The 1930 Pittsburgh Panthers football team was an American football team that represented the University of Pittsburgh as an independent during the 1930 college football season. In its seventh season under head coach Jock Sutherland, the team compiled a 6–2–1 record, shut out five of its nine opponents, and outscored all opponents by a total of 186 to 69. The team played its home games at Pitt Stadium in Pittsburgh.
Schedule
Preseason
Coach Sutherland needed to replace eleven members of the 1929 squad. Five regulars, Albert DiMeolo, Ray Montgomery, Joe Donchess, Toby Uansa and Tom Parkinson, received All-America honors, while the six substitutes – Markley Barnes, James Rooney, Felix Wilps, Arthur Corson, William Loehr and Charles Edwards – all played substantial minutes during the season. At the annual banquet Sutherland "bemoaned the loss of so many of his 1929 stars, saying that a good team could be formed of the players who graduate next spring." He continued: "Our 1930 schedule is the hardest we have ever tackled. We play four times away from home, something a Pitt team has not done in years. We have six consecutive games with Class A opponents. My prediction is that we will win some games we may be expected to lose and lose some which look like sure victories." He named Edward Baker captain. Walter Kearney was later appointed student manager for the 1930 season.
Jock Sutherland's coaching staff had to be restocked for the 1930 season. Charles W. Bowser, assistant coach in charge of the backfield, became head coach at Bowdoin College. Alexander Stevenson, assistant Pitt coach and scout since 1909, contracted pneumonia upon his return from the Rose Bowl and died on February 5. Andy Gustafson, former Pitt fullback, succeeded Charles Bowser as head backfield coach. He had been the head coach at Virginia Tech from 1926 to 1929. 1929 All-Americans Joe Donchess and Ray Montgomery were both hired by the athletic council to assist coach Sutherland for the 1930 season. Montgomery coached the varsity linemen and taught in the physical education department. Donchess was still in medical school and assisted team physician Dr. Shanor with physical conditioning of the players. He also helped coach the ends. Bill Kern, former All-American Pitt tackle, was added to the staff during spring practice. He coached the linemen. The appointment of Ulhardt Hangartner, former Panther guard, completed the coaching staff. He was hired to assist the linemen and be in charge of scouting.
On March 15 coach Sutherland welcomed a record turnout for the start of spring practice. He was anxious to get a glimpse of the new material from last year's freshmen team. The spring session consisted of an hour and a half of basic football drills every afternoon for five or six weeks. Daily scrimmages helped to weed out the players with little or no varsity promise. The spring session determined who got invited to Camp Hamilton for the preseason conditioning.
The 1930 spring session came to a somber conclusion, as veteran running back Leo Murphy sustained a broken neck while blocking during a scrimmage on April 23. He died 6 days later.
Thirty-seven varsity hopefuls were invited to Camp Hamilton on September 1 for the annual preseason conditioning program. Coach Sutherland sent out the invitations with a copy of the rule book and a pair of cleats. His message: "Get the shoes well broken in before you report to camp. Familiarize yourself with the new changes in regards to the rules and study the book so that you are in perfect familiarity with the laws of the game." James Hagan, assistant athletic director, was in charge of the camp. He was ably assisted by student manager Walter Kearney. Trainer Bud Moore, physician Dr. H. A. R. Shanor and equipment manager Percy Brown were all in attendance. After three weeks of training, the team returned to Pittsburgh and practiced on the hill above the stadium in preparation for the home opener against Waynesburg College. Coach Sutherland summarized training camp: "The squad finished at camp in good physical shape but we're a few days late in our schedule as a result of a keen fight for positions, and I will be unable to name a starting lineup for the Waynesburg game for a few days yet."
Coaching staff 1930 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 Ulhardt Hangartner – Assistant coach - scout Roscoe "Skip" Gougler – Freshman coach Support staff Walter Kearney– 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
Roster 1930 Pittsburgh Panthers football roster Edward Baker*quarterback96' 1" 1661931Nanticoke H. S.Nanticoke, PA Harold "Josh" Williams*halfback75' 10" 1661931Mars H. S.Mars, PA Charles Tully*tackle96' 1" 1811931Warwood H. S. Wheeling, WV Franklin Hood*halfback86' 1951931Bellefonte AcademyMonaca, Pa. William Walinchus*halfback85' 11" 1691931Mahanoy City H. S.Mahanoy City, PA Ernest Lewis*guard95' 9" 1841931Steelton H. S.Steelton, PA Harry Wagner*quarterback55' 10" 1581931Schenley H. S. Pittsburgh, PA Edward Schultz*halfback45' 9"1601931St. Thomas Prep.West Pittston, PA Al Ciper*tackle26'1801931Glenwillard H. S.Glenwillard, PA Ralph Daugherty*center85' 11"1741932Kiski SchoolFreeport, PA James MacMurdotackle66' 2" 1891932Ellwood City H. S.Ellwood City, PA Paul Collinsend76' 1781932Central H. S. Sioux City, IA Jesse Quatse*tackle95' 10" 1951933Greensburg H. S.Rillton, PA Hart Morris*guard65' 10" 1751932Bellaire H. S. Bellaire, OH Edward Hirshberg*end85' 11"1731932McKeesport H. S. East McKeesport, PA James Clark*fullback65' 9"1621932Greensburg H.S. Greensburg, PA Vladimar Babictackle46'1771932Duquesne H. S.Duquesne, PA Robert Morriscenter26'1791932Bellaire H. S. Bellaire, OH Walter Milligan*guard85' 10"1681933Kiski SchoolMcKees Rocks, PA Herman Yentchguard25' 11" 1751932Perkiomen PrepHarrisburg, PA Jack Kelly*halfback25' 9" 1531932Latrobe H. S. Latrobe, PA Joe Tomminsend15' 10" 1691932Farrell H. S.Farrell, PA Theodore Dailey*end95' 10" 1551933Phillipsburg H. S. Phillipsburg, NJ Frank Waltontackle35' 10"2001933Beaver Falls H. S. Beaver Falls, PA Paul Cubaguard35' 11" 1801933New Castle H. S.New Castle, PA Joseph Tormey*center75' 11" 1801933Erie Academy Erie, PA Francis Seigelguard45' 10" 1731933Central H. S. Sioux City, IACharles Millertackle26' 1771933 McKinley H. S. Louisville, OH Rocco Cutriquarterback36'1701933Erie Academy Erie, PA Paul Reider*halfback85' 9" 1501933Bellefonte Academy New Castle. PA Warren Heller*halfback95' 10"1551933Steelton H. S.Steelton, PA John Luchfullback3 5' 10"1901933Warwood H. S.Wheeling, WV Melvin Brownhalfback6 5' 9"1601933Central H. S.Pittsburgh, PA Zola Alpertquarterback2 5' 10"1551933Culver Military AcademyPittsburgh, PA Ray Andersontackle2 6' 1'1801933Coraopolis H. S.Coraopolis, PA Isadore Cohenend 05' 11"1651933Central H. S.Philadelphia, PA George Schindehutteguard1 5' 9"1701933McKees Rocks H. S. McKees Rocks, PA Arthur Sekayhalfback2 5' 9"1551933Schenley H. S.Pittsburgh, PA Walter A. Kearney*student manager 1931 Altoona H. S. Altoona, PA * Letterman
Game summaries
Waynesburg
After losing to Pitt 53–0 in 1929, Frank N. Wolf and his Waynesburg Yellow Jackets returned to be Pitt's opening game opponent. The Jackets were upset in their opening game by Slippery Rock (6–0). Havey Boyle of the Post-Gazette summarized the absurdity of the matchup: "Sending Waynesburg against Pitt, which operation will occur at the stadium tomorrow, is different from sending a Christian into an arena containing lions as the dinner bell is tapping, but only because the Pitt players do not eat their prey. But Waynesburg has about the same chance as the brave martyrs of old....Waynesburg will gain something besides bruised bodies from the encounter. It tends to harden them and gives them a better outlook when they come across a team in their own class. Pitt, of course, gets the advantage of scrimmage practice without running the usual risks of hurting their own players."
The Panthers won the game 52 to 0, with every man on the active roster participating. The Panther offense earned 24 first downs and scored 8 touchdowns. The Pitt defense held Waynesburg to one first down. A brisk wind played havoc with the extra points, as Pitt was able to only convert 4 of 8. Waynesburg finished the season with a 2-7 record.
The University of Pittsburgh student magazine The Pitt Panther doubled as the game day program.
The Pitt starting lineup for the Waynesburg game was James MacMurdo (left end), Jesse Quatse (left tackle), Hart Morris (left guard), Ralph Daugherty (center), Ernest Lewis (right guard), Charles Tully (right tackle), Edward Hirshberg (right end), Edward Baker (quarterback), Josh Williams (left halfback), Warren Heller (right halfback), and Frank Hood (fullback). Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were Melvin Brown, Art Sekay, Bucky Wagner, Jack Kelly, Ed Schultz, Francis Seigel, Mike Milligan, Walter Babic, Al Ciper, Charles Miller, Paul Collins, Joe Tommins, Rocco Cutri, John Luch, Frank Walton, Joe Tormey, Ray Anderson, Bill Walinchus, Ted Dailey, Paul Reider, Paul Cuba, Bob Morris, Herman Yentch, Zola Alpert and George Shindehutte.
At West Virginia
The Panther squad's first road trip of the season was to Morgantown, WV for the 26th gridiron meeting with the Mountaineers. West Virginia was led by sixth-year coach Ira Rodgers. The Panthers had not been to Morgantown since the 1917 season when Coach Sutherland played for Pitt and Coach Rogers played for West Virginia. The Mountaineers were 2–0 on the season after beating Duquesne (7–0) and West Virginia Wesleyan (26–0). Pitt led the series 16-8-1.
Future Hall-of-Fame coach Ben Schwartzwalder started at center for the Mountaineers.
By 1930 the travel options to Morgantown were numerous. The Panther squad rode the train; the 100 piece student band, cheerleaders and mascot rode in buses; and students and fans had the choice of train, bus or car.
In front of the largest crowd to ever watch a game on Mountaineer Field (22,000), the Pitt Panthers beat the West Virginia Mountaineers 16 to 0. The Pitt offense turned two long drives into scores. The Panthers marched 85 yards in the first quarter, and 59 yards in the third quarter. Fullback Franklin Hood scored both touchdowns, and Edward Baker added the placements. The Panthers earned a safety when Mountaineer quarterback Jake Sebulsky was tackled in the end zone, after he fumbled James MacMurdo's kickoff into the end zone. The Pitt defense held the Mounties scoreless. West Virginia's offense earned seven first downs, and only entered Pitt territory in the fourth quarter. The Mountaineers earned a first down on the Pitt 24-yard line, but an attempted pass was fumbled and Pitt recovered to stop the drive. The Mountaineers finished the season with a 5–5 record.
The Pitt starting lineup for the game against West Virginia was James MacMurdo (left end), Jesse Quatse (left tackle), Hart Morris (left guard), Ralph Daugherty (center), Ernest Lewis (right guard), Charles Tully (right tackle), Edward Hirshberg (right end), Edward Baker (quarterback), Warren Heller (left halfback), William Walinchus (right halfback) and Franklin Hood (fullback). Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were Francis Seigel, Joseph Tormey, Walter Milligan, Frank Walton, Paul Collins, Bucky Wagner, Melvin Brown, Theodore Dailey, Ray Anderson, Walter Babic, Edward Schultz, Rocco Cutri, Jack Kelly, John Loch, Zola Alpert and Paul Cuba. Pitt tackle Frank Walton broke his shoulder and was expected to be sidelined the remainder of the season.
At Western Reserve