Nebraska’s combination of Dante Dowdell and Rahmir Johnson as running back proves successful
LINCOLN — Dante Dowdell wanted Colorado to feel him. A compact, powerful north-south running back, he threw his shoulder pads into his tacklers’ chests whenever possible on Saturday.
The goal was to wear down the defenders and physically challenge them.
“You have to tell them,” Dowdell said.
It contrasted with the style of Rahmir Johnson, the lightning to Dowdell’s thunder. Johnson is quick and agile, elusive in space.
Dowdell finished the night with 17 carries for 74 yards and two touchdowns. Johnson received the ball nine times for 33 yards, caught eight balls for 49 yards and turned a potential interception into a touchdown with an improbable juggling grab late in the first half.
Equally notable was the lack of action from Gabe Ervin Jr. and Emmett Johnson, who combined for three carries and nine yards.
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All four running backs were in action a week earlier against UTEP, but coach Matt Rhule said the goal was to reduce the number of key players to two. For at least one week, that was Dowdell and Rahmir Johnson.
“I feel like every running back in this room can do that – if anyone stepped on the field, there would never be a step back,” Dowdell said.
