Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Chris Reynolds and the Charlotte 49ers enjoyed their first home game Saturday and picked up a 38-28 win over Texas-El Paso in Conference USA action.

After digging a 14-7 hole in the second quarter, the 49ers ripped off 24 unanswered points. It was reminiscent of 2019, when the Miners (3-3, 0-2 C-USA) led 21-7 before watching the 49ers rally for a 28-21 decision.

Reynolds, a 2017 Davie graduate, went 14 of 23 for 185 yards with two touchdown passes. For the third straight game, he did not throw an interception, his only two picks coming in the opener against Appalachian State on Sept. 12.

Charlotte (2-2, 2-1) was sparked by an interception. The 49er returned it 47 yards to the UTEP 7. Moments later, running back Aaron McAllister scored on a 7-yard run.

The Miners, though, answered with 15- and 13-play scoring drives to take a 14-7 lead.

That’s when Reynolds and receiver Victor Tucker took over. On third-and-8, they hooked up for 31 yards. On the next play, Reynolds completed a 22-yard TD to Tucker to tie the score at 14. That’s where it stood at halftime.

In the third quarter, Charlotte recovered a fumble at the UTEP 37. That set up a highlight-reel play by Reynolds, who bobbled a snap but got control of the ball in time to make a beautiful spin move to avoid trouble. He rolled to his left and connected with Cam Dollar for a 10-yard score that put Charlotte ahead 21-14.

The 49ers never looked back, extending their lead to 31-14.

Notes: Just over a thousand fans were allowed in the 15,314-seat Richardson Stadium due to coronavirus. It was the 49ers’ first home game in 2020 as three games have been cancelled or postponed. … Charlotte was outgained in total yards 374-329, but the Miners offset that advantage by committing three turnovers. … The 49ers’ next three games are on the road – Duke this Saturday, Middle Tennessee on Nov. 7 and Marshall on Nov. 21. Their next home game is Nov. 28 against Western Kentucky. … Over the past three games, Reynolds has completed 53 of 77 passes for 789 yards, with five TD passes and no INTs.