There wasn’t panic in Oregon’s football camp with the start of the 1955 season even though the Ducks had lost the nation’s leading passer to graduation the year before. He picked up the offensive slack over the next three years by running the ball with extreme proficiency and concluded his career at the pinnacle of his sport, leading Oregon to a Rose Bowl appearance where he scored the Ducks’ only touchdown.

He paced the Ducks in rushing two of his three seasons as a starting halfback and established a total as the all-time ground gainer that would stand 14 seasons. He was selected to the all-Pacific Coast team in 1957 when only 11 players were honored and earned all-America recognition. He ranked tenth in the nation in rushing as a sophomore with 711 yards and completed his career with 1,837 yards, warranting Oregon’s first-ever post-season all-star invitation to play in the Senior Bowl.