The 1961 Pittsburgh Panthers football team was an American football team that represented the University of Pittsburgh as an independent during the 1961 college football season. In their seventh season under head coach John Michelosen, the Panthers compiled a 3–7 record and were outscored by a total of 209 to 145. The team gained an average of 159.6 rushing yards and 83.8 passing yards per game. On defense, they gave up an average of 178.0 rushing yards and 126.2 passing yards per game.
Notable players included quarterback James Traficant, who passed for 437 yards, and later served in the U.S. Congress, but was expelled in 2002 after being convicted of ten felonies; back Paul Martha, who later became a consensus All-American and played seven years in the National Football League (NFL); Fred Cox, who later played 15 years in the NFL and was twice the NFL scoring leader; and offensive lineman Ed Adamchik.
The team played its home games at Pitt Stadium in Pittsburgh.
Schedule
Preseason
On January 23, Coach Michelosen, preparing for his seventh season as Pitt head coach, learned his head backfield coach, Vic Fusia, accepted the head coaching position at the University of Massachusetts. In early February, Michelosen assigned Lou Cecconi to be offensive backfield coach and Carl DePasqua to be defensive backfield coach. In addition, he hired ex-Pitt quarterback Bill Kaliden to be the freshmen team coach.
On March 27, after two weeks of inclement weather, Michelosen started his seventh spring practice. According to the NCAA, the seventy players vying for roster spots had 36 days to get in 20 days of practice. The sessions ended on April 22 with an intrasquad Blues versus Whites game. The Whites made up of mostly freshmen defeated the Blues 20–6.
On August 21, sixty-six players attended Allegheny College for a two-week, two-a-day fall practice camp. Jim Traficant, Pitt's only quarterback with game day experience, wrenched his knee in a scrimmage and was doubtful for the opening game on September 16. The squad returned to Pittsburgh on September 3 for the start of the fall semester.
Game summaries at Miami (FL)
On September 16, the Panthers traveled to Miami, FL to open their season against Andy Gustafson's Miami Hurricanes. The all-time series was tied 3–3. The game was televised on ABC as their game of the week and each team received $100,000. Curt Gowdy and Paul Christman were in the booth, and Jim Simpson was on the sideline. Eight cameras were used to cover the action on the field.
Pitt beat the slightly favored Hurricanes 10–7. After a scoreless first quarter, Miami scored on a pass from George Mira to Larry Wilson. Billy Wilson added the extra point and Miami led 7–0 at halftime. Rain arrived in the third period, but Fred Cox got Pitt on the scoreboard with a 38-yard field goal. Late in the game the Panthers gained possession on their 20-yard line. Quarterback Paul Martha handed off to fullback Jim Clemens, who, in turn, handed off to Fred Cox on a reverse play. Cox went 18 yards and was hemmed in by the Miami defense. He then lateraled to Martha who was trailing the play, and Martha raced the final sixty yards for the touchdown. Cox booted the point after and Pitt went home with a 1–0 record.
Paul Martha's 60-yard touchdown dash led Pitt's rushers. Sam Colella completed 5 of 7 passes for 33 yards and 1 interception. End John Kuprok had 2 receptions for 37 yards. Miami quarterback George Mira completed 9 of 19 passes for 142 yards and 1 touchdown. He also led Miami with 49 yards rushing. Larry Wilson had 4 receptions for 68 yards and 1 touchdown.
The Pitt starting line-up for the game against Miami was Steve Jastrzembski (left end), Gary Kaltenbach (left tackle), Regis Coustillac (left guard), Andy Kuzneski (center), Larry Vignali (right guard), Ed Adamchik (right tackle), Heywood Haser (right end), Sam Colella (quarterback), Jim Clemens (left halfback), Fred Cox (right halfback) and Lou Slaby (fullback). Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were Al Grigaliunas, Robert Ostrosky, Tom Brown, Charles Ahlborn, Ralph Conrad, Elmer Merkovsky, Ernest Borghetti, John Kuprok, Joe Kuzneski, Glenn Lehner, Paul Martha, Ed Clark, John Chisdak, Dennis Chillinsky, John Yaccino and Rick Leeson.
Baylor
On September 30, the Panthers welcomed the Baylor Bears for their home opener. This was the first meeting between the schools. Coach John Bridgers' squad was 1–0, having won their previous game 31–0 over Wake Forest.
In front of 41,194 fans, the Baylor Bears overcame a 10-point deficit and beat the Panthers 16–13. After a scoreless first quarter, Fred Cox missed a 20-yard field goal, and Baylor drove to the Panthers 6-yard line. The Panthers defense held, and Carl Choate booted a 16-yard field goal to open the scoring. Then Pitt scored twice in under three minutes. Paul Martha fumbled at midfield and Baylor recovered. On second down Pitt end Al Grigaliunis intercepted a Ronnie Stanley pass and raced 40 yards to put Pitt ahead. Fred Cox kicked the extra point for a 7–3 lead. On the first scrimmage play after the kick-off, Elbie Wharton fumbled on the Baylor 41-yard line. On the fourth play, Cox ran 18 yards around left end for the touchdown. Herby Adkins blocked Cox's placement. Pitt led 13–3 at halftime. Baylor scored a touchdown in the third and fourth quarter on touchdown passes from Ronnie Stanley to Bobby Lane (3-yards) and James Ingram (12-yards). Choate converted one placement and Baylor led 16–13. Late in the game Pitt gained possession on their own 33-yard line. Eight plays moved the ball to the Baylor 8-yard line with time running out. Pitt lost 6 yards, threw 1 incomplete pass, then completed one for a 4-yard gain, and finally threw another incompletion-game over.
When asked why he chose to pass from the 8-yard line, Coach Michelosen said “We thought we could score by throwing. So we threw.” Ed Clark gained 46 yards on 6 carries to lead the Panthers ground game. Pitt quarterbacks completed 8 of 20 passes for 72 yards. Baylor was led by Ronnie Bull's 79 rushing yards on 13 carries. Ronnie Stanley completed 6 of 10 passes for 62 yards and two touchdowns. He threw 1 interception.
The Pitt starting line-up for the game against Baylor was Steve Jastrzembski (left end), Gary Kaltenbach (left tackle), Regis Coustillac (left guard), Andy Kuzneski (center), Larry Vignali (right guard), Bob Guzik (right tackle), Heywood Haser (right end), Sam Colella (quarterback), Jim Clemens (left halfback), Fred Cox (right halfback) and Rick Leeson (fullback). Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were Al Grigaliunas, Joe Kuzneski, Robert Ostrosky, Tom Brown, Charles Ahlborn, John Holzbach, Ralph Conrad, John Draksler, Elmer Merkovsky, Ernest Borghetti, Ed Adamchik, John Kuprok, Robert Long, John Jenkins, Glenn Lehner, Paul Martha, Jim Traficant, Ed Clark, John Chisdak, Lou Slaby and John Yaccino.
at Washington
Pitt's second road trip was to Seattle, WA to play the Washington Huskies. Pitt led the all-time series 2–0. The Panthers beat the Huskies in the 1937 Rose Bowl (21–0) and then came to Seattle in 1939 and beat them again (27–6). The Huskies were 1–1 for the season.
For the second game in a row, the Panthers could not hold on to a late lead and lost to the Huskies 22–17. Washington scored in the first quarter on a 22-yard pass from Pete Ohler to Nat Whitmyer. The same two combined for a two- point conversion. Early in the second quarter, the Huskies scored on a 1-yard run by Whitmyer to lead 14–0 (2-point try failed). The Panthers answered with a 5-yard touchdown by Paul Martha and then a 2-yard run by Rick Leeson. They added a two-point conversion on a Martha to John Yaccino pass play to tie the score at halftime. The Panthers took the lead in the fourth quarter on a 21-yard Fred Cox field goal. The Pitt pass defense could not hold the lead. Ohler threw a 42-yard touchdown pass to Lee Bernhardi and the same two connected for the two-point conversion ton give the Huskies the victory.
Pitt gained 9 first downs, rushed for 182 yards and passed for 53 yards. Rick Leeson had 84 yards on 15 carries. Five Panthers attempted passes. They completed 3 of 14. Washington had 17 first downs, gained 219 yards rushing and another 202 yards passing. Kermit Jorgenson had 71 yards on 15 carries and Nat Whitmyer added 65 yards on 13 carries. Pete Ohler completed 6 of 11 passes for 188 yards.
The Pitt starting line-up for the game against Washington was Steve Jastrzembski (left end), Gary Kaltenbach (left tackle), Regis Coustillac (left guard), Andy Kuzneski (center), Larry Vignali (right guard), Bob Guzik (right tackle), John Kuprok (right end), Glenn Lehner (quarterback), Ed Clark (left halfback), Fred Cox (right halfback) and Rick Leeson (fullback). Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were Al Grigaliunas, Eugene Sobolewski, Robert Ostrosky, Tom Brown, Ray Popp, Charles Ahlborn, John Holzbach, Ralph Conrad, John Draksler, Ed Adamchik, Robert Long, Sam Colella, Paul Martha, Jim Traficant, Peter Billey, Robert Roeder, Lou Slaby, John Chisdak and John Yaccino.
West Virginia
On October 14, West Virginia visited Pittsburgh for the 54th renewal of the Backyard Brawl. Pitt led the all-time series 39–13–1, and won 42–0 the previous year. Coach Gene Corum's Mounties were 1–3 on the season. Their 28–0 victory over Virginia Tech the previous week broke an 18-game losing streak.
The game was played on the annual High School and Band Day. Pitt was installed as a 15-point favorite. Paul Martha got the start at quarterback, and Tom Brown replaced the injured Regis Coustillac at left guard.
After a close first half, the Mountaineers dominated the Panthers in the second half, and earned a 20–6 upset. West Virginia opened the scoring in the first quarter with a 74-yard march in 16 plays. On second down from the 5-yard line Tom Woodeshick fumbled into the end zone and Mountaineer end Paul Gray fell on it for the touchdown. Glenn Bennett added the extra point for the 7–0 lead. In the second quarter, Pitt answered with a 50-yard scoring drive. Jim Traficant's quarterback sneak from the 1-yard line cut the lead to 7–6. The two-point conversion attempt failed. The second half was all West Virginia as Roger Holdinsky scored on a 30-yard pass from Fred Colvard and then later raced 31 yards around end for the final touchdown. Bennett converted 1 of the 2 placements.
Pitt gained 148 total yards and earned 7 first downs. Fred Cox and Rick Leeson rushed for 47 and 37 yards respectively. Jim Traficant was 4 0f 10 for 44 yards with an interception. Cox caught 3 passes for 40 yards. Mountaineer quarterback Colvard gained 46 yards rushing and completed 4 of 9 passes for 85 yards and 1 touchdown. Holdinsky gained 40 yards rushing and caught 3 passes for 55 yards.
The Pitt starting line-up for the game against West Virginia was Steve Jastrzembski (left end), Gary Kaltenbach (left tackle), Tom Brown (left guard), Andy Kuzneski (center), Larry Vignali (right guard), Bob Guzik (right tackle), John Kuprok (right end), Paul Martha (quarterback), Ed Clark (left halfback), Fred Cox (right halfback) and Rick Leeson (fullback). Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were Al Grigaliunas, Robert Long, Elmer Merkovsky, John Maczuzak, Ray Popp, John Zabcar, Charles Ahlborn, John Holzbach, John Draksler, Ed Adamchik, John Jenkins, Eugene Sobolewski, Sam Colella, Jim Traficant, Glenn Lehner,n Peter Billey, Robert Roeder, John Ozimek, Lou Slaby, John Chisdak and John Yaccino.
at UCLA
The Panthers third road trip in 5 weeks was to Los Angeles, CA to take on coach Bill Barnes' UCLA Bruins. The Panthers led the all-time series 2–1, and this was Pitt's third trip west in four years to play the Bruins. UCLA was 2–2 for the season and was favored by 7 points.