The 1942 Pittsburgh Panthers football team represented the University of Pittsburgh as an independent during the 1942 college football season. The team compiled a 3–6 record under head coach Charley Bowser.
Pitt was ranked at No. 80 (out of 590 college and military teams) in the final rankings under the Litkenhous Difference by Score System for 1942.
Schedule
Preseason
The war effort caused uncertainty for Coach Bowser with his staff and roster. Bowser hired Forest Evashevski, former Michigan halfback, who had been the head coach at Hamilton College the previous season, to replace Harold Stebbins and Dr. Arnold Greene, both of whom resigned from their assistant coaching positions for business reasons. Evashevski lasted through the spring training period and then he enlisted in the Iowa Naval Pre-Flight School. Four sophomores expected to play on the varsity had already enlisted in the armed forces – Glen McCurdy, Harry Kozic, Charles Surina and Dick Stitt. Bowser's fourth spring practice session opened on March 16. On April 25, as part of a baseball/football doubleheader at the stadium, the Blues beat the Whites in the final intrasquad game 20 to 0. Halfback Jack Stetler scored all 3 touchdowns.
On September 2, twenty-two Panthers, who were enrolled in the third trimester, started fall practice. The remainder of the squad, another twenty men, joined practice the following week. Coach Bowser was honest: “I don't know what kind of season we will have but I am hoping for the best. I don't know if all the boys we are expecting will be on hand, but if they are we should have a pretty fair team. Of course, our schedule is such that we can't hope for too much success.”
Coaching staff 1942 Pittsburgh Panthers football staff Coaching staff Charley Bowser – Head coach Robert Hoel – Assistant coach Charles Hartwig – assistant coach John Dickinson – assistant coach Nick Kliskey– freshman coach Support staff Dr. H. A. Ralph Shanor – team physician Bill Smith – football trainer Harold Whitson – varsity equipment manager James Hagan - director of athletics Frank Carver – publicity director Edward Cornelius – varsity student manager
Roster 1942 Pittsburgh Panthers football roster Louis Alampresehalfback05 ft 10 in1651945 Altoona H. S. Altoona, PA Bruce Allentackle35 ft 11 in2101945 Schenley H. S. Pittsburgh, PA George Allshouse*center85 ft 10 in1881942Duquesne H. S.Duquesne, PA Vincent Antonelli*guard95 ft 10 in 1831943 Schenley H. S. Pittsburgh, PA John Baker*tackle96 ft2051945Coatesville H. S. Coatesville, PA Loren Branercenter16 ft 2 in1951945Lancaster H. S. Lancaster, PA Joseph Brodyend1 5 ft 11 in 1751943 Latrobe H. S. Latrobe, PA Joseph Broudyguard0 6 ft 1901944 Peabody H. S. Pittsburgh, PA Wendell Bossartguard 0 6 ft 1901944 Arona H. S. Arona, PA Angelo Carlaccini*halfback 4 5 ft 10 in1651945 Tarentum H. S. Tarentum, PA Louis Chelko*halfback 4 5 ft 10 in1921965 Har-Brack H. S. Har-Brack, PA James Clowes*center 9 6 ft 1 in1951944Har-Brack H. S. Tarentum, PA Robert Costello*tackle 56 ft 1 in1951944Schenley H. S. Pittsburgh, PA William Dillon*guard86 ft1901944 Trinity H. S. Marianna, PA Tony DiMatteo*halfback 8 5 ft 11 in1801945 Perry H. S. Pittsburgh, PA Jack Durishan*tackle96 ft 2201944 Hazleton H. S. Hazleton, PA William Dutton*halfback95 ft 10 in 1751943 Weston H. S. Weston, WV Pete Fuderichquarterback 0 5 ft 7 in1651945Aliquippa H. S. Aliquippa, PA Matthew Gebel*halfback46 ft 1 in1851944East Pittsburgh H. S. East Pittsburgh, PA Norbert Gestner*end36 ft 2 in1651944Tarentum H. S.Tarentum, PA Joe Kielbhalfback05 ft 10 in1701945 Pittsburgh, PA William Kyle*end86 ft 1901945Wilkinsburg H. S. Wilkinsburg, PA William Lohmeyerend0 6 ft 3 in1951943 Central Catholic H. S. Pittsburgh, PA James Mariadesguard 2 5 ft 10 in 1851944 Groveton H. S.Groveton, PA Francis Mattioli*guard95 ft 10 in1901945Kiski H. S.Har-Brack, PA John Montana*fullback15 ft 10in 1751945 Meadville H. S. Meadville, PA Ned Naffahend 0 1601944 Pittsburgh, PA Wilbur Newsstetter*guard25 ft 9 in 1651945 Pittsburgh, PA Joe Pierreend 3 6 ft1801944 Windber H. S.Windber, PA Martin Rosepink*end 7 6 ft 1 in2001944Verona H. S.Verona, PA Frank Saksa*halfback96 ft 1821943Braddock H. S. Braddock, PA Joe Salvucci*tackle 6 6 ft 1 in2101944Peabody H. S.Pittsburgh, PA Charles Schwartztackle06 ft 1851945 Glenshaw H. S. Glenshaw, PA Howard Scottend 1 6 ft 190 1945 Pittsburgh, PA William Skertichhalfback05 ft 9 in1701945Etna H. S. Etna, PA Joe Skladaneyhalfback 0 6 ft1801944Larksville H. S. Larksville, PA Ed Slavinquarterback05 ft 9 in1701945Duquesne H. S. Duquesne, PA Robert Smith*quarterback 8 6 ft 1 in1901945Tarentum H. S. Tarentum, PA Michael Sotack*end 9 5 ft 8 in1801944Hazleton H. S.Hazleton, PA Jack Stetler*halfback 9 5 ft 10' in1801941 Glenshaw H. S.Glenshaw, PA William Wachterguard16 ft 1 in 1901945 Beaver H. S. Beaver, PA Walter West*quarterback96 ft 1901945Burgettstown H. S. Atlasburg, PA Henry West*end56 ft 1801945Burgettstown H. S. Atlasburg, PA Edward Cornelius*student manager 1943 * Letterman
Game summaries
At Minnesota
The Panthers opened the season against the Minnesota Gophers. Pitt was 0–3 against the Gophers and had been outscored 59–10. The Gophers were coached by George Hauser, who was appointed when Bernie Bierman was called to active duty by the U. S. Marine Corps reserve. The Gophers were the reigning Associated Press 1940 and 1941 National Champions and owned a 17-game win streak. All-Americans - halfback Bill Daley and tackle Dick Wildung – were the team leaders.
On the eve of the Panthers trip to Minneapolis, second-string quarterback Pete Fuderich dropped out of school to work in a defense plant. Coach Bowser had 9 lettermen but only one returning starter, in the starting lineup. The Panthers were decided underdogs at 5–1 odds.
Minnesota romped over the Panthers 50–7 to run their winning streak to 18 games. The Gophers scored in 3 plays on a 19-yard scamper by Bill Daley. Pitt answered with a 98-yard kick-off return by Tony DiMatteo to tie the score. Minnesota dominated the remainder of the game. Daley scored 3 more touchdowns. Herman Frickey, Dick Kelly and Charles Sandberg each scored one. Vic Kulbiski tacked on a 21-yard field goal and Bill Garnaas (3), Bob Kula (1) and Joe Slovich (1) converted extra points. The Gophers finished the season with a 5–4 record.
This was the worst defeat for the Panthers since the 1903 season when they lost to Geneva 57–0 and Penn State 59–0. Eddie Beachler of The Pittsburgh Press summarized: "The Panthers have been in a steady decline since being upset by Duquesne in mid-season of 1939, showing only occasional flashes of major league football, and all the while their schedules have grown not one bit softer."
The Pitt starting lineup for the game against Minnesota was Norbert Gestner (left end), Jack Durishan (left tackle), William Dillon (left guard), George Allshouse (center), Vince Antonelli (right guard), Joe Salvucci (right tackle), William Kyle (right end), Walter West (quarterback), Tony DiMatteo (left halfback), Jack Stetler (right halfback) and Frank Saksa (fullback). Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were William Dutton, Mike Sotack, Loren Braner, Francis Mattioli, James Clowes, Joe Pierre, John Baker, Angelo Carlaccini, Robert Smith, Robert Costello and Ed Slavin.
SMU
On October 3, the Panthers hosted the SMU Mustangs for the third time. Pitt won the 1938 contest 34–7 and the 1940 matchup ended in a 7–7 tie.
After SMU head coach Matty Bell joined the Navy, James Stewart, their business manager, was appointed head coach. The Mustangs opened their season with a 26–7 victory over North Texas State. Their star running back, Carroll Parker, was injured during the game and was unable to make the trip to Pittsburgh.
The Panthers were healthy. Bowser started the same lineup that faced Minnesota except that William Dutton replaced Tony DiMatteo at left halfback.
The Panthers rebounded from the previous week's debacle with a 20–7 victory over the visiting Mustangs. Panther quarterback Walter West returned the opening kick-off 57 yards to the SMU 36-yard line. Five rushes advanced the ball to the 4-yard line. William Dutton scooted through tackle for the touchdown. Walter West added the point after and Pitt led 7–0. The Panthers played most of the second quarter in SMU territory, but a fumble and penalties thwarted their drives. Early in the second half the Panthers gained possession on the Mustangs 46-yard line. Pitt completed 3 straight passes for their second touchdown. The touchdown toss was 19-yards from William Dutton to Frank Saksa. Jack Durishan's placement attempt was blocked. The Panthers scored later in the third period on a 3-yard scamper by Tony DiMatteo to end a 7-play, 53-yard drive. West kicked the extra point and Pitt led 20–0. The Mustangs scored late in the fourth quarter on a 6-yard touchdown pass from Wayne Shaw to Kelly Simpson. Jim Wright added the extra point.
Pitt led the series 2–0–1 and SMU finished their season with a 3–6–2 record.
The Pitt starting lineup for the game against SMU was Norbert Gestner (left end), Jack Durishan (left tackle), William Dillon (left guard), George Allshouse (center), Vince Antonelli (right guard), Joe Salvucci (right tackle), William Kyle (right end), Walter West (quarterback), William Dutton (left halfback), Jack Stetler (right halfback) and Frank Saksa (fullback). Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were Mike Sotack, Martin Rosepink, John Baker, Robert Costello, Francis Mattioli, James Clowes, William Dutton, Robert Smith and Tony DiMatteo.
At Great Lakes
The Panthers second road trip was to Cleveland, Ohio to play the Great Lakes Naval Training Station Bluejackets football team. The Bluejackets were coached by Butler University's head coach, Tony Hinkle. His roster was loaded with veteran college players. 1941 Heisman Trophy winner Bruce Smith was the starting halfback, and Steve Belichick, Bill Belichick's father, was a substitute halfback. The Bluejackets opened their season with a 9–0 loss to Michigan and then rebounded with a 25–0 shutout of Iowa. Great Lakes was heavily favored.
While the Pitt varsity traveled to Cleveland, the freshman squad, under the direction of baseball coach Ralph Mitterling, went to Annapolis to play the Navy Junior Varsity. The Panthers and Midshipmen played to a 6–6 tie.
In front of only 12,315 fans, in the 80,000 seat Cleveland Stadium, the Great Lakes eleven eked out a 7–6 victory over the Panthers. After a scoreless first period, Pitt gained possession on their own 37-yard line via a Jack Stetler interception. The Pitt offense engineered a 12-play, 63-yard drive that ended with William Dutton running through left tackle for a 9-yard touchdown. Walter West's placement was wide and Pitt led 6–0. The Bluejackets dominated the game statistically, but the Panthers held the lead into the fourth quarter. After an 11-yard punt return the Bluejackets were on the Panther 38-yard line. On first down John Popov gained 2 yards over center. On second down Bill Harrell connected with Steve Belichick for a 13-yard gain to the Pitt 23-yard line. Howard Hickey caught Harrell's next pass on the 13-yard line and ran into the end zone to tie the score. Bob Nelson's placement provided the winning margin. The Bluejackets earned 17 first downs to the Panthers 4, and they out-gained Pitt 336 yards to 79. The Panthers punted 10 times for an average of 53.6 yards, which helped keep the game close.
Coach Bowser praised his team's effort: "I couldn't have been more proud of them if they had won. They played their hearts out. We gave them all we had for three quarters, but their weight and power gradually wore us down....I've had a lot of fine football players in years gone by, but never have I had a team with the heart that this one possesses."
The Bluejackets finished the season with an 8–3–1 record.