The 1908 Pittsburgh Panthers football team was an American football team that represented the University of Pittsburgh as an independent during the 1908 college football season.
Schedule
Season recap In July 1908, the Western University of Pennsylvania officially became the University of Pittsburgh. Hence, the cheers and songs emanating from the students at sporting contests had to be changed for the 1908 football season. In April, John A. Moorhead was hired to lead the football team for a second season. He hired ex-quarterback Karl Swenson as assistant coach. At the 1907 season ending banquet Quince Banbury was chosen captain by his teammates. The drama in this offseason centered on a request by Washington & Jefferson University's Athletic Committee for the Western University of Pennsylvania to sign an agreement to adopt a one-year residency rule for their athletes. They stated that they would only make this request of the Western University of Pennsylvania. The WUP Athletic Committee declined and severed ties with all Washington & Jefferson athletic teams. Late in November the Red and Black changed their mind and begged for a post season football game with the University of Pittsburgh. The details were worked out between Alexander Silverman, the graduate manager of athletics at Pitt and E. M. Murphy, the graduate manager of athletics at Washington & Jefferson. The University of Pittsburgh Athletic Committee agreed to mend relations with the Red and Black and the eleventh game was added to the schedule. The main plus to come out of the pettiness and then total reversal shown by Washington & Jefferson's Athletic Department was a rivalry played for the next twenty-one straight years. In its second season under head coach John A. Moorhead, the team compiled an 8–3 record and outscored opponents by a total of 140 to 36. At the conclusion of the season Mr. Moorhead resigned as coach and went into business with his father.
Coaching staff 1908 Pittsburgh Panthers football staff Coaching staff John A. Moorhead – Head coach Karl Swenson – Assistant coach Support staff Alexander Silverman – Graduate manager of athletics Dr. Andrew B. Wallgren – Physical director
Roster
1908 Pittsburgh Panther football roster Quincy Banbury^end85' 7"1551908Salina H.S. (KS)Doctor of Dental SurgeryWichita, KS Joseph Campbell^fullback95' 10"1721909 Doctor of Dental SurgeryWoodlawn, PA Edgar Chathamend35' 7"1501909Allegheny H.S.Doctor of MedicinePittsburgh, PA Maurice Goldsmith^end65' 10"1641909Carnegie H.S. Doctor of MedicinePittsburgh, PA John Mackrell^fullback55' 8"1651909Pittsburgh AcademyDoctor of MedicinePittsburgh, PA Homer Roe^end115' 8"1621910Allegheny H.S.Doctor of Dental SurgeryPittsburgh, PA John Shuman^lineman106' 2"1801910 Doctor of MedicineSioux City, IA Frank Van Doren^tackle96' 1"2121911Warrensburg NormalDoctor of MedicineSeaside, OR Robert Richards^tackle105' 11"1751910Wilkinsburg H.S. Mechanical EngineeringButler, PA Elwood Joseph DeLozierquarterback15' 6"1351909 Doctor of Dental SurgeryPitcairn, PA James Stevenson^tackle66'1981912Chester H.S. (WVA)Doctor of MedicinePittsburgh, PA Jack Turner^tackle55' 8"1891908Salina H.S. (KS)Associate LawGregg, PA Arthur Yielding^center76'2151909Guthrie H.S. (OK)Doctor of MedicinePortland, OR Samuel Elliott^guard116' 4"1851911 Medical Department John “Jack” Lindsay^end115' 11"1551912Johnstown H.S. Doctor of Dental SurgeryJohnstown, PA Charles Quaileyhalfback55' 9"1581912Dennison H.S. Doctor of Dental SurgeryPittsburgh, PA George Bailey^tackle105' 10"1781911East Stroudsburg NormalDoctor of Dental SurgeryScranton, PA Richard Hoblitzellend15' 11"1601909Butler H.S.Associate Dental DegreeBoston, MA William Carsonend05' 11"1651911Sharpsburg H.S.Doctor of Dental SurgeryAmbridge, PA Norman Buddquarterback45' 8"1501911Sharon H.S. Associate DentalFarrell, PA Frank Barrett^quarterback115' 9"156 Engineering Departmenttransferred to Penn State Raymond Butlerhalfback05' 7"1351910Pittsburg H.S. Doctor of Dental SurgerySharon, PA Clarence Hapgoodquarterback05' 7"1401911Warren H.S. Doctor of Dental SurgeryErie, PA William Watsonend05' 10"1501910 Doctor of MedicineLibrary, PA Harry Pontiushalfback05' 7"145 1909 Graduate PharmacyPittsburgh, PA Theodore Straubcenter05' 10"1751910Stroyestown, PADoctor of Dental SurgerySomerset, PA Marion Sayrecenter45' 10"1851912New Brighton H.S. Associate MedicalPhiladelphia, PA Don Lindsayend05' 10"155 Johnstown H. S. Henry A. Blairtackle16'1851912Allegheny H.S.Dental Department Harry U. Ent^halfback106'1701912Ridgway H.S.Law School William Rosserhalfback75' 8"1561912Pittsburgh H.S. Medical School Edward J. Ebecktackle06' 1"1801910 Peter Glickquarterback15' 7"1501911Pittsburgh H.S. Law SchoolPittsburgh, PA Tynanend1 Eggersend1 ^ Lettermen
Game summaries
Mount Union
On October 3 Pitt opened the 1908 football season at Exposition Park against the Mount Union College Purple of Alliance, Ohio. Twelve hundred fans turned out to cheer on the new edition of University of Pittsburgh football. The Pittsburg Press noted: "The system of numbering the local and visiting players will be adopted again this year and in this way the spectators will be able to follow the game well by referring to their programs. The numbers are sewed on the back of each player's jersey and can be distinguished from any part of the field." Both teams were healthy and anxious to play.
Mount Union started strong. They recovered a Pitt fumble on the Pitt fifteen yard line. They were able to move the ball five yards closer and Purple Raider fullback O'Brien was successful on a field goal. Pitt protested that the ball should have been theirs on downs. The referee agreed with Pitt and their offense went to work. An onside kick moved the ball across midfield. On second down Quince Banbury raced forty yards around left end for the first score. Jack Lindsay was successful on the goal after. Minutes later Banbury recovered an onside kick and scored his second touchdown. Lindsay missed the point after. The Pitt offense regained possession and Banbury ran forty-eight yards for his third touchdown of the half. Lindsay's kick was blocked. The Mount Union offense moved the ball to the Pitt five yard line and O'Brien connected on a field goal. That one counted and the halftime score was 16-4.
Quince Banbury and Joe Campbell scored second half touchdowns to make the final score 26-4. Coach Moorhead made wholesale substitutions and the Pitt offense had the ball on Mount Union's three yard line as time expired. Mount Union finished the season with a 5-4-1 record.
The Pitt starting lineup for the game against Mount Union was Maurice Goldsmith (left end), George Bailey (left tackle), Samuel Elliott (left guard), John Turner (center), John Shuman (right guard), Tex Richards (right tackle), Jack Lindsay (right end), Fritz Barrett (quarterback), Quince Banbury (left halfback), John Mackrell (right halfback), and Rosser (fullback). Substitutions made during the game were: Joe Campbell replaced William Rosser at fullback; Harry Ent replaced John Mackrell at right halfback; Marion Sayre replaced John Turner at center; James Stevenson replaced Samuel Elliott at left guard; Edgar Chatham replaced Quince Banbury at left halfback; and Homer Roe replaced Maurice Goldsmith at left end. The game consisted of one twenty minute half and one fifteen minute half.
Bethany
On a rainy October 10 the Bethany Bisons visited Exposition Park to take on Pitt. The Bisons fumbled on their first possession and Pitt recovered. The Pitt offense advanced the ball to the six yard line but lost the ball on downs. Bethany punted and Pitt returned the ball to the Bison eighteen yard line. Five plays later Quince Banbury plunged into the end zone for the first touchdown of the game. Center John Turner kicked the goal after. The Pitt offense was again efficient on their next possession and scored easily to make the score 12-0 at the break.
Coach Moorhead made numerous substitutions at halftime. Pitt end Homer Roe caught the second half kickoff on his twenty yard line and raced untouched ninety yards into the end zone. Turner was unsuccessful on the goal kick. The Bethany offense was then able to move into Pitt territory but missed a field goal. The Pitt offense asserted their dominance for the remainder of the game as John Mackrell scored two touchdowns to make the final score 27-0. Bethany would finish the season with a 4-3-1 record.
The Pitt starting lineup for the game against Bethany was Maurice Goldsmith (left end), George Bailey (left tackle), Samuel Elliott (left guard), John Turner (center), John Shuman (right guard), Tex Richards (right tackle), Jack Lindsay (right end), Fritz Barrett (quarterback), Quince Banbury (left halfback), Harry Ent (right halfback), and Joe Campbell (fullback). Substitutions made during the game were: Charles Quailey replaced Quince Banbury at left halfback; John Mackrell replaced Harry Ent at right halfback; Homer Roe replaced John Lindsay at right end; Marion Sayre replaced John Turner at center; James Stevenson replaced Samuel Elliott at left guard; William Rosser replaced Joe Campbell at fullback; Norman Budd replaced Fritz Barrett at quarterback; Edgar Chatham replaced Charles Quailey at left halfback; Henry Blair replaced Tex Richards at right tackle; Tynan replaced Maurice Goldsmith at left end; Richard Hoblitzell replaced George Bailey at left tackle; Eggers replaced Homer Roe; Pete Glick replaced Norman Budd at quarterback; and Elwood DeLozier replaced Glick at quarterback. The game was played in 15-minute halves.
Marietta
On October 17 the Pioneers of Marietta College gave the Pitt eleven another scare as they held the home team to a 7-0 score. The Pitt lineup was missing center John Turner (ankle injury), Captain Quince Banbury (torn ligament in leg), and tackle Frank Van Doren (shoulder separation). They were lucky to come away with a victory. End Jack Lindsay was nursing sore ribs but was able to play. The Marietta offense preferred to have the ball in Pitt's hands so they punted often. Pitt scored on their third possession. A Charles Quailey pass to Homer Roe was good for a twenty-seven yard gain to the thirteen yard line of Marietta. Marietta then intercepted an onside kick. Marietta punted right back to Pitt. Charles Quailey onside kicked to George Bailey at Marietta's seven yard line. Joe Campbell plunged over from the one foot line. The goal kick after was unsuccessful. Two possessions later Pitt quarterback Barrett punted to Pioneer quarterback Horne. Horne fumbled the ball into the end zone and recovered but was tackled in the end zone for a safety. During Pittsburgh's next possession, Barrett was tackled and knocked out of the game. Norman Budd replaced him for the rest of the game. The halftime score was 7-0.
The second half produced no scoring. Coach Moorhead made multiple substitutions. Left end Starr of Marietta was ejected for slugging and Pitt had possession on the Marietta eleven yard line. William Rosser advanced nine yards to the two yard line. Pitt fumbled on the next play and Reiter of Marietta scampered to the twenty-five before he was tackled. The Pioneers offense could not sustain a drive. Both defenses were the stars of the game. Marietta finished the season with a 6-2 record.