Charlotte 49ers to face Syracuse in Bahamas tournament

The Charlotte 49ers will face Syracuse in the first round of the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament Nov. 25 in Paradise Island, Bahamas. It’s the fifth time the 49ers and Orange have played, with each team winning twice. The 49ers beat then-defending national champion Syracuse in 2003, when guard Brendan Plavich making a school-record 10 3-pointers. The 49ers also beat Syracuse in the 1977 NCAA tournament on their way to the Final Four.

Charlotte’s second opponent in the tournament on Nov. 26 will be either Connecticut or Michigan. The other half of the bracket features first-round games between Texas and Texas A&M and Gonzaga and Washington. The tournament wraps up Nov. 27.

The 49ers have had success recently in these kinds of early-season tournaments, winning the Puerto Rico Tip-Off in 2013 and the Great Alaska Shootout in 2012. Charlotte was runner-up at the Charleston Classic last season.

In this Dec. 6, 2014, file photo, Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim yells to his players in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against St. John’s in Syracuse, N.Y.  (AP FILE PHOTO)

A look at Charlotte 49ers 1st crop of '16 football recruits

There's not much going on in college football recruiting in July -- FBS teams are in a "dead" period (no face to face contact with or visits to recruits, although they may write or telephone) through Sunday; and then go into a "quiet" period (on-campus visits permitted) through the end of the month.

The Charlotte 49ers have seven verbal commitments so far for the Class of 2016. Here's a brief look at each of them, with a linked video included from Hudl.com.

Anthony Butler, OLB, 6-0, 181, Vance: Third-team all-Observer team as a junior.

Kollin Byers, OL, 6-4, 245, Crest: Also had offers from Gardner-Webb, Elon and Campbell.

Ryan Carriere, TE, 6-4, 230, Loganville (Ga.) Grayson: Most recent commit (July 1), also reportedly had interest from Boston College.

Timmy Horne, DT, 6-4, 270, Anson County: Had seven sacks last season.

Ernest Kenty, DB, 6-2, 184, Birmingham (Ala.) Ramsay: Had offers from Army, South Alabama and Mercer, according to Rivals.com, which ranks him as a 2-star prospect.

Benny Lemay, RB, 5-9, 201, Butler: Brother Uriah already with 49ers. Another Rivals 2-star.

Joe Thompson, QB, 6-2, 203, Ashburn (Va.) Stone Bridge: Son of a coach who will fit into Charlotte's future quarterback plans. Another Rivals 2-star.

The 49ers recently had one player -- Jacquez Williams, a safety from Lincoln (Ga.) County -- decommit. He has verbally committed to Wake Forest.

Game times, TV info for Charlotte 49ers' 2015 football season

Conference USA is releasing television info and game times for the 2015 football season later Monday.

The Charlotte 49ers will play at least two home games at night -- Florida Atlantic and Temple -- with game times for two other home games on a Fox network against Texas-San Antonio and Marshall to be announced 12 days prior to the games.

Television and game time info for the 49ers' Conference USA opener at Middle Tennessee (Sept. 19) and at Kentucky (Nov. 21) are also TBA.

Sept. 4 (Friday), at Georgia State, 3:30 p.m., ESPNU

Sept. 12, Presbyterian, noon, ASN

Sept. 19, at Middle Tennessee, TBA, TBA

Sept. 26, Florida Atlantic, 7 p.m., ASN

Oct. 2 (Friday), Temple, 7 p.m., CBSSN

Oct. 17, at Old Dominion, 3:30 p.m., ASN

Oct. 24, Southern Mississippi, noon, ASN

Oct. 31, Marshall, TBA, Fox Network

Nov. 7, at Florida International, noon, ASN

Nov. 14, Texas-San Antonio, TBA, Fox Network

Nov. 21, at Kentucky, TBA, TBA

Nov. 28, at Rice, 3:30 p.m., ASN

 

Charlotte 49ers sign junior college guard Ridell Camidge

The Charlote 49ers announced Friday they have signed Ridell Camidge, a 6-3 guard from Cloud County (Kan.) Community College.

 

Camidge, who played at Wilmington's New Hanover High, averaged 13.3 points and 4.9 rebounds as a freshman last season, while making 76 3-pointers for a 38.6 percentage. He'll have three years of eligility with the 49ers.

 

“I am excited to add another talented player in Ridell Camidge to the 49ers basketball program,” Price said. “Ridell is a really good shooter and he adds another piece to the puzzle.”

 

“Ridell is a really good kid,” Cloud County coach Chad Eshbaugh said. “He loves the game of basketball and is a really good shooter. Ridell is a very hard worker that will give the 49ers men’s basketball program his all.”

 

"I am happy that I get the chance to play for Coach Price and the 49ers men’s basketball program,” Camidge said. “I am excited to get to Charlotte and get going.”

 

Camidge is the fourth player signed by new 49ers coach Mark Price, joining guards Jon Davis, Curran Scott and Andrien White. Price is continuing to pursue big men and has a verbal commitment from 6-4 forward Anthony Vanhook from Cape Fear Community College in Wilmington. Charlotte is also recruiting former Eastern Michigan 6-11 center Olalekan Ajayi. The 49ers were pursuing former Wake Forest forward Daniel Green, but a source said Green will go elsewhere.

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

A look at Charlotte 49ers' newly signed football players

Here's a capsule look with video of the Charlotte 49ers' 17 new players -- 16 signed Wednesday on national signing day. One, offensive lineman Cameron Clark, had already signed and has enrolled in school:

Alex Barrow
WR, 5-11, 170

Butler
Video
Ratings: 2-stars (247 Sports)
Had 46 catches for 822 yards and 11 receiving TDs as a senior with 275 rushing yards and 5 rushing TDs (1,097 total yards, 16 TDs) … Moved to Charlotte from Clemmons, where he was all-conference at West Forsyth.

Cameron Clark
OL, 6-5, 260
Greensboro Smith

Video

Ratings: 3 stars (ESPN), 2 stars (Rivals.com, 247 Sports)
Already in school at Charlotte … Played in 2014 Shrine Bowl … Had 88 “pancakes” as senior and 44 as junior.

A.D. Cunningham
LB, 6-1, ; 220.

South Charleston, W. Va.
Video
Ratings: 2 stars (Rivals)
Also as a running back in high school, running for 1,042 yards and 11 touchdowns as a junior.

Darren Drake
OL, 6-3, 300

McDonough (Ga.) Luella
Video
Ratings: 3 stars (ESPN), 2 stars (Rivals, 247 sports)
Was Luella’s strongest player with combined lift total of 1,185 pounds … All-region player as a senior.

Desmond Floyd
DL, 6-5, 250
Union County (S.C.)/Wake Forest

Will have one year of eligibility as fifth-year grad student … Played three seasons at Wake Forest after redshirting his freshman year … Had 10 games with 12 tackles in 2014 ... 2.0 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks with four quarterback hurries.

Jeff Gemmell
LB, 6-3, 216
Wake Forest Heritage

Video

Ratings: 2 stars (Rivals.com)

Also played running back in high school and was two-way starter … Set single-season records for tackles (122) and sacks (15) last season.

Jonathan Hardy
DL, 6-4, 257
Wilmington New Hanover

Video

Ratings: 2 stars (Rivals.com)
Honorable mention all-Mideastern Conference … 2014 Blue-Grey all-American combine top performer.

Tyriq Harris
LB, 6-3, 215
Roanoke (Va.) Hidden Valley

Video
Ratings: 2 stars (24/7 Sports)

Second-team all-state selection (all-purpose defense) as a senior with 87 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss and 5.0 sack … 70 tackles, 11.0 sacks and one interception as a junior.

Michael Holmes
H-back,  6-4, 230
Victory Christian

Video

Ratings: 3 stars (24/7 Sports)
N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association Division III first-team all-state selection ... 856 receiving yards and six TD’s as a junior.

Darius Irvin
DB, 6-0, 184

Winter Garden (Fla.) Foundation Academy
Video
Ratings: 2 stars (Rivals.com, 24/7 Sports)
70 tackles and returned a kickoff 80 yards for a TD as a senior ... Also has been a linebacker, running back, kick returner... twin brother of 2014 signee and current 49ers defensive back Denzel Irvin.

Ben Jacques
H-back, 6-6; 225
Mount Pleasant (S.C.) Wando

Video
Ratings: 2 stars (Rivals.com, 24/7 Sports)
Averaged 9.0 yards per catch and had two touchdowns as senior … Lettered in football and track.

Nafees Lyon
DB, 5-10, 180

Mallard Creek
Video
Ratings: 3 stars (24/7 Sports, ESPN.com,Rivals.com)
Member of Mallard Creek’s two-time 4AA N.C. champions … Had three interceptions (one for a touchdown) and punt return for touchdown as a senior ... Six interceptions, two fumble recoveries for touchdowns and punt return as junior.

A.J. McDonald
DB, 6-0, 190

Bamberg Ehrhardt (S.C.)
Video
Ratings: 2 stars (Rivals.com, 24/7 Sports)
Helped Red Raiders to the 2014 state championship game … first team all-area selection as senior, honorable mention as junior.

Nate Mullen
WR/KR/PR, 5-9, 170

Harrisburg Hickory Ridge
Video
Ratings: 2 stars (ESPN.com, Rivals.com, 24/7 Sports)
2014 Shrine Bowl selection ... third-team all-Charlotte Observer area as a return specialist ... More than 1,500 total yards with 819 rushing  and 727 receiving …  25 touchdowns included 16 on the ground and nine through the air ... 2013 Golden Gloves Novice Division runner-up ... the son of 49ers offensive coordinator Jeff Mullen.

Akease Rankin
RB, 6-0, 210

Mooresville
Video
Ratings: 2 stars (Rivals.com, 24/7 Sports)
Played in Shrine Bowl … Had 1,543 rushing yards as a senior with 23 touchdowns and eight 100-yard games ... averaged 140.3 yards per game and 10.0 yards per carry ... Had more than 2,100 yards and scored 21 yards as a junior.

Trevor Stacy
OL, 6-5, 300

Huntington (W.Va.) Spring Valley
Video
Ratings: 2 stars (24/7 Sports)
Wednesday’s first signee, with  paperwork coming across at across at 7:03 a.m. ...  Three-time first-team AAA all-state selection ... 2014 Hart Award winner as the West Virginia Sports Writers Association Top lineman … Herald-Dispatch Tri-State Player of the Year and to the all-Tri-State team ... Four-year starter holds record for most starts in school history.

Randy Suydam
DL, 6-3,  245

Mallard Creek
Video
Ratings: 2 stars (24/7 Sports)
Played for Mallard Creek’s two-time N.C. 4AA state champions ... First-team all-Observer selection who was two-year starter... Had 30 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, five sacks and two fumble recoveries as a defensive lineman.

 

 

Observations on Charlotte 49ers' 2015 football schedule

Observations on the Charlotte 49ers 2015 football schedule, which was released Monday afternoon. The 49ers' first Conference USA game will be at Middle Tennessee on Sept. 19:

-- First, the schedule (with last season's record):

Sept. 3, at Georgia State (1-11, 0-8 Sun Belt)

Sept. 12, Presbyterian (6-5, 2-3 Big South)

Sept. 19, at Middle Tennessee (6-6 5-3 C-USA

Sept. 26, Florida Atlantic (3-9, 2-6 C-USA)

Oct. 3, Temple (6-6, 4-4 AAC)

Oct. 10, BYE

Oct. 17, at Old Dominion (6-6, 4-4 C-USA)

Oct. 24, Southern Mississippi (3-9, 1-7 C-USA)

Oct. 31, Marshall (13-1, 7-1, C-USA)

Nov. 7, at Florida International (4-8, 3-5 C-USA)

Nov. 14, Texas-San Antonio (4-8, 3-5 C-USA)

Nov. 21, at Kentucky (5-7, 2-6 SEC)

Nov. 28, at Rice (8-5, 5-3 C-USA)

-- The 49ers will play in Conference USA's seven-team East Division, taking the spot vacated by Alabama-Birmingham, which discontinued football in December. There was speculation that the league would assign the 49ers what UAB's league schedule would have been based on last season -- a slate that would have included games at Marshall and Louisiana Tech, last season's two divisional champs. I'm told the 49ers lobbied hard for not that not to happen.

-- As it is, Charlotte's schedule includes the league's past three champions -- Marshall (2014) at home on Oct. 31, at Rice (2013) on Nov. 28 and Southern Miss (2011) at home on Oct. 24. The 49ers don't play Louisiana Tech.

-- The Sept. 3 date for the season opener at Georgia State in the Georgia Dome remains tentative until the NFL schedule is announced. The Panthers will be Charlotte's first against an FBS team and should be a good measuring stick. Georgia State also started football recently (in 2010), and was 1-11 in 2014 in its first season in FBS' Sun Belt Conference.

-- Aside from Georgia State, two other opponents also started football recently -- UTSA (2011) and ODU (2009). UTSA is the only school in NCAA history to make the move from FCS startup to FBS faster than Charlotte's two seasons. The Roadrunners did it after one year. 

-- Remember, the 49ers are eligible for the C-USA championship next season, but can't play in a bowl until the 2016 season.

-- No game times are set. Installation has begun on lights at Richardson Stadium. They're scheduled to be ready for the 49ers spring game on April 18.

-- Here's how the conference schedule works (courtesy Charlotte sports information):

"Each school in the (six-team) West Division will play every team in its division once for five games, while playing three cross-over opponents from the opposite division.  Three schools in the East Division will play every team in its division once for six games, while playing two cross-over opponents from the opposite division. 

"Four schools in the East Division will play five opponents in its division once for five games, while playing three cross-over opponents from the opposite division.  East Division schools playing five division games were randomly selected by a computer scheduling application and two intra-division matchups in the East will not take place this season (Charlotte-WKU and Middle Tennessee-Old Dominion)."

-- There should official word soon on two nonconference games against Power 5 conference teams -- at Tennessee in 2018 and Clemson in 2019.

Former 49ers soccer star Gentile signs with Swiss team

Former Charlotte 49ers soccer player Giuseppe Gentile has signed with FC Chiasso, a team in Switzerland’s second division.

It’s a homecoming for Gentile, a striker and key member of the 49ers team that played in the 2011 College Cup championship game. Gentile was born in Miami but spent much of his childhood living in the small town of Cazis, Switzerland, which is about 90 miles from Chiasso.

Gentile left Charlotte after his junior season of 2013. He was drafted by Major League Soccer’s Chicago Fire and played in 2014 for the United Soccer Leagues Pro’s Charlotte Eagles and Orlando City, before finishing the season with the North American Soccer League’s San Antonio Scorpions.