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1976 Pittsburgh Panthers football team

American college football season

American college football season

FieldValue
year1976
teamPittsburgh Panthers
sportfootball
conferenceIndependent
CoachRank1
APRank1
record12–0
head_coachJohnny Majors
hc_year4th
off_coachJoe Avezzano
oc_year1st
def_schemeBasic 50
def_coachBobby Roper
dc_year1st
off_schemeVeer
stadiumPitt Stadium
championConsensus national champion
Sugar Bowl champion
Eastern champion
bowl[Sugar Bowl](1977-sugar-bowl)
bowl_resultW 27–3 vs. [Georgia](1976-georgia-bulldogs-football-team)

Sugar Bowl champion Eastern champion

The 1976 Pittsburgh Panthers football team represented the University of Pittsburgh in the 1976 NCAA Division I football season and is recognized as a consensus national champion. Pitt was also awarded the Lambert-Meadowlands Trophy as the best Division I team in the East. The Panthers played their home games at Pitt Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

During the 1970s, the top-ranked team won its bowl game only three times: Pittsburgh joined Nebraska (1971) and USC (1972).

In the first game of the 1976 season, the Panthers faced off against Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana. A year earlier, Tony Dorsett had finished with 303 yards rushing in Pitt's 34–20 victory over the Irish. "They even grew the grass high," said Carmen DeArdo, a diehard Pitt alumnus, "and everyone knew Tony would get the ball." "They didn't let that grass grow long enough," Dorsett said later. He darted 61 yards on his first run of the season and tacked on 120 more by the end of the 31–10 Pitt win.

The season continued with a 42–14 win at Georgia Tech and a 36–19 win over Miami. The Panthers traveled to Annapolis on October 23 to face Navy and Dorsett broke the NCAA career rushing record on a 32-yard touchdown run in the 45–0 victory. Dorsett's achievement prompted a mid-game celebration in which even Navy saluted the feat with a cannon blast. Pitt won a tough, hard-fought battle against struggling rival Syracuse.

On November 6, the second-ranked Panthers hosted Army at Pitt Stadium and won handily, but the significant action was taking place several hundred miles west, in West Lafayette, Indiana, where the Purdue Boilermakers held off the top-ranked Michigan Wolverines 16–14 in the closing seconds. The Pitt Stadium crowd erupted in celebration when the stadium public address announcer dramatically gave the final score from Purdue. For the first time in the modern era, Panther fans could legitimately claim, "We're number one!" Pitt defended its ranking in a close Backyard Brawl against West Virginia to go 10–0 heading into the regular season finale on national television against instate rival Penn State (7–3).

At a packed Three Rivers Stadium on the night after Thanksgiving, the Nittany Lions scored first and held Dorsett to 51 yards in the first half; the game was tied at seven at halftime. Majors adjusted for the second half by shifting Dorsett from tailback to fullback, enabling him to explode for an additional 173 yards as Pitt rolled to a 24–7 victory to cap an undefeated regular season.

In December, Dorsett became the first (and remains the only) Pitt Panther to win the Heisman Trophy as the nation's best college football player. Dorsett also won the Maxwell Award, the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award, and was named UPI Player of the Year. He led the nation in rushing with 1,948 yards and was selected as an All-American. Dorsett finished his college career with 6,082 total rushing yards, then an NCAA record for career rushing.

Schedule

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Rankings

AP Poll

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UPI Poll

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Game summaries

at No. 11 Notre Dame

StatisticsPittsburgh Panthersyear=1976border=1}}"PITTNotre Dame Fighting Irishyear=1976border=1}}"ND
First downs1220
Total yards277287
Rushes/yards53–19150–112
Passing yards87175
Passing: Comp–Att–Int6–13–013–38–4
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Pittsburgh Panthersyear=1976border=1}}"**Pittsburgh**PassingRobert Haygood5–12, 83 yards
RushingTony Dorsett22 carries, 181 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingJim Corbett4 receptions, 72 yards
Notre Dame Fighting Irishyear=1976border=1}}; text-align:center;"**Notre Dame**Passing
Rushing
Receiving

at Georgia Tech

Robert Haygood tore knee ligaments in the victory.

StatisticsPittsburgh Panthersyear=1976border=1}}"PITTGeorgia Tech Yellow Jacketsyear=1976border=1}}"GT
First downs
Total yards
Rushes/yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Pittsburgh Panthersyear=1976border=1}}"**Pittsburgh**Passing
RushingTony Dorsett27 carries, 113 yards, 3 TD
Receiving
Georgia Tech Yellow Jacketsyear=1976border=1}}; text-align:center;"**Georgia Tech**Passing
Rushing
Receiving

Temple

StatisticsTemple Owlsyear=1976border=1}}"TUPittsburgh Panthersyear=1976border=1}}"PITT
First downs
Total yards
Rushes/yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Temple Owlsyear=1976border=1}}"**Temple**Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Pittsburgh Panthersyear=1976border=1}}; text-align:center;"**Pittsburgh**Passing
Rushing
Receiving

at Duke

StatisticsPittsburgh Panthersyear=1976border=1}}"PITTDuke Blue Devilsyear=1976border=1}}"DUKE
First downs
Total yards
Rushes/yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Pittsburgh Panthersyear=1976border=1}}"**Pittsburgh**Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Duke Blue Devilsyear=1976border=1}}; text-align:center;"**Duke**Passing
Rushing
Receiving

Louisville

StatisticsLouisville Cardinalsyear=1976border=1}}"LOUPittsburgh Panthersyear=1976border=1}}"PITT
First downs
Total yards
Rushes/yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Louisville Cardinalsyear=1976border=1}}"**Louisville**Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Pittsburgh Panthersyear=1976border=1}}; text-align:center;"**Pittsburgh**Passing
RushingTony Dorsett30 carries, 130 yards
Receiving

Matt Cavanaugh sustained a hairline fracture in the left ankle during the first half.

Miami (FL)

StatisticsMiami Hurricanesyear=1976border=1}}"MIAMIPittsburgh Panthersyear=1976border=1}}"PITT
First downs
Total yards
Rushes/yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Miami Hurricanesyear=1976border=1}}"**Miami (FL)**Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Pittsburgh Panthersyear=1976border=1}}; text-align:center;"**Pittsburgh**Passing
RushingTony Dorsett35 carries, 227 yards, TD
ReceivingTony Dorsett1 reception, 40 yards, TD

at Navy

StatisticsPittsburgh Panthersyear=1976border=1}}"PITTNavy Midshipmenyear=1976border=1}}"NAVY
First downs
Total yards
Rushes/yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Pittsburgh Panthersyear=1976border=1}}"**Pittsburgh**Passing
RushingTony Dorsett27 carries, 180 yards, 3 TD
Receiving
Navy Midshipmenyear=1976border=1}}; text-align:center;"**Navy**Passing
Rushing
Receiving

Syracuse

StatisticsSyracuse Orangemenyear=1976border=1}}"SYRPittsburgh Panthersyear=1976border=1}}"PITT
First downs
Total yards
Rushes/yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Syracuse Orangemenyear=1976border=1}}"**Syracuse**Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Pittsburgh Panthersyear=1976border=1}}; text-align:center;"**Pittsburgh**Passing
Rushing
Receiving

Army

StatisticsArmy Cadetsyear=1976border=1}}"ARMYPittsburgh Panthersyear=1976border=1}}"PITT
First downs
Total yards
Rushes/yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Army Cadetsyear=1976border=1}}"**Army**Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Pittsburgh Panthersyear=1976border=1}}; text-align:center;"**Pittsburgh**Passing
Rushing
Receiving

West Virginia

StatisticsWest Virginia Mountaineersyear=1976border=1}}"WVUPittsburgh Panthersyear=1976border=1}}"PITT
First downs1525
Total yards169399
Rushes/yards44–9963–350
Passing yards7049
Passing: Comp–Att–Int8–24–18–14–0
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
West Virginia Mountaineersyear=1976border=1}}"**West Virginia**PassingDan Kendra8–24, 70 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
RushingWalt Easley16 carries, 75 yards
ReceivingSteve Lewis6 receptions, 74 yards, 2 TD
Pittsburgh Panthersyear=1976border=1}}; text-align:center;"**Pittsburgh**PassingMatt Cavanaugh8–14, 49 yards
RushingTony Dorsett38 carries, 199 yards, 3 TD
ReceivingJim Corbett4 receptions, 27 yards

vs. No. 16 Penn State

StatisticsPittsburgh Panthersyear=1976border=1}}"PITTPenn State Nittany Lionsyear=1976border=1}}"PSU
First downs2012
Total yards419241
Rushes/yards65–27841–106
Passing yards141135
Passing: Comp–Att–Int8–17–29–19–4
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Pittsburgh Panthersyear=1976border=1}}"**Pittsburgh**PassingMatt Cavanaugh8–16, 141 yards, 2 INT
RushingTony Dorsett38 carries, 224 yards, 2 TD
ReceivingGordon Jones4 receptions, 111 yards
Penn State Nittany Lionsyear=1976border=1}}; text-align:center;"**Penn State**Passing
Rushing
Receiving

vs. No. 5 Georgia (Sugar Bowl)

The 11–0 Panthers accepted an invitation to the Sugar Bowl to face fifth-ranked Georgia. Pitt defeated the Bulldogs 27–3 and was voted number one by both the Associated Press and Coaches polls, claiming their ninth national championship. This was Pitt's first undefeated national championship since 1937. The American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) named Majors the 1976 Coach of the Year. Following this historic season, Majors returned to his alma mater, the University of Tennessee, to take the head coaching job.

No. 1 Pittsburgh Panthers (11–0) vs. No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs (10–1) – Game summary

StatisticsPittsburgh Panthersyear=1976border=1}}"PITTGeorgia Bulldogsyear=1976border=1}}"UGA
First downs2414
Total yards480181
Rushes/yards66–28840–135
Passing yards19246
Passing: Comp–Att–Int10–18–03–22–4
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Pittsburgh Panthersyear=1976border=1}}"**Pittsburgh**PassingMatt Cavanaugh10–18, 192 yards, 1 TD
RushingTony Dorsett32 carries, 202 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingWillie Taylor4 receptions, 72 yards
Georgia Bulldogsyear=1976border=1}}; text-align:center;"**Georgia**Passing
Rushing
Receiving

Personnel

Coaching staff

Pittsburgh Panthersborder=0}}; text-align: center;"1976 Pittsburgh Panthers football staff

Roster

Awards and honors

  • Tony Dorsett, Heisman Trophy
  • Tony Dorsett, Walter Camp Award
  • Tony Dorsett, Maxwell Award
  • Tony Dorsett, led the nation in rushing with 1,948 yards
  • Tony Dorsett, All-America selection

Team players drafted into the NFL

Media

Radio

References

Further information

References

  1. (August 2009). "Official 2009 NCAA Division I Football Records Book". The National Collegiate Athletic Association.
  2. "CNNSI.com – College Football – Heisman Heroes – Suzuki presents Heisman Heroes: Tony Dorsett – Friday August 25, 2000 01:29 PM". CNN.
  3. Gorman, Kevin. (2008-10-30). "Pitt-Notre Dame series produces phenomenal performances". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
  4. (October 24, 1976 <!--). "Tony Dorsett No. 1". Reading Eagle.
  5. Axelrod, Phil. (November 26, 1976). "Pitt, State, maybe Tennessee". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
  6. Parascenzo, Marino. (November 27, 1976). "Panthers claw Nittany Lions, 24-7". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
  7. Mackin, Mike. (2008-06-12). "Let's Learn From the Past: The 1976 Pitt Panthers". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
  8. (September 12, 1976). "Pitt, Dorsett crush Notre Dame, 31–10". Staten Island Advance.
  9. (September 19, 1976). "Pitt rolls past Georgia Tech, 42–14". Kingsport Times-News.
  10. (September 26, 1976). "Dorsett does it for Pitt". Press and Sun-Bulletin.
  11. (October 3, 1976). "Pitt struggles by Duke". The Tampa Tribune.
  12. (October 10, 1976). "Pitt controls Louisville". The Santa Fe New Mexican.
  13. (October 17, 1976). "Pitt's 'marathon man' smashes Miami". The Orlando Sentinel.
  14. (October 24, 1976). "Dorsett's TD rush KOs Archie's record". The Cincinnati Enquirer.
  15. (October 31, 1976). "Dorsett peels Orange for 242 yards". The Journal News.
  16. (November 7, 1976). "Dorsett runs Pitt past Army, 37–7". The Tyler Courier-Times-Telegraph.
  17. (November 14, 1976). "Panthers hold off WVU, 24–16". The Pittsburgh Press.
  18. (November 27, 1976). "Dorsett, Pitt roll over Penn State". The Daily Item.
  19. (January 2, 1977). "Pitt: How sweet it is!". The Pittsburgh Press.
  20. "Pitt loses quarterback, but Dorsett nears record." Eugene Register-Guard. 1976 Oct 10. Retrieved 2018-Dec-30.
  21. "Yearly National Championship Selections: 1976 National Championships". College Football Data Warehouse.
  22. (1996). "The Year the Panthers Roared". AdCraft Sports.
  23. "1976 – 42nd Award Tony Dorsett Pittsburgh Back". HeismanTrophy.com.
  24. "Football".
  25. "1977 NFL Draft Listing - Pro-Football-Reference.com".
Info: Wikipedia Source

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