1976– “Win the National Championship”

[catsrback76]

Great article from back in the day in 1976… as told by several ex players and Bert Markovich. Good read!

https://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/ ... 85514.html

[Augustus]

Pay wall.

[catsrback76]

Pay wall.

Hmmm, let me right in.

[catsrback76]

“Season Predictions for 1976
“The 1975 season was a changing of the guard, with a number of players starting for the first time,” said Markovich, eventually a Seattle attorney.

The Bobcats went 5-5 after starting the season 1-4.

In the summer of 1976, Holland asked the Cats to set their goal in writing.

Remembers Markovich: “I wrote down, ‘win the national championship.’”

His brother laughed at him.

“I was a young kid dreaming," Markovich said. "I think others on the team thought championship, but didn’t say it.”

The Cats were selected fourth out of seven in the Big Sky coaches preseason poll. Most players agree: What would eventually happen was a surprise.

“We took it one game at a time,” said Rick Vancleeve, yet another Hall of Famer. “In the beginning, I think some of us didn’t even know there was a national championship game.”

"The Chief": MSU's larger-than-life head coach
“Volumes stated, and none over-stated,” Markovich said when asked about Holland.

Recruiting was one of “The Chief’s” many abilities. When the Butte native visited the Markovich family, it “was a done deal.”

Many Cats echo the same of Holland's recruiting wizardry.

“When I was coming out of Butte Central, some assistant coaches came by a few times,” said Dennehy, an eventual Hall of Fame quarterback who was also being pursued by Montana and Idaho. Dennehy was hedging, until the sincere, soft-spoken Holland “walked in the door and spent time with my folks.”

Dennehy continued, “My mom was quiet, she never said much. When Sonny left the house, dad and I went outside to talk about the Cats. Surprisingly, mom followed. She immediately made the decision.”

Twenty-two months later, MSU won the national title with the bleach-blond southpaw making critical plays.

The Offense
“Whatever the opposing defense did, was wrong,” Markovich recalled when asked about the offense.

Without a doubt, MSU had the best offensive line in the country. With Holland’s blessing, Don Christiansen, the offensive coordinator, designed and called the offense around the strength of the line.

Christiansen also tapped into the talent of the Cats’ four horsemen backfield: Dennehy, Jones, Don Ueland, and Tom Kostrba.

The Bobcats “took two-by-fours to the defenses,” said one observer. The design used the fullback Jones’ unique blocking ability to spring the others – including blocking edge defenders – one of the most difficult assignments in football.

And then, when the Cats had lulled the defense into ignoring Jones as a ball carrier, he would thread the needle and slingshot up the middle, into the enemy’s territory with electrifying runs.


Throw in the passing game with multiple rotating receivers, and the nightmare prolonged until the final whistle. Suddenly, every defense became brittle.

Bryan Flaig, Scott Quittem, Len Kelly, and Jerry Reisig traded spots at the split end and flanker positions. Loitering for playing time were freshmen speedsters Jeff Muri and future NFL player Mark McGrath. Holland’s receivers were blockers first. If they could not block in the open field, they never saw playing time…”


From part of the article. Sounds like the keys to 76 and 2024 are almost exactly the same… hmmmmmm.

[BelgradeBobcat]

I'm old enough to remember the 1976 National Championship, but too young to remember any details-so I really enjoyed this.

[Montanabob]

fact. overlooked by a lot of players and coaches.

Holland’s receivers were blockers first. If they could not block in the open field, they never saw playing time…”

[rfischer94]

fact. overlooked by a lot of players and coaches.

Holland’s receivers were blockers first. If they could not block in the open field, they never saw playing time…”

No block, no rock!

[Long Time Cat]

Very interesting that they rotated on the o-line. I’m told that’s not practical these days. What changed?

[tetoncat]

Very interesting that they rotated on the o-line. I’m told that’s not practical these days. What changed?

Much more complicated defenses and therefore blocking assignments. You can rotate some but communication is really important

[catsrback76]

The Coach was a master recruiter and had a definite influence on how he wanted the Offense to run.

The RB room was full of a variety of skills and the bruiser blocker in Delmar Jones, who could also gash you up the middle and a tough Tom Kostrba to compliment him.

WR’s had to block or not play.

And the Defensive and Offensive lines were dominant.

Though football has changed…the recipe to win the National Championship hasn’t really changed at all. Build, believe, beat them up front, and be relentless! I see that in this years team in spades. I don’t like NDSU for lots of reasons, mainly their dirty play in tackling and trying to hurt players…but they are effective. This year, we will win, but, first we must dominate!

[Long Time Cat]

Very interesting that they rotated on the o-line. I’m told that’s not practical these days. What changed?

Much more complicated defenses and therefore blocking assignments. You can rotate some but communication is really important

Makes sense to a degree, but what a weapon it would be if you could use it. Thanks for answering my question.

[msugr8]

Huge Thanks to Jerry Worley and Bozeman Chronicle for running this 3 part series on 1976 National Championship Team. Fortunately for me I was a Sophomore at MSU then and attended all home games. Many great memories triggered reading this.
Distinctly remember the interception for a touchdown by Leininger right before halftime.

Following the Cats then was special and contributed greatly to my getting a special letter from the Dean pointing out my scholastic efforts needed to improve.

Just a great story and appreciate the opportunity to reminisce.

Now let’s finish this years Bobcat story with the same result. Kick Ass Cats!