The 1950 Pittsburgh Panthers football team represented the University of Pittsburgh as an independent during the 1950 college football season. The team compiled a 1–8 record under head coach Len Casanova.
Schedule
Preseason
On January 27, The Pittsburgh Press reported that Pitt head coach Mike Milligan resigned. His initial three-year contract expired, and he was offered a one-year renewal. He negotiated for a multi-year offer similar to his initial deal, but the Athletic Department did not grant his request.
On February 16, the executive committee of Pitt's Board of Trustees approved the hiring of Len Casanova as the head football coach, plus Herman Meister and Jack Roche as assistants. Casanova received a four-year deal at $12,000 per year. Coach Casanova was a proponent of the T-formation, which was different from the single wing offense run by Coach Milligan.
On March 9, 160 prospects met with Coach Casanova for the start of spring drills. The varsity and freshmen candidates reported on March 22. The spring session ended on May 13 with an intra-squad game. The Blues beat the Golds 54–6 in front of 1,000 fans. On September 3, 57 Panthers bussed to fall camp at Allegheny College in Meadville, PA for two weeks of pre-season training. On September 16, after a morning intra-squad scrimmage, the team returned to Pittsburgh. Coach Casanova continued two-a-days for the next week on Trees Field in preparation for their opening game on September 30 at Duke.
Coaching staff 1950 Pittsburgh Panthers football staff Coaching staff Len Casanova – head coach Herman Meister – line coach Jack Roche – backfield coach Robert Timmons – assistant end coach Steve Petro – jayvee coach Wilbur Forsythe – assistant freshman coach John Chickerneo– freshman coach Support staff
Thomas J. Hamilton – director of athletics and physical education Frank Carver – graduate manager Bill Heyman – publicity director Dr. Ralph Shanor – team physician Dr. Dan Dickinson – team physician Howard Waite – trainer Bill Haines – equipment manager Jim Ventura – student manager
Roster 1950 Pittsburgh Panthers football roster Fred Botti* quarterback 5 1906 ft 1 inseniorConnellsville H. S. North Union, PA James Jennings*quarterback 7 1706 ft sophomoreCentral Catholic H. S.Pittsburgh, PA Bob Bestwick*quarterback 8 1805 ft 11 injuniorShaler H. S.Shaler Township, PA Bill Doziskiquarterback 0 1755 ft 11 injunior Donora H. S.Donora, OH Robert Osterhout*quarterback 7190 5 ft 11 insophomoreRutherford H. S.Rutherford, NJ Warren Waltonfullback 0 1705 ft 10 in sophomoreDonora H. S.Donora, PA Dave Fyock*left halfback 6 1705 ft 8 injuniorEvans City H. S.Evans City, PA Armond DiFonso*left halfback 7 175 5 ft 9 in juniorJeannette H. S.Jeannette, PA Joseph Kirtik right halfback 1 1906 ftsophomore German Twp. H. S.McClellandtown, PA William Reynolds*right halfback 8 1805 ft 11 insophomoreSt. Mary's H. S.St. Mary's, WV William Sichko*left halfback 9 1706 ft junior German Twp. H.S.McClellandtown, PA Joe O'Bararight halfback 0 1755 ft 8 inseniorJohnstown H. S.Johnstown, PA Joseph Capp*fullback 7 1905 ft 10 in sophomoreNewton Falls H. S.Newton Falls, OH Anthony Simile*left halfback 6 1755 ft 10 insophomoreAllegheny H. S.Pittsburgh, PA James Campbell*right halfback 91905 ft 9 injunior Hershey H. S. Derry Township, PA Frank Guadagnino fullback4 1755 ft 10 in sophomoreWestinghouse H. S. Pittsburgh, PA Joseph Schmidt* fullback 9 2006 ft 1 insophomoreBrentwood H. S.Brentwood, PA Gabe Gembarosky*center 9 2006 ft sophomoreDonora H. S.Donora, PA George Radosevich*center9 205 6 ft 2 inseniorBrentwood H. S.Brentwood, PA John Dazio*center 8 2006 ft juniorCoatesville H. S.Coatesville, PA William Ewingfullback 3 1905 ft 10 injuniorPeabody H. S.Pittsburgh, PA Stuart Klinecenter 3 190 6 ft sophomoreJohnstown H. S.Johnstown, PA Michael Boldin *right guard 9 200 6 ftseniorJohnstown H. S.Johnstown, PA Francis Baron left guard 0 1856 ft sophomoreNanticoke H. S.Nanticoke, PA Anthony Romantino* left guard 6 1755 ft 9 in sophomoreDonora H. S.Donora, PA Norman Chizmar left guard 0 1906 ft sophomoreHighland H. S.Highland, IN Rudy Andabaker*left guard 9 180 6 ft juniorDonora H. S.Donora, PA Larry Pierceright guard 3 1805 ft 10 inseniorJeannette H. S.Jeannette, PA Merle DeLuca*right guard 9 2005 ft 9 insophomoreWestinghouse H. S.Pittsburgh, PA Charles Thomas*right guard 7 1906 ft 2 inseniorDormont H. S.Dormont, PA Donald Karanovich*left guard 8 2006 ft 2 inseniorIrwin H. S.Irwin, PA Frank DiLeoright guard 2 1805 ft 10 insophomoreWestinghouse H. S.Pittsburgh, PA Sam DeFederight tackle 2 210 6 ft seniorMartins Ferry H. S.Martins Ferry, OH Eugene Dolfileft tackle 0 190 6 ft 1 in sophomoreRostraver H. S.Rostraver Township, PA Nick Bolkovac*left tackle 9 2256 ft 2 inseniorYoungstown H. S.Youngstown, OH Bob Brennen*left tackle 8 2156 ft 2 in juniorNorth Catholic H. S. Pittsburgh, PA Alfred Smalaraleft tackle 0 195 6 ft juniorSpringdale H. S.Springdale, PA John Stokenleft tackle 2 2106 ft 1 in juniorAliquippa H. S.Aliquippa, PA Charles Yostright tackle 1 2106 ft seniorYoungstown H. S.Youngstown, OH Robert Mihmright tackle 2 2206 ft seniorWestinghouse H. S.Pittsburgh, PA William Gasparovic*right tackle8 2056 ft 1 in juniorSteelton H.S.Steelton, PA Flint Greene*left tackle 8 2005 ft 10 in seniorNew Kensington H. S.New Kensington, PA Joseph Bozek*right end 9 1906 ft 1 in sophomoreRochester H. S.Rochester, PA Chris Warriner*left end9 195 5 ft 11 inseniorTarentum H. S.Tarentum, PA Ted Geremsky *left end 8 2106 ft 4 in seniorBraddock H. S.Braddock, PA Andrew Lelikright end 0 2106 ft 2 in juniorDonora H. S.Donora, PA George Glagola*left end 8 1906 ft 2 in sophomoreGerman Twp. H. S.McClellandtown, PA Nick DeRosa*right end 9 195 6 ft 1 inseniorDonora H. S. Donora, PA Harry Hollihan left end 0 1956 ft 1 in seniorGlenshaw H. S.Shaler, PA John Masarick*right end61956 ft 1 insenior Har-Brack H. S. Tarentum, PA Joseph Kovalleft end01855 ft 11 insophomore Monessen H. S. Monessen, PA John Coyneright end 0 1855 ft 10 in juniorMunhall H. S.Munhall, PA Joseph Kaneleft guard01855 ft 9 insophomore Munhall H. S. Munhall, PA Edward Warnetleft tackle02006 ft sophomore West Hazleton H. S. West Hazleton, PA John Machisicright tackle02105 ft 11 insophomore Turtle Creek H. S. Turtle Creek, PA Walt Bielichright tackle02006 ft 1 injunior Youngstown H. S. Youngstown, OH Paul Chess^halfback 0 1856 ft sophomore Meadville H. S.Meadville, PA John Huzvar^ fullback 32356 ft 3 insophomoreHershey. H.S.Hershey, PA Mike Omatick^quarterback 0 180 5 ft 11 insophomoreConnellsville H. S.Connellsville, PA ^ Drafted into the Marines, * Letterman
Game summaries at Duke
Len Casanova's Panthers opened their season against Wallace Wade's Duke Blue Devils in Durham, North Carolina. Duke led the all-time series 4–3 and was a 12-point favorite to win this game. The Blue Devils were 1–0, having beaten South Carolina in their opening game. Duke end, Blaine Earon, was named AP Defense first team All-American and back Billy Cox received first team honors from Colliers.
Pitt tackle, Flint Greene, was the first African-American to play in a game against the Blue Devils at Duke.
After a scoreless first half, the Panthers managed to score two touchdowns in the second half, but they gave up four and lost to the Blue Devils 28–14. Pitt halfback, Bill Sichko, returned the second half kick-off 85 yards to put the Panthers on the scoreboard first. Nick Bolkovac added the extra point and Pitt led 7–0. Duke countered with two third quarter touchdowns. A Billy Cox 22-yard touchdown pass to Tom Powers was followed by a Glenn Wild 8-yard touchdown pass to Powers. Mike Souchak (brother of former Panther Frank Souchak) converted both placements. Early in the fourth quarter, the Panthers tied the game on a 7-yard run by Armand DiFonso and Bolkovac kick. The Devils again countered with two scores. A 59-yard drive ended with a 1-yard touchdown plunge by Jack Mounie. Then Bob Bicket intercepted a Bob Bestwick pass and raced 60 yards for the final score. Souchak added the extra points.
The Pitt starting lineup for the game against Duke was Ted Geremsky (left end), Nick Bolkovac (left tackle), Rudy Andabaker (left guard), George Radosevich (center), Mike Boldin (right guard), Charles Yost (right tackle), Nick DeRosa (right end), Bob Bestwick (quarterback), Bill Sichko (left halfback), Bill Reynolds (right halfback) and John Huzvar (fullback). Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were Chris Warriner, George Glagola, Flint Greene, Bob Brennen, Charles Thomas, Gabe Gembarosky, Robert Mihm, John Dazio, Don Karanovich, Merle DeLuca, Bill Gasparovic, Joseph Bozek, John Masarick, Fred Botti, Armand DiFonso, Anthony Simile, James Campbell and Joe Schmidt.
at Ohio State
On October 7, the Panthers traveled west to Columbus, OH to play the Ohio State Buckeyes. Ohio State led the all-time series 10–3–1. Wes Fesler's squad was 0–1, after losing to SMU (32–27) in their home opener. The Buckeyes had talent: Heisman Trophy winner, Vic Janowicz at halfback; All-American linemen Bob Momsen and Bob McCullough; plus All-Big Ten linemen John Biltz and Bill Trautwein.
Coach Casanova altered the line-up: Right tackle Charles Yost, injured against Duke and lost for the season, was replaced by Bill Gasparovic; Injured left end Ted Geremsky was replaced by Chris Warriner; Armand DiFonso started at quarterback, and Joe Schmidt started at fullback.
In front of 73,137 fans, Ohio State routed the Panthers 41–7. The Panthers defense could not stop Heisman Trophy winner Vic Janowicz. In his one half of playing time, he threw six passes, completed them all, and four went for touchdowns. He converted three extra points. Buckeye halfbacks Walt Klevay and Richard Doyle each added a rushing touchdown and Richard Momsen blocked a punt out of the end zone for a safety. Ohio State led 41–0 at halftime, and Coach Fesler used his reserves in the second half. The Panthers scored in the final two minutes on an 86-yard march. Bob Bestwick completed four straight passes for the score: 47 yards to Nick DeRosa, 5 yards to Bill Reynolds, 22 yards to Bill Sichko and 12 yards to George Glagola. Nick Bolkovac kicked the extra point.
The Pitt starting lineup for the game against Ohio State was Chris Warriner (left end), Nick Bolkovac (left tackle), Rudy Andabaker (left guard), John Dazio (center), Mike Boldin (right guard), Bill Gasparovic (right tackle), Nick DeRosa (right end), Armand DiFonso (quarterback), Bill Sichko (left halfback), Bill Reynolds (right halfback) and Joe Schmidt (fullback). Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were George Glagola, Flint Greene, John Stoken, Bob Brennen, Gabe Gembarosky, Robert Mihm, Don Karanovich, Merle DeLuca, Joseph Bozek, John Masarick, Fred Botti, Anthony Simile, James Campbell, John Huzvar, Larry Pierce, Anthony Romantino, George Radosevich, William Ewing, Stuart Kline, Frank DiLeo, Bob Bestwick, Bob Osterhout, James Jennings, Joseph Capp and David Fyock.
Rice
For their home opener, the Panthers scheduled Jeff Neely's, 1950 Cotton Bowl and 1949 Southwest Conference, champion Rice Owls. Rice was on an 11-game win streak and was a two touchdown favorite over the Panthers.
Pitt coach Len Casanova decided to utilize the two-platoon system. He told The Pitt News: "Instead of dividing up the players practice time between offense and defense, we can concentrate on defense with one group and offense with another. We expect to have an offensive and defensive line to throw against Rice, but we don't have the backfield material to be exclusively a two-platoon team."