE HAVE THE LEAD!!!!!
YEAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!
CLT 31
Duke 28#GoldStandard #PEEP pic.twitter.com/JyCj2Me40V— Charlotte Football (@CharlotteFTBL) September 4, 2021
After the 49ers stopped Duke on the final play, students stormed the field.
For the first time in program history @CharlotteFTBL beats a Power 5 opponent!
It is certainly CLUB LIT! pic.twitter.com/T2xPnmrtob
— CBS Sports Network (@CBSSportsNet) September 4, 2021
The Charlotte 49ers just beat a power 5 team for the first time in program history.
Charlotte stuns Duke, 31-28.
Club Lit is open for business. pic.twitter.com/FnmmXwLcsw
— Hunter Bailey (@Hunter_Bailey45) September 4, 2021
Charlotte had never even hosted a Power Five team at Jerry Richardson Stadium before Friday night, and now they’ve beaten one. It’s a huge, potentially program-changing win for head coach Will Healy and the Charlotte program.
Some wholesome Will Healy content for your timeline #Charlotte pic.twitter.com/vAz6kpmI4Z
— Steve Helwick (@s_helwick) September 4, 2021
Charlotte football coach Will Healy is the real deal. Legit.
— Jay Bilas (@JayBilas) September 4, 2021
The 49ers face Gardner Webb, Georgia State, and Middle Tennessee over the next three games, before going on the road to face another Power Five team in Illinois on Oct. 2.
About Matt Clapp
Matt is an editor/writer at The Comeback and Awful Announcing.
He can be reached by email at mclapp@thecomeback.com.