15-straight games. 398 days without a win. 685 days without a win over an FBS program.
The Charlotte 49ers marinated in futility for over a year, owning the nation’s longest losing streak with little hope in sight. Last season, all 11 losses came by at least 11 points. This season, they were coming off back-to-back 40-point losses and dropped an opener to The Citadel — an FCS program that is 1-4 against its FCS peers this season.
It didn’t seem like a matter of when Charlotte was going to win in 2026,
rather, it was if that elusive triumph would even occur this season. But before a road trip to Philadelphia, Charlotte head coach Tim Albin took inspiration from the Rocky franchise, texting each of his individual players the following quote from the 2006 film Rocky Balboa:
“It ain’t about how hard you hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.”
Charlotte had been hit, but it got up, and now, it’s over. The streak is indeed over. The Charlotte 49ers won a college football game. On the road. In an NFL venue.
“Obviously, a big win for our program,” Albin said in his postgame press conference. “I thought our team showed grit. That’s the word that comes to mind, in so many different areas. This coaching staff got these guys ready to go. You could not tell with how we warmed up what our record was.”
One day before the Carolina Panthers defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in the building, Charlotte brought a preview of NFL Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field. The 49ers scored 31 points in the second half to upset Temple, 38-31. Charlotte essentially sealed the victory on Aiden Bui’s 47-yard field goal with 1:48 remaining which handed the 49ers a commanding 10-point advantage. But when the 49ers recovered a Temple onside kick attempt — which wasn’t going to travel the minimum required 10 yards — smiles were seen on the sideline for the first time since the Earth’s last rotation around the Sun.
“The guys, they deserve it,” Albin said. “It’s one game. We’re 1-0 right now for 24 hours, and we’re back at it. It’s one game. That’s how we’re gonna approach it. We’re still gonna coach them on the mistakes. It’s gonna sting when we do it. We got a road win in our league, and we’re gonna build off it.”
Conner Harrell, the same quarterback who delivered Charlotte’s last win, was the one who reaped the benefits of staying patient. One week after leading the 49ers’ only victory of 2025, Harrell tore his ACL, both meniscii, and spraining the MCL in his left knee, which sidelined him until the Week 2 contest at Ole Miss.
Making his second start of the season, the recovered quarterback guided the upset over Temple, posting 281 passing yards and two touchdowns without an interception. Additionally, he showcased his newfound mobility, rushing for two touchdowns — from 8 and 10 yards out — to snap the 49ers’ run of misery.
“I’m so happy for our team,” Harrell said. “It’s exciting to win. Everybody loves winning. I think the biggest part to it is we have confidence we can do it now. We can put a good game together. We can drive the ball down the field. We can get stops.”
Albin improved to 2-17 as the 49ers’ head coach and captured his first win over an FBS program since leading Ohio to a 2024 MAC Championship Game victory. Charlotte is now 1-6 heading into its bye week, hoping to continue the momentum for a home game Friday, Oct. 30 against reigning American champion Tulane.
“It breaks my heart,” Albin said on it being his first conference win as Charlotte’s head coach. “That’s what it is. But we’re 1-0, we’ve got 24 hours to correct the mistakes, 24 hours to celebrate this one, and we’ll get up and get ready for the next one. The open week is coming at a great time. We’re gonna freshen some things up.”
