Charlotte (4-6; 3-3) raced out to a 21-0 lead, but Rice (2-8; 1-6) stormed back, scoring 22 unanswered points to steal a 22-21 Conference USA victory at Jerry Richardson Stadium, Saturday.
"I give Rice credit," said 49ers head coach Brad Lambert. "I thought they would have a lot of intensity coming into the game and I think no differently coming out of it. Our intensity level was pretty good, but we just didn't make any plays in the second half."
Charlotte had everything working early, as senior running back Kalif Phillips rushed for 64 yards and a score in the first quarter and the 49ers forced a pair of turnovers in the second, including a pick six by senior Terrance Winchester.