The 1949 Pittsburgh Panthers football team represented the University of Pittsburgh as an independent during the 1949 college football season. The team compiled a 6–3 record under head coach Mike Milligan.
Schedule
Rankings
Preseason
Since Coach Mike Milligan, who led the Panthers to a 6–3 record in 1948 was back for another season, and Tom Hamilton was installed as Athletic Director, the Pitt faithful were upbeat for the 1949 season.
Spring drills began on March 29. Head Coach Milligan welcomed 116 candidates, including 26 lettermen. The Athletic Department funded a jayvee team that would play a 4 or 5 game schedule, in addition to the usual freshmen squad. Initially, assistant Coach Ed Shedloskey was in charge of the Jayvees with assistance from Don Fisher, Leo Skladany and John Chickerneo. Paul Sager was later hired to coach the Jayvees. Forty-one students came to the initial tryouts. On April 30, the varsity traveled to New Brunswick, NJ to scrimmage against Rutgers. A week later they held a Blue versus White intra-squad game for fans at Pitt Stadium to close the spring session.
Fall practice commenced August 31 in Meadville, PA on the campus of Allegheny College. Fifty-five Panthers were invited. They spent two weeks at camp, and then returned to campus to finish training for their opening game against William & Mary College.
Coaching staff 1949 Pittsburgh Panthers football staff Coaching staff Walter “Mike” Milligan – head coach Harold Williams – assistant coach John Chickerneo – assistant backfield coach Robert Timmons – assistant end coach Dr. Jesse Quatse – assistant line coach Paul Sager – jayvee coach Ted Schmitt– freshman coach Edmund Shedlosky– freshman coach Support staff
Thomas J. Hamilton – director of athletics and physical education Frank Carver – graduate manager Don Giffen – publicity director Dr. Ralph Shanor – team physician Howard Waite – trainer Bill Haines – equipment manager Joe Percovich– student manager
Roster 1949 Pittsburgh Panthers football roster William Abraham *halfback 9 2155 ft 8 inseniorJeannette H. S.Jeanette, PA Rudy Andabaker*guard 9 185 5 ft 11 insophomoreDonora H. S.Donora, PA Bernard Barkouskie*guard 9 200 5 ft 10 inseniorWilkes-Barre H. S.Kulpmont, PA Robert Becker* fullback 5 1906 ftsenior Westinghouse H. S.Pittsburgh, PA Bob Bestwick*halfback 6 1805 ft 11 insophomoreShaler H. S.Shaler Township, PA Michael Boldin *guard 9 210 6 ftjuniorJohnstown H. S.Johnstown, PA Nick Bolkovac*tackle 9 2256 ft 2 injuniorYoungstown H. S.Youngstown, OH Fred Botti quarterback 0 1906 ft 1 injuniorConnellsville H. S. North Union, PA Bob Brennen*quarterback 9 2156 ft 1 in sophomoreNorth Catholic H. S. Pittsburgh, PA James Campbell*fullback 91955 ft 11 insophomore Hershey H. S.Derry Township, PA Frank Capello end 2 1856 ft seniorElwood City H. S.Elwood City, PA Louis Cecconi*halfback 9165 5 ft 7 inseniorDonora H. S.Donora, PA Paul Chesshalfback 2 1856 ft sophomore Meadville H. S.Meadville, PA Eugene Coopercenter 0 1805 ft 10 insophomoreMcKeesport H. S.McKeesport, PA John Coyneend 0 1856 ft sophomoreMunhall H. S.Munhall, PA John Dazio*center 6 1956 ft sophomoreCoatesville H. S.Coatesville, PA Sam DeFedetackle 1 210 6 ft juniorMartins Ferry H. S.Martins Ferry, OH Carl DePasqua* fullback 91755 ft 8 inseniorWilliamsport. H.S.Williamsport, PA Nick DeRosa*end 9 190 6 ft 1 injuniorDonora H. S. Donora, PA Armond DiFonso*halfback 9 175 5 ft 9 in sophomoreJeannette H. S.Jeannette, PA Bill Doziskihalfback 1 1806 ftsophomore Donora H. S.Donora, OH Dave Fyockhalfback 0 1705 ft 8 insophomoreEvans City H. S.Evans City, PA William Gasparovic*tackle7 2106 ft sophomoreSteelton H.S.Steelton, PA Ted Geremsky *end 9 2156 ft 4 in juniorBraddock H. S.Braddock, PA Flint Greene*tackle 7 2005 ft 10 in juniorNew Kensington H. S.New Kensington, PA Sam Haddad center 0 220 6 ft 3 inseniorNew Castle H. S. New Castle, PA William Hardisty* halfback 7 2156 ft 3 inseniorLangley H. S.Pittsburgh, PA Harry Hollihan end 1 1956 ft 1 in juniorGlenshaw H. S.Shaler, PA Niel Huffmantackle 0 200 6 ft 2 insophomoreOstrander H. S.Ostrander, OH David Karanovich*guard 9 1956 ft 2 injuniorIrwin H. S.Irwin, PA Andy Kisidayguard 2 1905 ft 11 in seniorAmbridge H. S.Ambridge, PA Lindy Lauro*halfback 8 1955 ft 10 in seniorNew Castle H. S.New Castle, PA Bobby Lee *quarterback 9 1855 ft 10 inseniorNew Castle H. S.New Castle, PA Albert Lonoconustackle 0 1905 ft 10 insophomore West Hazleton H. S.West Hazleton, PA John Masarick*end71906 ft 1 injunior Har-Brack H. S. Tarentum, PA Louis Melillo* quarterback5 1805 ft 10 in seniorKittanning H. S. Kittanning, PA Robert Mihmtackle 4 2206 ft 1 in juniorWestinghouse H. S.Pittsburgh, PA Joe O'Barahalfback 1 1655 ft 8 injuniorJohnstown H. S.Johnstown, PA Mike Omatickquarterback 0 175 5 ft 11 insophomoreConnellsville H. S.Connellsville, PA Larry Pierceguard 1 1805 ft 10 injuniorJeannette H. S.Jeannette, PA Robert Plotz*tackle 8 2106 ft 2 in seniorMartins Ferry H. S.Martins Ferry, OH Emil Rader halfback 2 2056 ft 1 in seniorWheeling H. S.Benwood, WVA Leonard Radnor*center 9 1855 ft 10 inseniorPlymouth H. S.Plymouth, PA George Radosevich*center8 200 6 ft 2 injuniorBrentwood H. S.Brentwood, PA Jimmy Joe Robinson*halfback 8 1855 ft 11 inseniorConnellsville H. S.Connellsville, PA William Samer*end 7 1906 ft 1 inseniorDonora H. S.Donora, PA Ralph Shorttackle 3 1706 ft seniorMartins Ferry H. S.Martins Ferry, OH William Sichko*halfback 8 1705 ft 11 insophomore German Twp. H. S. McClellentown, PA Donald Skrbinguard 0 1906 ft juniorSteelton H. S.Steelton, PA Alfred Smalaratackle 0 200 6 ft sophomoreSpringdale H. S.Springdale, PA John Stokenend 0 2006 ft sophomoreAliquippa H. S.Aliquippa, PA Earl Sumpter*guard 6 1755 ft 10 inseniorClairton H. S.Clairton, PA Charles Thomasguard 0 1906 ft 3 inseniorDormont H. S.Dormont, PA Chris Warriner*end7 195 5 ft 11 insophomoreTarentum H. S.Tarentum, PA Harold Wertmanfullback 0 2056 ft sophomoreShamokinH. S.Shamokin, PA Charles Yost*guard 6 2105 ft 11in seniorYoungstown H. S.Youngstown, OH * Letterman
Game summaries William & Mary
The Pitt Panthers opened the season against the William & Mary Indians of the Southern Conference. This was the first meeting between these schools. Coach Rube McCray's squad opened their season the week before, beating Houston 14–13. All-America halfback Jack Cloud led the Indians backfield and Lou Creekmur, future Pro Football Hall-of-Fame tackle, anchored the line. The Indians squad arrived in Pittsburgh by plane and was housed on campus at Webster Hall.
Coach Milligan had lettermen returning at most positions. He told The Pittsburgh Press: " I don't care what the score is if we've got the most points. We're not looking for an easy afternoon." The Panthers were favored by a touchdown.
The Panthers won their opening game for the first time in 5 years by beating William & Mary 13–7. On fourth down, after the opening kick-off, Indians center George Davis hiked the ball past the punter, Buddy Lex, into the end zone. It was recovered by Panther Nick DeRosa for a touchdown. Nick Bolkovac missed the extra point, and Pitt led 6–0 four minutes into the game. Fumbles, interceptions and defense were the highlights for the rest of the first three quarters. The Panthers offense had possession of the ball on their 32-yard line to start the final period. On the seventh play, Jimmy Joe Robinson handed the ball to Bimbo Cecconi on a reverse. He stopped and threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to John Masarik. Bolkovac made the extra point for a 13–0 lead. Late in the game, William & Mary drove 61-yards and scored on an 8-yard pass from Lex to Vito Ragasso. Lex's point after made the final 13–7.
The Pitt starting lineup for the game against William & Mary was Ted Geremsky (left end), Nick Bolkovac (left tackle), Bernie Barkouskie (left guard), Len Radnor (center), Mike Boldin (right guard), Robert Plotz (right tackle), Nick DeRosa (right end), Bobby Lee (quarterback), Louis 'Bimbo” Cecconi (left halfback), Jimmy Joe Robinsoon (right halfback) and Carl DePasqua (fullback). Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were Earl Sumpter, Flint Greene, Rudy Andabaker, John Dazio, Donald Karanovich, Charles Yost, William Samer, Chris Warriner, John Masarik, Robert Brennen, William Hardisty, William Sichko, Emil Rader, Lindaro Lauro, Armand DiFonso, James Campbell and Bill Abraham.
at Northwestern
On October 1, the Panthers traveled to Evanston, IL to play the Northwestern Wildcats for the first time. The 1949 Rose Bowl champs were favored by three touchdowns. Coach Robert Voigts' club won their opener over Purdue 20–6.
Thirty-six Panthers and three coaches flew into Glenview Naval Air Station and were housed in the Sovereign Hotel near Evanston, IL. This was the Panthers first road game flight since the 1939 trip to Seattle to play Washington. Coach Milligan's squad was healthy, and he made no changes to the starting lineup. The game was televised live back to Pittsburgh by WDTV.
The 20-point underdog Panthers upset the Wildcats 16–7 to extend their win streak to 4 games. The Panthers scored in the first period on a 5-play, 64-yard drive that ended with a 13-yard pass from Bimbo Cecconi to Jimmy Joe Robinson. Nick Bolkovac added the extra point. In the second quarter, after the Panthers offense stalled at the Wildcats 15-yard line, Bolkovac booted a field goal to put the Panthers up 10–0 at halftime. Late in the third quarter, Pitt end Nick DeRosa tipped a Wildcat pass into teammate Rudy Andabaker's hands at the Northwestern 24-yard line. On the second play of the final period, Robinson raced 12-yards around end for the score. Bolkovac's kick missed. Late in the game Panthers halfback Bill Sichko fumbled and Northwestern recovered on their own 30-yard line. It took three plays for the Wildcats to score against the Panthers subs. Johnny Miller ran 10-yards for the score. Johnny Nemeth added the placement.
The Pitt starting lineup for the game against Northwestern was Ted Geremsky (left end), Nick Balkovac (left tackle), Bernie Barkouskie (left guard), Len Radnor (center), Mike Boldin (right guard), Robert Plotz (right tackle), Nick DeRosa (right end), Bobby Lee (quarterback), Bimbo Cecconi (left halfback), Jimmy Joe Robinson (right halfback) and Carl DePasqua (fullback). Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were Chris Warriner, Flint Greene, Robert Mihm, Rudy Andabaker, John Dazio, George Radosevich, Donald Kranovich, Charles Yost, William Gasparovic, William Samer, John Masarik, Robert Brennen, William Sichko, Lindaro Lauro, Armand DiFonso, William Hardisty, Robert Bestwick, James Campbell, William Abraham and Bob Becker.
at West Virginia
On October 9, the Panthers played the Mountaineers in West Virginia for only the sixth time in the 42- game series. The Panthers won the previous 5 contests in Morgantown. The Panthers led the “Backyard Brawl” series 31–9–1. Like Pitt's first two opponents, West Virginia was a reigning Bowl Champion. The Mountaineers beat the Texas Mines Miners 21–12 in the 1949 Sun Bowl. Second-year Coach Dudley DeGroot's squad was 2–1 on the season. They beat Waynesburg and Washington & Lee, but lost to Ohio U.
Friday, thirty-nine Panthers squad members bussed to Uniontown, PA to spend the night at the Summit Hotel. Flint Greene, backup tackle, was injured in the Northwestern game and did not make the trip. Coach Milligan went with the same starting lineup for the third straight game. Pitt fans bought more than 2,000 tickets. The Baltimore & Ohio railroad ran a special train to Morgantown, priced at $3.25 on game day, that left Pittsburgh 9:15 a.m and arrived at 12:55 p.m. The return trip left at 5:25 p.m. and arrived back in Pittsburgh at 9:10 p.m.