LAKE CHARLES – Number one in the FCS in yards per pass attempt. Top five in the FCS in rushing touchdowns by a quarterback and passing yards per completion.
 
Ranked No. 1 in the Southland Conference in six statistical categories and second in five others.
 
The numbers don't lie when it comes to how valuable McNeese quarterback Clifton McDowell has been to the Cowboys as we reach the midway point of the season at 3-2 (3-1 vs. FCS competition).
 
McDowell and the Cowboys will be away from home the next five Saturdays – four games and one open date – and will not be back in Cowboy Stadium, where they are 3-0 on the year, until November 2.
 
In four games played (McDowell missed the Texas A&M game), the senior from Spring, Texas who QB'd Montana to the FCS National Title Game last season, leads the SLC in pass efficiency (178.7, 6^th in FCS), total and rushing touchdowns (5, 11^th in FCS in both), yards per pass attempt (11.1, 1^st in FCS), rushing TDs by a quarterback (5, 2^nd in FCS), and passing yards per completion (17.0, 3^rd in FCS).
 
He's second in the league in points responsible for (66, 6^th in FCS), total offense (264.5, 16^th in FCS), completion percentage (64.9%, 26^th in FCS) and points per game (7.5, 34^th in FCS).
 
McDowell has recorded 300 or more total offensive yards in three of the four games he's appeared in with a high of 348 against Stephen F. Austin where he threw for a career-high 313 yards to go along with 35 yards rushing. He became the first McNeese QB to throw for 300 yards since the 2021 season.
 
Breaking his number down more, he's completed 37 passes of 10-yards or more and had 16 of those go for 20-plus yards.
 
On first downs this season, McDowell has completed 25 of 30 passes for 445 yards and three touchdowns. Adding in his running ability, he's picked up first downs on 17 first down plays.
 
McDowell has been a big part of McNeese's dominance in the second half of games this season, in particular the fourth quarter.
 
In the second half, he has completed 23 of 31 passes for 380 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 150 yards and five TDs for a 5.4 yards per carry average.
 
In fourth quarters, he's 16 of 19 for 258 yards and a TD when throwing the ball and has 97 yards rushing with four TDs and a 6.9 ypc average.
 
The Cowboys will play their second ranked opponent of the season on Saturday when they visit No. 25 Weber State on Saturday night.