By Darin How does a linebacker-turned-fullback single-handedly move the earth beneath a top-ranked defense? Bill Enyart didn’t just run the football; he pulverized the path ahead. Known as “Earthquake” for his thunderous, collision-heavy running style, Enyart was the physical heartbeat of the legendary 1967 “Giant Killers” squad. Whether he was taking the ball 50 times in a single afternoon or bruising the #1 ranked Trojans, Enyart’s blue-collar work ethic made him a nightmare for the Pac-8. From the plains of Oklahoma to the College Football Hall of Fame, this is the story of the man who turned the fullback position into a force of nature.
Football Bio
April 28, 1947 – Pawhuska, Oklahoma – Bill Enyart, the big fullback from Oregon State who played from 1966 to 1968, was born.
Bill was often called “Earthquake” for his thunderous, punishing running style, according to the NFF. He was a linebacker at first, and the mindset of a backer started with him even when summoned to the offensive side of the ball. A perfect example of this was in a game against Utah one season, when the Beavers had to start a QB with little experience. They handed the Earthquake the ball 50 times, and he pushed the pile to 299 yards.
The 1967 Oregon State squad was known as the “Giant Killers” because they brought down powerhouses such as No. 2 Purdue, No. 1 USC, and tied No. 2 UCLA. Enyart impressively displayed a 135-yard performance on 24 carries in the upset of the top-ranked USC Trojans. Bill was a first-team All-America as a senior as well as a two-time Academic All-America and two-time All-Pac-8 Conference player. Bill Enyart was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2011 after the National Football Foundation tallied its votes.
After school, Enyart was selected with the first pick in the second round of the 1969 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills. He played three seasons for the Bills and the Oakland Raiders.
Conclusion
Bill Enyart remains the definitive “power back” in Oregon State history. His ability to maintain high-level production under a massive workload—highlighted by his school-record 50 carries in a single game—is a feat of endurance that modern football rarely sees. By anchoring the “Giant Killers,” Enyart proved that with enough grit and the right mindset, a determined group could topple the titans of the sport. His legacy as an Academic All-American and a Hall of Famer serves as a reminder that “Earthquake” brought as much intelligence to the game as he did raw, ground-shaking power.
Accolades and Football Accomplishments
- College Football Hall of Fame: Inducted in 2011.
- First-Team All-American: 1968.
- 2× Academic All-American: 1967, 1968.
- 2× First-Team All-Pac-8: 1967, 1968.
- Oregon State School Record: 50 rushing attempts in a single game (vs. Utah, 1968).
- Oregon State School Record: 299 rushing yards in a single game (held for 20 years).
- Hula Bowl & East-West Shrine Game: 1969 Participant.
- NFL Draft: 27th overall pick (1st pick of the 2nd round) by the Buffalo Bills in 1969.
- State of Oregon Sports Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1983.
- Oregon State University Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1991.
