Tag: Dante Dowdell

Holgorsen challenging running backs in multiple areas

Dana Holgorsen wants to see more out of the running back position

Nebraska football offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen noticed several things in his first game with the program. The Huskers lost to the USC Trojans by a 28-20 margin, dropping to 5-5 on the season. Holgersen wanted to see a little bit more out of his running backs and noted that in his press conference on Tuesday.

The running back room combined for 119 rushing yards, with Emmett Johnson leading the way. He had ten carries for 55 yards, averaging 5.5 yards per carry. Dante Dowdell was the second on the day, with eight carries for 52 yards.

The Huskers’ running backs have struggled with explosiveness throughout the season. Being tentative in hitting holes has also been a problem for the position throughout the year. It will be interesting to see if the program can adjust the running back room or if the room has reached its ceiling for the year. The unit will have at least two more games to figure it out.

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WATCH: Dante Dowdell powers into end zone for touchdown

Dante Dowdell scored the first touchdown of the game.

Nebraska football was able to get the first score of the game against Rutgers on Saturday. Dante Dowdell ran the ball in from one yard out to give Nebraska a 7-0 lead following the extra point.

The drive and touchdown were highlighted by two major plays from wide receiver Jacory Barney and running back Rahmir Johnson. Barney caught a 28-yard pass while Johnson was able to take the pass 36 yards to the Rutgers nine-yard line.

Tight end Thomas Fidone got the drive closer to paydirt, as he got the ball down to the Husker’s one-yard line. Dowdell was able to finish the job for the score. It was the running back’s third touchdown of the season.

It will be interesting to see how the program implements the running back rotation as the game progresses. At the very least, Dowdell was able to make a strong contribution early.

 

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PFF releases top Huskers grades for Week 2

It was a successful day for several Nebraska players in their victory over Colorado. .

Nebraska football is still riding high after its 28-10 victory over the Colorado Buffaloes on Saturday night. Pro Football Focus released its overall grades on Monday and picked its top five for Nebraska.

Corner Tommi Hill earned the top grade with an 83.4. Running back Rahmir Johnson had an overall grade of 78.2. Defensive tackle Ty Robinson had a stout game and earned a 72.4. Tight end Nate Boerkircher earned a 70.1 while running back Dante Dowdell earned a 69.6.

Hill had a memorable game for Nebraska, as he recorded a pick-six interception to give the program a 14-0 lead following the extra point. Robinson had four tackles and two sacks on the evening. Johnson was able to help pace the running back room as he carried the ball nine times for 33 yards. He also made a stellar impact in the receiving game, catching eight passes for 49 yards and a touchdown.

Dowdell carried the ball 17 times for 74 yards and two touchdowns in a breakout game for him. Boerkircher caught a pass for 25 yards.

Overall, it was a strong day for Nebraska football. If anything, it’s evident that contributions from everybody were needed for the win.

 

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Matt Rhule pleased with the running game in Nebraska’s win

Nebraska’s rushing attack was a key component in Saturday’s victory.

Nebraska’s running backs room played a significant role in Saturday’s 40-7 win over the UTEP Miners. Coach Matt Rhule talked about their contributions following the win.

The running backs had 47 carries for 223 yards and three touchdowns. Emmett Johnson was the leader in the game, carrying the ball eight times for 71 yards. Dante Dowdell had eight carries for 55 yards, while Rahmir Johnson had 11 carries for 50 yards. Gabe Ervin Jr. was the red zone weapon, scoring two touchdowns on six carries.

All told the Nebraska running backs room got the job done, averaging 4.7 yards per carry as a group. Rhule was pleased with the effort the running backs put in, as he said in his press conference following the game.

“They all made plays. It was a shame that Dante (Dowdell) had that fumble, but he was really running well. Dante has done such a good job. At the end of the spring, I probably would have put him fourth. He was the second back in the game today. Dante, I thought he was really playing well, running the ball well, and then had that fumble. I’m happy to see him come back. Gabe (Ervin Jr.) had some plays, Emmett (Johnson) with the long run, Rahmir (Johnson), I thought he ran hard. I was pleased with the whole group, and Maurice (Mazzccua Jr.) came in and did really well too.”

If anything, Saturday’s game spoke to the depth of the Huskers’ unit. All running backs played well and perfectly balanced the Huskers’ passing attack. It also gave fans a preview of what the running back room can look like for the rest of the season.

If Saturday was any indication, Nebraska should have one of the best rushing attacks in the Big Ten yet again.

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WATCH: Dante Dowdell scores first Huskers TD of season

Dante Dowdell finished the first Nebraska drive of the season in style.

Nebraska football was able to score a touchdown on their first drive of the game, thanks to solid throws from Dylan Raiola and cohesiveness on the Nebraska offensive side of the ball. Running back Dante Dowdell was able to put an exclamation point on the drive as he was able to scamper in for the score.

The drive itself took 12 plays for 72 yards. Freshman wide receiver Jacory Barney impacted this drive, catching two passes for 29 yards. He showed off his explosiveness in the process. Dowdell was able to finish the drive with the five-yard touchdown.

Dowdell made an impact on the drive in his own right, carrying the ball four times for 17 yards.

This drive had a little bit of everything, from check-down throws to deep passes to inverted extra points. It was a solid first drive for a Huskers team looking to make a statement in the home opener.

https://twitter.com/CFBONFOX/status/1829970015275057549

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Nebraska Football OC praises running back Dante Dowdell

Marcus Satterfield is pleased with the dynamic Dante Dowdell brings to the offense.

Nebraska football offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield praised transfer running back Dante Dowdell during Friday’s media session.

Dowdell has impressed over the course of the spring for the Huskers. He had seven carries for 76 touchdowns on the afternoon, and it gave fans a preview of his physical running style. The former Oregon Ducks back figures to be a big-time weapon in a running back room that is full of talent.

In the meantime, Satterfield is excited about the talent Dowdell brings to a rushing attack that ranked second in the Big Ten last season, as noted by Rivals.com’s Steve Marik.

“If he gets past that box, DBs do not want to tackle him. I mean, he’s getting downhill.’

The Huskers have been searching for consistency at the running back position for quite some time. Lack of depth and health have plagued the Huskers at running back over the past couple of seasons. Dowdell’s style and ability to run downhill should be able to fit well within the offense.

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Every player transfering to Nebraska for 2024

Since becoming Nebraska’s head football coach, Matt Rhule has not been afraid to use the transfer portal.

Since becoming Nebraska’s head football coach, Matt Rhule has not been afraid to use the transfer portal. 2024 has already seen six players commit to the Cornhuskers.

The Huskers currently rank 20th in On3’s 2024 College Football Team Transfer Portal Rankings. Nebraska has also seen ten players depart the program since the portal opened at the end of the regular season.

Four of the six incoming players come from the offensive side of the ball, with three of those players coming from skill positions. Coach Rhule has previously discussed the types of players he looks for in the transfer portal.

“The portal for me, I either want to get someone with multiple years, no matter the position, that’s on caliber with the guys we have. Or someone who is an instant impact upgrade. Someone who can make a difference.”

You can find a complete list of all six commits below.

A closer look at running back Dante Dowdell

A former Oregon Duck’s running back has committed to the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

A former Oregon Duck’s running back has committed to the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Dante Dowdell will join Matt Rhule’s squad as a transfer for the upcoming 2024 season.

Dowdell was a four-star recruit out of Picayune, Mississippi, who came out of high school as one of the top backs in the history of Mississippi high school football, running for 5,301 yards and 65 touchdowns.

The six-foot-two 215 pound prospect who appeared in six games for the Ducks in his only season in Eugue. He rushed for 90 yards off 17 carries and a touchdown. His best game in 2023 came against Portland State, where he finished with 55 yards and a touchdown off eight carries.

Dowdell joins a deep running back room for Nebraska, who finished second in the Big Ten in yards per game. The Huskers did not add a running back to the recruiting class of 2024. Dowdell will join Rahmir Johnson, Gabe Ervin Jr., Emmett Johnson, and Kwintin Ives on the field this spring.

Find a photo gallery of Dowdell’s career below.

Social media reactions to the commitment of Dante Dowdell

Social media reactions are pouring in following a major addition for the Cornhuskers via the transfer portal.

Social media reactions are pouring in following a major addition for the Cornhuskers via the transfer portal. Dante Dowdell has committed to Nebraska after one season with the Oregon Ducks.

In six games, the running back ran the ball 17 times for 90 yards and one touchdown. Dowdell was ranked in the Top Ten at his position in the class of 2023.

He entered the portal after Oregon’s top two running backs announced they would return to Eugene for the 2024 season. Dowdell will have three years of eligibility remaining following his transfer.

The Huskers did not add a running back to the recruiting class of 2024. Dowdell will join Rahmir Johnson, Gabe Ervin Jr., Emmett Johnson, and Kwintin Ives on the field this spring.

You can find social media reactions to the commitment of Dante Dowdell below.

Former Duck running back Dante Dowdell commits to Nebraska

Former Oregon tailback Dante Dowdell announces he will transfer to Nebraska for the 2024 season.

Former Oregon Duck running back Dante Dowdell will now be a Nebraska Cornhusker.

Dowdell was a four-star recruit in the 2023 class out of Picayune, Miss. He was one of the top running back recruits in this class before committing to Oregon.

The 6-foot-2, 210-pounder played in six games this past season with 17 carries for 90 yards and a touchdown.

But with a very crowded running back room, Dowdell seems to be a victim of purely a number game. Oregon has Noah Whittington, Jordan James, Jayden Limar, Jay Harris, and Da’Jaun Riggs for the 2024 season and it would be difficult for Dowdell to receive any consistent playing time.

Nebraska was 5-7 in the Big Ten last season and didn’t have much of a rushing attack. The Huskers’ top rusher, Heinrich Haarberg, had just 477 yards for the entire season.

Oregon doesn’t play Nebraska next season in its first season as a member of the Big Ten.