Alexander Guttenplan praised Paxman's "good humour" after captaining Emmanuel College, Cambridge, to a 315-100 win over St John's College, Oxford, in the 2010 competition final last night.
Mr Guttenplan, 19, became an internet star after an exchange with Paxman in an earlier round.
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Hide AdThe presenter said "good guess" after Mr Guttenplan correctly answered a question about poet WH Auden. The student replied: "It wasn't a guess."
Scots Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy, who presented Mr Guttenplan with the trophy, added: "I have never seen such a comprehensive win … Amazing victory."