Marcus Dowtin expresses frustration

(This note comes courtesy of correspondent Fletcher Page.)

Junior linebacker Marcus Dowtin says he’s frustrated over a lack of playing time. Dowtin has been rotating at inside linebacker with Akeem Dent and Christian Robinson. Of those three, Dowtin has seen the least amount of snaps.

Dowtin doesn’t think the coaches are comfortable with him on the field at all times, he said.

“Yeah, I would say I feel like they don’t trust me,” he said. “What their reasons are, that’s between them. But you know, like I said, I’m just asking that they keep coaching me and eventually one of those days give me a shot to do what I can do.”

Having recorded six solo tackles with five assists on the season, Dowtin was visibly frustrated leaving the locker room following Saturday’s loss at Mississippi State.

He was quick to point out that his attitude was not for selfish motivations. He is unhappy with the team’s 0-3 start in the SEC.

“I mean, I would say everybody is frustrated because we’re not where we’re supposed to be at,” he said. “Even the coaching staff is frustrated trying to find the right way to go about things. I would say I’m right in saying I’m frustrated.”

Frustration is the word Dowtin kept repeating, and he refrained from saying he was angry or upset over the lack of playing time.

“I would just say my competitive nature just makes me a little frustrated,” he said. “My competitiveness and the skills that I have that I believe in probably have made me a little frustrated. I wouldn’t say I’m pissed off. I mean, that’s something I can’t control. There is no need in me getting pissed off because that will just make the situation worse. All I can do is listen and try to go about it the right way and hopefully they’ll call my name.”