BOBCATS 125: Dusty Birkenbuel
6/18/2022 2:00:00 PM | Football
A fast and physical linebacker, Dusty Birkenbuel was a linchpin in MSU's 1972 Big Sky title defense
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.
Dusty Birkenbuel, LB, 1971-74
ALL-TIME TEAM: None previously
HONORS: 1st Team All-Big Sky and Honorable Mention All-America in 1973, 2nd Team All-Big Sky in 1974
A CLOSER LOOK: When Sonny Holland found plenty of talent when he began constructing his 1972 defense, which helped power the Bobcats to Holland's first Big Sky crown. Defensive tackle Bill Kollar had already begun forging his status as a Bobcat legend, Ron Ueland was also in the midst of a brilliant career at linebacker, and Monte Boston helped anchor the secondary.
In the middle of it all, though, Holland found a missing piece in linebacker Dusty Birkenbuel. a highly-prized recruit out of Great Falls, he won a starting job as a freshman but missed most of the season with an injury. He was ready to roll in 1972 as a sophomore. The former prep wrestling star showed "a nose for the football" per the team's 1973 media guide. He was known as a playmaker, and the 1974 media guide called him possibly "the best linebacker ever to play at MSU."
FROM FORMER BOBCAT ASSISTANT COACH GREG SALO: "I played against Dusty in high school when he was one of the best linebackers in the state, and he turned out to be one of the best linebackers in the Big Sky. He was a very, very good player."
Dusty Birkenbuel, LB, 1971-74
ALL-TIME TEAM: None previously
HONORS: 1st Team All-Big Sky and Honorable Mention All-America in 1973, 2nd Team All-Big Sky in 1974
A CLOSER LOOK: When Sonny Holland found plenty of talent when he began constructing his 1972 defense, which helped power the Bobcats to Holland's first Big Sky crown. Defensive tackle Bill Kollar had already begun forging his status as a Bobcat legend, Ron Ueland was also in the midst of a brilliant career at linebacker, and Monte Boston helped anchor the secondary.
In the middle of it all, though, Holland found a missing piece in linebacker Dusty Birkenbuel. a highly-prized recruit out of Great Falls, he won a starting job as a freshman but missed most of the season with an injury. He was ready to roll in 1972 as a sophomore. The former prep wrestling star showed "a nose for the football" per the team's 1973 media guide. He was known as a playmaker, and the 1974 media guide called him possibly "the best linebacker ever to play at MSU."
FROM FORMER BOBCAT ASSISTANT COACH GREG SALO: "I played against Dusty in high school when he was one of the best linebackers in the state, and he turned out to be one of the best linebackers in the Big Sky. He was a very, very good player."
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