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1951 Pittsburgh Panthers football team

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1951 Pittsburgh Panthers football
ConferenceIndependent
Record3–7
Head coach
Home stadiumPitt Stadium
Seasons
← 1950
1952 →
1951 Eastern college football independents records
Conf Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
Bucknell   –   9 – 0 – 0
No. 6 Princeton   –   9 – 0 – 0
Susquehanna   –   6 – 0 – 0
Trenton State   –   6 – 0 – 0
Northeastern   –   6 – 0 – 1
No. 19 Holy Cross   –   8 – 2 – 0
Carnegie Tech   –   6 – 2 – 0
Hofstra   –   6 – 2 – 1
Cornell   –   6 – 3 – 0
No. 16 Boston University   –   6 – 4 – 0
Temple   –   6 – 4 – 0
Columbia   –   5 – 3 – 0
Villanova   –   5 – 3 – 0
Fordham   –   5 – 4 – 0
Franklin & Marshall   –   5 – 4 – 0
Penn   –   5 – 4 – 0
Penn State   –   5 – 4 – 0
Syracuse   –   5 – 4 – 0
Buffalo   –   4 – 4 – 0
Colgate   –   4 – 5 – 0
Dartmouth   –   4 – 5 – 0
Drexel   –   3 – 4 – 0
Harvard   –   3 – 5 – 1
Boston College   –   3 – 6 – 0
Yale   –   2 – 5 – 2
Pittsburgh   –   3 – 7 – 0
Geneva   –   2 – 5 – 0
Army   –   2 – 7 – 0
Brown   –   2 – 7 – 0
NYU   –   1 – 7 – 0
Tufts   –   0 – 7 – 2
Rankings from AP Poll

The 1951 Pittsburgh Panthers football team represented the University of Pittsburgh in the 1951 college football season. The team compiled a 3–7 record under head coach Tom Hamilton.[1] The team was ranked at No. 58 in the 1951 Litkenhous Ratings.[2]

Schedule

[edit]
DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 29Duke
L 14–1920,066[3]
October 6at Indiana
L 6–1328,000[4][5]
October 13at Iowa
L 17–3435,123[6]
October 20Notre Dame
  • Pitt Stadium
  • Pittsburgh, PA (rivalry)
L 0–3360,127[7]
October 27at No. 2 Michigan State
L 26–5342,163[8]
November 3at Rice
L 13–2126,000[9]
November 10No. 20 Ohio State
  • Pitt Stadium
  • Pittsburgh, PA
L 14–1634,747[10]
November 17West Virginia
W 32–129,864[11][12]
November 24Penn State
  • Pitt Stadium
  • Pittsburgh, PA (rivalry)
W 13–720,145 - 22,771[13]
December 7at Miami (FL)
W 21–739,855[14]
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game

Preseason

[edit]

On July 6, The Oregon Daily Journal reported that a vacationing Pitt Coach, Len Casanova, interviewed for the head coaching position at the University of Oregon.[15] On July 8, the Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph reported that Pitt Graduate Manager, Frank Carver, stated “I have no idea how the report of Casanova's applying at Oregon circulated, but all I can say is the whole story is crazy.” [16] On July 17, The Pittsburgh Press reported that Casanova had indeed negotiated with Oregon. Casanova responded: “I absolutely have no intention of leaving Pitt nor have I even considered taking a post elsewhere since coming here.”[17] The headline the following day read “Pitt Looking For New Coach Again.” The Pitt athletic committee released Casanova from his contract, and he accepted the coaching position at Oregon. He stated that the deciding factor was the health of his daughter. Hence, the Panthers lost their fifth coach in seven years, and Casanova was Athletic Director Tom Hamilton's “hand-picked choice”.[18]

The Panthers interviewed Michigan State assistant coach Lowell Dawson, but he couldn't get a release from the school. The Pitt athletic committee drafted athletic director, Tom Hamilton, to take over the coaching duties for one season. He responded: “I like to coach football, but I don't want it for a lifetime job. I've been through that. This is merely a temporary adjustment. After this Fall, when it's 'open season' on coaches, we should be able to announce a new one. That will give us plenty of time to look over the field.”[19]

On September 4, 40 upperclassmen and 20 freshmen (who were eligible for varsity play in 1951) opened fall camp under the tutelage of Coach Hamilton at Ligonier, PA. The Panthers practiced on the high school field and stayed at the Fort Ligonier Hotel for three weeks. On September 15, the Panthers traveled to Bethlehem, PA to scrimmage the Lehigh Engineers. The Panthers won 19–0. The following Saturday, the Rutgers Queensmen came to Ligonier for a scrimmage and the Panthers won 16–7. The squad returned to Pittsburgh on September 22 for the start of classes.[20][21][22][23]

Coaching staff

[edit]
1951 Pittsburgh Panthers football staff
Coaching staff
  • Thomas J. Hamilton – interim head coach
  • Steve Hokuf – line coach
  • Edgar Jones – backfield coach
  • Robert Timmons – end coach
  • Steve Petro – jayvee coach
  • Ernie Hefferle – freshman coach
  • Walter Cummins– freshman coach
   Support staff
  • Thomas J. Hamilton – director of athletics and physical education
  • Frank Carver – graduate manager
  • Bill Heyman – publicity director
  • Dr. Ralph Shanor – team physician
  • Dr. Dan Dickinson – team physician
  • Howard Waite – trainer
  • Bill Haines – equipment manager
  • Alex Kramer– student manager

Roster

[edit]

Game summaries

[edit]

Duke

[edit]
Week 1: Duke at Pitt
1 234Total
• Duke 7 606 19
Pitt 7 070 14
  • Date: September 29, 1951
  • Location: Pitt Stadium
    Pittsburgh, PA
  • Game start: 2:00 p.m.
  • Game attendance: 20,066
  • Game weather: fair and cool
  • Referee: Wilburn Clary (South Carolina)
Scoring summary
1DUKERed Smith 3-yard run (Ray Green kick)DUKE 7–0
1PITTLouis Cimarolli 15-yard run (Nick Bolkovac kick)TIED 7–7
2DUKERed Smith 3-yard run ( kick missed)DUKE 13–7
3PITTChris Warriner 16-yard pass from Bob Bestwick (Bolkovac kick )PITT 14–13
4DUKECharlie Smith 1-yard run ( kick missed )DUKE 19–14

On September 29, the Coach Hamilton-led Panthers opened the season against the Duke Blue Devils. Duke led the all-time series 5–3 and had won the past four contests. Duke was led by first-year coach William D. Murray. His Devils were 1–0, after beating South Carolina 34–6 to open their season.[26]

The game was broadcast on WDTV and Mel Allen was the announcer.[26]

In front of 20,066 fans, the Panthers made too many mistakes, and lost to the Blue Devils 19–14. Duke blocked a punt, intercepted 3 passes and recovered a fumble. The Panthers received the opening kick-off, and on first down Duke guard, John Carey, intercepted Bob Bestwick's pass on the Panther 42-yard line. Eleven plays moved the ball to the Panthers 3-yard line. Red Smith ran into the end zone on the next play and Ray Green's placement made it 7–0 in favor of Duke. The Panthers answered with a 68-yard scoring drive. Lou Cimarolli raced around end from the 15-yard line for the touchdown. Paul Blanda's extra point tied the game. In the second quarter, Duke blocked a Panther punt and gained possession on the Panther 15-yard line. Red Smith scored from the 3-yard line again, but Green missed the point after. Duke led 13–7 at halftime. The Panthers engineered a 92-yard scoring drive to start the third period. Chris Warriner caught a 16-yard pass from Bob Bestwick for the score. Blanda's extra point put Pitt ahead 14–13. The Panther defense stopped the next Duke threat on their 15-yard line. In the fourth quarter the Devils returned a Pitt punt to the Panthers 26-yard line. On the fourth play Charlie Smith scored on a 1-yard run, and Green missed the extra point. Duke 19– Pitt 14.[27]

The Pitt starting line-up for the game against Duke was Chris Warriner (left end), Bob Brennan (left tackle), Rudy Andabaker (left guard), John Dazio (center), Merle DeLuca (right guard), Eldred Kraemer (right tackle), Richard Dietrick (right end), Bob Bestwick (quarterback), Lou Cimarolli (left halfback), Bill Reynolds (right halfback) and Bobby Epps (fullback). Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were George Glagola, Joe Bozek, William Adams, William Priatko, Bill Gasparovic, Charles Yost, John Reger, Tony Romantino, Gabe Gembarosky, Ray Ferguson, Henry Ford, Richie McCabe, Paul Blanda, William Ewing and Bill Sichko.[28]

at Indiana

[edit]
Week 2: Pitt at Indiana
1 234Total
Pitt 0 600 6
• Indiana 0 670 13
  • Date: October 6, 1951
  • Location: Memorial Stadium
    Bloomington, IN
  • Game start: 1:30 p.m.
  • Game attendance: 28,000
  • Game weather: cool and cloudy
  • Referee: C. A. Wertz
Scoring summary
2PITTBilly Reynolds 17-yard run ( kick missed)PITT 6–0
2INDGene Gedman 85-yard run (kick missed)TIED 6–6
3INDGene Gedman 16-yard pass from Lou D'Achille (D'Achille kick)IND 13–6

Pitt's second game of the season was at Bloomington, IN versus the Indiana Hoosiers. The Panthers were 1–6 all-time against Indiana, and were 0–4 in Bloomington. Coach Clyde B. Smith's squad was 0–1 after losing to Notre Dame in their opening game.[29]

In front of 28,000 Hoosiers fans, the mistake-prone Panthers lost again 13–6. The Panthers scored first on a 17-yard scamper by halfback Bill Reynolds. Paul Blanda's placement went wide. Indiana fullback Gene Gedman (a Duquesne, PA native) answered with an 85-yard touchdown run to tie the score. Lou D'Achille missed the placement. In the third quarter, Gedman caught a 16-yard pass from D'Achille for the go-ahead touchdown. D'Achille added the extra point. Indiana 13 to Pitt 6. The Panthers squandered three scoring opportunities in the second half. First, they drove to the Hoosiers 16-yard line and Blanda missed a 29-yard field goal. The next drive ended with a fumble. Their final series ended with an interception.[4]

The Pitt starting line-up for the game against Indiana was George Glagola (left end), Bob Brennan (left tackle), Rudy Andabaker (left guard), John Dazio (center), Tony Romantino (right guard), Bill Gasparovic (right tackle), Richard Dietrick (right end), Bob Bestwick (quarterback), Lou Cimarolli (left halfback), Bill Reynolds (right halfback) and Bobby Epps (fullback). Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were Bernard Eisen, Chris Warriner, Joe Bozek, Bill Adams, Otto Kneidinger, Bill Priatko, Donald Anthony, Eldred Kraemer, Albert Smalara, Joe Zombek, Neil Huffman, Tony Romantino, Merle DeLuca, Joe Schmidt, Gabe Gembarosky, Stuart Kline, Eldred Kraemer, Albert Smalara, Joe Bozek, Bill Adams, Henry Ford, Blair Kramer, Ray Ferguson, Bill Sichko, Richie McCabe, Jim Campbell, Paul Blanda and Paul Chess.[30]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "1951 Pittsburgh Panthers Stats". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. May 21, 2016.
  2. ^ "Vols Top Final 1951 Litkenhous Ratings". The Nashville Banner. December 14, 1951. p. 49 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ "Duke scores in fourth to edge Pitt, 19–14". The Knoxville News-Sentinel. September 30, 1951. Retrieved December 28, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ a b Carl Hughes (October 7, 1951). "Pennsylvanians (Indiana Variety) Beat Pitt, 13–6". The Pittsburgh Press. p. 41, section 4. Retrieved July 26, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ Bob Stranahan (October 7, 1951). "Gedman's Work Gives I. U. 13 To 6 Victory Over Pitt". The Indianapolis Star. p. 1, sec.4. Retrieved August 14, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ Carl Hughes (October 14, 1951). "Hawkeyes Score Three Touchdowns in Final Victory Surge". The Pittsburgh Press. p. 61, section 4. Retrieved July 28, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ Jack Henry (October 21, 1951). "60,000 See Notre Dame Crush Panthers, 33–0". Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph. p. 1. Retrieved July 28, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ George S. Alderton (October 28, 1951). "Spartans Gladden Old Grads, 53-26: Pitt Passes Scare MSC In 1st Half; Munn's Team Outscores Panthers in Last Two Periods, 33-7". Lansing State Journal. pp. 51, 52 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ Jack Gates (November 4, 1951). "Drake Sparks Owls Past Pitt". Waco Tribune-Herald. p. 2, sec. II. Retrieved July 30, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ Jack Henry (November 11, 1951). "Panther Rally Falls Short". Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph. p. 1, part 3. Retrieved July 31, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ .
  12. ^ "Pitt wins first game". Kingsport Times-News. November 18, 1951. Retrieved December 28, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ Chester L. Smith (November 25, 1951). "Chess' Late Score On 17–Yard Run Snaps Deadlock". The Pittsburgh Press. p. 39. Retrieved August 12, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ Carl Hughes (December 8, 1951). "Underdog Panthers Smash Miami, 21–7, For 3 Straight Wins". The Pittsburgh Press. p. 6. Retrieved August 12, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ^ "Pitt Mentor Heads List Of Applicants". The Oregon Daily Journal. Portland, OR. July 6, 1951. p. 1, section 3. Retrieved August 5, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ "Len Casanova Switch Denied". Pittsburgh Sun -Telegraph. July 8, 1951. p. 3, part 3. Retrieved August 5, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ^ "Casanova Going to Oregon? Len Says He'll Stay Here". The Pittsburgh Press. July 17, 1951. p. 22. Retrieved August 5, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. ^ Pat Livingston (July 18, 1951). "Pitt Looking For New Coach Again". The Pittsburgh Press. p. 25. Retrieved August 5, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. ^ Carl Hughes (July 22, 1951). "Athletic Director Takes On Grid Job For Only One Year". The Pittsburgh Press. p. 35 section 3. Retrieved August 7, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  20. ^ Carl Hughes (September 4, 1951). "Pitt, Tech Open Drills Today". The Pittsburgh Press. p. 23. Retrieved August 12, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  21. ^ "Pitt Schedules Two Warmup Scrimmages". The Pittsburgh Press. September 9, 1951. p. 65. Retrieved August 12, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  22. ^ Carl Hughes (September 16, 1951). "Panthers Score, Lehigh Doesn't". The Pittsburgh Press. p. 42. Retrieved August 12, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  23. ^ "Pitt Wins, 16–7 Over Rutgers". The Pittsburgh Press. September 23, 1951. p. 63. Retrieved August 12, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  24. ^ "University of Pittsburgh 1951 Roster". Pitt vs. Duke Souvenir Program. University of Pittsburgh Athletic Department: 14. September 29, 1951.
  25. ^ "Football Lettermen". 2008 Pitt Football Media Guide. University of Pittsburgh. pp. 178–182. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  26. ^ a b Boris Weinstein (September 28, 1951). "30,000 To See Opener; Pitt Rated Underdog". The Pitt News. Vol. 45, no. 3. p. 1. Retrieved August 12, 2024.
  27. ^ Carl Hughes (September 30, 1951). "Blue Devils Grab Breaks To Win". The Pittsburgh Press. p. 37. Retrieved August 13, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  28. ^ "Mistakes Costly". Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph. September 30, 1951. p. 1, part 3. Retrieved August 13, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  29. ^ "Record Book Pitt Football 2005". University of Pittsburgh. 2005. p. 154. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
  30. ^ "Hoosier (?) Victory". Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph. October 7, 1951. p. 1, part 3. Retrieved August 14, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
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