BOBCATS 125: Sam McCullum
7/3/2022 2:00:00 PM | Football
One of Montana State's most productive receivers enjoyed a long NFL career
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.
Sam McCullum, SE, 1971-73
ALL-TIME TEAM: None
HONORS: 1st Team All-Big Sky in 1972
A CLOSER LOOK: Long before "Chris Carter just catches touchdowns!" became a staple of NFL entertainment/analysis, Sam McCullum really did almost "Just catch touchdowns!"
As part of Montana State's dynamic early 1970s offenses - as heavily tilted toward the ground game as those teams were - McCullum provided an amazing counter-balance. The Bobcats threw passes on only 22% of their offensive possessions in Sam McCullum's three varsity seasons at MSU, and completed only around 37% of those. Of the 219 passes the Bobcats completed in those seasons, McCullum caught 70 of those. Of those, 16 catches resulted in touchdowns.
In other words, over a three-year span, a ridiculous 3% of Montana State's passes and 7% of the team's completions resulted in Sam McCullum touchdown catches.
The Kalispell product served notice as a sophomore in 1971, Sonny Holland's first season as Montana State's head coach, when he was second on the team with 15 catches for 268 yards. He caught one touchdown pass. As a junior, McCullum set a Bobcat record THAT STILL STANDS with 12 touchdown catches. He caught 33 passes for 587 yards that year, and tacked on 22 catches, 404 yards, and three touchdowns as a senior.
MSU's ground-oriented offense and McCullum's role in it certainly suppressed his numbers, but it couldn't suppress his athleticism. MSU publicity material lauded his 4.6 time in the 40 and jumping ability as evidence of his supreme athleticism - he helped lead Flathead to a Class AA State Basketball Championship - and NFL teams took notice. Minnesota snagged McCullum in the ninth round of the 1974 draft and he played 10 seasons (four with Minnesota, six with the Seahawks), catching 274 passes for 4,017 yards and 26 touchdowns.
Sam McCullum, SE, 1971-73
ALL-TIME TEAM: None
HONORS: 1st Team All-Big Sky in 1972
A CLOSER LOOK: Long before "Chris Carter just catches touchdowns!" became a staple of NFL entertainment/analysis, Sam McCullum really did almost "Just catch touchdowns!"
As part of Montana State's dynamic early 1970s offenses - as heavily tilted toward the ground game as those teams were - McCullum provided an amazing counter-balance. The Bobcats threw passes on only 22% of their offensive possessions in Sam McCullum's three varsity seasons at MSU, and completed only around 37% of those. Of the 219 passes the Bobcats completed in those seasons, McCullum caught 70 of those. Of those, 16 catches resulted in touchdowns.
In other words, over a three-year span, a ridiculous 3% of Montana State's passes and 7% of the team's completions resulted in Sam McCullum touchdown catches.
The Kalispell product served notice as a sophomore in 1971, Sonny Holland's first season as Montana State's head coach, when he was second on the team with 15 catches for 268 yards. He caught one touchdown pass. As a junior, McCullum set a Bobcat record THAT STILL STANDS with 12 touchdown catches. He caught 33 passes for 587 yards that year, and tacked on 22 catches, 404 yards, and three touchdowns as a senior.
MSU's ground-oriented offense and McCullum's role in it certainly suppressed his numbers, but it couldn't suppress his athleticism. MSU publicity material lauded his 4.6 time in the 40 and jumping ability as evidence of his supreme athleticism - he helped lead Flathead to a Class AA State Basketball Championship - and NFL teams took notice. Minnesota snagged McCullum in the ninth round of the 1974 draft and he played 10 seasons (four with Minnesota, six with the Seahawks), catching 274 passes for 4,017 yards and 26 touchdowns.
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
