| Year: | 1951 |
| Team: | Pittsburgh Panthers |
| Sport: | football |
| Conference: | Independent |
| Record: | 3–7 |
| Head Coach: | Tom Hamilton |
| Hc Year: | 1st |
| Stadium: | Pitt Stadium |
The 1951 Pittsburgh Panthers football team represented the University of Pittsburgh in the 1951 college football season. The team compiled a 3–7 record under head coach Tom Hamilton.[1] The team was ranked at No. 58 in the 1951 Litkenhous Ratings.[2]
On July 6, The Oregon Daily Journal reported that a vacationing Pitt Coach, Len Casanova, interviewed for the head coaching position at the University of Oregon.[3] On July 8, the Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph reported that Pitt Graduate Manager, Frank Carver, stated “I have no idea how the report of Casanova's applying at Oregon circulated, but all I can say is the whole story is crazy.” [4] On July 17, The Pittsburgh Press reported that Casanova had indeed negotiated with Oregon. Casanova responded: “I absolutely have no intention of leaving Pitt nor have I even considered taking a post elsewhere since coming here.”[5] The headline the following day read “Pitt Looking For New Coach Again.” The Pitt athletic committee released Casanova from his contract, and he accepted the coaching position at Oregon. He stated that the deciding factor was the health of his daughter. Hence, the Panthers lost their fifth coach in seven years, and Casanova was Athletic Director Tom Hamilton's “hand-picked choice”.[6]
The Panthers interviewed Michigan State assistant coach Lowell Dawson, but he couldn't get a release from the school. The Pitt athletic committee drafted athletic director, Tom Hamilton, to take over the coaching duties for one season. He responded: “I like to coach football, but I don't want it for a lifetime job. I've been through that. This is merely a temporary adjustment. After this Fall, when it's 'open season' on coaches, we should be able to announce a new one. That will give us plenty of time to look over the field.”[7]
On September 4, 40 upperclassmen and 20 freshmen (who were eligible for varsity play in 1951) opened fall camp at Ligonier, PA under the tutelage of Coach Hamilton. The Panthers practiced on the high school field, and stayed at the Fort Ligonier Hotel for three weeks. On September 15, the Panthers traveled to Bethlehem, PA to scrimmage with the Lehigh Engineers. The Panthers won 19–0. The following Saturday, the Rutgers Queensmen came to Ligonier for a scrimmage and the Panthers won 16–7. The squad returned to Pittsburgh on September 22 for the start of classes.[8] [9] [10] [11]
| 1951 Pittsburgh Panthers football roster | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Position | Games | Weight | Height | Class | Prep School | Hometown | ||
| Blair Kramer | quarterback | 6 | 185 | 5 ft 10 in | junior | South Hills H. S. | Pittsburgh, PA | ||
| Bob Wrabley | quarterback | 6 | 165 | 5 ft 9 in | freshman | Central Catholic H. S. | Pittsburgh, PA | ||
| Henry Ford | quarterback | 10 | 175 | 5 ft 10 in | freshman | Shenley H. S. | Pittsburgh, PA | ||
| Bill Hoffman | quarterback | 1 | 185 | 5 ft 11 in | freshman | Greensburg H. S. | Greensburg, PA | ||
| Bob Bestwick* | quarterback | 9 | 180 | 5 ft 11 in | senior | Shaler H. S. | Shaler Township, PA | ||
| Paul Chess | fullback | 7 | 185 | 6 ft | junior | Meadville H. S. | Meadville, PA | ||
| Don Waters | halfback | 1 | 175 | 5 ft 11in | freshman | ||||
| Steve Pepoy | halfback | 0 | 180 | 5 ft 11 in | freshman | Conemaugh Twp. H. S. | Davidsville., PA | ||
| Bill Sichko | left halfback | 9 | 180 | 6 ft | senior | German Twp. H. S. | McClellandtown, PA | ||
| Ray Ferguson | left halfback | 10 | 185 | 5 ft 11 in | sophomore | Jersey Shore Area H. S. | Jersey Shore | ||
| Dick McCabe | left halfback | 5 | 165 | 6 ft 1 in | freshman | North Catholic H. S. | Pittsburgh, PA | ||
| Dave Fyock | right halfback | 0 | 168 | 5 ft 8 in | senior | Evans City H. S. | Evans City, PA | ||
| John Jacobs | halfback | 5 | 181 | 5 ft 11 in | freshman | Georges Twp. H. S. | Georges Twp., PA | ||
| Lee Bero | halfback | 0 | 160 | 5 ft 10 in | freshman | South Union H. S. | South Union, PA | ||
| William Reynolds* | right halfback | 10 | 185 | 5 ft 10 in | junior | St. Mary's H. S. | St. Mary's, WV | ||
| Louis Cimaroli | left halfback | 10 | 165 | 5 ft 10 in | sophomore | Bridgeville H. S. | Bridgeville, PA | ||
| Paul Mikanik | right halfback | 3 | 165 | 5 ft 7 in | freshman | Follansbee H. S. | Follansbee, WV | ||
| Joseph Capp | fullback | 0 | 195 | 5 ft 10 in | junior | Newton Falls H. S. | Newton Falls, OH | ||
| James Campbell* | right halfback | 8 | 195 | 5 ft 9 in | senior | Derry Twp. H. S. | Derry Township, PA | ||
| Bobbie Ingram | right halfback | 0 | 168 | 5 ft 10 in | sophomore | St. Mary's H. S. | St. Mary's, WV | ||
| Paul Blanda | fullback | 9 | 180 | 6 ft | freshman | Youngwood H. S. | Youngwood, PA | ||
| Robert Osterhout | fullback | 2 | 195 | 5 ft 11 in | junior | Rutherford H. S. | Rutherford, NJ | ||
| Bobby Epps | fullback | 10 | 190 | 5 ft 8 in | sophomore | Swissvale H. S. | Swissvale, PA | ||
| Donald Schlick | center | 1 | 200 | 6 ft 1 in | freshman | Wheeling H. S. | Wheeling, WV | ||
| Gabe Gembarosky* | center | 6 | 200 | 6 ft | junior | Donora H. S. | Donora, PA | ||
| John Dazio* | center | 9 | 205 | 6 ft | senior | Coatesville H. S. | Coatesville, PA | ||
| William Ewing | guard | 9 | 190 | 5 ft 10 in | senior | Peabody H. S. | Pittsburgh, PA | ||
| Ray Holleran | center | 0 | 185 | 6 ft 1 in | sophomore | Central Catholic H. S. | Pittsburgh, PA | ||
| Neil Hoffman | guard | 3 | 220 | 6 ft 2 in | sophomore | ||||
| Bob Ballock | left guard | 2 | 183 | 6 ft | freshman | Farrell H. S. | Farrell, PA | ||
| Charles Yost | left guard | 6 | 205 | 6 ft | senior | Youngstown H. S. | Youngstown, OH | ||
| Joseph Kane | left guard | 0 | 185 | 5 ft 8 in | junior | Munhall H. S. | Munhall, PA | ||
| Anthony Romantino* | right guard | 10 | 175 | 5 ft 8 in | junior | Donora H. S. | Donora, PA | ||
| Harold Hunter | left guard | 1 | 205 | 6 ft 1 in | freshman | Canonsburg H. S. | Canonsburg, PA | ||
| Rudy Andabaker* | left guard | 10 | 192 | 6 ft | senior | Donora H. S. | Donora, PA | ||
| Joseph Schmidt* | right guard | 7 | 205 | 6 ft | junior | Brentwood H. S. | Brentwood, PA | ||
| Merle DeLuca* | right guard | 10 | 191 | 5 ft 10 in | junior | Westinghouse H. S. | Pittsburgh, PA | ||
| Nick Hartman | left guard | 0 | 185 | 6 ft 2 in | sophomore | Baldwin Twp. H. S. | Baldwin Twp., PA | ||
| Dave Adams | left guard | 5 | 215 | 6 ft 1 in | sophomore | Bellaire H. S. | Bellaire, OH | ||
| John Reger | right guard | 1 | 205 | 6 ft | sophomore | Wheeling H. S. | Wheeling, WV | ||
| Donald Anthony | left guard | 4 | 195 | 5 ft 11 in | freshman | Canonsburg H. S. | Canonsburg, PA | ||
| Roger Booth | right guard | 0 | 195 | 6 ft | freshman | Woonsocket H. S. | Woonsocket, RI | ||
| James Croyle | right guard | 1 | 200 | 6 ft | freshman | Rimersburg H. S. | Rimersburg, PA | ||
| Norman Chizmar | left guard | 0 | 190 | 6 ft | sophomore | Highland H. S. | Highland, IN | ||
| Elder Kraemer | right tackle | 10 | 220 | 6 ft 2 in | freshman | Clear Lake H. S. | Clear Lake, MN | ||
| Frank DiLeo | right tackle | 0 | 195 | 5 ft 10 in | junior | Westinghouse H. S. | Pittsburgh, PA | ||
| Otto Kneidinger | left tackle | 4 | 205 | 6 ft 3 in | freshman | Bellwood H. S. | Bellwood, PA | ||
| Robert Nesbitt | right tackle | 1 | 210 | 6 ft 3 in | freshman | Wahington H. S. | Washington, PA | ||
| Bob Brennen* | left tackle | 9 | 215 | 6 ft 1 in | senior | North Catholic H. S. | Pittsburgh, PA | ||
| Alfred Smalara | right tackle | 7 | 200 | 6 ft | senior | Springdale H. S. | Springdale, PA | ||
| Stuart Kline | center | 8 | 205 | 6 ft | junior | Johnstown H. S. | Johnstown, PA | ||
| William Priatko | left tackle | 2 | 210 | 6 ft 2 in | sophomore | North Braddock H. S. | North Braddock, PA | ||
| William Gasparovic* | right tackle | 10 | 205 | 6 ft 1 in | senior | Steelton H.S. | Steelton, PA | ||
| Louis Palatella | right tackle | 8 | 215 | 6 ft 1 in | freshman | Vandergrift H.S. | Vandergrift, PA | ||
| Joseph Bozek* | right end | 10 | 197 | 6 ft 2 in | junior | Rochester H. S. | Rochester, PA | ||
| Chris Warriner* | left end | 10 | 185 | 5 ft 10 in | senior | Tarentum H. S. | Tarentum, PA | ||
| George Glagola* | left end | 10 | 190 | 6 ft 2 in | sophomore | German Township H. S. | McClellandtown, PA | ||
| Joe Zombek | left end | 8 | 185 | 6 ft | sophomore | Carnegie H. S. | Carnegie, PA | ||
| Robert McQuade | right end | 2 | 180 | 6 ft 1 in | freshman | Indiana H. S. | Indiana, PA | ||
| Bill Adams* | lefsart end | 10 | 185 | 6 ft 2 in | sophomore | Oakmont H. S. | Oakmont, PA | ||
| Glenn Dillon | left end | 2 | 185 | 6 ft 1 in | freshman | Titusville H. S. | Titusville, PA | ||
| Richard Dietrick | right end | 8 | 215 | 6 ft 2 in | sophomore | Danville H. S. | Danville, PA | ||
| Bernard Eisen | left end | 6 | 190 | 6 ft 1 in | freshman | Schenley H. S. | Pittsburgh, PA | ||
| |||||||||
On September 29, the Coach Hamilton-led Panthers opened the season against the Duke Blue Devils. Duke led the all-time series 5–3 and had won the past four contests. Duke was led by first-year coach William D. Murray. His Devils were 1–0, after beating South Carolina 34–6 to open their season.[14]
The game was broadcast on WDTV and Mel Allen was the announcer.[14]
In front of 20,066 fans, the Panthers made too many mistakes, and lost to the Blue Devils 19–14. Duke blocked a punt, intercepted 3 passes and recovered a fumble. The Panthers received the opening kick-off, and on first down Duke guard, John Carey, intercepted Bob Bestwick's pass on the Panther 42-yard line. Eleven plays moved the ball to the Panthers 3-yard line. Red Smith ran into the end zone on the next play and Ray Green's placement made it 7–0 in favor of Duke. The Panthers answered with a 68-yard scoring drive. Lou Cimarolli raced around end from the 15-yard line for the touchdown. Paul Blanda's extra point tied the game. In the second quarter, Duke blocked a Panther punt and gained possession on the Panther 15-yard line. Red Smith scored from the 3-yard line again, but Green missed the point after. Duke led 13–7 at halftime. The Panthers engineered a 92-yard scoring drive to start the third period. Chris Warriner caught a 16-yard pass from Bob Bestwick for the score. Blanda's extra point put Pitt ahead 14–13. The Panther defense stopped the next Duke threat on their 15-yard line. In the fourth quarter the Devils returned a Pitt punt to the Panthers 26-yard line. On the fourth play Charlie Smith scored on a 1-yard run, and Green missed the extra point. Duke 19– Pitt 14.[15]
The Pitt starting line-up for the game against Duke was Chris Warriner (left end), Bob Brennan (left tackle), Rudy Andabaker (left guard), John Dazio (center), Merle DeLuca (right guard), Eldred Kraemer (right tackle), Richard Dietrick (right end), Bob Bestwick (quarterback), Lou Cimarolli (left halfback), Bill Reynolds (right halfback) and Bobby Epps (fullback). Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were George Glagola, Joe Bozek, William Adams, William Priatko, Bill Gasparovic, Charles Yost, John Reger, Tony Romantino, Gabe Gembarosky, Ray Ferguson, Henry Ford, Richie McCabe, Paul Blanda, William Ewing and Bill Sichko.[16]
Pitt's second game of the season was in Bloomington, IN versus the Indiana Hoosiers. The Panthers were 1–6 all-time against Indiana, and were 0–4 in Bloomington. Coach Clyde B. Smith's squad was 0–1 after losing to Notre Dame in their opening game.[17]
In front of 28,000 Hoosiers fans, the mistake-prone Panthers lost again 13–6. The Panthers scored first on a 17-yard scamper by halfback Bill Reynolds. Paul Blanda's placement went wide. Indiana fullback Gene Gedman (a Duquesne, PA native) answered with an 85-yard touchdown run to tie the score. Lou D'Achille missed the placement. In the third quarter, Gedman caught a 16-yard pass from D'Achille for the go-ahead touchdown. D'Achille added the extra point. Indiana 13 to Pitt 6. The Panthers squandered three scoring opportunities in the second half. First, they drove to the Hoosiers 16-yard line and Blanda missed a 29-yard field goal. The next drive ended with a fumble. Their final series ended with an interception.
The Pitt starting line-up for the game against Indiana was George Glagola (left end), Bob Brennan (left tackle), Rudy Andabaker (left guard), John Dazio (center), Tony Romantino (right guard), Bill Gasparovic (right tackle), Richard Dietrick (right end), Bob Bestwick (quarterback), Lou Cimarolli (left halfback), Bill Reynolds (right halfback) and Bobby Epps (fullback). Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were Bernard Eisen, Chris Warriner, Joe Bozek, Bill Adams, Otto Kneidinger, Bill Priatko, Donald Anthony, Eldred Kraemer, Albert Smalara, Joe Zombek, Neil Huffman, Tony Romantino, Merle DeLuca, Joe Schmidt, Gabe Gembarosky, Stuart Kline, Eldred Kraemer, Albert Smalara, Joe Bozek, Bill Adams, Henry Ford, Blair Kramer, Ray Ferguson, Bill Sichko, Richie McCabe, Jim Campbell, Paul Blanda and Paul Chess.[18]