The Pittsburgh Panthers football program is the

intercollegiate {{Short pages monitor *

Atlantic Coast Conference The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) is a collegiate athletic conference located in the eastern United States. Headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC's fifteen member universities compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Associa ...

(2013–present)

Conference championships

Pittsburgh has won three conference championships, one outright and two shared. † Co-champions

Division championships

Pittsburgh has won two division championships.

Bowl games

Pitt has been to 36

bowl game In North America, a bowl game is one of a number of post-season college football games that are primarily played by teams belonging to the NCAA's Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). For most of its history, the Division I Bowl Subdivis ...

s throughout its history, winning 14 and losing 22.

Facilities

The team first played at Recreation Park. Beginning in 1900, the Panthers played their games at Exposition Park on the North Shore of Pittsburgh, sharing the stadium with the

Pittsburgh Pirates The Pittsburgh Pirates are an American professional baseball team based in Pittsburgh. The Pirates compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) Central division. Founded as part of the American Associati ...

. In 1909 the Panthers, along with the Pirates, moved to

Forbes Field Forbes Field was a baseball park in the Oakland (Pittsburgh), Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, from 1909 to June 28, 1970. It was the third home of the Pittsburgh Pirates Major League Baseball (MLB) team, and the first home of t ...

, located on campus, where they played until 1924. In 1925,

Pitt Stadium Pitt Stadium was an outdoor athletic stadium in the eastern United States, located on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Opened in 1925, it served primarily as the home of the univer ...

was completed on the opposite end of the campus, giving the Panthers their only private stadium. Pitt Stadium was home for the Panthers although the Steelers also used it for home games in the mid-1960s. Following the demolition of Pitt Stadium in 1999, the Panthers moved to

Three Rivers Stadium Three Rivers Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, from 1970 to 2000. It was home to the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball (MLB) and the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). Built ...

, again on the North Shore, where the Pirates and Steelers had played since 1970. A handful of nationally televised Pitt Panther football games from the late 1970s to 1999 were played as home games not at Pitt Stadium but at Three Rivers with its more modern facilities.

Acrisure Stadium Acrisure Stadium is a football stadium located in the North Shore neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. It primarily serves as the home of the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL) and the Pittsburgh Pan ...

(formerly Heinz Field) opened in 2001, where the Panthers play as a co-tenant with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Panthers' practice facility is the

University of Pittsburgh Medical Center The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) is a $23billion integrated global nonprofit health enterprise that has 92,000 employees, 40 hospitals with more than 8,000 licensed beds, 800 clinical locations including outpatient sites and do ...

Sports Performance Complex which is also shared with the Steelers.

Firsts

Pitt football has been involved in several notable first-time occurrences in the history of college football, including: * First known use of numbers on the uniforms of football players was instituted by Pitt in 1908 during the coaching tenure of John Moorehead. * First live radio broadcast of a college football game in the United States when Harold W. Arlin announced the 21–13 Pitt victory in the

Backyard Brawl The Backyard Brawl is an American college football rivalry between the University of Pittsburgh Panthers and the West Virginia University Mountaineers. The term "Backyard Brawl" has also been used to refer to college basketball games played ann ...

over

West Virginia West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian, Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions of the United States.The Census Bureau and the Association of American Geographers classify West Virginia as part of the Southern United States while the Bur ...

in Pittsburgh on KDKA on October 8, 1921. * First nationwide television broadcast of a live sporting event, a football game against Duke at Pitt Stadium, was televised coast-to-coast by

NBC The National Broadcasting Company (NBC) is an Television in the United States, American English-language Commercial broadcasting, commercial television network, broadcast television and radio network. The flagship property of the NBC Enterta ...

on September 29, 1951. * First college football player,

Tony Dorsett Anthony Drew Dorsett Sr. (born April 7, 1954) is a former American football running back who played professionally in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos. From Western Pennsylvania, Dorsett attended the ...

, at any level to rush for over 6,000 yards in a career. * First defensive player, Hugh Green, to win the

Walter Camp Award The Walter Camp Player of the Year Award is given annually to the collegiate American football player of the year, as decided by a group of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I FBS head coaches and sports information directo ...

(1980). * First live regular-season broadcast by

ESPN ESPN (originally an initialism for Entertainment and Sports Programming Network) is an American international basic cable sports channel owned by ESPN Inc., owned jointly by The Walt Disney Company (80%) and Hearst Communications (20%). The ...

of a college football game when eventual national champion

BYU Brigham Young University (BYU, sometimes referred to colloquially as The Y) is a private research university in Provo, Utah. It was founded in 1875 by religious leader Brigham Young and is sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day S ...

defeated Pitt, 20–14, at

on September 1, 1984. * First sophomore,

Larry Fitzgerald Larry Darnell Fitzgerald Jr. (born August 31, 1983) is a former American football wide receiver. Fitzgerald played in the National Football League for 17 seasons with the Arizona Cardinals. He played college football at University of Pittsb ...

, to win the Walter Camp Award (2003).

Traditions

The

Panther Panther may refer to: Large cats *Pantherinae, the cat subfamily that contains the genera ''Panthera'' and ''Neofelis'' **''Panthera'', the cat genus that contains tigers, lions, jaguars and leopards. ***Jaguar (''Panthera onca''), found in Sout ...

(''Puma concolor'') was adopted by the university as its official athletic mascot by a group of students and alumni in 1909. The suggestion to adopt the Panther as mascot was made by George M. P. Baird, Class of 1909. Over 20 representations of panthers can be found in and around the university's campus and athletic facilities, including outside Acrisure Stadium. Students, alumni, and fans rub the nose of one Panther statue in particular, the Millennium Panther located outside the

William Pitt Union The William Pitt Union, built in 1898 as the Hotel Schenley, is the student union building of the University of Pittsburgh main campus, and is a Pennsylvania and Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation Historic Landmark. Designed by Pittsburgh ...

, in order to bring good luck to the football team prior to games. This tradition was featured in a national television advertisement for the 2012

Hyundai Tucson The Hyundai Tucson ( ko, 현대 투싼) (pronounced Tu-són) is a compact crossover SUV (C-segment) produced by the South Korean manufacturer Hyundai since 2004. In the brand's lineup, the Tucson is positioned below the Santa Fe, and above the K ...

automobile. In addition, a costumed mascot, named "Roc", performs with the Pitt Cheerleaders at various athletic and non-athletic university events. Among the oldest traditions is the Official University Yell, dating to 1890, that has survived as lyrics within the fight song "

Hail to Pitt "Hail to Pitt" is the most traditional fight song of the University of Pittsburgh, which is commonly referred to as Pitt. The saying "Hail to Pitt!" is also the most traditional and commonly used slogan of the University of Pittsburgh and its athl ...

". This song, along with the

Pitt Victory Song The "Pitt Victory Song", one of the most popular and widely used fight songs of the University of Pittsburgh, is often played in conjunction with "Hail to Pitt" and the " Panther Song". It was originally written by former to students of the univer ...

, and The Panther Song, are the most common of Pitt fight songs performed on game days by the

Pitt Band The University of Pittsburgh Varsity Marching Band, or Pitt Band, is the college marching band at the University of Pittsburgh. The band numbers over 300 students consisting of instrumentalists, a majorette squad known as the Golden Girls, a color ...

. The Pitt Band also participates in the "Panthers Prowl" which begins two hours before kickoff and allows fans to meet the team as they make their way into Acrisure Stadium outside Gate A. Originally, this tradition began as players made their way into

. One hour prior to kick off, the Pitt Band also engages in the "March to Victory" from

Drive down General Robinson Street and ending at the stage on

Art Rooney Arthur Joseph Rooney Sr. (January 27, 1901 – August 25, 1988), often referred to as "The Chief", was the founding owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers, an American football franchise in the National Football League (NFL), from 1933 until his death. ...

Avenue. This tradition dates back to before the move to Acrisure Stadium when the Pitt Band would march throughout the streets of

Oakland Oakland is the largest city and the county seat of Alameda County, California, United States. A major West Coast port, Oakland is the largest city in the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area, the third largest city overall in the Bay A ...

campus before arriving at Pitt Stadium. In addition, at halftime, the band typically will play in at least one formation spelling out "PITT". Other football traditions include: HailtoPittFootballFlagHeinz

* A giant inflatable football helmet is set up on the lawn of the

during the week prior to football home games. Typically, information or other freebees are distributed around the helmet prior to the day of the game. * A 50-yard-long Hail to Pitt Flag is carried by 100 students, selected for each home football game, onto the field during pre-game ceremonies. * Student organizations, carrying

standards Standard may refer to: Symbols * Colours, standards and guidons, kinds of military signs * Standard (emblem), a type of a large symbol or emblem used for identification Norms, conventions or requirements * Standard (metrology), an object th ...

, form a tunnel for the football players to run through as they enter the football field from the locker room. Originally, this long-standing tradition involved only Pitt

fraternities and sororities Fraternities and sororities are social organizations at colleges and universities in North America. Generally, membership in a fraternity or sorority is obtained as an undergraduate student, but continues thereafter for life. Some accept gradu ...

. The tradition was briefly lost following the 1999 season when Pitt's football program transitioned from playing in

in 2000 followed by

in 2001. The tradition was resurrected beginning with the 2008 football season. * Following touchdowns, the horns of the Gateway Clipper riverboat fleet, which cruises just outside Acrisure Stadium, sound. * When the Pitt offense moves into the 20-yard line, two large, motorized

Heinz The H. J. Heinz Company is an American food processing company headquartered at One PPG Place in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The company was founded by Henry J. Heinz in 1869. Heinz manufactures thousands of food products in plants on six conti ...

ketchup Ketchup or catsup is a table condiment with a sweet and tangy flavor. The unmodified term ("ketchup") now typically refers to tomato ketchup, although early recipes used egg whites, mushrooms, oysters, grapes, mussels, or walnuts, among other ...

bottles flanking either side of the scoreboard tilt over and beginning to pour out their electronic contents onto the JumboTron's screen signifying the team's move into the "red zone". VictoryLightsPitt

* The upper section of the

Cathedral of Learning The Cathedral of Learning is a 42-story skyscraper that serves as the centerpiece of the University of Pittsburgh's (Pitt) main campus in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Standing at , the 42-story Late Gothic Revival Cath ...

has been illuminated gold with "victory lights" after a football team victory since 1983. In February 2018, a blue beam was added atop the Cathedral to accompany the gold lights. * During home games, the jumbotron leads the crowd in a "Let's Go Pitt!" version of "

Sweet Caroline "Sweet Caroline" is a song written and performed by American singer Neil Diamond and released in May 1969 as a single with the title "Sweet Caroline (Good Times Never Seemed So Good)". It was arranged by Charles Calello, and recorded at Americ ...

", originally played between the 3rd and 4th quarter, but more recently at random times during games. During away games the Pitt Band will lead the visitor Pitt fans in a rendition of the song. * Following home wins, the team gathers in front of the Pitt student section to celebrate with fans and the Pitt Band. After road wins, the team also congregates near the Pitt visiting section to celebrate.

Student section

During the late 1990s, athletic director Steve Pederson instituted a rebranding of the

student section A student section or student cheering section is a group of student fans that supports its school's athletic teams at sporting events; they are known for being one of the most visible and vocal sections of a sports crowd as well as for their occ ...

in an attempt to bolster enthusiasm and unity by emphasizing the 12th man concept. The stadium was repainted with the student section changed to section "12" and a large inflatable jersey bearing number 12 was placed near the section. Upon the move to

, the athletic department, in collaboration with their sideline apparel outfitter at the time Aéropostale, created the Aero-Zone. The Aero-Zone served as an exclusive on-field seating section for Pitt students where the first 200 students who lined up for the section before the game with student were admitted if they possessed tickets and proper identification. The Aero-Zone failed to catch sustained interest and was eventually discontinued. Other groups also attempted to create a more unified student section for football. The current official Pitt football student fan club and cheering section, the Panther Pitt, was founded in 2003 by Pitt students Robin Frank and Julie Brennan to attempt to organize an

Oakland Zoo The Oakland Zoo is a zoo located in the Grass Valley neighborhood of Oakland, California, United States. Established on June 6, 1922, it is managed by the Conservation Society of California, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the ...

-like atmosphere at

for football games. The Panther Pitt helped in coordinating student ticking policies with the athletic department and the Oakland Zoo. In 2006, the Panther Pitt and the Pitt Student Government Board originated the concept of "Code Blue" in which students wear blue T-shirts to the game to match the home blue uniforms of the Pitt football team. During some seasons, these shirts were commonly worn by students attending football games with the back of "Code-Blue" T-shirts typically include the line "Alle-genee-genac-genac" from the Official University Yell. In 2013, ESPN recognized the Panther Pitt as one of the nation's best college football student sections.

Rivalries

For most of Pitt's football history its chief rival had been in-state foe Penn State. The first Pitt-Penn State game was played in 1893. The game has been played 99 times, with Penn State holding a 52–43–4 edge in the series. After a 16-year hiatus the rivalry was renewed following Joe Paterno's death in 2012 and resumed with a 42–39 Pitt victory on September 10, 2016. The 100th game of the series will take place in 2019 and is the last match up for the foreseeable future as Penn State athletic director Sandy Barbour claims that an extension won't be considered until at least 2030. PittWVUatExpoPark1908

One of Pitt's fiercest rivals has been with the

West Virginia Mountaineers The West Virginia Mountaineers are the athletic teams that represent West Virginia University, an American university located in Morgantown, West Virginia. The school is a member of National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I. The Moun ...

. Dubbed the

, the rivalry was first played in 1895 and is one of the oldest and most played in college football. Of historic note, the 1921 Backyard Brawl was the first live radio broadcast of a college football game in the United States. On November 10, 1979, the Backyard Brawl was the last college football game played at old

Mountaineer Field Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium is an American football stadium in Morgantown, West Virginia, on the campus of West Virginia University. It opened in 1980 and serves as the home field for the West Virginia Mountaineers football team. T ...

Morgantown, West Virginia Morgantown is a city in and the county seat of Monongalia County, West Virginia, Monongalia County, West Virginia, United States, situated along the Monongahela River. The largest city in North-Central West Virginia, Morgantown is best known as th ...

, with the Panthers prevailing 24–17. Through the 2011 season, Pitt and West Virginia have met on the gridiron a total of 104 times with Pitt holding a 61–40–3 edge in the series. In September 2015 it was announced the series will renew for the 2022–2025 seasons. Other longstanding rivals include Notre Dame and

Syracuse Syracuse may refer to: Places Italy *Syracuse, Sicily, or spelled as ''Siracusa'' *Province of Syracuse United States *Syracuse, New York **East Syracuse, New York **North Syracuse, New York *Syracuse, Indiana * Syracuse, Kansas *Syracuse, Miss ...

; both schools are tied as the third most played rivalry for Pitt. The series with Notre Dame began in 1909, and since that time no more than two consecutive seasons have passed without the teams meeting each other with the exception of the periods from 1913–1929, 1938–1942, and 1979–1981. Notre Dame leads the series 50–21–1. Games between Pitt and the Irish had typically been scheduled annually, however, Notre Dame's agreement to play five ACC opponents each year starting in 2014 precluded annual games, so Pitt and Notre Dame will meet no more than twice during a three-year period. The rivalry with fellow ACC conference member Syracuse began in 1916, and has been played annually since 1955, with the Panthers leading the series 37–31–3. Pitt and Syracuse also shared membership in the

Big East Conference The Big East Conference is a collegiate athletic conference that competes in NCAA Division I in ten men's sports and twelve women's sports. Headquartered in New York City, the eleven full-member schools are primarily located in Northeast and M ...

from 1991 to 2012 before both schools simultaneously moved to the ACC where they are designated as cross-divisional rivals and are scheduled to meet annually. Pitt and

Navy A navy, naval force, or maritime force is the branch of a nation's armed forces principally designated for naval warfare, naval and amphibious warfare; namely, lake-borne, riverine, littoral zone, littoral, or ocean-borne combat operations and ...

recently renewed their rivalry, which began in 1912, and was played 26 times in 29 years between 1961 and 1989. Played consecutively between 2007 and 2009, and again in 2013, the series now stands with Pitt leading 22–14–3. Of historic interest, it was during the Pitt-Navy game at Annapolis on October 23, 1976, that Pitt running back Tony Dorsett broke the NCAA career rushing record. When the

University of Cincinnati The University of Cincinnati (UC or Cincinnati) is a public research university in Cincinnati, Ohio. Founded in 1819 as Cincinnati College, it is the oldest institution of higher education in Cincinnati and has an annual enrollment of over 44,00 ...

joined the Big East Conference in 2005, the game between Pitt and the Bearcats was designated as the

River City Rivalry The River City Rivalry is the name given to the Cincinnati–Pittsburgh football rivalry. It was an annual game played between former Big East rivals University of Pittsburgh and University of Cincinnati. The rivalry itself was relatively brief ...

with the annual winner of the game being awarded the Paddlewheel Trophy. Each team won four games during the eight-year span that both schools shared membership in the Big East. Pitt leads the series 8–4. The series will be renewed in 2023 and 2024. Older rivalries against cross-town schools Duquesne and Carnegie Tech (now Carnegie Mellon University), as well as Washington & Jefferson, ended following the de-emphasizing of the football programs at those institutions.

Team awards and accomplishments

Undefeated seasons

University of Pittsburgh Football (1910 team photo)

Pitt has had eight undefeated seasons. Six of the eight seasons are perfect seasons with no ties. Of the eight undefeated seasons, four are not claimed as national championship seasons by Pitt. Pitt football finished the season undefeated in: 1904 (10–0) • 1910 (9–0) • 1915 (8–0) • 1916 (8–0) • 1917 (10–0) • 1920 (6–0–2) • 1937 (9–0–1) • 1976 (12–0)

One-loss seasons

Pitt also has had 17 one-loss seasons: 1894 • 1899 • 1914 • 1918 • 1925 • 1927 • 1929 • 1931 • 1932 • 1933 • 1934 • 1935 • 1936 • 1963 • 1979 • 1980 • 1981

Eastern and Conference titles

For much of its history, Pitt played as an

independent Independent or Independents may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Artist groups * Independents (artist group), a group of modernist painters based in the New Hope, Pennsylvania, area of the United States during the early 1930s * Independ ...

, as did the majority of what are now labeled as

Division I FBS The NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), formerly known as Division I-A, is the highest level of college football in the United States. The FBS consists of the largest schools in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). A ...

football-playing schools located in the

Northeast The points of the compass are a set of horizontal, radially arrayed compass directions (or azimuths) used in navigation and cartography. A compass rose is primarily composed of four cardinal directions—north, east, south, and west—each se ...

and Mid-Atlantic. During this time, Eastern Championships were named by independent third party selectors and awarded of various trophies, such as the early Jolly Trophy awarded by the Philadelphia-based Veteran Athletic Organization which presented it to the team with the best record in the East. The process of picking an Eastern Champion eventually came to be symbolized by the

Lambert-Meadowlands Trophy The Lambert Trophy is an annual award given to the best team in the East in Division I FBS (formerly I-A) college football. In affiliation with the Metropolitan New York Football Writers (founded 1935), the Lambert Trophy was established by brother ...

awarded by the

New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority (NJSEA) is an independent authority established by the State of New Jersey in 1971 to oversee the Meadowlands Sports Complex, but which now contains the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission, a regulatory ...

beginning in 1936. The Lambert-Meadowlands trophy, which is still awarded, is presented to the team deemed to be the best that located in the East or plays half its schedule against eligible Lambert teams. In total, Pitt has won 12 Eastern Championships. In addition, in 1991, the majority of football independents in the East aligned themselves together in the Big East Football Conference. Round-robin play began in the Big East beginning in 1993, although a championship was awarded during its first two years.

Number 1 ranking

Pitt has achieved the number one ranking in the major national polls ( AP since 1936 and Coaches' since 1950) on the following occasions: * 1982 (September 7, October 26, November 2) * 1981 (November 3, 10, 17, 24) * 1976 (November 9, 16, 23, 30, January 5, 1977^#) * 1939 (October 17) * 1938 (October 18, 25, November 1) * 1937 (November 9, 16, 23, 30^#) ^#''National Champion''

Individual awards

Retired numbers

Pitt has retired 10 numbers of former football players.

Major award winners

Heisman Trophy The Heisman Memorial Trophy (usually known colloquially as the Heisman Trophy or The Heisman) is awarded annually to the most outstanding player in college football. Winners epitomize great ability combined with diligence, perseverance, and hard ...

– 1976 *

Maxwell Award The Maxwell Award is presented annually to the college football player judged by a panel of sportscasters, sportswriters, and National Collegiate Athletic Association head coaches and the membership of the Maxwell Football Club to be the best all ...

– 1976 : Hugh Green – 1980 *

– 1976 : Hugh Green – 1980 :

– 2003 *

Chuck Bednarik Award The Chuck Bednarik Award is presented annually to the defensive player in college football as judged by the Maxwell Football Club to be the best in the United States. The award is named for Chuck Bednarik, a former college and professional Ame ...

Aaron Donald Aaron Charles Donald (born May 23, 1991) is an American football defensive tackle for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Pittsburgh, where he received unanimous All-American honors, and w ...

– 2013 *

Lombardi Award The Rotary Lombardi Award is an award for college football in the United States. Awarded by the Rotary Club of Houston, Texas annually to the college football player "who best embodies the values and spirit of NFL's legendary coach Vince Lombar ...

: Hugh Green – 1980 :

– 2013 *

Bronko Nagurski Trophy The Bronko Nagurski Trophy has been awarded annually since 1993 to the collegiate American football defensive player adjudged by the membership of the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) to be the best in the National Collegiate Athle ...

– 2013 *

Outland Trophy The Outland Trophy is awarded to the best college football interior lineman in the United States as adjudged by the Football Writers Association of America. It is named after John H. Outland. One of only a few players ever to be named an All-Ame ...

Mark May Mark Eric May (born November 2, 1959) is a former American college and professional football player who was a guard in the National Football League (NFL) for 13 seasons during the 1980s and 1990s. May played college football for the University ...

– 1980 :

– 2013 *

Biletnikoff Award The Fred Biletnikoff Award is presented annually to the most outstanding receiver in American college football by the Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation, Inc. (TQCF), an independent not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. The award was creat ...

Antonio Bryant Antonio Bryant (born March 9, 1981) is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for University of Pittsburgh, and was recognized as an All-American and Fred Biletnikoff Award ...

– 2000 :

– 2003 :

Jordan Addison Jordan Lee Addison (born January 27, 2002) is an American football wide receiver for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Pittsburgh, where he won the 2021 Fred Biletnikoff Award before playi ...

– 2021 *

Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award The Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award is given annually in the United States to the nation's top upperclassmen quarterback in college football. Candidates are judged on accomplishments on the field as well as on their character, scholastic achievemen ...

Kenny Pickett Kenneth Shane Pickett (born June 6, 1998) is an American football quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at the University of Pittsburgh, where he won the Johnny Unitas Golden Ar ...

– 2021 *

Disney's Wide World of Sports Spirit Award Disney's Wide World of Sports Spirit Award is presented annually to college football's most inspirational individual or team. The award is one of 21 that are part of the National College Football Awards Association The National College Football Aw ...

: James Conner – 2016 :Tre Tipton – 2021 *

Patrick Mannelly Award The Patrick Mannelly Award is an award given annually in the United States to the best college football long snapper. The award is named after Duke Blue Devils alum and former Chicago Bears The Chicago Bears are a professional American footbal ...

:Cal Adomitis – 2021 *

Walter Camp Coach of the Year The Walter Camp Coach of the Year Award is given annually to the collegiate American football head coach adjudged by a group of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) head coaches and sports inf ...

Johnny Majors John Terrill Majors (May 21, 1935June 3, 2020) was an American professional football player and college coach. A standout halfback at the University of Tennessee, he was an All-American in 1956 and a two-time winner of the Southeastern Confe ...

– 1973 :

Jackie Sherrill Jackie Wayne Sherrill (born November 28, 1943) is a former American football player and coach. He was the head football coach at Washington State University (1976), the University of Pittsburgh (1977–1981), Texas A&M University (1982–1988), a ...

– 1981 *

AFCA Coach of the Year The AFCA Coach of the Year Award is given annually to a college football coach by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA). The award has had several different sponsors over the years, including Eastman Kodak Corporation, and thus also b ...

– 1976 *

Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year The Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award is given annually to a college football coach by the Football Writers Association of America. The award honors Eddie Robinson, former coach at Grambling State University Grambling State Universit ...

– 1973, 1976

Heisman finalists

Pitt players were among the finalists for the Heisman Trophy Award in 15 different seasons.

College Football Hall of Fame inductees

25 total former players or coaches have been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

Players

The

College Football Hall of Fame The College Football Hall of Fame is a hall of fame and interactive attraction devoted to college football. The National Football Foundation (NFF) founded the Hall in 1951 to immortalize the players and coaches of college football that were vote ...

has inducted 19 former Panthers inducted as players. *

Ruben Brown Ruben Parnell Brown (born February 13, 1972) is a former American football guard who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 13 seasons. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills 14th overall in the 1995 NFL Draft. He played college footba ...

(1991–1994) *

Jimbo Covert James Paul "Jimbo" Covert (born March 22, 1960) is an American former professional football player who was an offensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL) for eight seasons during the 1980s and early 1990s. Covert played college foot ...

(1979–1982) * Averell Daniell (1934–1936) * Tom Davies (1918–1921) *

Mike Ditka Michael Keller Ditka (born Michael Dyczko; October 18, 1939) is an American former football player, coach, and television commentator. A member of both the College (1986) and the Pro (1988) Football Halls of Fame, he was UPI NFL Rookie of Year i ...

(1958–1960) * Joseph Donchess (1927–1929) *

(1973–1976) *

Bill Fralic William P. Fralic Jr. ( ) (October 31, 1962 – December 13, 2018) was an American professional football player who was a guard for the Atlanta Falcons and Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL) from 1985 to 1993. He played colle ...

(1981–1984) *

Marshall Goldberg Marshall Goldberg (October 24, 1917 – April 3, 2006) was a National Football League (NFL) All-Pro American football player. He played college football as a halfback and fullback at the University of Pittsburgh. At Pittsburgh, Goldberg was ...

(1936–1938) * Hugh Green (1977–1980) *

Dan Marino Daniel Constantine Marino Jr. (born September 15, 1961) is an American former football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 17 seasons with the Miami Dolphins. After a successful college career at Pittsburgh and be ...

(1979–1982) *

(1977–1980) * George McLaren (1915–1918) * Robert Peck (1913–1916) * Joe Schmidt (1950–1952) *

Joe Skladany Joseph Peter "Muggsy" Skladany (May 25, 1911 – August 9, 1972) was an American football player and coach. He played college football at the University of Pittsburgh, where he was consensus All-American at end in 1932 and 1933. Skladany played p ...

(1931–1933) *

Herb Stein Herbert Alfred Stein (March 27, 1898 – October 25, 1980) was an American football player. He later made his professional debut in the National Football League in 1922 with the Buffalo All-Americans. He played for Buffalo, Toledo Maroons, F ...

(1918–1921) * Joe Thompson (player 1904–1906, coach 1909–1912) *

Hube Wagner J. Huber "Hube" Wagner (January 5, 1891 – March 1979) was an American football player who played college football at the University of Pittsburgh from 1910 until 1913 before becoming a prominent surgeon in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Formative ...

(1910–1913) In addition,

Herb McCracken George Herbert McCracken (June 20, 1899 – March 11, 1995) was an American football player and coach. McCracken played football as a running back at the University of Pittsburgh from 1918 to 1920 under coach "Pop" Warner and was a member of Pitt ...

, who played at Pitt from 1918–1920, was inducted as a coach of Allegheny and Lafayette.

Coaches

The College Football Hall of Fame has inducted four former Panther coaches. *

Jock Sutherland John Bain Sutherland (March 21, 1889 – April 11, 1948) was an American football player and coach. He coached college football at Lafayette College (1919–1923) and the University of Pittsburgh (1924–1938) and professional football for the ...

(Pitt player from 1914–1917, and Pitt coach from 1924–1938) * Glenn "Pop" Warner (Pitt coach from 1915–1923) *

Clark Shaughnessy Clark Daniel Shaughnessy (originally O'Shaughnessy) (March 6, 1892 – May 15, 1970) was an American football coach and innovator. He is sometimes called the "father of the T formation" and the original founder of the forward pass, although that ...

(Pitt coach from 1943–1945) *

Len Casanova Leonard Joseph Casanova (June 12, 1905 – September 30, 2002) was an American football and baseball player, coach, and college athletics administrator. He served as the head football coach at Santa Clara University (1946–1949), the University ...

(Pitt coach in 1950) The following two Pitt coaches have been inducted into the Hall of Fame as players at their respective schools. *

Wes Fesler Wesley Eugene Fesler (June 29, 1908 – July 30, 1989) was an American football, basketball, and baseball player and coach of football and basketball. He was a three-sport athlete at Ohio State University and a consensus first-team selection to ...

(Ohio State; Pitt coach in 1946) *

(Tennessee; Pitt coach from 1973–1976 and 1993–1996) GreatHallPittmuralsCrop

First–team All-Americans

Pitt has had 81 different players selected as First Team All-American throughout its history for a total of 97 all-time First Team All-American Selections. That total includes 54 selections which have attained Consensus status. Pitt's Consensus First Team selections ranks as the twelfth most consensus

All-Americans The All-America designation is an annual honor bestowed upon an amateur sports person from the United States who is considered to be one of the best amateurs in their sport. Individuals receiving this distinction are typically added to an All-Am ...

among Division I FBS schools. The following list of Pitt's First Team

All-America The All-America designation is an annual honor bestowed upon an amateur sports person from the United States who is considered to be one of the best amateurs in their sport. Individuals receiving this distinction are typically added to an All-Am ...

ns is compiled for the Pitt football media guide from various sources including the NCAA Football Guide, and consists of players who were first-team selections on one or more of the All American teams which were made over the years by

Walter Camp Walter Chauncey Camp (April 7, 1859 – March 14, 1925) was an American football player, coach, and sports writer known as the "Father of American Football". Among a long list of inventions, he created the sport's line of scrimmage and the system ...

Grantland Rice Henry Grantland "Granny" Rice (November 1, 1880July 13, 1954) was an early 20th-century American sportswriter known for his elegant prose. His writing was published in newspapers around the country and broadcast on the radio. Early years Rice wa ...

Caspar Whitney Caspar William Whitney (September 2, 1864 – January 18, 1929) was an American author, editor, explorer, outdoorsman and war correspondent. He originated the concept of the All-American team in college football in 1889 when he worked for ''Harper ...

International News Service The International News Service (INS) was a U.S.-based news agency (newswire) founded by newspaper publisher William Randolph Hearst in 1909.

Associated Press The Associated Press (AP) is an American non-profit news agency headquartered in New York City. Founded in 1846, it operates as a cooperative, unincorporated association. It produces news reports that are distributed to its members, U.S. newspa ...

United Press International United Press International (UPI) is an American international news agency whose newswires, photo, news film, and audio services provided news material to thousands of newspapers, magazines, radio and television stations for most of the 20th ...

, NANA, NEA, the

Football Writers Association of America The Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) is an organization of college football media members in the United States founded in 1941. It is composed of approximately 1,200 professional sports writers from both print and Internet media out ...

, the Football Coaches Association, the All-America Board, ''

Newsweek ''Newsweek'' is an American weekly online news magazine co-owned 50 percent each by Dev Pragad, its president and CEO, and Johnathan Davis (businessman), Johnathan Davis, who has no operational role at ''Newsweek''. Founded as a weekly print m ...

'', ''

The Sporting News The ''Sporting News'' is a website and former magazine publication owned by Sporting News Holdings, which is a U.S.-based sports media company formed in December 2020 by a private investor consortium. It was originally established in 1886 as a pr ...

'', and ''

Sports Illustrated ''Sports Illustrated'' (''SI'') is an American sports magazine first published in August 1954. Founded by Stuart Scheftel, it was the first magazine with circulation over one million to win the National Magazine Award for General Excellence twic ...

''.

Academic All-Americans

Pitt has had 15 different football players named as

College Sports Information Directors of America College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) is an organization that focuses on professional development and support for sports information directors at all levels. It offers awards, scholarships, and grants in support of SIDs and pros ...

Academic-All Americans for a total of 23 selections. In addition, five Pitt players have been named as a National Scholar-Athletes by the

National Football Foundation The National Football Foundation (NFF) is a non-profit organization to promote and develop amateur American football on all levels throughout the United States and "developing the qualities of leadership, sportsmanship, competitive zeal and the dr ...

and three players have awarded NCAA Postgraduate Scholarships.

Conference awards

Andy Lee on field pregame at Eagles at 49ers 10-12-08

The University of Pittsburgh football program was an

for the majority of its history. It joined the

for football in 1991, the inaugural year that the Big East sponsored the sport. Pitt won a share of the Big East football championship in

2004 2004 was designated as an International Year of Rice by the United Nations, and the International Year to Commemorate the Struggle Against Slavery and its Abolition (by UNESCO). Events January * January 3 – Flash Airlines Flight 6 ...

and

2010 File:2010 Events Collage New.png, From top left, clockwise: The 2010 Chile earthquake was one of the strongest recorded in history; The Eruption of Eyjafjallajökull in Iceland disrupts air travel in Europe; A scene from the opening ceremony of ...

. In 2013, Pitt joined the

ACC ACC most often refers to: * Atlantic Coast Conference, an NCAA Division I collegiate athletic conference located in the US *American College of Cardiology, A US-based nonprofit medical association that bestows credentials upon cardiovascular spec ...

. Several Panthers have won various

Big East Conference football awards The Big East Conference gave five football awards at the conclusion of every season. The awards were first given in 1991 following the conference's first football season, and last given in 2012 before the conference was restructured as the American ...

and Atlantic Coast Conference football awards, including Offensive Player, Defensive Player, Special Teams Player, Rookie, and Coach of the Year. * Player of the Year :2014 James Conner, RB, So :2021

, QB, Sr * Offensive Player of the Year :1994 Billy West, RB, So :2000

*, WR, So :2003

, WR, So :2009

Dion Lewis Dion John Lewis (born September 27, 1990) is a former American football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 10 seasons. He played college football at the University of Pittsburgh and was drafted by the Philadelphia ...

, RB, Fr :2014 James Conner, RB, So :2021

, QB, Sr * Defensive Player of the Year :2006 H.B. Blades, LB, Sr :2008

Scott McKillop Scott Kenneth McKillop (born March 4, 1986) is a former American football linebacker. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the fifth round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He played college football at Pittsburgh. Early years McKillop attended Kisk ...

, LB, Sr :2009

Greg Romeus Greg Romeus (born April 29, 1988) is a former American football linebacker. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the seventh round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He played as a defensive end for the Pittsburgh Panthers at the University of Pittsb ...

*, DE, Jr :2009 Mick Williams*, DT, Sr :2010

Jabaal Sheard Jabaal Lamar Sheard (born May 10, 1989) is an American football defensive end who is a free agent. He played college football for the University of Pittsburgh, and was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He ...

, DE, Sr :2013

, DT, Sr :2022 Calijah Kancey, DT, Sr * Special Teams Player of the Year :2002 Andy Lee*, P, Jr :2003 Andy Lee*, P, Sr * Rookie of the Year :1991 Tom Tumulty, LB :2002

, WR :2007

LeSean McCoy LeSean Kamel McCoy (born July 12, 1988), nicknamed "Shady", is an American former football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Pittsburgh and was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the ...

^#, RB :2009

^#, RB :2015

Jordan Whitehead Jordan Tyler Whitehead (born March 18, 1997) is an American football safety for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Pittsburgh. Early years Whitehead attended Central Valley High School in M ...

*, S :2015

Qadree Ollison Qadree Waymond Ollison (born September 8, 1996) is an American football running back for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Pittsburgh Panthers football, Pittsburgh and was drafted by t ...

*, RB * Scholar-Athlete of the Year :2004 Vince Crochunis, DL
Administration & Policy Studies :2008 Conor Lee, PK
Business & Economics,

MBA A Master of Business Administration (MBA; also Master's in Business Administration) is a postgraduate degree focused on business administration. The core courses in an MBA program cover various areas of business administration such as accounti ...

* Most Courageous (

Brian Piccolo Award The Brian Piccolo Award is an honor that is given to players of the Chicago Bears. The award is given to one rookie and one veteran per season who best exemplifies the courage, loyalty, teamwork, dedication and sense of humor of the late Brian Pic ...

) :2016 James Conner, RB, JR * Coach of the Year :1997 Walt Harris, 1st year :2004 Walt Harris, 8th year :*co-recipient, ^#unanimous selection

Panthers in the NFL

Pitt has produced 289

NFL The National Football League (NFL) is a professional American football league that consists of 32 teams, divided equally between the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC). The NFL is one of the major ...

players including nine that went on to be inducted into the

Pro Football Hall of Fame The Pro Football Hall of Fame is the hall of fame for professional American football, located in Canton, Ohio. Opened on September 7, , the Hall of Fame enshrines exceptional figures in the sport of professional football, including players, coach ...

and 31 that have been selected to play in the

Pro Bowl The National Football League All-Star Game (1939–1942), Pro Bowl (1951–2022), or Pro Bowl Games (starting in 2023) is an annual event held by the National Football League (NFL) featuring the league's star players. The format has changed thro ...

. Furthermore, in a survey of NFL drafts from 1979 to 2009, ESPN rated Pitt third, behind only USC and Miami, for having "the most fertile NFL draft pipelines." In addition, Pitt has been ranked second among all schools for the historical value of its drafted players. Some former Pitt players that have left their mark on the NFL include

Chris Doleman Christopher John Doleman (October 16, 1961 – January 28, 2020) was an American professional American football, football player who was a defensive end in the National Football League (NFL). He spent the majority of his career with the Minnesot ...

Russ Grimm Russell Scott Grimm (born May 2, 1959) is an American former professional football player who was a guard for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League (NFL). He has also served as an assistant coach for the Redskins, Pittsburgh St ...

, Craig "Ironhead" Heyward,

Rickey Jackson Rickey Anderson Jackson (born March 20, 1958) is a former American football linebacker who played in the National Football League (NFL) for the New Orleans Saints (1981–1993) and the San Francisco 49ers (1994–1995). He led the team's Dome Pa ...

Curtis Martin Curtis James Martin Jr. (born May 1, 1973) is a former American football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 12 seasons, primarily with the New York Jets. He spent his first three seasons with the New England Patrio ...

Darrelle Revis Darrelle Shavar Revis (born July 14, 1985) is an American former football cornerback who played in National Football League (NFL) for 11 seasons, primarily with the New York Jets. He played college football at Pittsburgh and was selected in the ...

, and

Tony Siragusa Anthony Siragusa Sr. (May 14, 1967 – June 22, 2022), nicknamed "the Goose", was an American professional football player who was a defensive tackle for 12 seasons with the Indianapolis Colts and the Baltimore Ravens in the National Football L ...

Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees

Nine Panthers have been elected into the

. Pitt is tied for fifth among all colleges and universities for the number of former players inducted. Pitt's nine Hall of Famers and their year of induction and years played are: * Joe Schmidt (Enshrined in 1973; Played 1949–1952) *

(Enshrined in 1988; Played 1957–1960) *

(Enshrined in 1994; Played 1972–1976) *

(Enshrined in 2005; Played 1979–1982) *

(Enshrined in 2010; Played 1977–1980) *

(Enshrined in 2012; Played 1991–1994) *

(Enshrined in 2012; Played 1981–1984) *

(Enshrined in 2020; Played 1978–1982) RussGrimm2006crop

NFL All-Decade Teams

The following former Panthers were named to NFL All-Decade Teams (and 75th and 100th Anniversary All-Time Teams, selected in 1994 and 2019, respectively).

Pro Bowl selections

Larry Fitzgerald catches TD at 2009 Pro Bowl

Marty Schottenheimer-Aug-11-2006-Autograph

Through the 2022 NFL season, 34 former Pitt players have been selected to appear in the NFL

for a total of 128 all-time Pro Bowl selections. Pitt has been represented by at least one Pro Bowl selection every year since 1981.

NFL first round draftees

Throughout its history, the University of Pittsburgh has had 272 players selected 293 times in professional football drafts when totaling both NFL and

AFL AFL may refer to: Sports * American Football League (AFL), a name shared by several separate and unrelated professional American football leagues: ** American Football League (1926) (a.k.a. "AFL I"), first rival of the National Football Leagu ...

picks. This includes 26 First Round NFL draft picks since 1960. Darrelle Revis ESPNWeekend2010-051

Current NFL players

As of September 17, 2022, there are 17

players that played college football at the University of Pittsburgh: *

Cal Adomitis Callen James Adomitis (born July 9, 1998) is an American football long snapper for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Pittsburgh. Early life and high school Adomitis was born on July 9, 19 ...

, LS (

Cincinnati Bengals The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional American football team based in Cincinnati. The Bengals compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's American Football Conference (AFC) AFC North, North division. The c ...

) * Tyler Boyd, WR (

) * James Conner^#, RB (

Arizona Cardinals The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in the Phoenix metropolitan area. The Cardinals compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) West division, and play t ...

) *

^#, DT (

Los Angeles Rams The Los Angeles Rams are a professional American football team based in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. The Rams compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) West division. The Rams play ...

) *

Joe Flacco Joseph Vincent Flacco (born January 16, 1985) is an American football quarterback for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Delaware after transferring from Pittsburgh and was drafted by the Baltim ...

^*, QB (

New York Jets The New York Jets are a professional American football team based in the New York metropolitan area. The Jets compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's American Football Conference (AFC) East division. The J ...

) *

Damar Hamlin Damar Romeyelle Hamlin (; born March 24, 1998) is an American football safety for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at the University of Pittsburgh and was selected by the Bills in the sixth roun ...

, SS (

Buffalo Bills The Buffalo Bills are a professional American football team based in the Buffalo metropolitan area. The Bills compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's American Football Conference (AFC) East division. ...

) * Dane Jackson, CB (

) * Patrick Jones II, DE (

Minnesota Vikings The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis. They compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the National Football Conference (NFC) North division. Founded in 1960 as an expansion ...

) * Andy Lee^#, P (

) * Avonte Maddox, CB (

Philadelphia Eagles The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia. The Eagles compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's National Football Conference (NFC) East division. The team plays ...

) * Damarri Mathis, CB (

Denver Broncos The Denver Broncos are a professional American football franchise based in Denver. The Broncos compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's American Football Conference (AFC) West division. The team is headquart ...

) * Brian O'Neill^#, OT (

) *

, QB (

Pittsburgh Steelers The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional American football team based in Pittsburgh. The Steelers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the American Football Conference (AFC) North division. Founded in , the Steel ...

) *

Jason Pinnock Jason Alexander Pinnock (born June 30, 1999) is an American football safety (gridiron football position), safety for the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Pittsburgh Panthers football, Pittsburg ...

, CB (

New York Giants The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in the New York metropolitan area. The Giants compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's National Football Conference (NFC) East division. ...

) *

Rashad Weaver Rashad Capone Weaver (born November 10, 1997) is an American football outside linebacker for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Pittsburgh. Early years Weaver was one of three children bo ...

, LB (

Tennessee Titans The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee. The Titans compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the American Football Conference (AFC) South division, and play their h ...

) *

, FS (

) *

K'Waun Williams K'Waun Lamar Williams ( ; born July 12, 1991) is an American football cornerback who is a free agent. He played college football at Pittsburgh and attended Saint Joseph Regional High School in Montvale, New Jersey. Early years Williams played h ...

, CB (

) : ^#''Selected to the

''. ^*''Played two seasons at Pitt before transferring to

Delaware Delaware ( ) is a state in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Maryland to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and New Jersey and the Atlantic Ocean to its east. The state takes its name from the adjacent Del ...

for his final three seasons''.

Future non-conference opponents

Announced schedules as of January 26, 2022.

Notes

References

Further information

* ''University of Pittsburgh Football Vault: The History of the Panthers''. Sam Sciullo, Jr. Atlanta: Whitman Pulblishing, 2008, *
University of Pittsburgh Football Media Guide 2008
'. E.J. Borghetti, Mendy Nestor, and Celeste Welsch eds. Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh, 2008
''Paths of Glory: The Dramatic Story of Pitt's First Century of Football''
Video. Ross Sports Productions. 1991 * ''Greatest Moments in Pitt Football History''. Mike Bynum, Larry Eldridge, Jr., and Sam Sciullo, Jr. eds. Nashville, Tennessee: Athlon Sports Communications, 1994, * ''Hail to Pitt: A Sports History of the University of Pittsburgh''. Jim O'Brien, ed. and Marty Wolfson, illus. Pittsburgh; Wolfson Publishing Co., 1982, * ''Pitt: The Story of the University of Pittsburgh 1787–1987''. Robert C. Alberts. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: University of Pittsburgh Press, 1986, * * ''Tales from the Pitt Panthers''. Sam Sciullo, Jr. Champaign, Illinois: Sports Publishing LLC, 2004, * ''The Year the Panthers Roared''. Francis J. Fitzgerald, ed., Louisville, Kentucky, AdCraft Sports, 1996, * ''Jock Sutherland: Architect of Men''. Harry G. Scott. New York: Exposition Press, 1954.

External links

* {{Pittsburgh sports American football teams established in 1890 1890 establishments in Pennsylvania