Murphy was chosen the football team's most valuable player following a spectacular senior year as a split end in 1967. In contributing to a 6-2-1 record, the best Big Red mark since 1950, Murphy, who was a starter as a defensive back as a sophomore and junior, established six Cornell and three Ivy League receiving records. His Cornell records were 50 receptions, 853 yards and nine touchdowns for the season and game marks of 10 receptions and 163 yards (vs. Harvard) and three touchdowns (vs. Princeton). His Ivy seasonal marks included receptions 943), yards (704) and TDs (7). Nationallyk he ranked second in average yards per catch (17.1), third in touchdowns and seventh in total yardage. His post-season honors included Associated Press All-America honorable mention, AP All-Ivy first team, and the Coaches All-Ivy first team.
