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South Carolina football alum sets Dallas Cowboys record, reaches impressive statistical milestone

by: Kevin Miller12/30/24kevinbmiller52
South Carolina football alum Rico Dowdle with the Dallas Cowboys. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
South Carolina football alum Rico Dowdle with the Dallas Cowboys. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Dallas Cowboys first-year starting running back Rico Dowdle had to wait his turn, but now that he has gotten his chance in Big D, the former South Carolina football star has made the most of it. On Sunday, Dowdle surpassed the 1000-yard rushing mark on the season.

With a strong showing in a losing effort to the Philadelphia Eagles, Dowdle logged his fourth 100-yard performance in his last five games. With 104 yards on 23 carries, No. 23 now has 1007 yards this season.

In crossing the 1000-yard barrier, Dowdle became the first undrafted player ever to do so for the storied Cowboys franchise. He also became the first former Gamecock to rush for that many yards since Duce Staley. Staley ran for over 1000 yards three times for the Eagles in the late ’90s and early 2000s.

Dowdle, who has been with Dallas since 2020, was a backup for four seasons behind Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard. Now that he’s the starter, though, he has surpassed all of Elliott’s and Pollard’s single-season rushing totals from 2020-2023.

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Dowdle’s big year couldn’t have come at a better time for his bank account. Before the season, the running back signed a one-year deal to stay with the Cowboys. Now that he has proven he can be an NFL starter, he should earn a nice payday for 2025. He will be a sought-after free agent this spring.

During his South Carolina football career, injuries hampered Dowdle a bit. When he was healthy, though, he was extremely productive for the Gamecocks. Despite missing some time, he finished his time in garnet and black with 2167 yards and 16 touchdowns. Both of those numbers are in the top 16 in USC history among running backs.

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