CHARLOTTE, N.C.  — Gavin Garcia ran for 137 yards and three touchdowns, and The Citadel converted a game-winning 2-point pass in the third overtime to beat Charlotte 43-41 on Saturday.

Whit Hobgood caught the winning conversion from Nick Billoups after The Citadel's third-overtime touchdown. Charlotte failed to convert its own 2-point try on the ensuing possession, ending the game.

Charlotte quarterback Cole Gonzales threw for 322 yards and three touchdowns and ran for two more scores, including an 8-yard run that tied the game in the first overtime. Jaylen Hampton had eight catches for 117 yards and two touchdowns for Charlotte, including an 18-yard score in the second overtime that put the 49ers ahead 41-35 before The Citadel answered.

Khamani Alexander opened the scoring for Charlotte with a 66-yard touchdown run in the first quarter and finished with 138 yards rushing. The Citadel got a 56-yard touchdown run from Sebastien Boyle in the third quarter as part of a 268-yard rushing day.

Gonzales' 6-yard touchdown pass to Hampton with 24 seconds left tied the game at 28 and forced overtime.

The Citadel improved to 1-1. Charlotte fell to 0-1.