Will Healy said a year ago in that spot without Victor Tucker, they might panic.
This year, they come back for the win.
The Charlotte 49ers were down 10 with 6:35 left to play. Rice had just capped a 16 play drive with a touchdown that summarized the physicality the Owls had played with all game long.
It’s the worst spot Charlotte could be in. After getting trounced in their last 2 games, to be down 2 possessions against a team that had dominated time of possession all night long.
It looked even worse when Chris Reynolds was sacked on the very next play they took the field. That’s when he went to work.
On a 2nd and 19, he completes to Jairus Mack for a 20 yard gain for the first down.
After which they were given 2 chances at a 4th down conversion attempt because of a Rice penalty. Keith Pearson would stretch for the 4th and 5, then come up with a 14 yarder taking a massive hit on the way set up a Field Goal from Cruz.
The next drive was even more impressive from Reynolds. He would alternate big throw after big throw to Grant Dubose and Elijah Spencer, before scoring a touchdown to tie it all up. Matt Sweirad appropriately called Reynolds the Magician from Mocksville.
The Niners would score on the very first play of overtime to Spencer again, allowing Luke Martin to ice it on the final play…..
I remember interviewing Will Healy after the game a couple years ago against North Texas, where the 49ers had an improbable comeback that turned the season around leading to a bowl game.
This was awfully reminiscent, as Charlotte moves to 5-4, one game within reach of the same goal.
