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Former Gators star Chimere Dike reflects on first NFL touchdown

79417-removebg-preview (1)by: Corey Bender10/20/25Corey_Bender
Chimere Dike
© Denny Simmons / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Tennessee Titans have had a rough start to the season, opening 1-5 before making a coaching change. That move seemed to energize the team. The first big sign came in the opener against the New England where rookies Cam Ward and Chimere Dike hooked up for a big first-quarter touchdown.

Ward rolled right and fired a deep pass to Dike, who outpaced Marcus Jones to the corner of the end zone for his first NFL touchdown. He finished with four receptions for 70 yards and a touchdown in the 31-13 loss to the Patriots.

“We had a good week of preparation and I think offensively we were able to do some really good things in the first half,” Dike said postgame. “Cam obviously threw a great ball and it was nice to get in the end zone.”

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This could be the start of something special for Titans

Ward, the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft, said he had been waiting for the play to happen.

“I was ready for that play. We had that play on the sheet for about three, four weeks. So whenever he called it, I got to smiling in the huddle,” Ward said. “Almost checked out of the play, but we reloaded. And then, that’s Chim really making the play.

“The O-line did an unbelievable job just getting everybody out of the way. Gunnar (Helm) sealed it with the pin block, and Chim made the play. So, I got to continue to put the ball in his hands, let him make plays, because when he touches the ball, he’s dangerous.”

Ward and Dike have been working together since the offseason and their chemistry has grown, giving the Titans’ offense a boost, especially with Calvin Ridley sidelined.

“Me and Chim, we just see it the same way,” Ward said. “From how he sees the field to how I see the field, it’s the same way. I think that’s something we’ve continued to build…just that connection on the field. He had an unbelievable day, not only in the return game, but especially at receiver. The more reps we get together, the better we’re going to be, but this is only the start.”

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Chimere Dike left his mark during lone season at Florida

Dike comes to Tennessee after a strong college career. He played at Wisconsin from 2020-23 before transferring to Florida for the 2024 season where he reunited with former Badgers quarterback Graham Mertz. In Gainesville, Dike caught 42 passes for 783 yards and two touchdowns, which helped him become a fourth-round pick earlier this year.

Before the Patriots game, Dike had just nine receptions for 26 yards on the season. That all changed with his 38-yard touchdown and an active first half, showing he could be a weapon moving forward.

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