Charlotte put up a season-high 534 yards of total offense and junior running back Benny LeMay matched a school record with four touchdowns but it was not enough in a shootout with East Division front runner FIU, which scored a 42-35 victory at Jerry Richardson Stadium, Saturday.
The loss, coming on Senior Day, eliminated the 49ers (4-7; 3-4) from bowl eligibility with one game remaining while FIU (8-3; 6-1) tied Middle Tennessee atop the East Division standings with a 6-1 league record.
"It was a really tough loss," said 49ers head coach Brad Lambert.