Running back Rico Dowdle is rewriting the Panthers record book in his first season with the team… and he did it against his former team.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — In just his sixth game in a Carolina Panthers jersey, Rico Dowdle has stamped his name all over the franchise’s record books.
Against the Miami Dolphins in Week 5, Dowdle had 206 rushing yards, tied for the second most in Panthers history. Dowdle won NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors for the effort.
He followed that performance up with a 183-yard rushing game against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 6, his former team. Dowdle added four receptions for 56 yards, giving him a franchise-record 239 all-purpose yards.
Dowdle became the first player in Panthers history to have two consecutive 200-yard games.
More importantly, the Panthers won both contests, 27-24 over Miami and 30-27 over Dallas, to reach a 3-3 record.
Heading into the Week 6 matchup, Dowdle was vocal about wanting a big game against his former team. He offered two words to Dallas’ defense ahead of the game: “Buckle up.”
Dowdle blasted the Cowboys all game with effective running. He didn’t hit any significantly long runs like against the Dolphins, but an efficient game plan helped him gobble up yards throughout the day.
“They weren’t buckled up,” Dowdle said. “Gotta give all the credit to those guys up front again. Man down, man up, and those guys up front just been blocking their tails off, just allowing me to do what I do.”
Dowdle’s longest play came on a 36-yard touchdown reception. Quarterback Bryce Young hit Dowdle wide open near the sideline after a Dallas defender slipped. The pair took advantage, and Dowdle finished the job for the score.
“[He] ran with violence, had a plan, a man on a mission that wants to make yards,” Panthers head coach Dave Canales said. “I’m sure there’s emotions for him coming from his former team and all that, but I didn’t see a difference from what he did last week. I just saw great execution and great attitude when he ran the ball.”
Dowdle could have crushed the all-purpose yards record even further, but was sidelined on Carolina’s game-winning drive with a cramping issue.
Despite spending his first five seasons in Dallas, Dowdle, who went to high school in Asheville and played college football at the University of South Carolina, believes he’s on the home team now.
“Definitely special being back home in front of a lot of family and friends,” Dowdle said. “I’m on the home team, so definitely special getting to do it here in North Carolina.”
Dowdle spent the first four games backing up Chuba Hubbard and had just 83 yards rushing in those games. Despite the slow start, his 472 yards this season are the fifth-most rushing yards by a Panthers player through the first six games.
Hubbard has missed the last two games with a calf injury, allowing Dowdle to step in and perform well. Hubbard’s return could split carries in the backfield ,but Dowdle says he welcomes the opportunity.
“Two is better than one, so it’s gonna be hard on the defense,” Dowdle said.
The Panthers face the winless New York Jets (0-6) on the road in Week 7.