South Carolina football alum nearing Dallas Cowboys all-time history

South Carolina football alum Rico Dowdle has burst onto the NFL scene in recent weeks. Following a slow start to the year as the top back for the Dallas Cowboys, Dowdle has been one of the top rushers in the NFL over the past several weeks. Now, he is close to making some history for the storied franchise.

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With 903 yards on the ground so far this season, Dowdle has a chance to become the first undrafted player ever to reach the 1000-yard mark for the Cowboys. Fellow undrafted Gamecock Dan Reeves was an All-Pro for America’s Team back in 1966 but was a hybrid running back/wide receiver who never reached 1000 yards solely as a rusher.

If Dowdle’s recent success is any indication, he will reach that number.

Since week 12, Dowdle has been one of the league’s leading rushers. In fact, he was the only player in football to rush for at least 100 yards three weeks in a row from weeks 13 to 15 as he set a new career-high total each game. He has posted at least 98 yards of offense in four of his last five contests.

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Dowdle will have two more opportunities to add to his rushing total. On Sunday, the Cowboys play against the Philadelphia Eagles in Philadelphia. Then, a week later, the season finale pits Dallas against the Washington Commanders in Big D. In previous matchups against Philadelphia and Washington this season, Dowdle 53 yards and 86 yards, respectively. Repeats of those performances would push him over the 1000-yard threshold.

For fans who want to tune in to watch, the Cowboys and Eagles play Sunday at 1:00 p.m. on Fox. The FoxSports app also will make the contest available for streaming.