Trouble starts at State's training camp when two obnoxious sophomores, nicknamed the Touchdown Twins, become more interested in personal glory than in team play. This leads to a showdown with Chip. The antagonism grows and eventually engulfs the entire squad to such an extent that an important game is lost. It appears that State's defense of the conference title is hopeless. But Chip, playing in every game despite an injured shoulder, inspires the team to keep fighting.
Through it all, Chip finds time to help a confused high school football star, Skip Miller, make the biggest decision of his life and struggles to convince the Touchdown Twins that you can't win without team play and a tough, hard-hitting spirit.
