On a Texas farm, former high-school athlete Paul Blake practices throwing a football, using his scarecrow as a target. At Texas State University (TSU), the Armadillos football team is disbanded, following a scandal involving recruitment violations, steroid abuse, illegal compensation to players, and grade tampering. University president Carver Purcell hires retired football player Ed “Straight Arrow” Generro as coach, certain that he will save the school’s reputation. Shortly after arriving at TSU, Ed and assistant coach Wally “Rig” Rigendorf conduct open tryouts for a new team, but see little promise among the candidates. Desperate for an able quarterback, Wally offers a scholarship to Paul Blake, a promising young player who abandoned his dream of attending college following the death of his father. Although Paul is thirty-four years old, he legally qualifies as he has not played football since high school. Dean Phillip Elias opposes reviving the Armadillos, and regularly attends practice sessions to revel in their slow progress. After registering as a freshman, Paul makes his way to the dormitory he shares with teammate Manumana, a large, good-natured Samoan. Other players include Featherstone, an excellent runner who is unable to catch, martial arts expert Eric “Samurai” Hansen, militaristic army veteran Sargie Wilkinson, egotistical “cowboy” Wyatt Beaudry, an Australian named McKenzie, undersized Charlie Banks, and Jarvis Edison, son of wealthy TSU benefactor Grant Edison. Dean Elias attempts to undermine the Armadillos by disqualifying five members with low grade-point averages. Undaunted, Ed and Wally train the team for “iron man” football, in which all players perform both offense and defense. Paul has a chance encounter with attractive journalism professor Dr. Suzanne Carter, and allows her to assume that he is a fellow faculty member. However, Paul is soon embarrassed when Suzanne discovers that he is one of her students. Dean Elias struggles to hide his attraction to Suzanne as he advises her to be especially strict toward the athletes in her class. Elsewhere on campus, Paul discovers his former colleague, Andre Krimm, teaching science and convinces him to join the Armadillos. The team loses its first game of the season after Paul is removed for disobeying the coaches’ orders. However, Paul reveals his respect for Ed Generro when he submits a story in Suzanne’s class, commending the coach for his integrity. Dean Elias continues his sabotage of the Armadillos by arranging a practice game with hardened criminals from the state prison. In an effort to improve morale, Andre takes his teammates to Billy Bob’s tavern, where they are accosted by Harlan “Flat-top” Meyers, quarterback of their arch-rivals, the Colts. When Flat-top tries to provoke a fight with the Armadillos, Paul comes to his comrades’ defense and punches Flat-Top in the face, triggering a brawl. Sheriff Woods restores peace, and Ed berates Paul for his poor leadership skills. Afterward, Paul visits Suzanne, lamenting his inability to win Ed’s approval. She admits to being infatuated with Paul years earlier, when he led his school to victory against hers in a championship game. Later, Wally recruits soccer player Lucy Draper, noting that the rules do not prevent women from participating as place kickers. With Lucy’s help, the next game ends in a tied score, and Ed is pleased with the Armadillos’ progress. When Dean Elias finds Paul kissing Suzanne outside the stadium, he becomes enraged and threatens both of their careers. Meanwhile, Lucy is touched by Manumana’s respect for her, and accompanies him to a party sponsored by Grant Edison. Ed interrupts the party, admonishing the elder Edison for bestowing gifts on the players in violation of league rules. Paul accuses Ed of being more concerned with his own reputation than with the players’ morale, and quits school. The next morning, Jarvis Edison leaves campus with Paul, certain that he will fail his final examinations. After lecturing Jarvis on perseverance, Paul realizes his hypocrisy and returns to TSU. He enlists Andre as Jarvis’s tutor, and rallies the Armadillos to support their teammate. Dean Elias suspects Suzanne of favoring the athletes and confiscates her examination papers, expecting to find irregularities. Suzanne defies the dean and posts her students’ grades, including a passing grade for Jarvis. Ed is hospitalized with chest pains and gives his playbook to Wally, who assumes his friend is dying. After making love to Suzanne, Paul expresses his desire to lead the Armadillos to victory, so they can have the experience of winning. That evening, Wally informs the players of Ed’s condition, claiming he will die if the team loses. As the Armadillos face the Colts in the final game of the season, Flat-top Meyer retains his grudge against Paul, repeatedly tackling the quarterback throughout the first half. Hoping to avoid another defeat, Wally advises the players to approach the game like “a rampaging beast,” in emulation of their ailing coach. Jarvis and Featherstone respond by scoring touchdowns, and “Samurai” Hansen uses his martial skills to hinder their opponents. Dean Elias is tackled by group of players, and fired by Carver Purcell. Upon learning that he is suffering from acute indigestion, Ed leaves the hospital to attend the game. Although the Armadillos can tie the score with a place kick, they attempt a daring play that requires Paul to make a pass to the end zone. Charlie Banks catches the ball and scores a touchdown, winning the game by one point. During the ensuing celebration, Paul and Ed shake hands, while Lucy kisses Manumana on the cheek, causing him to faint.