The 1980 Pittsburgh Panthers football team represented the University of Pittsburgh as an independent during the 1980 NCAA Division I-A football season. Despite losing one game, the Panthers were named national champion by NCAA-designated major selectors DeVold System, Football Research, and The New York Times, while also named co-national champion by Rothman (FACT) and Sagarin. The university does not claim a national championship for this season, nor are the Panthers popularly recognized for winning that year's national championship. Pitt was awarded the Lambert-Meadowlands Trophy as the champion of the East.
The team is noteworthy for featuring four future members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame: linebacker Rickey Jackson, center Russ Grimm, tackle Jimbo Covert, and quarterback Dan Marino. Several other players on the team, including Mark May and Hugh Green, would go on to be Pro Bowl NFL stars.
Championship selections Selectors that named Pitt the 1980 national champion: 1st-N-Goal Angelo Louisa ARGH Power Ratings College Football Researchers Association Foundation for the Analysis of Competitions and Tournaments Harry DeVold James Howell Jeff Self The New York Times Quality Champions Sagarin Ratings Steve Eck The Fleming System
Schedule
Game summaries Boston College
Statistics BC PITT First downs Total yards Rushes/yards Passing yards Passing: Comp–Att–Int Time of possession Team Category Player StatisticsBoston College Passing Rushing Receiving Pittsburgh Passing Rushing Receiving
At Kansas
Statistics PITT KU First downs Total yards Rushes/yards Passing yards Passing: Comp–Att–Int Time of possession Team Category Player StatisticsPittsburgh Passing Rushing Receiving Kansas Passing Rushing Receiving
Temple
Statistics TU PITT First downs Total yards Rushes/yards Passing yards Passing: Comp–Att–Int Time of possession Team Category Player StatisticsTemple Passing Rushing Receiving Pittsburgh Passing Rushing Receiving
Maryland
Statistics MD PITT First downs Total yards Rushes/yards Passing yards Passing: Comp–Att–Int Time of possession Team Category Player StatisticsMaryland Passing Rushing Receiving Pittsburgh Passing Rushing Receiving
At #11 Florida State
Statistics PITT FSU First downs Total yards Rushes/yards Passing yards Passing: Comp–Att–Int Time of possession Team Category Player StatisticsPittsburgh Passing Rushing Receiving Florida State Passing Rushing Receiving
West Virginia
Statistics WVU PITT First downs Total yards Rushes/yards Passing yards Passing: Comp–Att–Int Time of possession Team Category Player StatisticsWest Virginia Passing Rushing Receiving Pittsburgh Passing Rushing Receiving Starting free safety Rick Trocano moved over to offense in the second quarter to replace the injured Dan Marino. Previously the starter at QB in 1978, Trocano led Pitt to four second-quarter touchdowns during the Panthers' win at Pitt Stadium.
At Tennessee
Statistics PITT TENN First downs Total yards Rushes/yards Passing yards Passing: Comp–Att–Int Time of possession Team Category Player StatisticsPittsburgh Passing Rushing Receiving Tennessee Passing Rushing Receiving
At Syracuse
Statistics PITT SYR First downs Total yards Rushes/yards Passing yards Passing: Comp–Att–Int Time of possession Team Category Player StatisticsPittsburgh Passing Rushing Receiving Syracuse Passing Rushing Receiving
Louisville
Statistics LOU PITT First downs Total yards Rushes/yards Passing yards Passing: Comp–Att–Int Time of possession Team Category Player StatisticsLouisville Passing Rushing Receiving Pittsburgh Passing Rushing Receiving
At Army
Statistics PITT ARMY First downs Total yards Rushes/yards Passing yards Passing: Comp–Att–Int Time of possession Team Category Player StatisticsPittsburgh Passing Rushing Receiving Army Passing Rushing Receiving
At #5 Penn State
Statistics PITT PSU First downs Total yards Rushes/yards Passing yards Passing: Comp–Att–Int Time of possession Team Category Player StatisticsPittsburgh Passing Rushing Receiving Penn State Passing Rushing Receiving
Vs. #18 South Carolina (Gator Bowl)
Statistics PITT S CAR First downs Total yards Rushes/yards Passing yards Passing: Comp–Att–Int Time of possession Team Category Player StatisticsPittsburgh Passing Rushing Receiving South Carolina Passing Rushing Receiving
Personnel Coaching staff 1980 Pittsburgh Panthers football staff Coaching staff Jackie Sherrill – Head coach Foge Fazio – Assistant head coach/defensive coordinator Wally English – Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks Joe Daniels – Running backs Ron Dickerson – Defensive backs Bob Matey – Defensive line Joe Moore – Offensive line Joe Naunchik – Receivers Ray Zingler – Defensive ends Support staff Alex Kramer – Administrative assistant Kevin Dickey – Recruiting doordinator Nick Rapone – Part-Time Assistant Bob Davie – Part-Time Assistant Kirk Ferentz – Part-Time Assistant Strength and conditioning staff Buddy Morris – Weight training coordinator
Roster
Awards and honors Hugh Green, Walter Camp Award Hugh Green, Lombardi Award Hugh Green, Maxwell Award Mark May, Outland Trophy
Team players drafted into the NFL Player Position Round Pick NFL clubHugh Green Defensive end 1 7 Tampa Bay BuccaneersRandy McMillan Running back 112 Baltimore Colts Mark May Tackle1 20 Washington Redskins Rickey Jackson Linebacker2 51 New Orleans Saints Greg Meisner Defensive tackle3 63 Los Angeles RamsCarlton Williamson Defensive back 3 65 San Francisco 49ers Russ Grimm Center3 69 Washington Redskins Bill Neill Defensive tackle5 115 New York Giants Benjie Pryor Tight end 5 120 Cincinnati BengalsLynn Thomas Defensive back 5 121 San Francisco 49ersJerry Boyarsky Defensive tackle5128 New Orleans Saints Rick Trocano Quarterback11 292 Pittsburgh Steelers
Media Radio WTAE–AM 1250 Bill Hillgrove John Sauer
References