Matt Buckley started out as a 98-pound freshman wrestler with Butte Central, and wound up a rare 4-time All-Frontier first or second teamer (5 combined total) as a 200 lb. defensive tackle for Saints football, in addition to 3 boxing titles in the Carroll Smokers. As a freshman, Matt tied for the second-most tackles on the team with 64 (30 solo, 34 assists) and was selected second team All-Conference.
In 1975, in the 34-0 shutout over Ricks, Buckley tallied a phenomenal 203 points with CC’s defensive scoring system. He made first team All-Conference DT, led the defense with 10 QB sacks and ranked No. 2 at 570 points. In the third game of his junior year, Buckley played both ways (carrying the ball for the first time since the 1974 East-West Shrine Game), rushing for 61 yards and four touchdowns. He finished the season No. 2 for the Hilltoppers in rushing (554 yards, 5.2 average, 9 TDs), third in defensive points (454) and was tops at 10 sacks.Â
Matt was selected 1976 first team DT and second team FB All-Conference, and the Frontier’s MVP. His senior year, Buckley made first team All-Frontier and repeated as All-District 12 D-tackle, led CC in sacks (13) for the third time, and his 589 points made him the second Saint defender to attain the 500 Club twice. A 3-time Carroll Smoker main event heavyweight winner, Buckley earned the Thomas Clinch Most Inspirational Boxer in 1975, and Outstanding Boxer in 1977.
