McDowell brings upbeat attitude into QB competition

By Marty Mishow ~ Southeast Missourian

According to Jeromy McDowell, whether he regains his position as Southeast Missouri State University's starting quarterback this year is not really the point.

Although McDowell would love to lead the Indians' offense -- he knows record-setting Jack Tomco will be hard to beat out -- he's elated to be back on the field and 100 percent healthy.

"I'm physically fine," McDowell said. "After what happened last year, it feels really good to be back out here."

After a record-setting career at North County High School that saw him make the all-state team as a sophomore, junior and senior, McDowell sat out the 2000 college season as a redshirt, then burst onto the scene in a big way in 2001. He passed for a freshmen-school-record 2,051 yards and appeared primed for an even bigger season last year -- right up until he suffered a season-ending knee injury in the opener.

"It was really frustrating last year, but right now I'm just having fun being part of the team again," he said.

Tomco, who split time with McDowell in last year's opener, took over the rest of the way and passed for 3,132 yards and 29 touchdowns -- both school records -- while completing 65 percent of his attempts. He helped lead the Indians to an 8-4 record for their first winning season since 1994 and their most victories since 1969.

While McDowell was sidelined following surgery, he remained part of the team, attending games and practices. He said he never let the breakthough season for the squad become a downer.

"I was happy for everybody with what happened last year," he said. "I didn't really have time to be bittersweet."

Southeast coach Tim Billings has nothing but praise for the way McDowell has not only battled back physically from his injury but also for his attitude throughout the entire ordeal.

"Jeromy is a great young man and it showed in the way he's handled everything," Billings said. "Last year after he got hurt, he was with the team almost every day at practices and games and was really supportive.

"He's worked hard to get healthy and he's a tremendous quarterback. He's just a great young man and a very good leader. He had a really good season two years ago and that was when our team wasn't that good yet. We're very fortunate to have him."

Even though Billings has said Tomco doesn't have the starting spot locked up despite his sensational season last year, McDowell knows it will be difficult to wrest that position away from the strong-armed senior. But he doesn't seem worried about it.

"To tell you the truth, this is the most relaxed I've been," he said. "I'm just looking to have a good time."

Still, the fiery competitiveness that marked McDowell's brilliant prep career at North County and his stellar redshirt freshman season at Southeast has not gone away.

"Jack had a great year, and he probably does deserve to be the starter. But I'm not going to back down. I'm going to give it my best shot," McDowell said.

No matter what happens, McDowell said he, Tomco and the Indians' third impressive quarterback -- Arizona State transfer Andrew Goodenough -- are good friends, and he hopes to help the team any way he can.

"They're great guys and great players, and we all get along really good," McDowell said. "It's a tough situation for us to all be on the same team, but at the same time it's a good situation for the team."

McDowell and Goodenough are juniors, so no matter what happens this year, they're all but assured of battling for the starting spot next season. But McDowell says he'll be ready regardless.

"You never know what might happen," he said, "so I'm just going to work as hard as I can and be as prepared as possible."

mmishow@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 132