BOBCATS 125 - TOP 50: Lonnie Burt
7/20/2022 2:00:00 PM | Football
Lonnie Burt held down the middle of the defensive line as MSU rambled to the 1984 National Championship
We look at the 25 players that Bobcat fans and a blue ribbon panel of long-time MSU football observers ranked between 26th and 50th in the quest to determine the program's all-time players. In this segment of the countdown, players are listed alphabetically. You can find details here and a directory here.
Lonnie Burt, DL, 1981-84
ALL-TIME TEAM: None previously
HONORS: Honorable Mention All-America and 1st Team All-Big Sky in 1984
A CLOSER LOOK: Montana State's legendary romp to the 1984 National Championship features heroes and unsung heroes, role players and hidden stars.
Lonnie Burt checks a lot of those boxes.
A nose guard from Helena, Burt was an established contributor for the Bobcats when the 1984 campaign dawned. He started as a sophomore and junior, and at a position where statistical productivity is a given his numbers stood out. Burt logged 61 tackles, nine for a loss, as a junior, and the season before that had 18 tackles with four sacks.
As a testimony to his toughness and athleticism, Burt wrestled for the Bobcats, as well. He was a three-time Big Sky Conference runner-up at heavyweight, earning a top 10 national ranking during his senior season.
While his success on the mat helped with his upcoming induction into the Bobcat Athletics Hall of Fame (Gold Rush weekend), his gridiron prowess cement his legend status. Playing in the middle of MSU's star-studded defense, Burt played brilliant football. He registered 67 tackles with nine quarterback sacks and 14 total tackles-for-loss. He forced and recovered a fumble, broke up a pass, and blocked two kicks. And this was all in the regular season.
In the post-season, Burt asserted himself even more vigorously. He logged 10 tackles in the opener against Arkansas State, then sacked Rhode Island's quarterback twice in the semifinal stunner. And Burt again played a starring role in the championship win against Louisiana Tech, with two of his four tackles coming behind the line of scrimmage.
After earning Honorable Mention All-Big Sky honors as a junior Burt ascended to First Team kudos as a senior, and also collected Honorable Mention All-America honors. Burt capped his brilliant football career with a brief stint in the CFL.
FROM 1980s ASSISTANT COACH MIKE KRAMER: "Lonnie had explosive hands and feet and was the quintessential nose tackle. He was wide bodied and slippery in getting off tackles. He was a record-setting weight room performer who was dominant when healthy. He battled throughout his career but was a mainstay on a health-lucky defense on the '84 National Championship team. He blossomed under Joe Yanowski and could not be blocked, even if double teamed. He was mean as a snake and determined to excel, irreverent and intimidating. He was an outstanding in-state recruit who more than exceeded expectations."
Lonnie Burt, DL, 1981-84
ALL-TIME TEAM: None previously
HONORS: Honorable Mention All-America and 1st Team All-Big Sky in 1984
A CLOSER LOOK: Montana State's legendary romp to the 1984 National Championship features heroes and unsung heroes, role players and hidden stars.
Lonnie Burt checks a lot of those boxes.
A nose guard from Helena, Burt was an established contributor for the Bobcats when the 1984 campaign dawned. He started as a sophomore and junior, and at a position where statistical productivity is a given his numbers stood out. Burt logged 61 tackles, nine for a loss, as a junior, and the season before that had 18 tackles with four sacks.
As a testimony to his toughness and athleticism, Burt wrestled for the Bobcats, as well. He was a three-time Big Sky Conference runner-up at heavyweight, earning a top 10 national ranking during his senior season.
While his success on the mat helped with his upcoming induction into the Bobcat Athletics Hall of Fame (Gold Rush weekend), his gridiron prowess cement his legend status. Playing in the middle of MSU's star-studded defense, Burt played brilliant football. He registered 67 tackles with nine quarterback sacks and 14 total tackles-for-loss. He forced and recovered a fumble, broke up a pass, and blocked two kicks. And this was all in the regular season.
In the post-season, Burt asserted himself even more vigorously. He logged 10 tackles in the opener against Arkansas State, then sacked Rhode Island's quarterback twice in the semifinal stunner. And Burt again played a starring role in the championship win against Louisiana Tech, with two of his four tackles coming behind the line of scrimmage.
After earning Honorable Mention All-Big Sky honors as a junior Burt ascended to First Team kudos as a senior, and also collected Honorable Mention All-America honors. Burt capped his brilliant football career with a brief stint in the CFL.
FROM 1980s ASSISTANT COACH MIKE KRAMER: "Lonnie had explosive hands and feet and was the quintessential nose tackle. He was wide bodied and slippery in getting off tackles. He was a record-setting weight room performer who was dominant when healthy. He battled throughout his career but was a mainstay on a health-lucky defense on the '84 National Championship team. He blossomed under Joe Yanowski and could not be blocked, even if double teamed. He was mean as a snake and determined to excel, irreverent and intimidating. He was an outstanding in-state recruit who more than exceeded expectations."
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