Bill "Earthquake" Enyart, the pride of the Medford Black Tornado, will become just the third Oregon St. person to be inducted into the National Football Foundation's College Hall of Fame in a ceremony during the Beavers' Pac-12 opener against UCLA on Saturday.
"Earthquake", who holds the Oregon St. records for carries in a game, 50, and rushing and total yards, 299, in a single game, a 24-21 win in Salt Lake City over Utah, was a member of the famed "Giant Killers" of 1967, and also the 1968 team, both of which won 7 games (in the days of a 10 game schedule), and finished the season ranked.
Nick named "Earthquake" by coach Dee Andros because of his physical ability, Enyart was a part of a Medford team that won 30 games in 3 years, and a state title, before bringing his punishing rushing ability to the Beavers, and eventually the Buffalo Bills of the AFL.
"He symbolized what football was like for the Beavers in that era," current coach Mike Riley, who saw Enyart play while his father was an Oregon St. assistant coach, said. "He was very physical and tough. And if you are going to play the Beavers, you have to buckle up and be ready to play."
Enyart, who now lives in Bend, OR, and attends several Oregon St. games every year, joins former coach Tommy Prothro and Heisman Trophy winner Terry Baker as Beavers in the College Football Hall of Fame.
Enyart remains one of the most dominating "big " backs I've had the pleasure to watch.
Andy_Wooldridge@yahoo.com