Carroll College Athletics

A hard-nosed 5’10”, 165 pounder from Libby, Rich McElmurry was a 4-time All-Conference defensive back/kick returner for the Saints – second team as a freshman and first team each of the next three years. He helped the club to three successive Frontier crowns from 1972-74 and 12 consecutive wins, spot-lighted by an undefeated season (7-0) in 1973. As a freshman in the third game of the year, McElmurry intercepted two passes against Ricks College. 

In 1972, he pirated interceptions on consecutive plays vs. Dickinson State, one being a Pick-6 for 27 yards, and finished the season ranked No. 3 on the defense with 440 points. His junior year, in a 12-7 win over the Blue Hawks, Rich made a pair of crucial pass deflections as the defense limited DSU to just 112 total offensive yards. He again finished third on the club with 370 defensive points. 

McElmurry’s final season, against Minot State he raced 80 yards for a punt return touchdown, with an interception and 2 knocked down passes; and he returned a fumble recovery 66 yards vs. Whitworth College. For the year, Rich paced the Hilltoppers with 10 pass deflections, 2 fumble recoveries and 2 interceptions (tie), and was No. 4 with 35 solo tackles. The defense gave up an average of only 10.5 points a game, with McElmurry earning 1974 All-District.