Les Leininger (2007) - Hall of Fame - Montana State University Athletics

Les Leininger

Induction:
2007
Class:
1976

Les Leininger Football, 1973-76 Years at MSU: 1973-76 Honors Earned: All-Big Sky, 1976 All-America, 1976 Hometown: Westby, Montana “He wasn’t very big, but he was tough. He was a raw-boned country kid, very savvy.” –Former MSU SID Arnie Sgalio Les Leininger didn’t just bring rugged athleticism and a ferocious pass rush to his position as a Montana State defensive end. He was more than just a reliable run-stopper. He stands even to this day, as an important part of Montana State’s heritage. Wayne Edwards and Gary Richards were frequently cited as predecessors in the Bobcats’ small-town tradition. A player who contributed early in his career, Leininger gained notoriety throughout his career as mush for where he came from as what he was doing on the field. Representing tiny Westby, Montana, near the North Dakota and Canadian borders, Leininger stands proudly in a long line of proud small-town Montanans that played Bobcat football. After outstanding sophomore and junior seasons, Leininger dominated as a senior. Known as “one of the best ever” to play defensive end as a Bobcat entering his final season, Leininger earned First Team All-Big Sky Conference honors as a senior, and was named First Team Kodak All-America. He blocked two kicks in his career, and as a senior intercepted three passes returning on 75 yards against Northern Arizona for a touchdown. “He wasn’t very big,” said Arnie Sgalio, Montana State’s SID at the time, “but he was tough. He was a raw-boned country kid, very savvy.” Capping his senior season fitting fashion, Leininger intercepted a pass against Akron in the 976 National Championship game. That play set up Tom Kostrba’s game-clinching touchdown. Leininger earned Defensive MVP honors for his effort in that game. To the very end of his glorious Bobcat career, Leininger was still a small own boy. Asked by Dave Dials of ABC amidst the post-game celebration of MSU’s 1976 National Championship what it was like to play small-town, eight-man football, Leininger replied honestly. “They give you the ball,” he said on national television, “and you run your ass off.”