October 12, 2025 | Charlotte, N.C. – The former Dallas Cowboys running back, now starring for the Carolina Panthers, torched his old team with a career-best 239 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown, powering Carolina to a dramatic 30–27 win over Dallas at Bank of America Stadium. Rookie Ryan Fitzgerald capped the upset with a 33-yard field goal as time expired, sending the Panthers to 3–3 on the season and a perfect 3–0 at home.

“They wasn’t buckled up,” Dowdle said with a grin postgame. “I told them during the week — they better be ready.”

Dowdle Dominates His Former Team

Facing the team that gave up on him, Dowdle ran like a man possessed. He finished with 183 rushing yards on 30 carries and added four receptions for 56 yards and a touchdown. His 473 total yards over the last two games set a franchise record and made him the seventh NFL player in the last 20 years to post back-to-back 200-yard games.

“It was personal for him,” said Panthers quarterback Bryce Young, who completed 17 of 25 passes for 199 yards and three touchdowns. “We knew how much this one meant. That’s our brother, and we wanted to have his back.”

Dowdle’s performance helped Carolina overcome a sluggish start and avenge consecutive home losses to Dallas in 2023 and 2024.

McMillan’s Breakout and Young’s Composure

Rookie wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, the No. 8 overall pick in this year’s draft, finally had his breakout moment. After dropping a pass that led to a Dallas interception early in the second quarter, McMillan redeemed himself with two touchdown grabs, including a 19-yarder in the second quarter and a 2-yard score in the third that came off a new play design installed just days before the game.

“When we designed that play, he was last in the progression,” Young explained. “But he told me in practice, ‘If you get to me, I’m going to go win it.’ And he did exactly that.”

Young showed poise throughout, especially on the game-winning drive. With the score tied at 27 and just over six minutes left, he led Carolina on a 15-play, 71-yard march that chewed up the clock. On fourth-and-4 near midfield, Young connected with Hunter Renfrow for a clutch 7-yard completion to keep the drive alive.

Running back Trevor Etienne sealed it by sliding down shy of the end zone on a first down, allowing the Panthers to drain the clock and set up Fitzgerald’s winning kick.

Dallas Fails to Contain the Run

The Cowboys’ struggles against the run continued, as they were outgained 216–31 on the ground. Quarterback Dak Prescott threw for 261 yards and three touchdowns, including one to Jake Ferguson and another to George Pickens, who had a monster outing with nine catches for 168 yards.

“We knew they were a physical football team,” Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer said. “They were able to run it, and we weren’t. That’s the difference in the game.”

Dallas had tied the contest late on a 42-yard Brandon Aubrey field goal, but the defense couldn’t get a crucial stop when it mattered most. Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence were held in check for much of the afternoon as Carolina’s offensive line neutralized the Cowboys’ pass rush.

A Statement Win for Carolina

For head coach Dave Canales, the victory represents a defining moment in his first season leading the Panthers. After a 1–3 start, Carolina has now won two straight, both at home, behind a revitalized offense and a more confident Bryce Young.

“We’re learning how to finish games,” Canales said. “This one shows who we are becoming — a tough, disciplined, physical team that believes in each other.”

The Cowboys, meanwhile, fall to 2–3–1, continuing a trend of inconsistency that has frustrated fans and coaches alike. They’ll head home to face the New York Giants next week in a must-win divisional matchup.

But for Rico Dowdle and the Panthers, Sunday was about redemption — and a message delivered.

“I gave everything I had to that team,” Dowdle said. “Now I’m giving everything I’ve got to this one. And today, Carolina got the best of me.”