The Charlotte 49ers are set to host the Navy Midshipmen on Homecoming Weekend for the Niners’ first-ever AAC conference game at Jerry Richardson Stadium. Coming off four consecutive losses, the Niners are showing desperation to get back in the win column as they face a Navy team that has already lost two conference matchups.
The Midshipmen enter Saturday coming off a home win against North Texas while Charlotte is hoping to show signs of life in its first home game in nearly a month; the Niners have sustained road losses against Florida and SMU in the two previous weeks.
The Game
Navy at Charlotte
Charlotte, NC
Saturday, 2:00 p.m., ESPN+
Records
Charlotte: 1-4 (0-1 AAC)
Navy: 2-3 (1-2 AAC)
Head-to-head
Saturday will mark the first-ever matchup between the two teams.
Players to Watch
Charlotte wide receiver Jack Hestera — The sophomore 49er has quietly put together an impressive first half of the season as he’s led Charlotte in receptions (22), receiving yardage (283) and receiving touchdowns (2). Coming into 2023, the Niners needed some wideouts to emerge as playmakers in order to fill the gaps left by Elijah Spencer and Grant DuBose; Hestera has done a solid job at giving his team an open target who can also make contested catches.
Navy running back Alex Tecza — In a running back room that already has five players with over 100 rushing yards on the season, Tecza has emerged as the team’s most dynamic weapon, averaging nearly eight yards a carry in his 56 carries for 428 yards. The sophomore racked up 137 yards and two touchdowns in Navy’s 27-24 win over North Texas on Oct. 7.
Odds
Betonline.ag: Navy -3.0, over/under 43
