American college football season
The 1980 Pittsburgh Panthers football team represented the University of Pittsburgh as an independent during the 1980 NCAA Division I-A football season . Despite losing one game, the Panthers were named national champion by NCAA-designated major selectors DeVold System , Football Research , and The New York Times , while also named co-national champion by Rothman (FACT) and Sagarin .[1] The university does not claim a national championship for this season, nor are the Panthers popularly recognized for winning that year's national championship. Pitt was awarded the Lambert-Meadowlands Trophy as the champion of the East .
The team is noteworthy for featuring four future members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame : Linebacker Rickey Jackson , Center Russ Grimm , Tackle Jimbo Covert , and quarterback Dan Marino . Several other players on the team, including Mark May and Hugh Green , would go on to be Pro Bowl NFL stars.
Championship selections [ edit ] Selectors that named Pitt the 1980 national champion:[2]
Schedule [ edit ] Date Time Opponent Rank Site TV Result Attendance Source September 13 1:30 p.m. Boston College No. 3 ABC W 14–644,820 September 20 2:30 p.m. at Kansas No. 5 W 18–341,300 September 27 1:30 p.m. Temple No. 6 Pitt Stadium Pittsburgh, PA W 36–247,071 [3] October 4 1:30 p.m. Maryland No. 6 Pitt Stadium Pittsburgh, PA W 38–947,409 [4] October 11 7:00 p.m. at No. 11 Florida State No. 4 L 22–3652,894 October 18 1:30 p.m. West Virginia No. 11 W 42–1455,130 October 25 2:00 p.m. at Tennessee No. 12 W 30–694,008 [5] November 1 4:00 p.m. at Syracuse No. 11 ABC W 43–650,243 November 8 1:30 p.m. Louisville No. 9 Pitt Stadium Pittsburgh, PA W 41–2347,280 November 15 1:30 p.m. at Army No. 8 W 45–731,150 November 28 1:00 p.m. at No. 5 Penn State No. 4 ABC W 14–982,459 December 29 9:00 p.m. vs. No. 18 South Carolina No. 3 ABC W 37–972,297 [6]
Game summaries [ edit ] Boston College [ edit ] Boston College Eagles at No. 3 Pittsburgh Panthers – Game summary
Period 1 2 3 4 Total Eagles 0 0 6 0 6 No. 3 Panthers 0 8 6 0 14
at Pitt Stadium • Pittsburgh, PA
Date : September 13Game time : 1:30 PM EDT Game attendance : 44,820TV : ABC
Statistics BC PITT First downs Total yards Rushes/yards Passing yards Passing: Comp–Att–Int Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics Boston College Passing Rushing Receiving Pittsburgh Passing Rushing Receiving
Scoring summary Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP Boston College Pittsburgh 2 Pittsburgh Pryor 8-yard touchdown reception from Marino, 2-point run good 0 8 3 Boston College Schoen 35-yard touchdown reception from Loughery, 2-point pass incomplete 6 8 3 Pittsburgh Pryor 8-yard touchdown reception from Marino, Trout kick no good 6 14 "TOP" = time of possession . For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football . 6 14
At Kansas [ edit ] No. 5 Pittsburgh Panthers at Kansas Jayhawks – Game summary
Period 1 2 3 4 Total No. 5 Panthers 0 10 6 2 18 Jayhawks 3 0 0 0 3
at Memorial Stadium • Lawrence, KS
Date : September 20Game time : 2:30 PM EDT Game attendance : 41,300
Statistics PITT KU First downs Total yards Rushes/yards Passing yards Passing: Comp–Att–Int Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics Pittsburgh Passing Rushing Receiving Kansas Passing Rushing Receiving
Scoring summary Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP Pittsburgh Kansas 1 Kansas 25-yard field goal by Kallmeyer 0 3 2 Pittsburgh 21-yard field goal by Trout 3 3 2 Pittsburgh Pryor 2-yard touchdown reception from Marino, Trout kick good 10 3 3 Pittsburgh Dombrowski 23-yard touchdown reception from Marino, Trout kick no good 16 3 4 – – – Pittsburgh Safety, Kemp tackled in end zone 18 3 "TOP" = time of possession . For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football . 18 3
Temple Owls at No. 6 Pittsburgh Panthers – Game summary
Period 1 2 3 4 Total Owls 2 0 0 0 2 No. 6 Panthers 13 13 3 7 36
at Pitt Stadium • Pittsburgh, PA
Date : September 27Game time : 1:30 PM EDT Game attendance : 47,071
Statistics TU PITT First downs Total yards Rushes/yards Passing yards Passing: Comp–Att–Int Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics Temple Passing Rushing Receiving Pittsburgh Passing Rushing Receiving
Scoring summary Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP Temple Pittsburgh 1 – – – Temple Safety, Heppler tackled in end zone 2 0 1 Pittsburgh Collier 14-yard touchdown reception from Marino, Trout kick good 2 7 1 Pittsburgh McCall 22-yard touchdown reception from Marino, 2-point pass incomplete 2 13 2 Pittsburgh Hawkins 15-yard touchdown reception from Marino, Trout kick good 2 20 2 Pittsburgh 43-yard field goal by Trout 2 23 2 Pittsburgh 23-yard field goal by Trout 2 26 3 Pittsburgh 49-yard field goal by Trout 2 29 4 Pittsburgh McMillan 3-yard touchdown run, Trout kick good 2 36 "TOP" = time of possession . For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football . 2 36
Maryland [ edit ] Maryland Terrapins at No. 6 Pittsburgh Panthers – Game summary
Period 1 2 3 4 Total Terrapins 0 3 6 0 9 No. 6 Panthers 14 7 3 14 38
at Pitt Stadium • Pittsburgh, PA
Date : October 4Game time : 1:30 PM EDT Game attendance : 47,409
Statistics MD PITT First downs Total yards Rushes/yards Passing yards Passing: Comp–Att–Int Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics Maryland Passing Rushing Receiving Pittsburgh Passing Rushing Receiving
Scoring summary Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP Maryland Pittsburgh 1 Pittsburgh Collins 51-yard touchdown reception from Marino, Trout kick good 0 7 1 Pittsburgh Collier 17-yard touchdown reception from Marino, Trout kick good 0 14 2 Pittsburgh McMillan 2-yard touchdown run, Trout kick good 0 21 2 Maryland 38-yard field goal by Castro 3 21 3 Pittsburgh 40-yard field goal by Trout 3 24 3 Maryland Havener 12-yard touchdown reception from Tice, 2-point pass incomplete 9 24 4 Pittsburgh Collins 35-yard touchdown reception from Marino, Trout kick good 9 31 4 — — — Pittsburgh Fumble recovery returned 0 yards for touchdown by McQuaide, Trout kick good 9 38 "TOP" = time of possession . For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football . 9 38
At #11 Florida State [ edit ] No. 4 Pittsburgh Panthers at No. 11 Florida State Seminoles – Game summary
Period 1 2 3 4 Total No. 4 Panthers 7 0 15 0 22 No. 11 Seminoles 3 20 6 7 36
at Doak Campbell Stadium • Tallahassee, FL
Date : October 11Game time : 7:00 PM EDT Game attendance : 52,894
Statistics PITT FSU First downs Total yards Rushes/yards Passing yards Passing: Comp–Att–Int Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics Pittsburgh Passing Rushing Receiving Florida State Passing Rushing Receiving
Scoring summary Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP Pittsburgh Florida State 1 Pittsburgh Collins 39-yard touchdown reception from Marino, Trout kick good 7 0 1 Florida State 24-yard field goal by Capece 7 3 2 Florida State Johnson 23-yard touchdown reception from Stockstill, Capece kick good 7 10 2 Florida State Childers 4-yard touchdown reception from Stockstill, Capece kick good 7 17 2 Florida State 43-yard field goal by Capece 7 20 2 Florida State 50-yard field goal by Capece 7 23 3 Pittsburgh Collins 36-yard touchdown reception from Marino, 2-point pass good 15 23 3 Florida State 30-yard field goal by Capece 15 26 3 Florida State 44-yard field goal by Capece 15 29 3 Pittsburgh McCall 2-yard touchdown run, Trout kick good 22 29 4 Florida State Unglaub 13-yard touchdown reception from Stockstill, Capece kick good 22 36 "TOP" = time of possession . For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football . 22 36
West Virginia [ edit ] West Virginia Mountaineers at No. 11 Pittsburgh Panthers – Game summary
Period 1 2 3 4 Total Mountaineers 7 0 7 0 14 No. 11 Panthers 7 28 0 7 42
at Pitt Stadium • Pittsburgh, PA
Date : October 18Game time : 1:30 PM EDT Game attendance : 55,130[7]
Statistics WVU PITT First downs Total yards Rushes/yards Passing yards Passing: Comp–Att–Int Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics West Virginia Passing Rushing Receiving Pittsburgh Passing Rushing Receiving
Starting free safety Rick Trocano moved over to offense in the second quarter to replace the injured Dan Marino. Previously the starter at QB in 1978, Trocano led Pitt to four second-quarter touchdowns during the Panthers' win at Pitt Stadium.[8]
Scoring summary Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP West Virginia Pittsburgh 1 West Virginia Thomas 7-yard touchdown reception from Luck, Sinclair kick good 7 0 1 Pittsburgh McCall 1-yard touchdown run, Trout kick good 7 7 2 Pittsburgh McMillan 1-yard touchdown run, Trout kick good 7 14 2 Pittsburgh Collins 53-yard touchdown reception from Luck, Trout kick good 7 21 2 Pittsburgh Collins 25-yard touchdown reception from Trocano, Trout kick good 7 28 2 Pittsburgh McMillan 1-yard touchdown run, Trout kick good 7 35 3 West Virginia Thomas 19-yard touchdown reception from Luck, Sinclair kick good 14 35 4 Pittsburgh Collier 50-yard touchdown reception from Collins, Trout kick good 14 42 "TOP" = time of possession . For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football . 14 42
At Tennessee [ edit ] No. 12 Pittsburgh Panthers at Tennessee Volunteers – Game summary
Period 1 2 3 4 Total No. 12 Panthers 3 13 0 14 30 Volunteers 6 0 0 0 6
at Neyland Stadium • Knoxville, TN
Date : October 25Game time : 2:00 PM EDT Game attendance : 94,008
Statistics PITT TENN First downs Total yards Rushes/yards Passing yards Passing: Comp–Att–Int Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics Pittsburgh Passing Rushing Receiving Tennessee Passing Rushing Receiving
Scoring summary Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP Pittsburgh Tennessee 1 Pittsburgh 39-yard field goal by Trout 3 0 1 – – – Tennessee Gault returned kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown, Duncan kick no good 3 6 2 Pittsburgh McCall 1-yard touchdown reception from Trocano, 2-point run failed 9 6 2 Pittsburgh McMillan 1-yard touchdown run, Trout kick good 16 6 4 Pittsburgh Trocano 31-yard touchdown run, Trout kick good 23 6 4 Pittsburgh McMillan 5-yard touchdown run, Trout kick good 30 6 "TOP" = time of possession . For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football . 30 6
At Syracuse [ edit ] No. 11 Pittsburgh Panthers at Syracuse Orangemen – Game summary
Period 1 2 3 4 Total No. 11 Panthers 12 14 3 14 43 Orangemen 0 6 0 0 6
at Carrier Dome • Syracuse, NY
Statistics PITT SYR First downs Total yards Rushes/yards Passing yards Passing: Comp–Att–Int Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics Pittsburgh Passing Rushing Receiving Syracuse Passing Rushing Receiving
Scoring summary Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP Pittsburgh Syracuse 1 Pittsburgh 36-yard field goal by Trout 3 0 1 Pittsburgh 34-yard field goal by Trout 6 0 1 Pittsburgh McCall 6-yard touchdown reception from Trocano, 2-point pass incomplete 12 0 2 Pittsburgh McMillan 39-yard touchdown run, Trout kick good 19 0 2 Pittsburgh McMillan 45-yard touchdown run, Trout kick good 26 0 2 Syracuse Warner 1-yard touchdown run, 2-point run failed 26 6 3 Pittsburgh 26-yard field goal by Trout 29 6 4 Pittsburgh Collins 54-yard touchdown reception from Trocano, Trout kick good 36 6 4 Pittsburgh Collins 8-yard touchdown reception from Trocano, Trout kick good 43 6 "TOP" = time of possession . For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football . 43 6
Louisville [ edit ] Louisville Cardinals at No. 9 Pittsburgh Panthers – Game summary
Period 1 2 3 4 Total Cardinals 0 9 0 14 23 No. 9 Panthers 0 20 21 0 41
at Pitt Stadium • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Date : November 8Game time : 1:30 PM EST Game attendance : 47,280
Statistics LOU PITT First downs Total yards Rushes/yards Passing yards Passing: Comp–Att–Int Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics Louisville Passing Rushing Receiving Pittsburgh Passing Rushing Receiving
Scoring summary Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP Louisville Pittsburgh 2 Louisville 34-yard field goal by Betz 3 0 2 Louisville Mitchell 6-yard touchdown reception from May, Betz kick no good 9 0 2 Pittsburgh 24-yard field goal by Trout 9 3 2 Pittsburgh McCall 1-yard touchdown run, Trout kick good 9 10 2 Pittsburgh Collins 27-yard touchdown reception from Trocano, Trout kick good 9 17 2 Pittsburgh 30-yard field goal by Trout 9 20 3 Pittsburgh McMillan 6-yard touchdown run, Trout kick good 9 27 3 Pittsburgh Hawkins 2-yard touchdown run, Trout kick good 9 34 3 Pittsburgh Collins 67-yard touchdown reception from Trocano, Trout kick good 9 41 4 Louisville Hickman 3-yard touchdown run, Betz kick good 16 41 4 Louisville Gannon 15-yard touchdown reception from May, Betz kick good 23 41 "TOP" = time of possession . For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football . 23 41
At Army [ edit ] No. 8 Pittsburgh Panthers at Army Cadets – Game summary
Period 1 2 3 4 Total No. 8 Panthers 28 7 3 7 45 Cadets 0 7 0 0 7
at Michie Stadium • West Point, NY
Date : November 15Game time : 1:30 PM EST Game attendance : 31,150
Statistics PITT ARMY First downs Total yards Rushes/yards Passing yards Passing: Comp–Att–Int Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics Pittsburgh Passing Rushing Receiving Army Passing Rushing Receiving
Scoring summary Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP Pittsburgh Army 1 Pittsburgh Collins 7-yard touchdown reception from Trocano, Trout kick good 7 0 2 Pittsburgh DiBartolia 1-yard touchdown run, Trout kick good 14 0 1 Pittsburgh Collier 7-yard touchdown reception from Trocano, Trout kick good 21 0 2 Pittsburgh Hawkins 2-yard touchdown run, Trout kick good 28 0 2 Pittsburgh Collier 16-yard touchdown reception from Marino, Trout kick good 35 0 2 Army Walker 85-yard touchdown run, Aucoin kick good 35 7 3 Pittsburgh 30-yard field goal by Trout 38 7 4 Pittsburgh Hawkins 32-yard touchdown reception from Marino, Trout kick good 45 7 "TOP" = time of possession . For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football . 45 7
At #5 Penn State [ edit ] No. 4 Pittsburgh Panthers at No. 5 Penn State Nittany Lions – Game summary
Period 1 2 3 4 Total No. 4 Panthers 0 7 7 0 14 No. 5 Nittany Lions 3 0 6 0 9
at Beaver Stadium • University Park, PA
Date : November 28Game time : 1:00 PM EST Game attendance : 82,459TV : ABC
Statistics PITT PSU First downs Total yards Rushes/yards Passing yards Passing: Comp–Att–Int Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics Pittsburgh Passing Rushing Receiving Penn State Passing Rushing Receiving
Scoring summary Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP Pittsburgh Penn State 1 Penn State 27-yard field goal by Menhardt 0 3 2 Pittsburgh Pryor 16-yard touchdown reception from Trocano, Trout kick good 7 3 3 Pittsburgh Trocano 9-yard touchdown run, Trout kick good 14 3 3 Penn State Jackson 13-yard touchdown reception from Blackledge, 2-point pass incomplete 14 9 "TOP" = time of possession . For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football . 14 9
Vs. #18 South Carolina (Gator Bowl) [ edit ] 1980 Gator Bowl: #3 Pittsburgh Panthers vs. #18 South Carolina Gamecocks – Game summary
Period 1 2 3 4 Total No. 3 Panthers 10 7 17 3 37 No. 18 Gamecocks 0 3 0 6 9
at Gator Bowl Stadium • Jacksonville, FL
Date : December 29Game time : 9:00 PM EST Game attendance : 72,297Referee : Robert Carpenter (ACC)TV announcers (ABC ) : Al Michaels (play-by-play), Ara Parseghian (color commentator) and Steve Davis (sideline reporter)
Statistics PITT S CAR First downs Total yards Rushes/yards Passing yards Passing: Comp–Att–Int Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics Pittsburgh Passing Rushing Receiving South Carolina Passing Rushing Receiving
Scoring summary Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP Pittsburgh South Carolina 1 Pittsburgh Trocano 1-yard touchdown run, Trout kick good 7 0 2 Pittsburgh 35-yard field goal by Trout 10 0 2 South Carolina 39-yard field goal by Gillespie 10 3 2 Pittsburgh Collier 3-yard touchdown run, Trout kick good 17 3 3 Pittsburgh 25-yard field goal by Trout 20 3 3 Pittsburgh McMillan 3-yard touchdown run, Trout kick good 27 3 3 Pittsburgh McMillan 3-yard touchdown run, Trout kick good 34 3 4 Pittsburgh 29-yard field goal by Trout 37 3 4 South Carolina Gillespie 14-yard touchdown reception from Beckham, Leopard kick no good 37 9 "TOP" = time of possession . For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football . 37 9
Personnel [ edit ] Coaching staff [ edit ] 1980 Pittsburgh Panthers football staff Coaching staff Jackie Sherrill – Head coach Foge Fazio – Assistant head coach/defensive coordinator Wally English – Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks Joe Daniels – Running backs Ron Dickerson – Defensive backs Bob Matey – Defensive line Joe Moore – Offensive line Joe Naunchik – Receivers Ray Zingler – Defensive ends Support staff Alex Kramer – Administrative assistant Kevin Dickey – Recruiting doordinator Nick Rapone – Part-Time Assistant Bob Davie – Part-Time Assistant Kirk Ferentz – Part-Time Assistant Strength and conditioning staff Buddy Morris – Weight training coordinator
1980 Pittsburgh Panthers football team roster Players Coaches Offense Defense Special teams Head coach Coordinators/assistant coaches Legend (C) Team captain (S) Suspended (I) Ineligible Injured Redshirt
[9]
Awards and honors [ edit ] Hugh Green, Walter Camp Award[10] Hugh Green, Lombardi Award[11] Hugh Green, Maxwell Award[12] Mark May, Outland Trophy[13] Team players drafted into the NFL [ edit ] [14]
References [ edit ] ^ 2018 NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision Records (PDF) . National Collegiate Athletic Association. August 2018. p. 114. Retrieved November 29, 2018 . ^ "College Football Data Warehouse: Yearly National Championship Selections" . Archived from the original on February 11, 2010. Retrieved January 29, 2009 . ^ "Panthers rout Temple despite injury to Marino" . The Palm Beach Post . September 28, 1980. Retrieved August 10, 2022 – via Newspapers.com . ^ "Pitt stops Terps cold" . The Daily Times . October 5, 1980. Retrieved January 28, 2024 – via Newspapers.com . ^ "Sub quarterback Trocano paces Pitt victory 30–6" . The Morning News . October 26, 1980. Retrieved May 9, 2022 – via Newspapers.com . ^ "Pittsburgh pounds South Carolina 37–9" . The Palm Beach Post . December 30, 1980. Retrieved January 28, 2024 – via Newspapers.com . ^ Gadsden Times. 1980 Oct 19. Retrieved 2018-Dec-16. ^ "Site Unavailable" . ^ "Saturday's game rosters" . Lawrence Journal-World . (Kansas). September 19, 1980. p. 16. ^ "Football" . Archived from the original on January 7, 2008. Retrieved January 6, 2009 . ^ "NCAA College Football Awards - ESPN" . ^ "NCAA College Football Awards - ESPN" . ^ "FWAA > Awards > Outland Trophy > Winners" . Archived from the original on January 2, 2009. Retrieved January 6, 2009 . ^ "1981 NFL Draft Listing - Pro-Football-Reference.com" . Archived from the original on December 21, 2007.
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