Thomas A. Morrow (1970) - Southern Miss M-Club Hall of Fame

Thomas A. Morrow

Induction:
1970

Tommy Morrow was an outstanding halfback for the University of Southern Mississippi throughout a career that lasted from 1958 to 1960. Throughout his career Morrow proved to be a great leader and a player that could help the team win in many different ways.
   In joined Southern Miss in 1956 from Georgianna, Alabama, where he had been a standout high school player, who attracted a great deal of attention from college and universities around the South. After playing with the freshman team in 1956, he was ready to move up to the varsity for the 1957 campaign.
   Morrow didn’t see a great deal of action during that 1957 season but he used it as a chance to learn from some of the veterans on the team. There was never any doubts that he had the talent and the tools to be successful, so he studied the game that season, and improving with each passing week.
   The 1958 season would be one of the best the school would ever have as they would go on to win the UPI College Division National Championship and Morrow would have a role in winning the title. He would carry the ball 21 times that year for 69 yards (3.3 average) and a touchdown, catch three passes for 48 yards, and return three punts for 14 yards. One of Morrow’s biggest contributions that year was a punter, as he kicked 10 times for a team high 36.7 yard average.
   The 1959 team would finish the year with a 6-4 record and Morrow’s playing time would continue to grow. He would carry the ball 43 times for 173 yards and score a touchdown, catch two passes for 10 yards, return six punts for 26 yards and return two kickoffs for 48 yards. He would again lead the team in punting with 11 kicks that year for a 37.7 yard average.
   Morrow would join his best season ever in 1960 while leading the team to a 6-4 record. He would carry the ball more than anyone else on the team that year, 72 times, and finish second on the team in rushing yards with 358, while scoring three touchdowns.
   The versatile halfback was the team’s leading pass receiver that year with 15 catches for 246 yards (16.4 average) and two touchdowns. On special teams he returned 11 punts for 80 yards (7.3 average) and six kickoff returns for 155 yards (25.8 average). Because he became so valuable on offense his punting duties were reduced, but he still kicked five times for a 31.6 yard average.
   Morrow also had a chance to display his defensive skills during the 1960 season leading the team in interceptions with four.
   He would finish his career rushing 136 times for 601 yards and five touchdowns and punting 26 times for a 36.2 yard average.
   Morrow also lettered three years with the Southern Miss baseball team.
   Hardworking, dedicated and versatile Tommy Morrow, favorite of Southen Miss fans.