The 1963 Pittsburgh Panthers football team represented the University of Pittsburgh as an independent during the 1963 NCAA University Division football season. Led by ninth-year head coach John Michelosen, the Panthers were 9–1 and were fourth in the final AP poll, third in the coaches poll. The team played its home games at Pitt Stadium in Pittsburgh.
The Panthers did not play in a bowl game; their most recent postseason appearance was in 1956 and the next was in 1973.
Schedule
Opener at UCLA was played on Friday night. Following the assassination of President Kennedy, the Penn State game was postponed two weeks to December 7.
Preseason
On March 25, Coach Michelosen welcomed 66 players, including 30 lettermen for his ninth spring practice session. The coaches were allotted 20 days of practice to be completed by April 27. The annual Blue-White game was played on that date at Pitt Stadium. The Blues managed an 8–0 victory with no time remaining on a 15-yard interception return by guard Ray Popp. The two point conversion was successful (a pass from Ray Conway to John Verkleeran).
On April 2, Pitt assistant line coach Frank Lauterbur was named head coach at Toledo University. On August 24, the Athletic Department announced the hiring of Joe Pullekines to replace Lauterbur. Pullekines previously coached as a graduate assistant for Pitt, while pursuing his dental degree.
A squad of 60 players, including 27 lettermen, were invited to fall camp at Allegheny College in Meadville, PA, commencing on August 19. The squad returned to campus on September 1 for class registration, and then practiced on campus for their opening game at UCLA on September 20.
Game summaries At UCLA
Pitt opened their 1963 season with a trip to the West Coast to play the UCLA Bruins for the sixth time. Pitt led the all-time series 3–2. The Bruins returned 25 lettermen including All-American end candidate Mel Profit. Pitt followed their normal procedure of a stopover in Albuquerque, NM. Coach Michelosen held a team work-out on the University of New Mexico field, and then the squad proceeded to Los Angeles.
On September 20, Pitt defeated the UCLA Bruins 20–0 in front of 28,095 fans at the Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles. Pitt kicked off and forced a punt. They gained possession on the UCLA 48-yard line. On the seventh play, Paul Martha ran over the right side for the score from the 4-yard line. Rick Leeson kicked the point after and Pitt led 7–0. Later in the quarter, UCLA intercepted a Fred Mazurek pass and returned it to the Panthers' 11-yard line. Pitt's defense held and the Panthers took over on their 9-yard line. UCLA did not threaten to score again. Rick Leeson scored 10 points in the second quarter on a 27-yard field goal, 1-yard plunge and extra point for a 17–0 halftime lead. Then, Leeson capped the scoring with a 31-yard field goal in the third quarter.
The Panthers gained 202 yards rushing and 227 yards passing. Halfback Eric Crabtree led the team with 44 rushing yards on 8 carries. Quarterback Fred Mazurek contributed 43 rushing yards on 7 carries and completed 8 of 11 passes for 106 yards. Kenny Lucas completed 4 of 8 passes for 70 yards and Fred Novak completed 4 of 7 passes for 51 yards.
The starting Pitt line-up for the game against UCLA was Al Grigaliunas (left end), John Maczuzak (left tackle), Jeff Ware (left guard), Charles Ahlborn (center), Ed Adamchik (right guard), Ernest Borghetti (right tackle), Joe Kuzneski (right end), Fred Mazurek (quarterback), Paul Martha (left halfback), Bill Bodle (right halfback) and Rick Leeson (fullback). Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were William Howley, Mitchell Zalansky, Ronald Linaburg, Tom Raymond, Ray Popp, Bernie LaQuinta, Joe Novogratz, Bob Guzinsky, Martin Schottenheimer, Paul Cercel, Fred Hoaglin, James Irwin, James Jones, Dennis Bernick, John Jenkins, John Verkleeren, Eugene Sobolewski, Kenny Lucas, Fred Novak, Tom Black, Glen Lehner, Dale Stewart, Eric Crabtree, Robert Roeder, John Ozimek, John Telesky and Barry McKnight.
Washington
On September 28, the Panthers home opener was against the Washington Huskies. Coach Jim Owens' Huskies had 14 returning lettermen, and were led by All-American guard candidate Rick Redman. Pitt led the all-time series 3–1.
In front of 37,136 fans, the Panthers won their second game in a row by defeating the Huskies 13–6. Late in the first quarter, the Panthers started a 75-yard, 11 play drive that ended, on the fourth play of the second quarter, with quarterback Fred Mazurek scoring on a 1-yard sneak. Rick Leeson kicked the extra point for a 7–0 halftime lead. Washington threatened in the second quarter, but fumbled on the Panthers' 3-yard line. The Huskies scored in the final period on a 49-yard, 10-play drive. Dave Kopay scored from the 2-yard line. Fred Mazurek tackled Charley Browning in the backfield on the two point attempt to keep the Panthers in the lead 7–6. Pitt tackle Ernie Borghetti recovered the onside kick on the Panthers' 48-yard line. On the fifth play, Mazurek hit Joe Kuzneski with a 14-yard touchdown pass. Leeson missed the extra point. The Huskies Steve Bramwell returned the kick-off 70 yards to the Panthers 27-yard line. Mazurek intercepted a Bill Douglas pass which gave Pitt possession on their 13-yard line. The Panthers then drove to the Washington 1-yard line, and fumbled with 1 minute remaining.
Fred Mazurek ran 7 times for 21 yards and completed 11 of 16 passes for 117 yards. He also caught a pass for an 11 yard gain. Paul Martha (82 yards) and Rick Leeson (48 yards) led the team in rushing.
The Pitt starting line-up for the game against Washington was Al Grigaliunas (left end), John Maczuzak (left tackle), Jeff Ware (left guard), Charles Ahlborn (center), Ed Adamchik (right guard), Ernest Borghetti (right tackle), Joe Kuzneski (right end), Fred Mazurek (quarterback), Paul Martha (left halfback), Bill Bodle (right halfback) and Rick Leeson (fullback). Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were William Howley, Ronald Linaburg, Ray Popp, Bernie LaQuinta, Martin Schottenheimer, Paul Cercel, James Irwin, James Jones, John Jenkins, John Verkleeren, Eugene Sobolewski, Kenny Lucas, Tom Black, Glen Lehner, Dale Stewart, Eric Crabtree, Robert Roeder and John Telesky.
California
On October 5, the Panthers played the California Bears (their third Athletic Association of Western Universities opponent) at Pitt Stadium. Coach Marv Levy's Bears were 1–1 on the season and a two touchdown underdog. Pitt led the all-time series 2–1.
Pitt made it three straight with a decisive 35–15 victory. Cal halfback Jim Blakeney took the opening kick-off 85 yards for the game's first score, and Tom Blanchfield's placement put Cal ahead 7–0. Pitt scored the next 35 points. Paul Martha completed a 10-play, 61-yard march with a 1-yard slant over left tackle. Fred Mazurek ran over the right side for the two point conversion to put Pitt ahead 8–7. Eric Crabtree scored 3 minutes later on a 47-yard reverse around the left side. Rick Leeson converted the first of his three placements to make the score 15–7. Crabtree caught a 10-yard touchdown pass from Kenny Lucas in the second quarter, and Leeson's placement made the halftime score 22–7. Leeson scored on a 32-yard pass from Mazurek in the third period. Barry McKnight closed the Panther scoring with a last quarter 14-yard run to cap a 14-play, 84-yard drive. Cal made the score more respectable against Pitt's reserves with a Craig Morton 14-yard touchdown pass to Craig Schraub. Morton passed to Schraub for the two point conversion.
The Pitt starting line-up for the game against California was Al Grigaliunas (left end), John Maczuzak (left tackle), Jeff Ware (left guard), Charles Ahlborn (center), Ed Adamchik (right guard), Ernest Borghetti (right tackle), Joe Kuzneski (right end), Fred Mazurek (quarterback), Paul Martha (left halfback), Bill Bodle (right halfback) and Rick Leeson (fullback). Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were William Howley, Ronald Linaburg, Ray Popp, Bernie LaQuinta, Martin Schottenheimer, Paul Cercel, James Irwin, James Jones, John Jenkins, John Ozimek, Eugene Sobolewski, Kenny Lucas, Francis Novak, Tom Black, Glen Lehner, Dale Stewart, Eric Crabtree, Robert Roeder, Barry McKnight and John Telesky.
At West Virginia
On October 19, the 1963 Backyard Brawl was played on Mountaineer Field. Coach Gene Corum's Mounties were 2–2 on the season, and a two touchdown underdog to the #3 ranked Panthers. Pitt led the all-time series 39–15–1, but had lost 3 of the previous 4.
In front of 31,000 Homecoming Day fans, Pitt managed a come-from-behind 13–10 victory to improve their record to 4–0. The Pitt offense drove to the WVU 15 to open the game, but Paul Martha fumbled. The Panthers regained possession on their own 29-yard line. An 11-play drive was capped with a Fred Mazurek 5-yard touchdown pass to Joe Kuzneski. Rick Leeson booted the point after and Pitt led 7–0. West Virginia kicker Chuck Kinder made a 31-yard field goal in the second quarter that was dominated by 90 yards of penalties (50 on Pitt and 40 on WVU). After earlier having a touchdown negated by a clipping penalty, and then fumbling on the Pitt 2-yard line, West Virginia's offense scored in the final quarter on a 5-yard pass from Jerry Yost to Dick Leftridge. Kinder added the placement and the Mountaineers led 10–7. Pitt took possession on their 20-yard line. Martha raced 46-yards through the left side of the defense for the go-ahead score on the sixth play. Leeson missed the extra point. Then Pitt's Bob Roeder intercepted a Yost pass at midfield, and Pitt ran out the clock.
Fred Mazurek completed 7 of 9 passes for 82 yards. Fullback Rick Leeson carried the ball 11 times for 82 yards, and he caught 3 passes for 40 yards.
The Pitt starting line-up for the game against West Virginian was Al Grigaliunas (left end), John Maczuzak (left tackle), Jeff Ware (left guard), Charles Ahlborn (center), Ed Adamchik (right guard), Ernest Borghetti (right tackle), Joe Kuzneski (right end), Fred Mazurek (quarterback), Paul Martha (left halfback), Bill Bodle (right halfback) and Rick Leeson (fullback). Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were William Howley, James Jones, Ray Popp, Martin Schottenheimer, Paul Cercel, James Irwin, Bernard LaQuinta, Ronald Linaburg, James Jenkins, John Verkleeren, Robert Long, Kenny Lucas, Glenn Lehner, Tom Black, Robert Roeder, Eric Crabtree, John Telesky, Barry McKnight and Marvin Lippincot.
at Navy
On October 26, The Panthers travelled to Annapolis, MD to play the Navy Midshipmen. Pitt led the all-time series 7–3–1, but had lost 2 of the past 3 games. Wayne Hardin's Middies were 4–1 on the season and ranked #10. Pitt was ranked #3 and was a 4-point underdog.