McDowell to the Portal

[stilwtrgrizz]

I wonder, what happened since the Championship game?
Nobody saw this coming. Something has changed.

mcdowell looked gimpy in the second half, looked hurt, not 100%......i could be reading this wrong but he looked
unhappy or disgruntled.

I think you nailed. The wife and I both noticed that as well.

 

[grizpsych]

In Psychology it is a bad sign if your graduate degree is from the same institution as your undergraduate degree. It is an indication of someone that has not had enough diversity in their schooling.

I had hoped you would lend your expertise in this area. Thank you. I DID learn something today! :thumb:

Thank you. Also, UM's Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program is very competitive. Most grad students that are in the program received their undergraduate degrees at prestigious universities. As an undergraduate, the graduate students I worked with came from Stanford, Harvard, and Penn.

 

[grizpsych]

In Psychology it is a bad sign if your graduate degree is from the same institution as your undergraduate degree. It is an indication of someone that has not had enough diversity in their schooling.

FWIW. Clifton graduated in May 2023 from Central Arkansas with BS in Psychology.

Oh. That is near me. Thanks for the info.

 

[ElrodGrizzly]

FWIW. Clifton graduated in May 2023 from Central Arkansas with BS in Psychology.

Oh. That is near me. Thanks for the info.

I know nothing about your field, so forgive if this is ignorant, but wouldn't him attending a different school every year of undergrad account for plenty of academic diversity?

 

[grizpsych]

Oh. That is near me. Thanks for the info.

I know nothing about your field, so forgive if this is ignorant, but wouldn't him attending a different school every year of undergrad account for plenty of academic diversity?

I would have to look at his courses and professors to make a decision about scholarly diversity. However, in Psychology, the best way to earn your Ph.D. is to get into a doctorate program directly after your undergrad (you get your masters on the way). And to get into a doctorate program is like earning an apprenticeship.

In short, a professor in the program must decide that they want to work with a new student for the next five to seven years. If no professor wants you, you get rejected from the program. If a professor accepts you, you get your schooling paid for and a living stipend. In my luck, my mentor and university paid around $300,000.00 for my graduate education. And with that, I entered into a contract where I could not have another job. I'm sure football would have been considered a second job.

 

[mthoopsfan]

It surprises me that he is leaving, given what I thought he thought of UM and the team, and what his tweet tag lines were recently.

However, UM will be fine and potentially better without him. I like Ah Yat, Vidlak and Huot. I assume Flowers will be very good sooner or later. There are still some qb's in the portal, and there will be more portal qb's in the spring.

McDowell didn't play great on Sunday, nor in the prior two playoff games. We needed a much better game from him on Sunday, but didn't get it. I thought he'd play better, being the championship game and in Texas.

I agree that he had a nice season and was big in taking us to the championship game. Showed nice improvement. I think he had more potential too. But he probably wasn't going to be one of the top UM qb's, in my view. Not even close.

He was not accurate enough throwing and had other limitations. Some qb experts and coaches have told me that qb's tend not to get more accurate with time and practice. They pretty much have it early or they don't. Accuracy is only one important skill for a qb, though.

My view is that the coaches never had good confidence in him, let alone full confidence. I believe they limited the offense because of that. I know they limited the offense earlier in the season. Maybe he felt or sensed the coaches lack of confidence in him.

He threw some nice downfield passes in a game or two earlier in the season, but for the most part, threw shorter passes. He didn't throw many picks, but I wonder if that is because the offense was limited with and for him. He did throw over the middle, short, relatively well.

I wonder why he seemed to quit running and scrambling in the last several games. That seemed odd. He turned down some open field and even first downs. Just seemed weird to me.

I wonder if he was having some issues with the coaches in the last game, or recent games. Don't know, just wonder. He seemed to get hurt late in the first half in the last game. I saw him running on sideline a lot after halftime, and also on the exercise bike. Had never seen him do that in prior games.

A parent told me that he never seemed to fit in. His mom told me that he and the family liked Missoula. I don't think he loved the weather, and he hasn't even had a Montana winter yet.

I liked what he said when he came to UM and a few other times. However, I thought it was odd he had committed to Southern and then changed his mind right away. Made me wonder if he was a bit flaky.

On the one hand, I wish him well. On the other hand, I think F-him. He can do what he wants. It's his choice and his life. Maybe he will get to a situation where he excels. I can see him improving, but I don't see him being a great qb at a higher level.

I assume I will get some better and more specific information. I'm curious. His departure does not concern me in the least. I think Gillman's younger brother is coming to UM. My impression is that recruiting has gone very well. I assume there are or will be schollies held back for some portal guys.

It will be interesting to see what else comes out. I don't know Nebraska has for qb's. If they are thin at qb, then he may have a nice opportunity. He could get some decent NIL money.

Nebraska has landed a top qb recruit, actually the top recruit. The recruit's uncle is the Neb. o-line coach. "Nebraska has landed a game-changing addition in quarterback Dylan Raiola, the No. 1 signal-caller in the Top247 rankings, who signed with the Cornhuskers on Wednesday morning as National Signing Day began. Raiola flipped from Georgia after a late charge from the Cornhuskers, and he becomes the highest-rated recruit in program history."

https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/dylan-raiola-signs-with-nebraska-no-1-qb-in-2024-flips-from-georgia-becomes-programs-highest-rated-recruit/

Go Griz!

See bold above.

 

[3-7-77]

I know nothing about your field, so forgive if this is ignorant, but wouldn't him attending a different school every year of undergrad account for plenty of academic diversity?

I would have to look at his courses and professors to make a decision about scholarly diversity. However, in Psychology, the best way to earn your Ph.D. is to get into a doctorate program directly after your undergrad (you get your masters on the way). And to get into a doctorate program is like earning an apprenticeship.

In short, a professor in the program must decide that they want to work with a new student for the next five to seven years. If no professor wants you, you get rejected from the program. If a professor accepts you, you get your schooling paid for and a living stipend. In my luck, my mentor and university paid around $300,000.00 for my graduate education. And with that, I entered into a contract where I could not have another job. I'm sure football would have been considered a second job.

Well, that blows my theory all to hell. :lol: Guess if he wanted us to know, he'd a told us.

 

[Hoops watcher]

Man...I'm shocked at how deep the hatred runs for a guy who got us to a Natty. Unreal.

You're mistaking nonchalance for hatred. Cliff was solid, if unspectacular. He did just enough to keep the defenses honest, which is what the team needed this year. But is it hatred for the fanbase to want an actual gamechanger at the QB position going forward? I don't think so at all.

You can celebrate the big plays the big fella made at key moments that kept the train rolling and still recognize he had limitations in his game that became more apparent as the teams got better in the post season. Sadly no longer a good idea to get attached to a favorite player given the state of things in college football. I appreciate his efforts in the turnaround and hope things go well wherever he lands. He's a part of Griz lore now.

 

[Montanabear777]

Will always be grateful to Big Cliff for his contributions this year. Best of luck in his future endeavors.

 

[Bear Axed]

mcdowell looked gimpy in the second half, looked hurt, not 100%......i could be reading this wrong but he looked
unhappy or disgruntled.

I think you nailed. The wife and I both noticed that as well.

Re-watch his run to near the goal line on the 1st possession mid way through the 1st quarter.... His knee totally smacks the helmet full force of the tackler... He gimped all the rest of game after that play... Went to the trainers after the 2nd possession.

 

[Dillon]

I think you nailed. The wife and I both noticed that as well.

Re-watch his run to near the goal line on the 1st possession mid way through the 1st quarter.... His knee totally smacks the helmet full force of the tackler... He gimped all the rest of game after that play... Went to the trainers after the 2nd possession.

That is why I texted a friend at the beginning of the 4th quarter which said "put Ah Yat in"! Cliff was not in a good place!

 

[mthoopsfan]

I think you nailed. The wife and I both noticed that as well.

Re-watch his run to near the goal line on the 1st possession mid way through the 1st quarter.... His knee totally smacks the helmet full force of the tackler... He gimped all the rest of game after that play... Went to the trainers after the 2nd possession.

I recall seeing McDowell get up slowly after a short run later in first half. He seemed to limp slightly. The play you mentioned is probably the one I noticed. It was on about the 25 on the Griz left side of the field closer to the Griz sideline. Then, as I have said, I saw him running on the sideline and then on the exercise bike coming out of halftime. Had never recalled seeing him doing that in prior games.

 

[mthoopsfan]

I wonder if McDowell made a rash, and potentially regrettable, decision. The decision to leave didn't seem consistent with his tweets. Rumors but nothing is showing to have been pre-planned, at least yet. If it's true he hired a placement service, then that would indicate that he didn't have a specific pre-plan. With the info so far, it makes no sense that he would go to the Portal.

 

[horribilisfan8184]

It surprises me that he is leaving, given what I thought he thought of UM and the team, and what his tweet tag lines were recently.

However, UM will be fine and potentially better without him. I like Ah Yat, Vidlak and Huot. I assume Flowers will be very good sooner or later. There are still some qb's in the portal, and there will be more portal qb's in the spring.

McDowell didn't play great on Sunday, nor in the prior two playoff games. We needed a much better game from him on Sunday, but didn't get it. I thought he'd play better, being the championship game and in Texas.

I agree that he had a nice season and was big in taking us to the championship game. Showed nice improvement. I think he had more potential too. But he probably wasn't going to be one of the top UM qb's, in my view. Not even close.

He was not accurate enough throwing and had other limitations. Some qb experts and coaches have told me that qb's tend not to get more accurate with time and practice. They pretty much have it early or they don't. Accuracy is only one important skill for a qb, though.

My view is that the coaches never had good confidence in him, let alone full confidence. I believe they limited the offense because of that. I know they limited the offense earlier in the season. Maybe he felt or sensed the coaches lack of confidence in him.

He threw some nice downfield passes in a game or two earlier in the season, but for the most part, threw shorter passes. He didn't throw many picks, but I wonder if that is because the offense was limited with and for him. He did throw over the middle, short, relatively well.

I wonder why he seemed to quit running and scrambling in the last several games. That seemed odd. He turned down some open field and even first downs. Just seemed weird to me.

I wonder if he was having some issues with the coaches in the last game, or recent games. Don't know, just wonder. He seemed to get hurt late in the first half in the last game. I saw him running on sideline a lot after halftime, and also on the exercise bike. Had never seen him do that in prior games.

A parent told me that he never seemed to fit in. His mom told me that he and the family liked Missoula. I don't think he loved the weather, and he hasn't even had a Montana winter yet.

I liked what he said when he came to UM and a few other times. However, I thought it was odd he had committed to Southern and then changed his mind right away. Made me wonder if he was a bit flaky.

On the one hand, I wish him well. On the other hand, I think F-him. He can do what he wants. It's his choice and his life. Maybe he will get to a situation where he excels. I can see him improving, but I don't see him being a great qb at a higher level.

I assume I will get some better and more specific information. I'm curious. His departure does not concern me in the least. I think Gillman's younger brother is coming to UM. My impression is that recruiting has gone very well. I assume there are or will be schollies held back for some portal guys.

It will be interesting to see what else comes out. I don't know Nebraska has for qb's. If they are thin at qb, then he may have a nice opportunity. He could get some decent NIL money.

Nebraska has landed a top qb recruit, actually the top recruit. The recruit's uncle is the Neb. o-line coach. "Nebraska has landed a game-changing addition in quarterback Dylan Raiola, the No. 1 signal-caller in the Top247 rankings, who signed with the Cornhuskers on Wednesday morning as National Signing Day began. Raiola flipped from Georgia after a late charge from the Cornhuskers, and he becomes the highest-rated recruit in program history."

https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/dylan-raiola-signs-with-nebraska-no-1-qb-in-2024-flips-from-georgia-becomes-programs-highest-rated-recruit/

Go Griz!

See bold above.

It's time Griz fans put 2 and 2 together. McDowell was always a second choice to Vidlak, for the very reason he doesn't stay put. It should now make sense why Bobby went so long in trying Vidlak as the starter, even after seeing McDowell's performance in the second game. McDowell gave us his best this year when finally called to do so, but I'm sure he saw the handwriting on the wall that next year will be a competition between two passers. The portal may prove to negate this desire but a long term QB is the desire of this staff.

 

[HikeGlacier]

I wonder if McDowell made a rash, and potentially regrettable, decision. The decision to leave didn't seem consistent with his tweets. Rumors but nothing is showing to have been pre-planned, at least yet. If it's true he hired a placement service, then that would indicate that he didn't have a specific pre-plan. With the info so far, it makes no sense that he would go to the Portal.

He may be just testing the waters. There is no question that Bobby likes his chances with Ah Yat and Gillham.

 

[ElrodGrizzly]

I wonder if McDowell made a rash, and potentially regrettable, decision. The decision to leave didn't seem consistent with his tweets. Rumors but nothing is showing to have been pre-planned, at least yet. If it's true he hired a placement service, then that would indicate that he didn't have a specific pre-plan. With the info so far, it makes no sense that he would go to the Portal.

I think he made a rash decision he will one day regret greatly

 

[HelenaHandBasket]

I wonder if McDowell made a rash, and potentially regrettable, decision. The decision to leave didn't seem consistent with his tweets. Rumors but nothing is showing to have been pre-planned, at least yet. If it's true he hired a placement service, then that would indicate that he didn't have a specific pre-plan. With the info so far, it makes no sense that he would go to the Portal.

He may be just testing the waters. There is no question that Bobby likes his chances with Ah Yat and Gillham.

Bobby isn't the guy with open arms after someone enters the portal. There is no "testing the waters" from his perspective.

 

[Bear Axed]

Re-watch his run to near the goal line on the 1st possession mid way through the 1st quarter.... His knee totally smacks the helmet full force of the tackler... He gimped all the rest of game after that play... Went to the trainers after the 2nd possession.

I recall seeing McDowell get up slowly after a short run later in first half. He seemed to limp slightly. The play you mentioned is probably the one I noticed. It was on about the 25 on the Griz left side of the field closer to the Griz sideline. Then, as I have said, I saw him running on the sideline and then on the exercise bike coming out of halftime. Had never recalled seeing him doing that in prior games.

The play that I think he got injured on was the very last play of the 1st quarter. 3rd and goal from the 6 yard line. A QB draw up the gut, he gets hit on the knee at the 4 and it flipped him up to the one yard line. On 4th and goal Gillman gets turned away at the 3 inch line, turn over on downs.

 

[HookedonGriz]

He may be just testing the waters. There is no question that Bobby likes his chances with Ah Yat and Gillham.

Bobby isn't the guy with open arms after someone enters the portal. There is no "testing the waters" from his perspective.

You are correct. Bobby has stated that publicly that once you hit the portal, don’t let the door hit you on the way out.

 

[ilovethecats]

Bobby isn't the guy with open arms after someone enters the portal. There is no "testing the waters" from his perspective.

You are correct. Bobby has stated that publicly that once you hit the portal, don’t let the door hit you on the way out.

I understand this and don't even necessarily disagree. But in the world of coaching these days it seems like a pretty hypocritical mindset.

I understand that players and coaches are different. But what is the same about both is they are going to do what they think is best for them, and jump on opportunities as they arrive. Head coaches apply for new jobs all the time and either leave, don't get hired, or withdraw their name and continue coaching their current team. They test the waters and if the fit is there they bounce and if it's not they stay put. I don't have an issue with that. Just seems weird to take such a strict approach on a player when they do the same thing. And to turn around and act like the player betrayed the team by looking elsewhere just doesn't mesh in my view.

I'm not saying every coach should welcome back every player with open arms. It's more the mindset that the player didn't care about the team when they pursue options when coaches do it daily.