The 1941 Pittsburgh Panthers football team was an American football team that represented the University of Pittsburgh as an independent during the 1941 college football season. In their third year under head coach Charley Bowser, the Panthers compiled a 3–6 record and were outscored by a total of 171 to 82.
Guard Ralph Fife was selected as a first-team All-American by the Associated Press (AP). Fife was also selected by the AP as a first-team player on the 1941 All-Eastern football team. Halfback Edgar Jones was named to the second team on the All-Eastern team.
Pittsburgh was ranked at No. 74 (out of 681 teams) in the final rankings under the Litkenhous Difference by Score System for 1941.
Schedule
Preseason
On March 1, Charles Hartwig, former Pitt All-American lineman, was added to coach Bowser's staff as guard coach. Former guard coach Luther Richards left the squad in September and Harold Klein stepped in temporarily while finishing his degree. Hartwig had been coaching at Martins Ferry High School in Ohio. Dick Fullerton resigned to go into business and Bill Daddio signed a contract to play football for the Chicago Cardinals. Ted Konetsky was hired to aid Kliskey with the freshmen.
In mid-February, Coach Bowser had the football players attend meetings with their position coach to study film and techniques. Bowser faced the hardest schedule in Pitt history with only four returning starters. Outdoor spring drills did not commence until late March due to inclement weather. Sixty-two candidates were given uniforms. On April 26, spring practice ended with a scrimmage starring halfback Jack Stetler. The White team scored first when halfback Stetler threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Bill Fitchko. Stetler changed jerseys at halftime, and scored for the Blue squad on a 2-yard run to make the final score 6–6.
On September 10, third-year Coach Bowser's 55-member squad began preseason practice. The Panthers wore plastic helmets that were similar to the headgear worn by the RAF paratroopers.
Coaching staff 1941 Pittsburgh Panthers football staff Coaching staff Charley Bowser – Head coach Robert Hoel – Assistant coach Dr. Arnold Greene – fullback coach Harold Stebbins – halfback coach Charles Hartwig – guard coach John Dickinson – end coach Nick Kliskey– freshman team coach Ted Konetsky – assistant freshman team coach Support staff Dr. H. A. Ralph Shanor – team physician Howard Waite – football trainer Harold Whitson – varsity equipment manager James Hagan - director of athletics Frank Carver – publicity director William Ritenbaugh – varsity student manager
Roster
1941 Pittsburgh Panthers football roster Joseph Adamchichalfback15 ft 10 in1751943 Union City H. S. Union City, PA George Allshouse*center85 ft 10 in1881942Duquesne H. S.Duquesne, PA Vincent Antonelli*guard85 ft 10 in 1831943 Schenley H. S. Pittsburgh, PA William Benghouser*tackle96 ft2001942DuBois H. S. DuBois, PA Joseph Brodyend0 5 ft 11 in 1751943 Latrobe H. S. Latrobe, PA Joseph Broudyguard3 5 ft 11 in 1851944 Peabody H. S. Pittsburgh, PA James Clowescenter 2 6 ft 1 in1951944Har-Brack H. S. Tarentum, PA Joseph Connell*fullback 9 5 ft 11 in1921942 Charleroi H. S. Charleroi, PA Robert Costellotackle 06 ft 1 in1951944Schenley H. S. Pittsburgh, PA Robert Crissman*tackle26 ft 1 in1941942Butler H. S.Butler, PA William Dillon*guard76 ft1851944Trinity H. S.Marianna, PA Jack Durishan*tackle96 ft 2201944 Hazleton H. S. Hazleton, PA William Dutton*halfback95 ft 10 in 1701943 Weston H. S. Weston, WV Tom Economosquarterback 0 5 ft 11 in1801944Schenley H. S.Pittsburgh, PA Dwight Emerickquarterback 0 6 ft1771943Aspinwall H. S.Aspinwall, PA Ralph Fife*guard95 ft 11 in1851942Canton McKinley H. S. Canton, OH William Fitchkoend06 ft 1801942Gary H. S.Filbert, WV John Gatesguard05 ft 10 in2001942 Pittsburgh, PA Mat Gebelhalfback56 ft 1 in1851944East Pittsburgh H. S. East Pittsburgh, PA Stanley Gervelis*end96 ft 1 in1901942Charleroi H. S.Charleroi, PA Norbert Gestnerend36 ft 2 in1651944Tarentum H. S.Tarentum, PA Ralph Hammond*quarterback75 ft 11 in1801943 Fulton H. S. Wilkinsburg, PA Jack Heistercenter26 ft 2 in1851943Aspinwall H. S. Aspinwall, PA Harold Hinteend55 ft 11in 1851943 Mt. Hope H. S. Sun, WV Edgar Jones*halfback95ft 10 in1751942Scranton Technical H. S. Scranton, PA Jack Kerrhalfback 2 6 ft1861944Schenley H. S.Pittsburgh, PA Harry Kindelberger*tackle96 ft 3 in2001942 Warwood H. S. Oil City, PA Harry Kozic*end 0 6 ft 175 1944 Duquesne H. S. Duquesne, PA Albert Kunkel*center26 ft 1 in 1901942 Langley H. S. Pittsburgh, PA William Lohmeyerend0 6 ft 4 in1981943 Central Catholic H. S. Pittsburgh, PA James Mariadesguard 0 5 ft 9 in 1801944 Groveton H. S.Groveton, PA George Mitchell*guard86 ft1901942Ellsworth H. S.Ellsworth, PA Stephen Mlanarichguard 0 5 ft 8 in1801944East Pittsburgh H. S.East Pittsburgh, PA Leo Muellertackle 0 5 ft 10 in 2001944Perry H. S. Pittsburgh, PA Joe Pierreend 0 6 ft1751944 Windber H. S.Windber, PA Raymond Rabinek*quarterback15 ft 10 in1801942South H. S. Pittsburgh, PA Alex Ramseytackle 0 6 ft2051944 Pittsburgh, PA Bruce Reuterhalfback 1 5 ft 10 in1651944Aspinwall H. S.Aspinwall, PA Martin Rosepink*end 6 5 ft 11 in1901944Verona H. S.Verona, PA John Ross*fullback55 ft 10 in1841942Ellsworth H. S.Ellsworth, PA Frank Saksa*halfback85 ft 11 in1801943Braddock H. S. Braddock, PA Joe Salvucci*tackle 6 6 ft2101944Peabody H. S.Pittsburgh, PA Frank Scattonquarterback 2 5 ft 11 in1751944Hazleton H. S. Hazleton, PA John Shaffertackle 1 5 ft 10 in1801944 Pittsburgh, PA Mitchell Sinclairend 0 5 ft 11 in1651944Canonsburg H. S.Canonsburg, PA Steve Sinclaircenter 7 6 ft 1 in2101942Canonsburg H. S.Canonsburg, PA Joe Skladaneyhalfback 0 6 ft1851944Larksville H. S. Larksville, PA Michael Sotakend 5 5 ft 9 in1801944Hazleton H. S.Hazleton, PA John Stahl*end95 ft 10 in1851942Tarentum H. S.Tarentum, PA Jack Stetler*halfback 8 5 ft 10 in1681941 Glenshaw H. S.Glenshaw, PA Harold Stickel*halfback 3 5 ft 10 in1681944McKees Rocks H. S.McKees Rocks, PA Richard Stittguard 0 5 ft 11 in1801944Tarentum H. S. Tarentum, PA Robert Stodgellguard05 ft 11 in1851942Peru H. S. Peru, IN Walter Wardtackle05 ft 10 in 1801943 Bellevue H. S. Pittsburgh, PA Walter West*quarterback96 ft 1851943Burgettstown H. S. Atlasburg, PA William Rittenbaugh*varsity football manager 1942Peabody H. S. Pittsburgh, PA * Letterman
Game summaries
Purdue
On October 4, the Panthers opened the season against Mal Elward's Purdue Boilermakers, the supposed weakest of their 4 Western Conference opponents. Purdue had 21 returning lettermen, but they were upset 3 to 0 by Vanderbilt in their opener. Their guard Tom Melton was named third team All-America by the Associated Press.
Coach Bowser warned: "Don't be fooled by that defeat by Vanderbilt. Purdue is a tough ball club, both offensively and defensively...Any squad that has 21 lettermen, plus a lot of good sophomores, is bound to be good...Our chief lack is experience, and we'll pick that up as we go along." The Panthers starting lineup had one holdover, end Stanley Gervelis, from the 1940 squad.
Frank Carver, Pitt Publicity Director, announced that children under 12 would be admitted the game for 25 cents and soldiers in uniform would be admitted for 50 cents.
The Panthers lost their first home opener since 1922 as the Boilermakers eked out a 6 to 0 win. Pitt received the opening kick-off and advanced the ball to the Purdue 9-yard line. Four running plays failed to move the ball beyond the 1-yard line, and Purdue took over on downs. Purdue scored in the second period. Pitt back Bill Dutton fumbled on his own 29-yard line and Tom Melton recovered for Purdue. John Petty ran through right guard from the 2-yard line for the touchdown. John Galvin missed the point after. The Pitt offense then advanced the ball to the Purdue 22-yard, from where they threw five incomplete passes (off-setting penalties gave the extra down) as time ran out in the first half. Purdue back Ken Smock ran the second half kick-off back 65 yards to the Panther 35-yard line for the highlight of the game. The Pitt defense kept Purdue from scoring, even though the second half was mostly played in Pitt territory. The Boilermakers finished the season with a 2–5–1 overall record and tied for seventh place in the Western Conference at 1–3.
The Pitt starting lineup for the game against Purdue was Stanley Gervelis (left end), Harry Kindelberger (left tackle), George Mitchell (left guard), Jack Heister (center), Vince Antonelli (right guard), William Benghouser (right tackle), Harold Hinte (right end), Walter West (quarterback), Jack Stetler (left halfback), William Dutton (right halfback) and John Ross (fullback). Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were Norbert Gestner, Jack Durishan, Joseph Broudy, Steve Sinclair, Ralph Fife, Joe Salvucci, John Stahl, Ralph Hammond, Edgar Jones, Joe Connell, Frank Saska, Jack Kerr and Mat Gebel.
At Michigan
On October 11, the Pitt Panthers traveled to Ann Arbor, MI for their first game against Fritz Crisler's Michigan Wolverines in “The Big House”. Michigan was 2–0 on the season, having beaten Michigan State 19–7 and Iowa 6–0. Fullback Bob Westfall and tackle Al Wistert received recognition on both the 1941 College Football All-America Team and the 1941 All-Big Ten Conference football team. Even though the Wolverines were 7-5 favorites, Crisler told the Detroit Free Press: "We are prepared for anything...We are taking nothing for granted."
While his 34-man traveling squad worked out on Michigan Stadium, Coach Bowser noted: "We're the underdogs and we should be. Michigan has a distinct edge in experience and that veteran Michigan line will be a tough nut to crack."
Coach Bowser was correct as the Wolverines routed the Panthers 40 to 0. The Pitt offense was limited to three first downs (27 yards rushing and 18 yards passing). They never penetrated beyond the Michigan 35-yard line. Michigan scored 6 touchdowns, had one called back on a clipping penalty, and ran out of time on the Pitt 1-yard line to end the game. The Panthers' defense gave up a 72-yard, 14 play drive in the opening period. Michigan back Harold Lockard scored on a 6-yard run. Merv Pregulman missed the point after. The rest of the first half was scoreless. Left halfback Tom Kuzma scored two touchdowns in the third quarter. His 7-yard scoring jaunt, after a recovered Pitt fumble, was followed by a 48-yard punt return. Bob Ingalls converted both placements. Three substitute backs – Don Boor, Don Robinson and Dave Nelson – scored in the final quarter. Bill Melzow converted two of the placements to reach 40 points. The Wolverines finished the season #5 in the final Associated Press poll with a record of 6–1–1.
The 40–0 defeat was the worst drubbing handed the Panthers since 1903 when the WUP athletic department was in disarray and both Penn State (59–0) and Geneva (57–0) ran up the score. Eddie Beachler of The Pittsburgh Press lamented: "Thus life begins at “40” for the Panthers – a new life of 40–0 defeats, marking the end of one of football's greatest dynasties that made Pitt's 'Sock It To-Em!' one of the most feared cries in the grid world."
The Pitt starting lineup for the game against Michigan was Stanley Gervelis (left end), Harry Kindelberger (left tackle), George Mitchell (left guard), Jack Heister (center), Ralph Fife (right guard), William Benghouser (right tackle), Harold Hinte (right end), Walter West (quarterback), Jack Stetler (left halfback), William Dutton (right halfback) and John Ross (fullback). Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were John Stahl, Norbert Gestner, Martin Rosepink, Jack Durishan, Joe Salvucci, Robert Crissman, Vince Antonelli, Joseph Broudy, William Dillon, Steve Sinclair, James Clowes, Ralph Hammond, George Allshouse, Frank Scatton, Edgar Jones, Joe Connell, Frank Saska, Jack Kerr and Mat Gebel.
At Minnesota