He led the Flying Dutchmen to undefeated seasons in 1957 and 1958 as a fullback and center while also earning varsity letters in wrestling and baseball.

The next year, the Raiders reached the AFL title game before losing to the eventual Super Bowl champion New York Jets, 27–23.

During the regular season, Conners played in the infamous "Heidi Bowl" in which the Raiders scored two touchdowns in the final minute of a 43–32 win.

The Raiders reached the AFL title game again in 1969 and lost to another eventual Super Bowl champion, this time hated rival Kansas City Chiefs, 17–7.

In 1970, after the merger of the NFL and AFL, the Raiders lost the American Football Conference championship game 17–7 to the Baltimore Colts, again the eventual Super Bowl champion.

Back again in 1973, the Raiders won the AFC West, avenged the loss to the Steelers in the first round of the playoffs, and lost to the eventual Super Bowl champion Dolphins in the conference final, 27–10.

Conners was named as one of the six linebackers on the AFL Hall of Fame All-1960s Team, joining the likes of Bobby Bell, Nick Buoniconti, George Webster, Larry Grantham, and Mike Stratton.

Upon retiring from the organization after 25 years, he lived in the San Luis Obispo area, frequenting McCarthy's Irish Pub and the local Elks Lodge on a daily basis.