Former Wisconsin running back Dare Ogunbowale was the hero for the Houston Texans in their 24-20 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.
He took two carries for seven rushing yards, plus added four receptions for 47 receiving yards and a touchdown.
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That touchdown was the game-winner for the Texans. Quarterback C.J. Stroud took the snap from the Jaguars’ 1 yard-line with only 22 seconds remaining in the game. Jacksonville led 20-17 and neither team had any timeouts remaining.
Stroud faked a handoff, rolled right and found Ogunbowale wide open rolling into the end zone:
pic.twitter.com/38gMsmtYtz The game-winning touchdown for #Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud to Dare Ogunbowale @KPRC2
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) September 29, 2024
2024 is Ogunbowale’s eighth NFL season after playing at Wisconsin from 2012-2016. He initially walked-on with the Badgers as a defensive back. He made the switch to running back two weeks into the 2014 season, which led to a strong college career and a professional tenure that continues to grow more impressive.
Sunday’s game-winner was only the second receiving touchdown of his long career, and sixth overall score. The former Badger has not even rushed for more than 145 total yards in a season since joining the NFL in 2017.
Sometimes, longevity comes in other forms. Ogunbowale has long made a significant impact on special teams, highlighted by serving as the Texans’ emergency kicker last season. That has cemented his status on the Texans’ roster for the last three seasons, and on the Jaguars’ roster for two years before that.
The former Badger is now even catching game-winning touchdowns. His success is a fantastic story after entering the college level as a walk-on cornerback.
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