“You lot are a ragtag team of varied archetypes,” says the coach Grant (Nick Kocher) to the motley intramural football team the Panthers. That self-awareness underscores this modest, nimble and, um, winning comedy from Andrew Disney, which acknowledges sports-movie conventions even as it exploits them.

Caleb (Jake Lacy) is a college senior engaged to a venal harpy (Kate McKinnon) and is about to take his LSAT. Cornered into his grown-up path, he seeks a final taste of glory: a victorious season for his freshman team, the Panthers, reunited after a player’s devastating injury. Present are the obligatory workout montages, setbacks and a hilarious twist on the inspirational speech before the big game, as well as references to the “Rocky” films, “Hoosiers” and “Chariots of Fire.” A bouncy, synthy soundtrack and a closing credit sequence describing the characters’ destinies lend 1980s ensemble-comedy flavor. “This isn’t about winning,” Grant says. “It’s about winning at the last possible second.”

Besides a clever, blithely ribald script by Bradley Jackson, the movie benefits from a potent “Saturday Night Live”-empowered cast, including Beck Bennett as the rival team’s hothead captain; Jay Pharoah as a goofy announcer; and Nick Rutherford, an “S.N.L.” writer, as a crass, leering Panther. As for Ms. McKinnon, she steals the movie. Already cast in Paul Feig’s distaff revival of “Ghostbusters,” she displays talent too vast for the small screen. Now watch her career rocket.

“Balls Out” is rated R (Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian). Crude language, sexual references and drug use.