Dramatizes the efforts of coach Jack Lengyel to rebuild the football program at West Virginia's Marshall University after thirty-seven team members, coaches, and others were killed in an airplane crash in November 1970.

Brandon's talent makes him a prime candidate for recruitment by Walter Abrams, the head of one of the biggest sports consulting operations in the country. Walter hires the small town ex-athlete and grooms him into a shrewd front man. Brandon soon begins to enjoy his status as a Manhattan golden boy and finds himself growing comfortable with Walter's high-rolling lifestyle. The surrogate father/surrogate son relationship fattens Walter's business and...