Mike Crenshaw (1992) - Southern Miss M-Club Hall of Fame

Mike Crenshaw

Induction:
1992

Mike Crenshaw was an outstanding defensive back for Southern Miss during a career that spanned the 1976 through 1978 seasons. He was best known for being one of the wild spirits on the team and it was the attitude and style that earned him the nickname of “Crazy”.
   Crenshaw arrived at Southern Miss in 1974 after a stellar career at McGill High School in Mobile, Alabama, where he had been named to several prep All-American teams and had played defensive line and linebacker.
   After sitting out as a freshman and then red-shirting in 1975, Crenshaw had been impressive enough during practice to be in a position to push for playing time in 1976.
   In fact Crenshaw was good enough to move into the starting lineup as a sophomore playing at the vandal position. He would be involved in 20 tackles that season and play an important role on the special teams, where his aggressive, no fear attitude added to his nickname. That Golden Eagle team would finish just 2-9, but with several young players like Crenshaw was beginning to show a lot of potential.
   And the team and the Golden Eagle defense did improve in 1977 as Crenshaw was a starter for the second year in a row. He would make 42 tackles that season and tie for the team lead in interceptions with three, which he returned for 57 yards. His most memorable interception that year came in Starkville against Mississippi State, when late in the game he picked one off and returned it for what proved to be the game winning touchdown. He continued to be not only one of the defensive leaders on the team, but also one of the keys on Golden Eagle special teams unit that limited opponents to just 3.8 yards per punt return and 18.1 yards per kickoff return. That 1977 team finished with a 6-6 record but had wins over three Southeastern Conference teams, Ole Miss, Mississippi State and Auburn.
   Crenshaw would save his best year for his senior season in 1978. He would be involved in 38 tackles that season and would intercept two passes, including one against Arkansas State that he would return for a touchdown. As a leader of the Golden Eagle defense that year, he helped the team to a number 23 ranking in the country in total defense, allowing just 269.5 yards a game and a number 16 ranking against the run, allowing only 135.5 yards a game. “Crazy” again excelled on the special teams, as the team was now regarded as one of the best in the country in that department. The 1978 squad allowed opponents only 5.7 yards per punt return and 18.5 yards per kickoff return.
   Crenshaw would finish his career at Southern Miss with five interceptions, but two of those he returned for touchdowns. Only two players in Golden Eagle history have ever returned more interceptions for touchdowns.
   He is remembered for many things during his career but mostly for being a tough, aggressive and highly competitive player and whose “hell bent for leather” style on the special teams, earned “Crazy” a spot in the USM Sports Hall of Fame.