Frank Spruiell (1970) - Southern Miss M-Club Hall of Fame

Frank Spruiell

Induction:
1970

Frank Spruiell was a talented and elusive halfback who played for Coach Reed Green and then Coach Thad (Pie) Vann during the 1948 and 1949 seasons at Southern Miss.
   Spruiell was one of the most versatile players to have ever played at Southern Miss and his contributions on both offense and defense was one of the reasons that the team was so successful during his two year career.
   The 1948 team that Spruiell was a part of would go on to post a 7-3 record in the final season with Green as coach. That team lost two of its first three games that year, before catching fire and winning six of its last seven. Down the stretch that year Southern Miss outscored their opponents 94-8 in its final three games.
   On offense Spruiell was the workhorse of Green’s offense, carrying the football a team high 89 times for 462 yards, the second highest total on the team. He averaged 5.2 yards per carry and scored four touchdowns.
   He displayed his versatility that year by also catching a pass for 12 yards and throwing seven halfback option passes and completing three, two for touchdowns.
   On defense Spruiell and fellow Hall of Famer Bubba Phillips tied for the team lead in interceptions with seven. Spruiell returned his seven interceptions for an incredible 189 yards, an average of 27.0 yards per return. He even saw time on the special teams, returning five punts for 16 yards.
   Coach Vann took over for the 1949 season and Spruiell once again was one of the keys to the Southern Miss offense. The team finished the year with a 7-3 mark and after losing the season opener at Kentucky reeled off six straight victories
   Spruiell again was one of the busiest players on the team with a team high 65 rushing carries for 370 yards. He once again averaged over five yards per carry (5.7) and scored six touchdowns.
   Although Cliff Coggin was the primary passing target that year Spruiell did catch five passes for 54 yards (10.8 average) and threw another halfback pass.
   On defense in ’49 Spruiell would snag another four interceptions for 68 yards (17.0 average) and return four punts for a 20.0 average.
   Spruiell would finish his two-year career with 154 carries for 832 yards and 10 touchdown. During his career Spruiell scored a touchdown every 15 times he ran with the football.
   Only four players have ever made more career interceptions than Spruiell’s 11. He returned those 11 for 257 yards, a mark only three players have bettered in their careers. His interception return average was 23.36 in his career.
   Although Spruiell might have been overshadowed by the brilliant play of athletes like Phillips and Coggin, who played along side him, there is no doubt he was one of the school’s greatest players on both sides of the ball.
   His dazzling plays and exciting runs make it easy to see why he has earned a spot in the Southern Miss Sports Hall of Fame.