The 1940 Pittsburgh Panthers football team represented the University of Pittsburgh as an independent during the 1940 college football season. Led by second-year head coach Charley Bowser, the Panthers compiled a record of 3–4–1.
Pittsburgh was ranked at No. 30 (out of 697 college football teams) in the final rankings under the Litkenhous Difference by Score system for 1940.
The team played home games at Pitt Stadium in Pittsburgh.
Schedule
Preseason
On February 12, Coach Charles Bowser appointed Harold Stebbins and Luther Richards to his coaching staff. Stebbins replaced Mike Nicksick, who resigned and joined the staff at West Virginia. Richards replaced Walt Raskowski, who was finishing his dental degree. Henry Korp was named varsity manager for the 1940 season. Albert Stamen was appointed junior varsity football manager.
Spring practice commenced on March 14 after a freshman strike threat concerning the financial and working conditions of Code Bowman was thwarted by the Athletic Department. Sixty players, including 19 freshmen, appeared for the first session. The sessions ended on May 4 with a varsity scrimmage, which was the feature event of the Western Pennsylvania Scholastic Coaches' Association football clinic.
On April 15, The Pitt News noted that Coach Bowser added three new coaches to his staff. Former Panthers Harold Klein, Dick Fullerton and John Dickinson were appointed as assistant freshmen team coaches while they continued their studies at the university.
On September 10, Coach Bowser welcomed a squad of 56 for the start of fall two-a-day practices. He was not optimistic: “We have a lot of hard work ahead of us. Our spring training didn't mean much, rain washing out most of our outdoor practices. We haven't the reserves necessary to meet the kind of schedule we'll be up against this year...”
Coach Bowser appointed tackle Ted Konetsky team captain for the 1940 season. Bowser announced that he would also name game captains to assist Konetsky. Konetsky was the first team captain since the 1934 season.
Coaching staff 1940 Pittsburgh Panthers football staff Coaching staff Charley Bowser – Head coach Robert Hoel – Assistant coach Dr. Arnold Greene – fullback coach Harold Stebbins – halfback coach William Daddio – end coach Nick Kliskey– freshman team coach Richard Fullerton – assistant freshman team coach Harold Klein – assistant freshman team coach John Dickinson – assistant freshman coach Support staff Dr. H. A. Ralph Shanor – team physician Harold Whitson – varsity equipment manager Howard Waite - football trainer James Hagan - director of athletics Frank Carver – publicity director Henry Korp – varsity student manager Albert Stamen – junior varsity student manager
Roster
1940 Pittsburgh Panthers football roster John Benz*tackle8 6 ft 2 in 2001941 Peabody H. S. Pittsburgh, PA Joseph Adamchichalfback 0 5 ft 10 in1751943Union City H. S.Union City, PA Melvin Andrewsguard 06 ft 1901942Etna H. S. Etna, PA Vincent Antonelli*guard75 ft 10 in 1831943 Schenley H. S. Pittsburgh, PA George Allshousecenter45 ft 10 in1881942Duquesne H. S.Duquesne, PA William Benghouser*tackle76 ft2001942Central Catholic H. S. Pittsburgh, PA Ernest Bonelli*fullback85 ft 9 in1851941 Aspinwall H. S. Aspinwall, PA Eli Bornheimhalfback05 ft 10 in1651943 Elkins Park, PA Joseph Connell*fullback 3 5 ft 11 in1921942 Charleroi H. S. Charleroi, PA Robert Crissmantackle06 ft 11941942Butler H. S.Butler, PA William Duttonhalfback55 ft 10 in 1701943 Weston H. S.Weston, WV Dwight Emerickguard05 ft 9 in1801943Aspinwall H. S. Aspinwall, PA Ralph Fife*guard85 ft 11 in1851942Canton McKinley H. S. Canton, OH William Fitchkoend26 ft 1801942Gary H. S.Filbert, WV Paul Foleyguard25 ft 10 in1851941Swissvale H. S.Swissvale, PA Allen Gartnertackle06 ft 1 in 2101942 Carrick H. S. Pittsburgh, PA John Gates*guard35 ft 10 in2001942 Pittsburgh, PA Stanley Gervelis*end86 ft 1 in1901942Charleroi H. S.Charleroi, PA Jack Goodridge*end85 ft 11 in1751941Washington H. S.Washington, PA Rudolph Gradisek*guard85 ft 11 in1931941 Sewickley Township H. S. Herminie, PA Albert Gurczenski*tackle 6 6 ft 1 in1951941Jeannette H. S.Jeannette, PA Ralph Hammondquarterback15 ft 11 in1801943 Wilkinsburg H. S. Wilkinsburg, PA Harris Hawkins*guard 2 5 ft 10 in1661941New Martinsville H. S. New Martinsville, WV Jack Heistercenter06 ft 2 in1851943Aspinwall H. S. Aspinwall, PA Harold Hinteend15 ft 11 in 1851943 Mt. Hope H. S. Sun, WV Edgar Jones*halfback85 ft 10 in1751942Scranton H. S. Scranton, PA Bud Kincaidguard05 ft 10 in1851942 Peru H. S. Peru, IN Harry Kindelberger*tackle66 ft 3 in2951942 Oil City H. S. Oil City, PA Lawrence Klotzend05 ft 11 in1961940 Pittsburgh, PA Ted Konetsky*tackle86 ft 1 in1951941German Township H. S.McClelland, PA George Kracum*halfback86 ft 1 in1911941Hazelton H. S.Hazleton, PA Albert Kunkelcenter46 ft 1 in 1901942 Pittsburgh, PAWilliam Lohmeyerend0 6 ft 4 in1981943 Pittsburgh, PA Robert Malloyfullback15 ft 10 in1781943 Oakmont H. S. Oakmont, PA Mario Martorelliguard06 ft 1901943 Pittsburgh, PA George Mitchell*guard66 ft 1901942Ellsworth-Cokeburg H. S.Ellsworth, PA Thomas Murphy*quarterback 55 ft 11 in1751942 Pittsburgh. PA Earl Presselend26 ft1801941Hollidaysburg H. S. Hollidaysburg, PA Raymond Rabinekquarterback05 ft 10 in1801942 Pittsburgh, PA Joseph Rettinger*end 3 5 ft 11 in1801941Ashland H. S.Ashland, PA John Ross*fullback55 ft 10 in1841942Ellsworth-Cokeburg H. S.Ellsworth, PA Frank Saksahalfback45 ft 11 in1801943Braddock H. S. Braddock, PA Albert Samsonguard 0 5 ft 10 in 1751942 Pittsburgh, PA Carl Sardiend 0 5 ft 10 in1701941Clarion H. S. Clarion, PA Michael Sekela*quarterback 8 6 ft 2001941 Windber H. S. Windber, PA Stephen Sinco*center85 ft 11 in2051942Canonsburg H. S. Canonsburg, PA Louis Sleberhalfback15 ft 9 in1701941Sewickley Township H. S.Herminie, PA John Stahlend45 ft 10 in1851942Tarentum H. S.Tarentum, PA Jack Stetler*halfback 8 5 ft 10 in1681941 Glenshaw H. S.Glenshaw, PA Robert Stodgellguard05 ft 11 in1851942Peru H. S. Peru, IN Robert Thurbon*halfback 8 5 ft 10 in1701941 Erie H. S.Erie, PA Joseph Walkerfullback0 5 ft 10 in1721943 Pittsburgh, PA Walter Wardtackle25 ft 10 in 1801943 Pittsburgh, PA Walter West*quarterback56 ft 1851943Atlasburg H. S. Atlasburg, PA William Wilsonend 0 6 ft 1901942 Canonsburg H. S. Muse, PA Henry Korp*varsity student manager 1941 Pittsburgh, PA * Letterman
Game summaries
At Ohio State
The Panthers opened the 1940 season against the defending Big Ten (Western) Conference champion Ohio State Buckeyes in Columbus. This was coach Francis Schmidt's seventh and final season as leader of the Buckeyes. OSU's lineup had 10 returning lettermen, featuring All-American quarterback Don Scott. Even though Ohio State trailed 1–2–1 in the all-time series, they were 5 to 1 favorites and had not lost an opening game since 1894.
The outmanned Panthers succumbed to the Ohio State Buckeyes 30 to 7. The Panthers held the Buckeyes to a first half 25-yard field goal by Charles Maag. Early in the third period Maag blocked Edgar Jones' quick kick and recovered on the Pitt 4-yard line. On first down James Langhurst scored the touchdown. Don Scott booted the extra point to make the score 10–0. The Pitt offense answered with a 12-play, 65-yard scoring drive. George Kracum carried the ball six times for 43 yards and James Thurbon carried four times. Thurbon scored through the middle from the one. Mike Sekela added the extra point and Pitt trailed 10 to 7. The Ohio State aerial offense added two more touchdowns in the third period. Don Scott threw a 45-yard touchdown pass to Langhurst and an 18-yard touchdown pass to Charles Anderson. Scott and Jack Graf added the extra points and Ohio led 24–7. The Buckeye second string scored in the fourth quarter on an 8-yard touchdown pass from James Sexton to Sam Fox. Graf missed the placement. Final score: Ohio State 30 to Pittsburgh 7.
Statistics were deceiving as the Panthers earned 16 first downs to 8 for the Buckeyes and Pitt out-rushed the Buckeyes 217 yards to 191. Ohio State won the passing game 91 yards to 21.
Ohio State finished the season with a 4–4 record.
The Pitt starting lineup for the game against Ohio State was Stanley Gervelis (left end), Ted Konetsky (left tackle), Rudy Gradisek (left guard), Stephen Sinco (center), Ralph Fife (right guard), John Benz (right tackle), Joe Rettinger (right end), Mike Sekela (quarterback), Edgar Jones (left halfback), Robert Thurbon (right halfback) and George Kracum (fullback). Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were Jack Goodridge, John Stahl, William Benghouser, Harry Kindelberger, Vincent Antonelli, Harris Hawkins, John Gates, Albert Kunkel, Robert Malloy, Jack Stetler, Ernest Bonelli, William Dutton, John Ross, Frank Saksa, Thomas Murphy and Walter West.
Missouri
For the home opener, the Panthers welcomed the defending Big Six Conference Champion Missouri Tigers. Sixth-year coach Don Faurot led the 1939 Tigers to an 8–2 record and sixth place ranking in the Associated Press final poll. This season they opened with a 40–26 victory over the St. Louis Billikens. The Tigers were led by All-American and future College Football Hall of Famer, quarterback Paul Christman.
Tom Hopkins of the Sun-Telegraph wrote: “Coach Bowser has decided to give the 11 starters another chance to prove their right to first-team ranking but this will be the last chance. If the Panthers don't show improvement against Missouri there will be wholesale revision of the lineup for the Southern Methodist game...”
The Panther offensive ground game out-performed the Missouri passing game by the score of 19 to 13. Pitt scored in the first period. The Panthers recovered a Tiger fumble on the Missouri 49-yard line. Twelve plays later fullback George Kracum bulled into the end zone from the 2-yard line. Missouri blocked Mike Sekela's placement attempt, but Rudy Gradisek recovered the ball and lateraled to Edgar Jones who carried it across the goal for the extra point. In the second quarter the Tigers responded with a 55-yard, 7-play drive. A pass interference penalty kept the drive alive before Bill Cunningham rushed the final five yards for the score. Robert Steuber's placement attempt was wide, but the Panthers were offside. Cunningham was unsuccessful on the second attempt and Pitt led 7 to 6 at halftime. Pitt got the ball to start the third quarter and marched 80-yards on 15 running plays. Edgar Jones carried the ball into the end zone from the 12-yard line. Sekela's placement went wide and Pitt led 13 to 6. Late in the third period, the Panthers intercepted a Paul Christman pass to gain possession on their own 38-yard line. On the seventeenth play, Ernest Bonelli scored on a 1-yard plunge and Sekela missed the point after. Pitt 19 to Missouri 6. The Tigers answered with an 88-yard, 11-play drive to cut the lead to 19 to 13. Missouri recovered an onside kick on the Pitt 44-yard line with 50 seconds remaining in the game. Christman completed a pass to Jack Lister for a first down on the Panther 31-yard line. The Panther defense sacked Christman on third down to secure the win.
Coach Faurot told the Sun-Telegraph: “Pitt has a fine team and deserved to beat us. Our passing attack wasn't quite up to par and I was disappointed in our running attack...” Coach Bowser: “refused to admit press representatives to the Panther dressing room, establishing a precedent in Pitt football history.”
Missouri finished the season in third place in the Big Six Conference with an overall 6–3 record.