The youth movement has been in full effect for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football team this season.
Brandon Dowdell is just one of the latest parts of the trend.
The 5-foot-10, 195-pounder from Cordele, Ga., had 167 yards on four returns in the Mocs’ 20-14 loss to The Citadel on Saturday, including a 37-yard punt return that set up UTC’s second touchdown and two 50-yard kickoff returns.
With defensive back D.J. Jackson starting against the Bulldogs, 10 freshmen – true or redshirt – have become vital pieces of the 2017 puzzle. The most notable is quarterback Cole Copeland, who after planning to redshirt has started the past three games. In addition, eight sophomores with no prior experience have been used, including six who have started.
Dowdell was one of the plums of coach Tom Arth’s first recruiting class, choosing UTC over Football Bowl Subdivision programs Georgia Southern, Georgia State, South Alabama and Western Kentucky. From the first day of camp, he showed the instincts to become eventually a standout at defensive back, but for the time being he’s making his presence felt on special teams.
“I thought Brandon did a great job,” Arth said Saturday. “He really got some great returns and sparked a lot of energy. He put our offense in great positions on a number of different occasions today.”
Teammates have said Dowdell’s energy in practices is infectious, and he’s been easy to gravitate to since his arrival in the summer. He would follow senior linebacker Tae Davis to the sand pit at Lockmiller Apartments to spend extra time on footwork, for instance, or to the weight room or the field for some added work.
“When he came to camp, I just knew right away he was a great player,” senior Taylor Reynolds said. “What he does, what he brings, the energy he brings to our defense and our special teams especially.
“To be a true freshman and play right away is huge, and he’s really helped us.”
As with most freshmen, the Mocs have had to take some bad with the good. Copeland has gone through highs and lows as he navigates through Southern Conference defenses for the first time, throwing for 678 yards and two touchdowns in his first three starts but also throwing eight interceptions. Jackson was caught in no-man’s land on the Bulldogs’ first touchdown Saturday, a 25-yard pass from Dominique Allen to Josh LeBlanc.
Dowdell has had some good returns, such as the 26-yarder that set up a score against Virginia Military Institute, but he’s also had some not so good, namely one against Mercer in which he lost a yard. He has averaged 13.5 yards on eight punt returns and 24.3 on nine kickoffs, taking over those duties in the absence of senior running back Richardre Bagley, who has missed the past two games.
But as most of the older players have stated, he’s shown the talent is there.
“Even outside of the game, that young man brings life to this team,” senior running back Darrell Bridges said. “At practice, whether it be walk-through or meetings, Dowdell brings life. He’s always got that smile on his face, and to see him make plays out there is nothing new; he makes them at practice.
“He’s a hard worker, and he’ll be someone to keep your eye on as he goes through the program.”
Dickerson set for Nov. 18
Up-and-coming country music entertainer Russell Dickerson is set to perform at the Mocs Block Tailgate Concert Series on Nov. 18, before the game against East Tennessee State, UTC announced Monday.
Dickerson, who recently released the album “Yours,” will take the stage on the east side of Finley Stadium at 12:30 p.m.
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @genehenleytfp.