McNeese State’s Clifton McDowell: A Force to Be Reckoned With
At 6-foot-5 and 230 pounds, Clifton McDowell, the quarterback for McNeese State, is not only hard to miss but also incredibly tough to take down. This presents a significant challenge for the Southern defense as they prepare for their season opener on Saturday at 7 p.m. at Cowboys Stadium in Lake Charles.
Once committed to Southern last spring, McDowell is now one of 59 newcomers and 34 transfers on the McNeese roster. He made a notable impact in last Saturday’s game against Tarleton State, almost leading his team back from a 26-7 halftime deficit.
Last season, after switching from Southern to Montana, McDowell helped the Grizzlies reach the FCS championship game, where they faced off against South Dakota State. He showcased his skills by completing 160 of 224 passes for 2,026 yards and 13 touchdowns, while also rushing for 753 yards and adding nine more touchdowns.
In his most recent outing, McDowell achieved his best completion rate, hitting 14 of 20 passes for 245 yards, including touchdown throws of 43 and 80 yards. He also led McNeese in rushing with 67 yards on 20 carries.
“Clifton is a fantastic quarterback and athlete,” said Southern coach Terrence Graves. “His leadership was crucial; even when down 26-7, he remained composed and did everything needed to rally the team.”
Graves emphasized McDowell’s effectiveness when plays break down, noting that his ability to scramble was key in helping McNeese move the chains during the second half. “You have to stay disciplined, not just on the edges. He’s a big, strong quarterback who can run inside as well. Everyone must do their part to contain such a talented athlete.”
McDowell’s journey has taken him across the country. Initially a three-star recruit from Spring, Texas, he signed with Louisiana in 2019 and spent two seasons there before transferring to Kilgore College and then Central Arkansas. At Montana, he emerged as the team’s second-leading rusher.
McNeese State coach Gary Goff expressed satisfaction with McDowell’s adaptation in just four weeks. Although he did throw an interception that led to a Tarleton field goal—ultimately a pivotal moment in the game—Goff is optimistic about McDowell’s growth. “Cliff has been with our offense for just four weeks. He’ll improve with every game and practice. He played well but knows there are a few plays he wishes he could have back. I’m thrilled about him and our offense.”
McNeese also displayed a solid running game, accumulating 200 yards with an average of 4.3 yards per carry. Johnson Barbie contributed 58 yards on 12 carries, although he did fumble twice.
Defensively, the Cowboys were strong, particularly in the second half, limiting Tarleton State to just 94 total yards, including a mere 11 yards in the third quarter as McNeese made its comeback.
The Cowboys had a chance to clinch the win, reaching the Tarleton 22-yard line with 28 seconds left, but a false start penalty pushed them back, and Tyler Larco missed a 45-yard field goal attempt with just four seconds remaining.
“We didn’t start strong, but the way we finished was encouraging and exciting,” Goff said. “We’re ready to move on from Tarleton. That was the message in the locker room. I saw many positives that we didn’t have last year. While we didn’t execute well enough to win, we still had a shot to tie or win in overtime.”
