By Darin Before high-octane offenses were the norm, one man from Portland State turned the football world on its ear with a style of play that looked like the future. Neil Lomax, the “engine” of Mouse Davis’s legendary Run-and-Shoot offense, didn’t just break records—he annihilated them. From a first-quarter performance that saw seven touchdown passes to amassing over seven miles of passing yardage, Lomax’s collegiate career was a statistical explosion that made him the most recognizable athlete in Vikings history. Discover how a kid from Lake Oswego went from #5 on the depth chart to a College Football Hall of Famer and one of the most prolific passers in NFL history.
Football Bio
February 17, 1959 – Portland, Oregon – Neil Lomax, the great quarterback from Portland State, was born. Neil threw for 106 touchdowns and 13,220 yards at Portland State from 1977 through 1980, and he left school with those as collegiate records per the NFF. In the 1980 game against Delaware State, Lomax threw seven touchdown passes in the first quarter, on the way to a 105-0 victory. The 1980 Portland State team won the national scoring championship with 541 points in 11 games as Neil tossed for 4094 yards in just 11 games! The National Football Foundation selected Neil Lomax for entrance into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1996.
Conclusion
Neil Lomax’s impact on the game is measured not just in yardage, but in the evolution of the quarterback position itself. His transition from the record-setting fields of Portland State to a stellar nine-season career with the St. Louis and Phoenix Cardinals proved that a “small school” passer could dominate at the highest level. Despite a career cut short by a debilitating hip injury, Lomax’s name remains etched alongside the greats in both collegiate and professional lore. As the only Viking to have his jersey number retired and a two-time NFL Pro Bowler, Lomax stands as a pioneer of the modern passing game and a testament to the power of the “Run and Shoot.”
Verified Accolades & Football Accomplishments
- College Football Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1996.
- NFL Pro Bowl Selection: 2× (1984, 1987).
- NFL Passing Yards Leader: (1987).
- NCAA Record: Still the only college quarterback to throw 7 touchdowns in a single quarter (vs. Delaware State, 1980).
- NCAA Division I-AA All-American: First-team (1980).
- Heisman Trophy Balloting: Finished 7th in 1980 (the highest ever for a Division I-AA player at the time).
- Senior Bowl MVP: (1981).
- Portland State #11 Retired: The only football number retired in program history.
- NFL Career Stats: 22,771 passing yards and 136 touchdowns.
- Oregon Sports Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1993.
