McDowell named Big Sky Offensive Player of the Week

Quarterback Clifton McDowell had a career day under center in Montana's 34-7 demolition of No. 7 Sacramento State, racking-up the most offense of anyone in the league on week 10 with 325 total yards.

It wasn't just that he put up all those yards, it was how he did it - utilizing his arm, legs and even his hands in a dominant win over the Hornets.

For his efforts, the first-year Grizzly was named the Big Sky Conference Offensive Player of the Week on Monday, the first weekly honor of his short career at UM. He also earned a national tip of the hat with an honorable mention for the Stats Perform FCS Offensive Player of the Week.

McDowell remained undefeated as a starter and helped the Griz to get to 8-1 on the season passing for 218 yards and two touchdowns, rushing for a career-high 83 yards with an average of 5.5 yards per carry, and even catching a pass for 24 additional yards to total 325 in Saturday's win.

The Texan also delivered the backbreaker to Sac State early in the fourth quarter, dropping a dime from deep in Montana territory to Keelan White in stride for a 97-yard touchdown pass that helped seal the win for the Griz.

It was the longest play from scrimmage in school history, with McDowell now etched in the Grizzly record book after topping Brian Ah Yat's 26-year-old record 93-yard pass to Jimmy Farris in 1997.

Taking every snap at QB, McDowell helped lead the Grizzly offense to a season-high 547 yards of total offense, balanced with 305 on the ground and 242 in the air. He's also avoided turning the ball over in the passing game, throwing 119 passes this season with only one interception.

He's currently No. 8 in the Big Sky in total offense this season with 1,404 combined passing and rushing yards to his name averaging 156 per game, despite only starting six of Montana's eight contests.

In other weekly accolade news, running back Eli Gillman also received an honorable mention for a Stats Perform FCS award, this one for Freshman of the Week.

Gillman posted his second-straight 100-yard rushing game and his third of the season with 113 yards on the ground and a touchdown to lead the Griz against No. 7 Sacramento State. He also caught a pass for 20 yards to give him a career-high 133 yards of total offense.

His season total of 727 rushing yards is the second-most among all players in the Big Sky this week and the second-most of any freshman in the FCS, but the most among players from ranked teams. Gillman was recently named to the watch list for the Stats Perform Jerry Rice Award, given annually to the nation's top freshman player.

Montana travels to Portland State this week for its penultimate Big Sky Conference game of the season, taking on the 4-5 Vikings at Hillsboro Stadium.

PSU kicker Gianni Smith also earned national accolades this week, kicking three field goals of 55, 51, and 42 yards in a 37-23 loss at UC Davis to be named the Stats Perform FCS Special Teams Player of the Week.

University of Montana Athletics

McDowell named Big Sky Offensive Player of the Week

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Players Mentioned

Eli Gillman

Clifton McDowell

Keelan White

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