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]
Date Time Opponent Rank Site TV Result Attendance Source September 13 1:30 p.m. Boston College No. 3 ABC W 14–644,820 [ 3]
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 [ 4]
October 4 1:30 p.m. Maryland No. 6 Pitt Stadium Pittsburgh, PA W 38–947,409 [ 5]
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 [ 6]
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 [ 7]
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
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 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 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[ 8]
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.[ 9]
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
[ 10]
Hugh Green, Walter Camp Award[ 11]
Hugh Green, Lombardi Award[ 12]
Hugh Green, Maxwell Award[ 13]
Mark May, Outland Trophy[ 14]
Team players drafted into the NFL [ edit ]
[ 15]
^ 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 .
^ "Nine turnovers, but Pitt wins" . St. Petersburg Times . September 14, 1980. p. 7C – via Newspapers.com .
^ "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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