The 1926 Pittsburgh Panthers football team was an American football team that represented the University of Pittsburgh as an independent during the 1926 college football season. In its third season under head coach Jock Sutherland, the team compiled a 5–2–2 record and outscored all opponents by a total of 170 to 73. The team played all nine of its games at home at Pitt Stadium in Pittsburgh.
Schedule
Preseason
With the 8–1 record recorded by his 1925 eleven, the Jock Sutherland system of football was validated to the Pitt faithful. Unfortunately, graduation depleted his strong team. John Harding, Jesse Brown, Andy Gustafson, Ralph Chase, Zoner Wissinger and John Kifer were all gone from the starting lineup along with top reserves Ulhard Hangartner, Frank Benedict, Robert Irwin and Carl McCutcheon.
The lettermen selected end Blair McMillin as captain for the 1926 season.
On January 12, John B. McGrady, a junior in the School of Industrial Engineering, was appointed varsity football manager for the 1926 season by Karl E. Davis, graduate manager of athletics.
Fifty young men attended coach Sutherland's second spring football practice from April 7 – May 1. Prior to camp, Coach Sutherland canvassed the university to recruit young men with football experience who never tried out for the Pitt team. The Pitt Weekly reported: "The spring work has always been heralded as an opportunity to review the fundamentals of the game and to find new men. Players who never before applied for football here attended the sessions and several have excellent chances of earning places on the team." The session closed Saturday, May 1 with a full length practice game.
On August 31 the fourteenth edition of Camp Hamilton commenced for close to 50 hopeful lads vying for positions on the 1926 Pitt squad. Coach Sutherland and his staff had three weeks to craft his men into a cohesive unit to take on the nine game home schedule that awaited. The schedule is harder, "beyond a doubt, than that of any eleven in the East, South or West. There is the question whether or not the bevy of inexperienced, unseasoned men who have been called on to fill the gaps cut in the ranks by graduation will measure up." Student Manager John McCrady encapsulated his myriad of memories acquired at Camp Hamilton for the 1928 Owl Yearbook:"At the mention of Camp Hamilton to any of those who have done time there brings first a glamorless memory of monotonous plugging, of sprains and bruises and fatigue; but then comes a memory of the chill of the cool evenings, the dripping dampness of white tents, the rushing murmur of Paint Creek, the discordant jangling of the first bell. At Camp Hamilton acquaintances are formed and friendships sealed. There is an irrepressible spirit born of perseverance and self-sacrifice which draws and binds the men together. Inconveniences are undergone willingly, injuries borne patiently, strict training rules adhered to without protest. Any manager, ex-manager, or assistant manager, will tell you that the contact with this group, and the friendships and acquaintances made mean more to him than the attaining of the managership. Any player will tell you that it is these few weeks at Camp Hamilton that inculcate a fighting spirit into the members of the squad, which gives zest to the whole season. In my three pilgrimages to Windber Wilderness I have never seen a more wonderful spirit among managers, players and coaches, than was shown last fall.
With the team back in school, practice was held in the stadium so the 75 freshmen team aspirants could use the practice field. At the stadium, the day before the first game against Allegheny College, Coach Sutherland allowed the student body to watch practice for the first time.
Coaching staff
1926 Pittsburgh Panthers football staff Coaching staff John B. "Jock" Sutherland – Head coach Guy "Chalky" Williamson – Assistant coach Paul Templeton – Assistant coach Alexander Stevenson – Assistant coach H. Clifford Carlson – Freshman coach Ulhardt Hangartner – assistant freshman coach Support staff John B. McCrady– student football manager Thomas R. Kendrick – team physician Ollie DeVictor – team trainer Karl E. Davis – graduate manager of athletics George I. Carson – assistant graduate manager
Roster 1926 Pittsburgh Panthers football roster Blair V. McMillin*end85' 11"165201927CollegeWilkinsburg H. S.Wilkinsburg, Pa. Alfred Amannquarterback35' 9"171221927Business Adm.Bellefonte AcademyJeannette, Pa. Joseph A. Archibaldguard46' 1"166221927DentalBellefonte AcademyPittsburgh, Pa. Markley Barnes*center65' 8"172231929Business Adm.Broaddus AcademyWellsburg, W. Va. Allan A. Booth*fullback 95' 8"187221928DentalSharon H. S.Sharon, Pa. John P. Breencenter25' 10"155211928Business Adm.New Brighton H. S.Pittsburgh, Pa. Charles Crabbhalfback45' 9"149221930DentalCharleoi H. S.Charleroi, Pa. Andrew A. Cutler*center86'190211928DentalBellefonte AcademyFredericktown, Pa. John C. Davisfullback16' 1"190221929DentalJuniata CollegeHuntington, W. Va. Felix F. Demoise*end75' 9"157231928DentalGreensburg H. S.Greensburg, Pa. Charles Detweilertackle06' 1"185201929CollegeCrafton H. S.Crafton, Pa. Albert DeMeolo*guard85' 11"176201930DentalBellefonte AcademyCoraopolis, Pa. Francis Donovanguard15' 10"187221928DentalSt. Francis CollegeRenovo, Pa. Chester D. Doverspiketackle06'184201928Business Adm.New Bethlehem H. S.New Bethlehem, Pa. Paul R. Fisher*guard66'184201928EnglishAvalon H. S.Avalon, Pa. Alexander Foxtackle15' 11"172201929Business Adm.New Castle H. S.New Castle, Pa. Dwight W. Fyock*fullback45' 10"161221928Business Adm.Johnstown H. S.Johnstown, Pa. Mike Gettotackle56' 2"197201929Business Adm.Jeannette H. S.Jeannette, Pa. Philip Goldbergend15' 10"154181929CollegeNew Kensington H. S.New Kensington, Pa. Richard Goldbergcenter46'184211928DentalSlippery Rock NormalNew Kensington, Pa. John E. Grindlehalfback25' 7"161231928CoillegePotomac StateLonaconing, Md. Albert Guarino*end85' 8"168221929CollegeBellefonte AcademyGreensburg, Pa. James Hagan*halfback85' 9"170211928Business Adm.Windber H. S.Windber, Pa. Harold Hartensteinhalfback05' 9"159201928DentalSuffield SchoolNew Haven, Ct.Theodore Helsingend06'168201929EnglishWilkinsburg H. S.Wilkinsburg, Pa. Lee R. Herringtonhalfback05' 8"155211927Pre-Medical Uniontown H. S.Uniontown, Pa. Walter Hobanhalfback15' 8"155221928DentalSharpsville H. S.Sharpsville, Pa. Clyde A. Jack*end45' 11" 171221927DentalThe Kiski SchoolRidgway, Pa. William Kern*tackle96' 1"180211928Business Adm.Wyoming SeminaryKingston, Pa. Howard Linn*guard85' 11"194231927EnglishBellefonte AcademyCarnegie, Pa. Charles McLeanguard05' 11"161 201929Pre-MedicalThe Kiski SchoolHomestead, Pa. Theodore Meiertackle05' 11"192201929Business Adm.East Erie H. S.Erie, Pa. John A. Roberts*end86' 2"180201928CollegeParkersburg H. S.Parkersburg, W. Va. James Rooney*quarterback95' 11"170201930DentalBellefonte AcademyPittsburgh, Pa. Edgar Roushtackle05' 11"164201929Business Adm.Holy Rosary H. S.Pittsburgh, Pa. Andrew J. Salata*tackle95' 10"192221928DentalWyoming SeminaryYoungstown, Pa. Philip Sargeantend16' 172201928DentalNew Castle H. S.New Castle, Pa. James A. Scanlonend36' 173221928DentalThe Kiski SchoolPittsburgh, Pa. Joseph Schmitt*halfback85' 11"154221927DentalThe Kiski SchoolDonora, Pa. Edward Seifertguard05' 11"200201928Business Adm.Schenley H. S.Pittsburgh, Pa. Edward Sherakoend06' 1"167211929Business Adm.Wyoming SeminaryPlymouth, Pa. Milford Wallerguard05' 11"200201930DentalSouth Hills H. S.Pittsburgh, Pa. Chester H. Wasmuth*tackle65' 11"190211928DentalUnion H. S.Turtle Creek, Pa. Gilbert L. Welch*halfback85' 11"165221928Business Adm.Bellefonte AcademyParkersburg, W. Va. John B. McCrady*manager 1927 Business Adm.Edgewood H. S.Edgewood, Pa. * Letterman
Game summaries
Allegheny
Allegheny College in Meadville, PA was the opening game opponent for the Panthers. Pitt led the all-time series with Allegheny by a 4–2 margin. Pitt out scored the Methodists in the last three games played by 46, 35 and 74 points, but the two had not met on the gridiron since 1916. First year Allegheny coach Melvin P. Merritt installed the Dartmouth-Hawley system to counter the Sutherland-Warner system. "Coach Merritt played at Dartmouth during the regime of Dr. C. W. Spears and was assistant later under Jack Cannell and Jess Hawley. If the Methodists have perfected forward passing in a manner in any way comparable to the Green's air attack of last fall, they may be counted on to keep the Panthers' secondary defense on the alert."
Pitt halfback, Gilbert "Gibby" Welch suffered an injury at Camp Hamilton and was not in the starting lineup. Otherwise, the Panthers were healthy and Coach Sutherland planned to make numerous substitutions during the game.
"Allegheny College's game and doughty little eleven exceeded the fondest hopes of its most ardent supporters yesterday. By holding the Pitt Panthers to a 9 to 7 score in the opening game of the season at the Pitt stadium, the Meadville Methodists carried home with them virtually a victory." "The Panther margin of victory was only a safety, which came after a succession of fumbles and finally ended up with (Andy) Cutler tackling Davis of Allegheny behind his own goal line for the points necessary to triumph."
Pitt's first possession started on their own 20-yard line. James Hagan and Joseph Schmitt alternated carrying the ball off-tackle and around the ends. From the Allegheny 2-yard line "Hagan ran wide around right end for the touchdown." Allan Booth converted the placement and Pitt led 7 to 0. Allegheny countered at the start of the third period. The Methodists gained possession on the Pitt 40-yard line. Four straight pass plays resulted in a first down on the Pitt 25-yard line. Another pass from Waleski to Davis was good for the touchdown. Waleski kicked the extra point and the score remained tied until Davis's critical fumble late in the fourth quarter. Allegheny finished the season with a 4–5 record.
The Pitt lineup for the game against Allegheny was Blair McMillin (left end), Andrew Salata (left tackle), Howard Linn (left guard), Andrew Cutler (center), John Roberts (right guard), William Kern (right tackle), Felix Demoise (left end), James Rooney (quarterback), James Hagan (left halfback), Joseph Schmitt (right halfback) and Allan Booth (fullback). Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were Alfred Amann, Joseph Archibald, Markley Barnes, Allan Booth, John Breen, Charles Crabb, Albert DiMeolo, Paul Fisher, Mike Getto, John Grindle, Albert Guarino and Clyde Jack.
Georgetown
Future Hall of Fame coach Lou Little brought his Georgetown eleven to Pitt Stadium for the second game of the 1926 season. The teams last met in 1914. Pitt was ahead in the all-time series 2–0, outscoring the Blue and Grey 38–0. Georgetown, under the direction of coach Little, finished the 1925 season with a 9–1 record. Coach Little upgraded the schedule by adding Pitt, West Virginia, Syracuse and Navy to the 1926 slate. The Blue and Gray beat Drexel 42–0 in their season opener. The Georgetown team averaged close to 190 pounds per man. Guard Harry Connaughton, a consensus All-American pick, anchored the line. "Coach Lou Little confided to friends in Washington that he plans to use his running attack against the Panthers. While he would not definitely predict a victory, it is known that he has all the confidence in the world in his charges."
Gilbert Welch was back in the lineup at halfback and Coach Sutherland hoped his pass defense was improved over the showing against Allegheny.