Phil Musmeci (1975) - Southern Miss M-Club Hall of Fame

Phil Musmeci

Induction:
1975

If you were getting ready to play Southern Miss and you were glancing through the roster and checking the starting lineup, when you came upon a player with the nickname of “Moose”, you might start to wonder what you were getting yourself into. Then if you had an opportunity to study film or watch Phil (Moose) Musmeci play in person, you would know immediately that you were about to go up against one of the best tackles to have ever played at Southern Miss.
   Musmeci would finish his career as a three-year starter at tackle for Coach Pie Vann and many of the great runners that the school produced during the early days of the Vann tenure had the pleasure of running behind the powerful blocking of the “Moose”.
On defense he was as strong and powerful a tackle that as ever suited up for Southern and some of the biggest wins in school history were accomplished with him leading the way.
   Musmeci joined the Southern program from New Orleans, Louisiana and after spending his first season as a reserve lineman he was able to move into the starting offensive lineup during the 1949 campaign.
   The 1948 team would be the final season as head coach for Reed Green and the squad posted a 7-3 record, while the 1949 team, Vann’s first, would go 7-3. As a starter in the offensive line that season Musmeci was a part of one of the most explosive units in school history as they averaged 29.9 points and 379.2 yards a game. That team was one of the school’s best rushing teams, averaging almost 200 yards a game on the ground.
   In 1950 Musmeci was named to second team all-Gulf States Conference offense and first team all-Gulf States Conference defense, while leading Southern to a 5-5 record. The team got off to a slow start losing its first three games and four of its first five, but coming on strong down the stretch to win four of its last five games. Although defensive stats weren’t kept during those years, it would be safe to conclude from game reports that Musmeci would have been one of the team’s leaders in tackles and quarterback sacks.
   Musmeci would conclude his great career in 1951 and led the team to a Gulf States Conference championship. “Moose” would earn all-conference honors again while helping the team to a 6-5 record. The defense that year had three shutouts and held three other opponents to one touchdown, while the offense was the third highest scoring in school history with 306 points and the third best rushing team in school history with 2,967 yards.
   What made Musmeci one of the best lineman in the history of Southern Miss football. Those who played with him or those who watched him play will tell you that it had a lot to do with the fact that he could dominate the game. On offense when the team needed that tough yard or a crucial first down, they would run over him. On critical defensive stands it was “Moose” that his teammates looked to make the key play.