Out of Shelbyville, Ky., played for the Racers’ football program four seasons over a span of seven years that included his serving in the United States military.
Playing his freshman and sophomore seasons for Coach Jim Moore in 1941 and Coach Roy Stewart in 1942, Powell’s career was interrupted for four years during World War II.
While in military service, Puckett played for the Samson Navy team in 1944 under Coach Jim Crowley, who was best known as one of Notre Dame’s Four Horsemen.
That Samson team played against colleges and other service teams, as well as opposing professional team in exhibitions in 1945.
Returned to MSU in 1946 and won All-Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference honors.
An injured ankle kept him out of action for the entire 1947 season.
In 1948, Powell came back to play on Coach Fred Faurot’s team that won the inaugural Ohio Valley Conference championship and played in MSU’s only bowl game in program history.
In 1948, Powell and the Racers went 9-1-1 and won the OVC title at 3-1 with wins over, Morehead State, Evansville and Western Kentucky, with the loss coming to Eastern Kentucky.
On New year’s Day 1949, the Racers played in the Tangerine Bowl in Orlando, Fla., where they took on Sul Ross State and settled for a tie outcome of 21-21.
Prior to the Tangerine Bowl, Puckett was invited in a senior All-Star Game in Hawaii but declined, because there was no way he was going to leave his team.
Named All-OVC in 1948 at left guard.
Speaking to the Murray Ledger & Times in 1982 at his MSU Hall of Fame induction, Powell said, “That game was my biggest thrill at Murray State, even though I didn’t play much. I hurt my ribs in the second quarter and missed the whole second half.”
