Hugh McInnis (1971) - Southern Miss M-Club Hall of Fame

Hugh McInnis

Induction:
1971

   Hugh McInnis was an outstanding end and place kicker for the University of Southern Mississippi during a three year period from 1957 to 1959. One of the things that set McInnis apart from the other players of his era was the versatility that he displayed and the fact that he was the type of player who could win the game for you in many different ways.
   McInnis had the speed, quickness, size and strength to dominate a game. At 6-3, 220 pounds not only could he go fearlessly over the middle to catch a pass, but he was a bruising blocker that could be counted on to open a big hole on a running play. On defense he used those same attributes to be successful and was a relentless rusher of the quarterback.
   Added to his skills as an offensive or defensive football player, was his ability to help the team as a place kicker. At a time when teams were utilizing players as field goal kickers more and more, he quickly established himself with the distance of his kicks and his accuracy.
   McInnis made his debut with the varsity during the 1957 season as a reserve end on both offense and defense and of course on the special teams. Not many balls were thrown his way during that year as the team posted an 8-3 record, but his contributions certainly led to the success of the team that season.
   The 1958 team was so good they didn’t have to thrown the ball much, with a running attack that averaged 257.5 yards a game, they threw only 113 passes all season. McInnis though was a valuable blocker in that running attack and also caught two passes for 104 yards, but both were for touchdowns. One of those catches was against Tennessee-Chattanooga and led the team to a 20-13 win in the season finale to secure the perfect season.
   As a kicker on that team he would make only one field goal all year long but it was in the final minute against Memphis and won the game for Southern Miss.
   On defense McInnis led a squad that allowed only 55 points all season and only 150.3 yards a game.
   In 1959 McInnis would rank as the second leading receiver on the team with 10 catches for 170 yards (17.0 average) and also had a punt return good for 34 yards.
He would also kick a field goal that season and convert 8 of 15 extra point kicks.
   McInnis taken in the first ever AFL draft by the Houston Oilers and in the third round by the Chicago Cardinals in the NFL draft after playing in the Senior Bowl all-star game. He wound up playing several years in the NFL with St. Louis, Detroit and Atlanta.
   He was fast and quick, big and strong, and McInnis parlayed that into a wonderful and productive career at Southern Miss. Remembered for his tough catches, his bone jarring tackles and his crushing blocks, McInnis earned a spot in the Sports Hall of Fame.