As a junior, Keyes scored 19 touchdowns (13 rushing and six receiving) to set the Purdue season record and led the nation with 114 points. The next season, he became the first Boilermaker to rush for more than 1,000 yards in a season.
Keyes saved some of his best games for the top opponents on Purdue's schedule. He led the Boilermakers to victories over Notre Dame in 1967 and 1968 when the Fighting Irish were ranked No. 1 and No. 2.