Episode Description – “The King of Interceptions”
In this episode of Record Breakers: College Football Legends, we rewind the clock to 1968 and shine a spotlight on one of the most remarkable defensive performances in college football history: Al Worley’s record-setting season with the Washington Huskies.
Worley wasn’t a hyped recruit out of high school. He wasn’t the biggest or fastest player on the field. But what he did have was instinct — the uncanny ability to read quarterbacks, anticipate routes, and put himself in the right place at the right time. That sixth sense transformed a quiet cornerback from San Diego into the NCAA’s ultimate ballhawk.
Across a tough 1968 season, the Huskies struggled, finishing just 3–5–2. But Worley’s brilliance gave fans something unforgettable. Week after week, he kept pulling the ball out of the air:
2 interceptions in the opener against Rice.
3 more in the fourth quarter alone at Wisconsin.
A four-pick explosion against Idaho.
A pick-six versus Cal that tied the national record.
And finally, with just 24 seconds left against UCLA, Worley made history. His 14th interception of the year sealed a 6–0 Husky victory and etched his name forever into the record books.
Even in defeat the following week in the Apple Cup, Worley walked off the field as the Consensus All-American who still holds the NCAA single-season interception record more than five decades later.
This episode dives deep into:
Worley’s upbringing and high school days in San Diego.
His fit with Washington coach Jim Owens’ disciplined, hard-nosed system.
A game-by-game journey through the 1968 season.
The tension and electricity of the UCLA game where history was made.
The Apple Cup epilogue, where Worley’s legend was already secure.
His short time with the Denver Broncos, his life after football, and how fans and teammates remember him today.
It’s more than a story about interceptions. It’s about preparation, discipline, and seizing the moment — proof that even in a losing season, greatness can rise.
🎧 Join us as we relive the season of “The King of Interceptions” — Al Worley, the Husky legend whose record still stands.
