During his senior year, McQuilken suffered a fractured clavicle in a pre-season scrimmage and missed the first three games.

By the middle of his junior year (1972) McQuilken would own every Lehigh game, season, and career passing record.

He was also named the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Association (ECAC) player of the year in 1973 as well as The New York Times 1st team All-East QB (across all division levels).

McQuilken graduated with career stats of 516 completions, 6,996 yards, and 37 touchdowns in his three years of eligibility all Lehigh records at the time.

McQuilken was chosen to play in the North–South Shrine Game held annually on Christmas night in the Orange Bowl.

He was also on invitation lists to the Coaches’ All-America Bowl in Lubbock, Texas, and the East-West Shrine game in San Francisco.

DC Marion Campbell was named interim coach and began to work McQuilken into the rotation.

McQuilken posted no TDs vs 9 inceptions while starter Bob Lee would end the season with 3 TD passes and 14 interceptions.