BOBCATS 125: Jack Muhlbeier
5/24/2022 2:30:00 PM | Football
A fierce linebacker, Jack Muhlbeier led a strong Bobcat defense under Sonny Lubick
Leading to the 2022 season, the 125th anniversary of Montana State's first football team, we will look at 125 of the greatest Bobcats. You can find details here and a directory here.
Jack Muhlbeier, LB, 1977-80
ALL-TIME TEAM: None previously
HONORS: 2nd Team All-America and 1st Team All-Big Sky in 1980, 2nd Team All-Big Sky in 1979
A CLOSER LOOK: Montana State's only football team captain in history from Hardin, Jack Muhlbeier was one of 15 Bobcats in 1980 from small towns such as Townsend and Huntley and Roundup. The cousin of 1960s Bobcat Dennis Muhlbeier, Jack lettered as a sophomore in 1978 before emerging as a star in 1979. He averaged more than 14 tackles per game in earning All-Big Sky Second Team honors as a junior. As a senior he was even better, averaging a shade less than 16 tackles per game with two interceptions, two pass breakups, a forced fumble and a fumble recovered. He logged two 20-tackle games as a senior (Nevada, Boise State).
FROM FORMER BOBCAT ASSISTANT COACH GREG SALO: "Jack was at Montana State when I got there as a graduate assistant in 1980 and 81, and in the two years I was there he was the best inside linebacker on the Bobcat team. He was tough, and he also had very good instincts to the ball. I think in those two years he was our leading tackler."
FROM LONG-TIME BOBCAT ATHLETIC TRAINER CHUCK KARNOP: "He was a hell of a player, a really intense guy who came to work every single day. Jack Muhlbeier did not take a day off. He was a tough guy who would not only play with (physical) problems, but he would practice with them."
Jack Muhlbeier, LB, 1977-80
ALL-TIME TEAM: None previously
HONORS: 2nd Team All-America and 1st Team All-Big Sky in 1980, 2nd Team All-Big Sky in 1979
A CLOSER LOOK: Montana State's only football team captain in history from Hardin, Jack Muhlbeier was one of 15 Bobcats in 1980 from small towns such as Townsend and Huntley and Roundup. The cousin of 1960s Bobcat Dennis Muhlbeier, Jack lettered as a sophomore in 1978 before emerging as a star in 1979. He averaged more than 14 tackles per game in earning All-Big Sky Second Team honors as a junior. As a senior he was even better, averaging a shade less than 16 tackles per game with two interceptions, two pass breakups, a forced fumble and a fumble recovered. He logged two 20-tackle games as a senior (Nevada, Boise State).
FROM FORMER BOBCAT ASSISTANT COACH GREG SALO: "Jack was at Montana State when I got there as a graduate assistant in 1980 and 81, and in the two years I was there he was the best inside linebacker on the Bobcat team. He was tough, and he also had very good instincts to the ball. I think in those two years he was our leading tackler."
FROM LONG-TIME BOBCAT ATHLETIC TRAINER CHUCK KARNOP: "He was a hell of a player, a really intense guy who came to work every single day. Jack Muhlbeier did not take a day off. He was a tough guy who would not only play with (physical) problems, but he would practice with them."
Leon Costello Press Conference: Kennedy-Stark Athletic Center
Thursday, July 31
A Conversation with President Dr. Waded Cruzado | Montana State Athletics
Monday, May 19
Big Cats, Little Trucks - Willie Patterson
Wednesday, May 03
Matt Houk Introductory Press Conference
Wednesday, May 03
