MISSOULA — On a soggy, overcast Saturday at Washington-Grizzly Stadium, it seemed appropriate Clifton McDowell take over as Montana quarterback.
He may never thrill older Grizzly fans that hunger for the days of Dave Dickenson, Don Read and a high-flying passing attack. McDowell is more of a meat-and-potatoes Texan that makes you earn it every time you tackle his 6-foot-4, 224-pound frame.
Let's face it, the Grizzlies aren't world-beaters on either side of the ball. Not now anyway. But they do run block pretty well and McDowell is super confident operating the option offense and throwing mid-range passes.
He set the tone to start both halves in Montana's 28-20 bounce-back win over Idaho State Saturday.
On the opening drive he ran the ball twice for 18 yards, including an 8-yard touchdown scamper, and completed two passes for 10 yards along the way. He also helped set up fellow senior Nick Ostmo for drive-sustaining runs and even helped push Ostmo forward in a pile once or twice.
McDowell was especially good in the second half, leading Montana (4-1) to touchdowns on its first three drives. His 39-yard toss to Junior Bergen was a highlight.
"I wish we could have scored a little more in the first half, but we went into halftime and made some adjustments," McDowell said. "Just taking what the defense gives us. I missed a couple throws and I'll go to practice next week and fix those things."
Yeah I know what some of you are thinking, that Montana's offense has about as much pizazz as Great Value ketchup. But given the Grizzlies' situation, McDowell is a good fit. The weather is going to turn nasty and the Griz defense struggles at times to get off the field.
Why not try to shorten the game with a balanced, patient, high-percentage offense?
If you look over McDowell's stats at FCS Central Arkansas last season, he never really got a good opportunity. In six appearances, he completed 7 of 13 pass attempts for 69 yards, had one touchdown and one interception. He rushed a measly 10 times for 89 yards and two touchdowns.
That was his third college stop. He started out at FBS Louisiana and played sparingly and continued at Kilgore, a junior college.
It's time McDowell is given a real chance to hold down the starting job at Montana. That means even late in the half when it seems like Sam Vidlak is a better fit because of his passing potential in a two-minute drill scenario.
It was a mistake to insert Vidlak on the final drive before halftime Saturday and here's why: McDowell is a competent passer and a far superior scrambler if Idaho State opts to play prevent defense. Too many times the past two weeks I've seen Vidlak caught from behind by a defensive lineman.
Anyway, just trying to stay positive this week. We can all bemoan Montana's shortage of star quality until we're blue in the face. It's been a recurring theme in a few of my recent columns.
Instead, today let's celebrate the step forward in front of an impressive homecoming crowd of 26,678. On a day when South Dakota stunned North Dakota State, who knows what could happen if the Griz build some momentum here?
That momentum starts with picking a starting QB and showing a little faith in the man even when the offense sputters. Otherwise both quarterbacks are always going to play like they're hurrying to catch a bus — nervous and antsy and afraid to get left behind.
My pick is McDowell, who finished with 160 yards passing and 66 rushing Saturday. It will be fun to see what he and the 18th-ranked Griz can do next weekend at 21st-ranked UC Davis.
