Regardless of which team wins this year's Maker's Wanted Bahamas Bowl, that program will enjoy a special place in the school's athletic history.
Both Buffalo and Charlotte are . . .
The 49ers' have actually been a fielded an FBS team since 2015, and that came after two years on the FCS level. Go back to the early 2000s, and there was no football program at Charlotte. However, concerted efforts to start a program eventually paid off and the 49ers became a part of Conference USA.
Just two years ago, Charlotte struggled to 1-11 record, with the one win being a 25-24 overtime victory over UAB. After improving to 5-7 last season, the 49ers reached bowl eligibility with a 7-5 mark this year. Most of those wins came down the stretch as Charlotte closed with five straight wins.
Buffalo, meanwhile, has been pretty hot itself. The Bulls went 5-1 over their last six outings, and the only loss in that span was a 30-27 setback at Kent State. UB's offense was particularly impressive. Aside from the KSU loss, Buffalo scored at least 43 points in each of its other final five games.
Buffalo Bulls vs Charlotte 49ers
Friday, Dec. 20 -- 1 p.m. ET
Thomas Robinson Stadium - Nassau, Bahamas
ESPN
First Meeting
Charlotte 49ers (7-5, 5-3 Conference USA)
>> The 49ers finished their regular season with a 38-22 win over Old Dominion, which stumbled to a 1-11 mark on its campaign.
>> Sophomore quarterbck Chris Reynolds completed 9-of-12 passes, good for 166 yard with two TDs and one interception. For the season, he has connected on 62.2 percent (166-of-267) for 2,366 yards with 21 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. His longest completion of the season was a 58-yarder to sophomore wideout Victor Tucker.
>> Tucker leads the team with 49 receptions for 848 yards, averaging 17.3 yards per reception. He hwa a team-high six receiving scores.
>> Cameron Dollar and Tyler Ringwood have combined for 57 catches, 882 yards and seven TDs.
>> Benny Lemay (5-9, 215) leads the rushing attack, eclipsing the 1,000 mark (1,027 yards) with 105 yards in the final against Old Dominion. The senior, who has fumbled just once this year, has nine rushing scores and four receiving TDs.
>> In addition to his passing contributions, Reynolds is a running threat. He is second on the team in rushing, carrying 139 times for 757 yards (5.4 ypc) with six rushing TDs.
>> Defensive back Marquavis Gibbs owns 94 tackles, while linebacker Jeff Gemmell is second with 80 stops. Defensive end Alex Highsmith (14) and LB Markees Watts (9.5) lead the team in sacks. Marquill Osborn's three picks are a team high.
>> Charlotte has broken the team’s single-season school record with 36.0 sacks. The 49ers
rank 14th in the FBS in sacks, thanks in part to two players helping to rewrite the 49ers
sack record book.
Buffalo Bulls (7-5, 5-3 MAC)
>> After winning 10 games a year ago, the Bulls have won seven or more games in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1958 and 1959.
>> The Bulls are 5-8 all-time against schools from Conference USA. The Bulls are 2-0 against Florida Atlantic (2015, 2017) and 2-0 against UTEP (2008, 2009). Buffalo is 1-8 against Marshall. However, those nine meetings were all before the Thundering Herd joined CUSA, with most coming as Mid-American Conference foes.
>> The Bulls are attempting to finish 2019 on a winning note after stumbling to end 2018. UB lost three of its last four outings last year, including the MAC title game and the Dollar General Bowl (42-32 against Troy).
>> Buffalo's last outing was a 49-7 blowout of Bowling Green. The Bulls mashed their way to 455 yards on the ground, with Jaret Patterson providing 298 yards and six touchdowns off 26 carries. Kevin Marks added another 107 and one TD. Both runners showed their big play capability, as Patterson ripped off an 81 yard run and Marks sprinted 70 yards on one play.
>> Buffalo has shattered its single-season rushing total with 3,241 yards. Its previous high was 2,648 yards set last season over 14 games.
>> While the Bulls excel in rushing, they also shine defending the run. UB leads the MAC and ranks fourth nationally in rush defense (95.3 ypg). The UB defense has only allowed one 100-yard rusher on the season.
>> With 38 sacks, Buffalo has tied the school record for sacks in a season. The Bulls also had 38 sacks in 2013.
>> Buffalo’s offensive line has done agreat job protecting the quarterback.
>> The Bulls have only allowed eight sacks on the season to rank second in the nation. UB has not allowed a sack in seven of its 12 games on the year and have only allowed one sack over the last seven games. A season ago, the Bulls allowed 15 sacks, the fewest in their FBS era (since 1999).
>> The play of Joey Banks made him an easy choice for All-MAC First Team.
The hard-hitting safety leads the team with 76 tackles, including 4.5 tackles for loss and a sack. He has added a team-best three interceptions and a forced fumble.
>> The Bulls have forced 20 turnovers on the season - 10 fumble recoveries and 10 interceptions. UB has been able to capitalize on takeaways, scoring points 14 times following a turnover, including 11 touchdowns.
>> Quarterback Kyle Vantrease has completed 60 percent of his passes (93/155) for 1,116 yardsand seven TDs with one interception.
" The Bulls top receiver is junior Antonio Nunn, who owns 44 receptions for 634 yards and five TDs.