Jim Grant, a smartly-dressed athlete at Standtech, takes an interest in modest Mary Norris, who has scholastic ambitions but is claimed by Dave, her hometown sweetheart. Jim's roommate is Benny Krantz, a shy, blundering son of a delicatessen keeper. Jim promises Benny's father, Isadore, that he will take care of his son, while Doris, a co-ed friend of Mary's, teaches Benny what "It" is all about. Mary becomes infatuated with Jim, but he falls from grace after she discovers him intoxicated with a "fast" girl; he is also disqualified from the football team for failing in his studies. Jim tries to win Mary back, bringing on a fight with Dave, whose arm Jim breaks. Benny tries to emulate Jim, and Mary gains a reputation for dating. When Benny is critically injured during a spree, Jim saves his life with a transfusion; called back on the team, he scores the winning touchdown.