NEW BRITAIN, Conn. – There are a lot of things that go through a running back’s mind as he rushes down the field trying to beat defenders to the end zone. And for former Richmond Raider and current Columbia University tailback Dante Miller, he had a long time to think about things as he scored his first career Division I touchdown Saturday.
Miller, a 2018 graduate of Richmond Senior High School, suited up for the Lions for the first time over the weekend, as Columbia roared its way past non-conference opponent Central Connecticut State University 41-24 to open its season.
Earning first-team reps to start his freshman year, Miller rushed for 93 yards on eight carries against the Blue Devils, scoring one touchdown and averaging 11.6 yards per carry, which is the eighth best single-game yardage average in school history. But it was Miller’s touchdown that turned heads and put the first-year back in Columbia’s football record book.
With the Lions up handily in the fourth quarter, Miller took a handoff from sophomore quarterback Dillon Davis on the first play of the team’s third drive of the fourth quarter at the Columbia 17-yard line. And in a span of just 14 seconds, and 6:52 remaining in the game, Miller found himself sprinting down the left sideline for Columbia’s final score.
After exploding out of a hole along the left side of the offensive line, Miller used his speed to blow past two CCSU defensive backs en route to an 83-yard score. Once in the end zone, Miller celebrated his first of many hopeful Columbia touchdowns with senior teammate Kyle Castner.
According to a phone call with Greg Hotchkiss, Columbia’s Associate Athletics Director for Athletic Communications and Public Relations, Miller’s 83-yard dash set the school record for the longest run by a first-year athlete. His score was also the sixth-longest touchdown in Lions’ history, as well as the sixth-longest overall run in program history.
“I’m really happy,” Miller told sports editor Kyle Pillar Monday afternoon. “Scoring that touchdown, I was like ‘wow I’m really about to score.’ I was just trying to take it all in — a lot goes through your mind when you’re running down the field. After I scored, I was pumped up and surprised because it all happened so fast.
“It was an inside zone play, and coming in from the sideline, I knew what could happen,” Miller explained of his scoring play. “I used everything I did in practice, and running full speed in practice made it easier. When we snapped ball, I cut inside and cut for the read — I got the guy to miss going inside, and all I wanted to do was get vertical to the sideline and get to the end zone.”
With his season opening performance, Miller was also awarded his first career collegiate football accolade, as he was named the Ivy League Conference’s “Rookie of the Week.”
“It’s a great feeling to be named Rookie of the Week,” Miller noted. “However, without the great coaching and effort from the offensive line, it wouldn’t have been possible. I’m very fortunate to have such hard-working teammates.
“It really was more than I could have ever asked for,” he added of his first college game experience. “This proves that if you work hard, you’ll get what you deserve. My first game was the embodiment of that.”
As a Raider last fall, Miller led Richmond with 19 rushing touchdowns and collected 1,327 yards on the ground. He was also one of 11 Raiders named to the All-Sandhills Athletic Conference team following the season.
Since trading the sandhills of Richmond County for the hustle and bustle of Manhattan in New York City, Miller has not only been successful in his first game with the Lions, but he’s also acclimating well to college life.
“Everything is going pretty good so far,” Miller said as he’s a month into his first semester. “It’s a lot different being in the city — there’s not a lot of country here like Richmond County. My teachers and coaches work well with me in the classroom and on the field — especially with my schedule. It’s been a learning process, but it hasn’t been as difficult as I thought.”
With the win, the Lions are 1-0 to start their season, and it starts the path of what Miller hopes to be a championship season. More so, he’s just enjoying the opportunity to play football at the next level.
“Playing for Lions puts me in a great environment,” he said. “I’m surrounded by great people like I was in Richmond County — and they always want the best for me. We’re on the same page on the field, and we’re like a family.
“The goal for the rest of the season is to help the team as much as I possibly can,” Miller concluded. “We’re trying to get a ring, and we’re a great team. I’d be surprised if we don’t get a ring.”
On Saturday, Miller and the Lions will travel to Cooper Field on the campus of Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., to battle for the Lou Little Cup. Kickoff against the Hoyas is set for 2 p.m.
Click here to see Miller’s 83-yard touchdown run, courtesy of Columbia football’s Twitter page.
