Dowling Named To Buck Buchanan Award Preseason Watch List
8/3/2023 10:21:00 AM | Football
MACON, Ga. – Mercer football linebacker Isaac Dowling was named one of 35 FCS defensive players to the 2023 Buck Buchanan Award Preseason Watch List.
The award is given annually to the national defensive player of the year in Division I FCS college football. All 15 FCS conferences, which combine to form 13 leagues, are represented on the watch list, including 13 past finalists.
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Dowling had a very productive 2022 season for the Bears and was named First Team All-Conference by the media. Dowling led the Bears with 99 tackles which was second most in the SoCon. His 99 tackles were fourth most in a season in program history. He also had nine tackles for loss, one sack, two interceptions and one forced fumble on the year.
Dowling had 10 or more tackles in four games last season and tied a career-high with 17 tackles in a win against The Citadel. Both of his interceptions on the year came against Western Carolina and he also led the team in the game with eight tackles.
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The Bears will kick off their 2023 campaign on August 26 when they make the short trip to Montgomery, Ala., to take on North Alabama in the FCS Kickoff Classic. Start time has been slated for 3:30 p.m. ET inside Montgomery's historic Cramton Bowl. Tickets for that game can be purchased by visiting MercerBears.com/FCSKickoff.
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Reserved-seat season tickets for the 2023 home season have already gone on sale and the 5-game package can be purchased for as little as $85 for reserved seats and $50 for general admission seats at MercerBears.com/Tickets. For questions regarding football season tickets, including inquiries about seat locations, contact the Mercer Athletic Ticket Office at (478) 301-5470.
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Follow the Bears
For complete coverage of Mercer Football, please follow the Bears on social media at @MercerFootball (Twitter), /MercerFootball (Facebook) and @MercerFootball (Instagram) or visit the official home of Mercer Athletics at MercerBears.com.
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The award is given annually to the national defensive player of the year in Division I FCS college football. All 15 FCS conferences, which combine to form 13 leagues, are represented on the watch list, including 13 past finalists.
Â
Dowling had a very productive 2022 season for the Bears and was named First Team All-Conference by the media. Dowling led the Bears with 99 tackles which was second most in the SoCon. His 99 tackles were fourth most in a season in program history. He also had nine tackles for loss, one sack, two interceptions and one forced fumble on the year.
Dowling had 10 or more tackles in four games last season and tied a career-high with 17 tackles in a win against The Citadel. Both of his interceptions on the year came against Western Carolina and he also led the team in the game with eight tackles.
Â
The Bears will kick off their 2023 campaign on August 26 when they make the short trip to Montgomery, Ala., to take on North Alabama in the FCS Kickoff Classic. Start time has been slated for 3:30 p.m. ET inside Montgomery's historic Cramton Bowl. Tickets for that game can be purchased by visiting MercerBears.com/FCSKickoff.
Â
Reserved-seat season tickets for the 2023 home season have already gone on sale and the 5-game package can be purchased for as little as $85 for reserved seats and $50 for general admission seats at MercerBears.com/Tickets. For questions regarding football season tickets, including inquiries about seat locations, contact the Mercer Athletic Ticket Office at (478) 301-5470.
Â
Follow the Bears
For complete coverage of Mercer Football, please follow the Bears on social media at @MercerFootball (Twitter), /MercerFootball (Facebook) and @MercerFootball (Instagram) or visit the official home of Mercer Athletics at MercerBears.com.
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Players Mentioned
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