In an era when football players played both offense and defense, Max Miller was one of the Terriers' finest two-way performers.
On offense, he was a 150-pound blocking guard who joined with fellow Hall of Fame quarterback Leon Spivack to open gaping holes for the Terrier running backs. Then, on defense, he was a nose guard taking on linemen who usually out-weighed him by 45 to 50 pounds.
Originally enrolled at Alabama where he was a classmate of Paul "Bear" Bryant, Miller transferred to BU where he was a mainstay on the Terriers' outstanding teams of 1936 and 1937 that had a combined record of 11-3-2. Certainly, one of the highlights came in the final game of the 1937 season when the Terriers defeated Boston College, 13-6. It was the first time since 1895 that BU had defeated the Eagles, who had won 12 straight over their crosstown rivals. What's more, it would be 16 more games over a 22-year span before BUÂ would beat BC again on the gridiron.
The 1937 season was one of the greatest ever enjoyed by a Terrier defensive unit. En route to a 6-2 record, the defense, with Miller at nose guard, never gave up more than 12 points, and they held six opponents to seven points or less. Statistically, Clarkson was held to -6Â yards rushing, Lehigh had 11 yards on the ground, and Slippery Rock managed just 20 yards.
Individually, Miller's top effort was against Washington University. He forced a pair of fumbles that helped preserve a 14-12 Terrier win.
His postseason accolades included First Team Jewish All-America as a junior and senior, Third Team All-New England his junior year, and Honorable Mention All-East and Honorable Mention All-America following his senior year.
