The 1931 Pittsburgh Panthers football team, coached by Jock Sutherland, represented the University of Pittsburgh as an independent during the 1931 college football season. The Panthers finished the regular season with eight wins and a single loss at Notre Dame and were considered the champions of the East. Parke H. Davis, recognized as a "major selector" in the official NCAA football records book, named Pitt as one of that season's co-national champions. The team is also recognized as national champion in 1931 by College Football Data Warehouse and according to a Sports Illustrated study that has served as the historical basis of the university's historical national championship claims since its original publication.
Schedule
Preseason
On December 15, at a private team banquet, coach Sutherland named end Edward Hirshberg captain for the 1931 Pitt football season.
At the February 3rd Athletic Council meeting, the board discussed three measures to de-emphasize football in collegiate life. 1) Fall football practice would not start until September 7, two weeks prior to the school's registration date. 2) The spring practice was left to the discretion of coach Sutherland. However, the practice could not interfere with classes or hinder participation in a spring sport. 3) An athlete could be suspended anytime during a season for failure to maintain scholastic progress.
The Athletic Council also appointed Bernard Windt varsity football manager for the 1931 season. He was enrolled in the College, class of 1932. Bernard was an apprentice manager in 1928, an assistant manager in 1929 and was the freshman team manager for the 1930 season.
Ninety Panthers started spring practice on March 23. "This number included almost thirty from last year's squad, twenty from last year's freshman team and about forty new men." After four weeks of drills and scrimmage, Coach Sutherland was satisfied: "I am greatly pleased with the spring practice. The players showed a marked improvement in form, ability and condition. The spirit of those participating was excellent throughout, and this aided the coaches a great deal." The players who came out for the first time and stayed with the squad the entire time were invited to fall camp.
On August 8, the Athletic Council hired former quarterback Eddie Baker and former end Eddie Schultz to assist coach Sutherland with the football team. Baker was in his final year of Dental School and Schultz was enrolled in Law School.
Starting center Ralph Daugherty passed summer school and was reinstated on the roster in time for preseason camp.
On September 7, fifty varsity aspirants started the two weeks of two-a-day practices at Camp Hamilton under the direction of “9 coaches, 12 managers, 3 cooks, 1 physician, 1 trainer, 1 property man and 1 dog.” Coach Sutherland had the task of finding a capable quarterback. Sophomore Bob Hogan earned the job and Rocco Cutri and Zola Alpert were his back-ups. Hogan was also the punter. After a week of camp The Pitt Weekly reported: "The schedule is rigorous, but the team is fit and ready."
Coaching staff 1931 Pittsburgh Panthers football staff Coaching staff John B. "Jock" Sutherland – Head coach Andy Gustafson – assistant backfield coach Joe Donchess – assistant line coach Ray Montgomery – assistant line coach Bill Kern – assistant line coach Edward Baker – assistant backfield coach Eddie Schultz – assistant line coach Ulhardt Hangartner – Assistant coach - scout Roscoe “Skip” Gougler – Freshman coach Support staff Bernard Windt– student football manager Dr. H. A. R. Shanor – team physician George Moore – team trainer Percy S. Browne – custodian of equipment W. D. Harrison - director of athletics James Hagan – assistant director of athletics Frank Carver – Publicity Director
Roster 1931 Pittsburgh Panthers football roster Edward Hirschberg*end85' 11"1731932McKeesport H. S. East McKeesport, PA Jesse Quatse*tackle85' 10" 1951933Greensburg H. S.Greensburg, PA Walter Milligan*guard85' 10"1681933Kiski SchoolMcKees Rocks, PA Ralph Daugherty*center85' 11"1741932Kiski SchoolFreeport, PA Hart Morris*guard85' 10" 1751932Bellaire H. S. Bellaire, OH James MacMurdo*tackle86' 1" 1891932Ellwood City H. S.Ellwood City, PA Paul Collins*end76' 1" 1781932Central H. S. Sioux City, IA Rocco Cutri*quarterback96'1701933Erie Academy Erie, PA Warren Heller*halfback85' 10"1551933Steelton H. S.Steelton, PA Paul Reider*halfback75' 9" 1501933Bellefonte Academy New Castle. PA James Clark*fullback85' 9"1621932Greensburg H.S. Greensburg, PA Theodore Dailey*end95' 10" 1551933Phillipsburg H. S. Phillipsburg, NJ John Meredith*tackle 96'1801934Bellefonte AcademyFairmont, WV Francis Seigel*guard85' 10" 1731933Central H. S. Sioux City, IA Joseph Tormey*center85' 11" 1801933Erie Academy Erie, PA Tarciscio Onder*guard95' 11" 1971934Jeannette H. S.Jeannette, PA John Valentitackle36' 2" 2301934Pierce School (Phila.) Media, PA Joe Skladany*end85' 8"1841934Larksville H. S.Larksville, PA Robert Hogan*quarterback85' 10" 1801934Meadville H. S.Meadville, PA James Simmshalfback75' 10" 1651934Kiski SchoolMonongahela, PA Mike Sebastian*halfback95' 10" 1671934Sharon H. S.Sharon, Pa. John Luch*fullback8 5' 10"1901933Warwood H. S.Wheeling, WV Robert Timmonsend 76' 1681934Allegheny H. S.Pittsburgh, PA John Love*tackle96' 1"1961934Jeannette H. S.Jeannette, PA George Schindehutteguard3 5' 9"1701933McKees Rocks H. S. McKees Rocks, PA Robert Morris*center76'1791932Bellaire H. S. Bellaire, OH Art Craftend26' 1701934New Castle H. S.New Castle, PA Joe Tomminsend35' 10" 1691932Farrell H. S.Farrell, PA Charles Hartwigguard15' 11" 1701934Warwood H. S. Wheeling, WV Melvin Brownhalfback75' 9"1601933Central H. S.Pittsburgh, PA Paul Cubaguard35' 11" 1801933New Castle H. S.New Castle, PA Herman Yentchguard45' 11" 1751932Perkiomen PrepHarrisburg, PA Zola Alpertquarterback7 5' 10"1551933Culver Military AcademyPittsburgh, PA Ray Andersontackle3 6' 1"1801933Coraopolis H. S.Coraopolis, PA Arthur Sekayhalfback2 5' 9"1551933Schenley H. S.Pittsburgh, PA Howard Geliniquarterback45' 10"1701934Weirton H. S.Weirton, WV Howard O'Dellhalfback35' 9" 1601934Central H. S. Sioux City, IA William Hassonfullback55' 7"1701934South H. S.Pittsburgh, PA R. K. Smithguard26' 1751934Staunton Jeannette, PA Frank Tiernantackle16' 1851934 Sewickley H. S. Sewickley, PA Dick Matesichalfback75' 11"1761934Bellefonte AcademyWheeling, WV Eric Hellerhalfback25' 9"1671934Mt. Lebanon H. S.Mt. Lebanon, PA Robert Harderguard15' 10"1901934Peabody H. S.Pittsburgh, PA Jack Strickerhalfback25' 11"1651934South Hills H. S.Pittsburgh, PA Harold Rothhalfback25' 9"1701934Dennison H. S.Dennison, OH Ben Dellohalfback15' 8"1641934Johnstown H. S.Johnstown, PA John McCurdyhalfback15' 10"1601934 Oakmont, PA Bernard Windt*student manager 1932Peabody H. S. Pittsburgh, PA * Letterman
Game summaries
Miami (OH)
The Panthers inaugurated their 1931 football season against the Miami (OH) Redskins at Pitt Stadium on September 26. Chester Pittser was in his eighth year as head coach of Miami (OH). Les Biederman of The Pittsburgh Press reported: "...the Ohioans, while not hoping for a victory, expect to give the Panthers a rough and ready battle, with Wilbur Cartwright, an ace runner and passer, in the major role." In 1930, Redskin halfback Wilbur Cartwright gained his notoriety by rushing for 1,168 yards.
Coach Sutherland spoke with The Pitt Weekly: "I am just as anxious as you are to find out just what kind of team we have this year, but we won't be able to tell until we have been in a game. We have reserves, but experience will probably clinch the doubtful positions. The team this year isn't the best that we've had. And the schedule is tough too."
The Pitt Weekly noted: "One hundred fifteen musicians will march in full military dress, under the leadership of student director James F. Reed, Col. '32, at Saturday's game in Pitt Stadium, according to an announcement by Manager William Young, Col. '33. Drum Major Robert Hogue will lead the drill."
Paul Reider took the opening kick-off 95 yards for a touchdown and the Panthers offense did not stop until they had amassed 61 points to the Ohioans' 0. Pitt scored 10 touchdowns. Warren Heller led the way with four. Paul Reider scored twice. Mike Sebastian, Dick Matesic, Melvin Brown and Eric Heller each added one to the total. Pitt's only problem was converting extra points - Paul Reider missed 6; Zora Alpert and William Hasson each missed one; Rocco Cutri was successful on one of his two attempts. Otherwise, the Panther offense dominated with 30 first downs, 499 yards rushing and 113 yards gained through the air. The Panther defense was strong also, as Miami only managed to earn three first downs and gain 91 total yards. The Redskins finished the season with a 4–5 record. In 1949, Pitt and Miami (OH) would meet for the second and last time on the gridiron.
The Pitt starting lineup for the game against Miami (OH) was Edward Hirschberg (left end), Jesse Quatse (left tackle), Walter Milligan (left guard), Ralph Daugherty (center), Hart Morris (right guard), James MacMurdo (right tackle), Paul Collins (right end), Bob Hogan (quarterback), Warren Heller (left halfback), Paul Reider (right halfback) and James Clark (fullback). Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were Theodore Dailey, Arthur Timmons, Joe Tommins, John Meredith, John Love, Frank Tiernan, Francis Seigel, George Schindehutte, R. K. Smith, Joe Tormey, Richard Morris, Tarciscio Onder, Charles Hartwig, Robert Halder, John Valenti, Paul Cuba, Ray Anderson, Joseph Skladany, Arthur Craft, Rocco Cutri, Zora Alpert, Howard Gelini, James Simms, Melvin Brown, Howard O'Dell, Eric Heller, Harold Roth, John McCurdy, Mike Sebastian, Arthur Sekay, Dick Matesic, Jack Schricker, Ben Dello, John Luch and William Hasson.
At Iowa
The first road game of the season was to Iowa City, Iowa to take on Burton Ingwersen's Iowa Hawkeyes of the Big Ten. Pitt and Iowa had met three times on the basketball court (1928, 1929, 1930), but this was the first meeting on the gridiron. Pitt Chancellor John G. Bowman was the former President of the University of Iowa, and Pitt Athletic Director, W. Don Harrison, was a graduate of the University.
Iowa was suspended from the Big Ten on May 25, 1929, for a slush fund recruiting scandal. In 1930 they were readmitted, allowed to play one conference game, and ended the season with a 4–4–1 record. This was Iowa's opening game. The Iowa City Press-Citizen noted: "Seven men who were slated for first string positions are in the hospital or on the injured list forcing Coach Burt Ingwersen to depend upon second string linemen to withstand the Golden Panthers' famed attack. That job, stopping the east's most powerful running club, would be a task for any first string line let alone a reserve lineup."
On the night of September 30, thirty-three Panthers boarded the train headed west and arrived in Chicago the next morning. A two-hour workout session was held on Stagg Field. The team enjoyed a visit to the theater after dinner, and then they reboarded the train and arrived the following morning in Davenport, Iowa. The Panthers held a secret drill in Davenport's Municipal Stadium. The team was in great condition in spite of the long journey. After the team converted only one of ten placements in the Miami game, Coach Sutherland designated tackle James MacMurdo the placement kicker.