Former star quarterback Rusty Stevens believes he is being hired to be prosperous Clayton University's new football coach, but finds it is actually rundown State College in the same town that is giving him that job.

The governor's opponent in the Senate campaign, Major Breckenridge, capitalizes politically on Harrigan's unpopularity at the college.

Harrigan's bright secretary Marjorie Blake persuades the governor to retaliate by raising funds for State and proposing to build it a 100,000-seat stadium (to be named after him).

She also recruits new players for State including a couple of tough wrestlers, promising them government jobs and $500 a game.

As a publicity stunt, State even ends up with college football's first woman, co-ed Lizzie Olsen becoming the team's kicker.