The 1943 Pittsburgh Panthers football team represented the University of Pittsburgh as an independent during the 1943 college football season. The team compiled a 3–5 record under new head coach Clark Shaughnessy.
At the start of the season, Shaughnessy introduced red and white uniforms that departed from the team's traditional blue and gold color scheme. The team reverted to blue and gold in late 1945.
In the final Litkenhous Ratings, Pittsburgh ranked 65th among the nation's college and service teams with a rating of 76.2.
Schedule
Preseason
On January 22, Chester L. Smith of The Pittsburgh Press reported that Pitt head coach Charles Bowser was leaving his post, and applying for a commission in the United States Navy Pre-Flight Schools under the command of Lieutenant-Commander Tom Hamilton, who would become Pitt's Athletic Director from 1949 to 1959. On August 27, Bowser was named executive director of the USO Council in the Pittsburgh district. After the war he sold insurance for the Aetna Insurance Company in the Pittsburgh area.
On January 25, the University of Pittsburgh Board of Trustees formally approved the resignation of Charles Bowser, as Pitt football coach, and appointed Clark Shaughnessy as his successor. Athletic Director James Hagan stated: "In Shaughnessy we found a popular figure, who is liked by everyone...He has done a great teaching job wherever he has coached during the past 28 years, and gets the most out of what he has to work with...I'm convinced that Shaughnessy honestly believes in Pitt and feels he can do a good job."
On January 30, Shaughnessy hired ex-Chicago Bear guard Dr. Daniel Fortmann. He served as the assistant coach, and pursued his medical career on the staff of Presbyterian Hospital. On February 8, Shaughnessy announced that he would retain Charles “Doc” Hartwig from Bowser's coaching staff as an assistant.
In February, The Pittsburgh Press and The Pitt News reported that returning starters Jack Durishan (tackle) and Bill Dillon (guard), plus reserves Harold Scott (center), Wilbur Newstetter (guard) and John Montana (fullback) were to report for active duty the first week of March. Halfback Tony DiMatteo, along with back-up quarterbacks Bob Smith and Ed Slavin had withdrawn earlier in the year. Wilbur Newstetter and John Montana were also called to serve.
In 1943 most colleges and universities were either part of the V-12 Navy College Training Program or the Army Specialized Training Program. The Navy program allowed their students to take part in athletics at the member institutions. The Army program did not allow their students to join the athletic teams. Pitt hosted the Army Specialized Training Program on its campus.
With Pitt on the trimester system for the war effort, the spring practice drills did not start until June 28, so Shaughnessy could include all the incoming freshmen. 51 students attended the first session, and by July 3 the number had risen to 72. Practices were scheduled an hour and a half 4 days per week. Shaughnessy brought in Chicago Bear quarterback Sid Luckman to teach the T- Formation system to the Panther quarterbacks. On August 7, the Panthers ended their summer training with an intra-squad game. With several thousand fans in attendance, the Gold bested the Blue 26–16. Freshman Carl Mosso, all-state halfback from New Jersey, scored two touchdowns. Two weeks later he was summoned home by his draft board.
The student activities book was replaced by a single card that was punched upon entrance to the stadium. Most of the band members were marching with Uncle Sam, so the Army Corps band supplied the halftime music. New cheerleaders and the Panther mascot would be on the sidelines.
Coach Shaughnessy decided that the Panthers would wear red and white uniforms instead of their usual blue and gold. He told The Pittsburgh Press: "It will be the most stylish-looking team in the country. Oh, there's Stanford, too. But in equipment and color scheme and practicality our boys will lead."
Coaching staff 1943 Pittsburgh Panthers football staff Coaching staff Clark Shaughnessy – head coach Dr. Danny Fortmann – assistant coach Charles Hartwig – assistant coach John Dickinson – assistant coach Stan Olenn – freshman coach Support staff James Hagan - director of athletics Frank Carver – publicity director Bill Rudoy – varsity student manager Bob Marks – freshman manager
Roster 1943 Pittsburgh Panthers football roster William Abromitis*fullback4190freshmanTamaqua H. S. Tamaqua, PA Harry Alwardtackle1165freshman Boston H. S.Boston, PA Al Beckmancenter1220freshmanBrentwood H. S.Brentwood, PA Robert Bockcenter1 178freshman Brentwood H. S.Brentwood, PA Jay Brown*end5190sophomoreKiski PrepPittsburgh, PA Dean Careyhalfback1157freshmanBiglerville H. S.Biglerville, PA Angelo Carlaccinihalfback1165junior Tarentum H. S. Tarentum, PA Louis Chelko*halfback7 162junior Brackenridge H. S.Brackenridge, PA Joseph DeFrank*tackle7 210freshman McClellandtown H. S.McClellandtown, PA James DeLongtackle 0 190freshman Reading H. S.Reading, PA Ken Doriotend 0170junior Pittsburgh, PA Milton Ebert*tackle 8 224freshman Erie H. S.Erie, PA Norman Edelmanguard 0 165sophomoreMcKeesport H. S.McKeesport, PA Bob Ernstend0165 freshmanSouth Hills H. S.Pittsburgh, PA Gary Feniello*guard 6180freshmanConnellsville H. S.Connellsville, PA Donald Fisher*center7178sophomore Williamsport H. S.Williamsport, PA John Foley*quarterback 4 180freshman Scranton H. S.Scranton, PA Robert Fowler*tackle5190sophomore New Brighton H. S.New Brighton, PA John Foxcenter2180junior Sharon H. S.Sharon, PA William Galand*tackle 7 185freshmanDunbar H. S.Dunbar, PA Frank Gallohalfback1146sophomoreVandergrift H. S.Vandergrift, PA Walter Germusa*guard4165freshmanMidland H. S.Midland, PA Samuel Greccoguard1160freshmanButler H. S.Butler, PA Ralph Hammond*center8 194seniorAllderdice H. S. Pittsburgh, PA Warren Humestackle 1 185freshman New Bethlehem, PA John Itzel*fullback7195juniorCentral Catholic H. S.Pittsburgh, PA Walter Jones*halfback 5 165juniorDormont H. S.Dormont, PA Llewllyn Jordanguard0190sophomore Scranton H. S.Scranton, PA Thomas Kalmanir*halfback7 175freshman Jerome H. S.Jerome, PA Joe Kielb*halfback8170juniorSchenley H. S.Pittsburgh, PA Frank Knisley*halfback7187juniorYoungstown H. S.Youngstown, OH George Linellihalfback 1 165freshmanPeabody H. S.Pittsburgh, PA Herbert Lurietackle1160freshmanAllderdice H. S.Pittsburgh, PA John Lozarfullback 0 170freshmanMcClellandtown H. S.McClellandtown, PA James McDonoughtackle 3 210freshmanCarnegie H. S.Carnegie, PA Bob McLanetackle0185sophomore Erie H. S.Erie, PA Clair Malarkeyend 2 179Dental SchoolBridgeville H. S. Bridgeville, PA George Malinahalfback0165freshmanDormont H. S.Dormont, PA James Maloney*end 8 180 freshman Central Catholic H. S.Pittsburgh, PA Albert Manerinohalfback0145freshmanEvans City H. S.Evans City, PA Albert Marrongonitackle 3 204seniorNew Castle H. S.New Castle, PA Paul Massey*end8170freshmanBeaver Falls H. S.Beaver Falls PA Don Matthews*halfback 8 160sophomoreCoatesville H. S.Coatesville, PA Francis Mattioli*guard8195Dental SchoolBrackenridge H. S.Brackenridge, PA Joe Mocha*quarterback 8 168 freshmanSt. Clair H. S. St. Clair, PA Paul Oberkirchertackle 1 180freshmanBedford H. S.Bedford, PA Donald Owencenter2160freshmanMt. Lebanon H. S.Pittsburgh, PA John Pagerquarterback 1 181freshmanWest Aliquippa H. S.West Aliquippa, PA Myron Pavukend1170freshmanJessup H. S.Jessup, PA Joe Pierre*end 8 175senior Windber H. S. Windber, PA Paul Piothend 0 185freshmanAllderdice H. S.Pittsburgh, PA Cyril Plazak*quarterback4175sophomoreBrackenridge H. S.Brackenridge, PA Steve Polach*guard 8 165freshmanUniontown H. S.Uniontown, PA Michael Podraskytackle1185juniorJessup H. S.Jessup, PA George Ranii*tackle 8 215freshmanAspinwall H.S.Aspinwall, PA James Reber*end5190Dental SchoolAllderdice H. S.Pittsburgh, PA Edward Reesehalfback 1 1501freshmanPeabody H. S.Pittsburgh, PA Martin Rosepink*end 4 200seniorVerona H. S.Verona, PA George Saphoshalfback 1 140freshman Fifth Avenue H. S.Pittsburgh, PA Max Scherbguard1190freshmanAllderdice H. S. Pittsburgh, PA Robert Schneiderguard 3 185freshmanCentral Catholic H. S.Pittsburgh, PA Lee Schreibesend0170junior Pittsburgh, PA Herbert Sheinbergtackle 1 165freshmanPeabody H. S.Pittsburgh, PA Howard Simonend 0 149 freshmanPerry H. S.Pittsburgh, PA Peter Siedylahalfback1161freshmanGlassport H. S.Glassport, PA Gerald Spectortackle 0 218sophomoreAllderdice H. S.Pittsburgh, PA Paul Steinlaufguard1180freshmanPeabody H. S.Pittsburgh, PA Robert Steytlerhalfback 1 170juniorAllderdice H. S.Pittsburgh, PA Vince Sundryhalfback0155freshmanBlairsville H. S.Blairsville, PA Richard Trachok*fullback 8 170freshmanJerome H. S.Jerome PA Leonard Westtackle 2 184freshman Atlasburg H. S.Atlasburg, PA Bryan Williamstackle0 178senior Pittsburgh, PA Bill Rudoy*student manager graduated after the first game Bob Marksfreshman student manager joined the army after first game Fred Piazzastudent manager James Helmanstudent manager * Letterman
Game summaries
Notre Dame
On September 25, Pitt, wearing their red jerseys, opened the season against third-year coach Frank Leahy's Notre Dame Fighting Irish. The all-time series was tied 5–5–1, but the teams had not met since 1937, when Jock Sutherland was coach. Notre Dame had a V-12 Navy College Training Program on their campus and 29 of the 35 men on the travel squad were Navy or Marine trainees. Pitt countered with a squad of freshmen and 4-Fs.
The Irish lineup had 5 consensus 1943 All-Americans: halfback – Creighton Miller; tackle – Jim White; guard – Pat Filley; end – John Yonaker and quarterback – Angelo Bertelli, who also won the Heisman Trophy. Johnny Lujack started at quarterback ahead of Bertelli and center Herbert Coleman was named second team on the United Press All-America team.
Coach Shaughnessy was far from optimistic: "If Notre Dame doesn't beat us by at least 30 points it ought to go back home ashamed of itself." Pitt guard Francis Mattioli, tackle Martin Rosepink, center Ralph Hammond and halfback Louis Chelko were the only returning lettermen. Mattioli was named captain for the game.
In front of 59,050 fans, the largest opening day football crowd in Pittsburgh history, Notre Dame beat the Panthers handily 41–0. Jim Costin of The South Bend Tribune wrote: "The one-sided result proved conclusively what was apparent to everyone who wouldn't be blinded to the facts of life–that college teams that must depend upon players under the draft age of 18, and on 4-F's simply have no business on the same field with teams manned by naval special trainees."
Irish halfback Creighton Miller and substitute back Julius Rykovich each scored two touchdowns. Bob Palladino and Angelo Bertelli added one each. Bertelli connected on 3 of 4 placements and Fred Early made both of his attempts to reach a total of 41. Notre Dame dominated the stats as they earned 20 first downs, gained 372 yards rushing and completed 3 of 6 passes for another 30 yards. They did not throw a pass in the second half. Pitt made 6 first downs, 26 yards rushing and completed 1 of 13 passes for 19 yards.
Notre Dame finished the season ranked #1 in the AP football poll with a 9–1 record.
The Pitt starting lineup for the game against Notre Dame was Joe Pierre (left end), Milton Ebert (left tackle), Francis Mattioli (left guard), Donald Fisher (center), Gary Feniello (right guard), Martin Rosepink (right tackle), James Maloney (right end), Joseph Mocha (quarterback), Frank Knisley (left halfback), Louis Chelko (right halfback) and William Abromitis (fullback). Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were Paul Massey, Clair Malarkey, Michael Podrasky, Joseph DeFrank, Leonard West, George Ranii, Walter Germusa, Steve Polach, Ralph Hammond, Joseph Kielb, Richard Trachok, Thomas Kalmanir, Don Matthews, Angelo Carlaccini, and Cyril Plazak.
at Great Lakes