Taco Dowler the Most Clutch Player in History?

[catatac]

If we're just looking at the receiver\returner position, it is Taco without a doubt, and I don't think it's close. An argument could be made for Tommy and other QBs I suppose if it's open to all positions. Think about all his clutch catches in big time moments over the past three years. Incredible.

[VimSince03]

I think he might be and his special teams prowess cements it further. I've never been worried about Taco as a PR. He's always been ready for the moment.

Lulay had that ability but didn't have the team around him to go on deep runs.

Anyone from the 60s, 70s, and 80s we're missing?

[technoCat]

I mean Joe Roberts has to be mentioned, right?

Dennehy and Hass. Kollar and Fellows.

[tetoncat]

I mean Joe Roberts has to be mentioned, right?

Dennehy and Hass. Kollar and Fellows.

I think what separates Dowler is those type if plays multiple seasons and games.

[thefrank1]

Don Haas certainly qualifies for both multiple years and multiple games. Different game then but his performances were equally as outstanding.

[AFCAT]

Offense = Taco and Tommy
Defense = Fellows

[mslacatfan]

Lulay pulled out wins that were even more impossible than what we saw in the chipper….. it was just on a MUCH smaller stage.

But yes, Taco is gonna go down as the goat clutch player (if he is not already)

[MSU01]

Taco ran a great route and made the catch but I think we need to also recognize Lamson here for standing in the pocket despite very heavy pressure and delivering a perfect throw.

[TomCat88]

Yes, I'll give more credit to Lamson on that last play and Lamson was pretty clutch on the 87-yarder, too, but that was mostly Taco. Taco's punt return vs NAU was huge as was his catch vs NAU in 2022. He made a nice catch in the 2024 title game to no avail.

[Cats and Dogs]

Yes! No one close imo!
Part of the definition of clutch is doing it in the most crucial situations and history implies doing it over and over, Taco certainly nails both!

[CelticCat]

Caden had a string of insanely clutch defensively plays late in the year and too bad he was hurt for the last 2.

[TheJoeGoldstone]

Offense = Taco and Tommy
Defense = Fellows

I'd agree with Fellows being chosen on defense. His single season sack record has stood for 37 yrs and his edge defense was instrumental in the 1984 national championship run.

[MrGoodKat]

It's impossible to be definitive about something like "the most clutch player," but there's certainly an argument to be made and I think it really boils down to how calm he is all the time. He strikes me as a kid who never gets very high or very low. He's always in control of himself and never seems jittery or tense. That's why it was so fun watching him freak out after the game was over-- so atypical to see Taco fired up.

[AFCAT]

Offense = Taco and Tommy
Defense = Fellows

I'd agree with Fellows being chosen on defense. His single season sack record has stood for 37 yrs and his edge defense was instrumental in the 1984 national championship run.

Fellows is the very best defensive player I've ever seen at MSU. I never saw Kollar play though. And his record has stood for 41 years.

[TomCat88]

It's impossible to be definitive about something like "the most clutch player," but there's certainly an argument to be made and I think it really boils down to how calm he is all the time. He strikes me as a kid who never gets very high or very low. He's always in control of himself and never seems jittery or tense. That's why it was so fun watching him freak out after the game was over-- so atypical to see Taco fired up.

Literally, never loses composure. He's been like that since the first day he arrived at MSU. Colter said he's like an NFL player the way he carries himself during the first game he played. I couldn't have agreed more.

[SLC_Cat]

I got to believe Taco's drop in the 2023 Idaho game still drives him to this day.

I remember that play being discussed last year and how he had committed to never letting that happen again.

[Joe Bobcat]

This is a little off topic but still Dowler related. Did anyone else notice Illinois State coach Stack mention that he had coached with the Dowler's Grandfather Joe Dowler back at Laramie WY? Stack also coached with Joe Tiller. Some cool history of connections to MSU both past and current.

[TheJoeGoldstone]

Fellows is the very best defensive player I've ever seen at MSU. I never saw Kollar play though. And his record has stood for 41 years.
[/quote]

I saw Kolar play and he was very good, no question. I don't think he was as dominating as Fellows though.

[BelligerentBobcat]

To anybody watching the Miami-Ole Miss game, Taco and Malachi Toney from Miami are such similar players. Even down to the blocking.

[WeedKillinCat]

It's impossible to be definitive about something like "the most clutch player," but there's certainly an argument to be made and I think it really boils down to how calm he is all the time. He strikes me as a kid who never gets very high or very low. He's always in control of himself and never seems jittery or tense. That's why it was so fun watching him freak out after the game was over-- so atypical to see Taco fired up.

Literally, never loses composure. He's been like that since the first day he arrived at MSU. Colter said he's like an NFL player the way he carries himself during the first game he played. I couldn't have agreed more.

He reminds me of Amon Ra St Brown. Not big, got good hands, blocks and is shifty.