1945 Pittsburgh Panthers football team

The 1945 Pittsburgh Panthers football team represented the University of Pittsburgh as an independent during the 1945 college football season. The team compiled a 3–7 record under head coach Clark Shaughnessy.

Schedule

Preseason

After two years as Pitt head coach, Clark Shaughnessy's record was 7–10. In January, the Sun-Telegraph reported that Shaughnessy was not going to replace Elmer Layden as Commissioner of the NFL. In March, when Shaughnessy went to Palo Alto for his daughter's wedding, the rumor mill had him becoming the next head coach at UCLA.

On June 12, he was on the Pitt practice field instructing his 34 incoming freshmen how to operate the T-formation. The freshmen drilled twice a day for two weeks, and then they were given a break before the entire team reported on July 30. Seventeen holdovers from the 1944 squad were among the 53 players who reported the first day. Shaughnessy held morning and afternoon sessions for a few weeks. The squad was given a short break and fall practice opened on August 27.

Coach Shaughnessy told Harry Keck of the Sun-Telegraph: "We still have the same fundamental weaknesses we had during the two wartime seasons through which we struggled, which are that: (1) we can't run fast enough, (2) we're not big enough, and (3) we lack experience, which means that, in the beginning, we may not be too smart.....We're still losing players in the draft and will continue to lose them, but for many of the players the war worry is over."

Larry Bondy, sports editor of The Pitt News, was critical of the student spirit: "The Panthers are a fighting club this year and aim to bring back Pittsburgh's glory; the only thing they need now is the backing of the student body. The student spirit has been lacking for years, possibly because of the war. Now that it's over it's about time we began cheering and coming out."

Coaching staff 1945 Pittsburgh Panthers football staff Coaching staff Clark Shaughnessy – head coach Charles Hartwig – chief assistant coach Robert Hoel – assistant end coach Stan Olenn – assistant line coach   Support staff James Hagan - director of athletics Frank Carver – publicity director Howard Waite - trainer Jim Dimitroff – varsity student manager Harold Whitson – property manager

Roster 1945 Pittsburgh Panthers football roster Joe Adlesicquarterback 2 1605 ft 9 infreshmanNorth Catholic H. S.Pittsburgh, PA Michael Banasick*halfback 7 180 6 ft sophomore Scottdale H. S.Scottdale, PA Stewart Brownguard 0 180 5 ft 7 infreshmanSchenley H. S.Pittsburgh, PA Herman Butisteguard 1 1875 ft 10 insophomoreGrove City H. S. Oil City, PA Allen Carterhalfback 3 1455 ft 8 infreshmanWestinghouse H. S.Pittsburgh, PA Daniel Cerrone*tackle 9 2406 ft 3 infreshmanBraddock H. S. Braddock, PA Anthony Chuffi*tackle 10 202 5 ft 9 infreshmanPeabody H. S.Pittsburgh, PA James Cintaniguard 1 1705 ft 9 infreshmanElwood City H. S.Elwood City, PA Henry Clougherty*center31855 ft 8 injuniorSwissvale H. S.Swissvale, PA Ralph Consolmagnofullback 0 1805 ft 11 infreshmanSouth Hills H. S.Pittsburgh, PA Gerald Cornwellguard 0 1785 ft 11 infreshmanWilliamsport H.S.Williamsport, PA Samuel Cosentinofullback 0 1805 ft 10 insophomoreAvalon H. S.Avalon, PA Peter Daleyhalfback 0 1685 ft 6 in freshmanBrownsville H. S.Brownsville, PA Joseph DeFrank* tackle 7 2135 ft 11 injuniorGerman Twp. H.S.New Salem, PA John Dombroskycenter 0 195 5 ft 6 infreshmanCarnegie H. S.Carnegie, PA Herbert Douglas*halfback 7 1555 ft 8 infreshman Taylor Allderdice H. S.Pittsburgh, PA Frank Drudatackle 0 195 5 ft 11 infreshmanLincoln H. S.Ellwood City, PA Norman Dundashalfback 2 1605 ft 9 infreshmanAcademy H. S.Erie, PA Dominick Faraoni*end5 1806 ft 1 infreshmanElwood City H. S.Elwood City, PA James Foley*fullback 9 182 6 ftfreshmanLaSalle H. S.Niagara Falls, NY Matthew Gibson, Jr.fullback 0 1906 ft 1 infreshmanSt. Vincent PrepPittsburgh, PA Eugene Gleasonhalfback 0 160 5 ft 11 infreshmanCentral H. S. Scranton, PA James Hayhurstguard 2 1975 ft 11 insophomore East Fairmont H. S.Fairmont, WV Richard Johnshalfback 0 1605 ft 9 insophomoreButler H. S.Butler, PA George Johnson*tackle 10 2056 ft 4 infreshmanGerman Twp. H. S.Edenborn, PA James Klinehalfback 0 1705 ft 11 infreshmanNorwin H. S.Ardara, PA George Kohuttackle 2 1956 ftsophomoreBethel H. S.Coverdale, PA John Kosh*center 8 1956 ftsophomoreDonora H. S.Donora, PA Donald Kuntzend 0 1906 ft 2 infreshmanJohn Harris H. S.Harrisburg, PA Frank Lengjakcenter 0 1675 ft 11 insophomoreNorth Union H. S.Uniontown, PA John L. Lewis, Jr.end 0 1906 ft juniorR. J. Reynolds H. S.Winston-Salem, NC George Linellihalfback 4 1685 ft 7 injuniorPeabody H. S.Pittsburgh, PA John Lozarfullback 3 1855 ft 10 injuniorGerman Twp. H. S.Adah, PA William McPeak*end 10 1876 ft 1 infreshmanNew Castle H. S.New Castle, PA Hugh McRandalcenter 0 1745 ft 11 infreshmanAspinwall H. S.Blawnox, PA Vincent Manauzzihalfback 3 160 5 ft 9 infreshman Butler H. S.Butler, PA Charles Marburgertackle 0 2265 ft 11 infreshmanMars H. S.Mars, PA Donald Matthews*halfback 6 1685 ft 10 inseniorCoatesville H. S.Coatesville, PA Francis Mattioli*guard 7 2055 ft 10 inDental SchoolHar-Brack H. S.Brackenridge, PA William Mihm*end 7 1806 ft 1 infreshmanWestinghouse H. S.Pittsburgh, PA Denver Newman*end 5 1655 ft 11insophomore New Castle H. S.New Castle, PA Paul Oberkircherguard 0 1806 ftseniorErie Strong Vincent H. S.Erie, PA John Pagerquarterback 0 1765 ft 9 injuniorSt. Veronica H. S. Aliquippa, PA Harry Petersonquarterback 2 1755 ft 11 insophomoreEllsworth H. S/.Cokeburg, PA E. Alexander Phillipshalfback 0 1755 ft 11 insophomoreBlacksville H. S.Blacksville, WV Steve Polach*guard 9 1705 ft 8 injuniorNorth Union Twp. H. S.Uniontown, PA Edmund Ralko*halfback 8 1755 ft 8 infreshmanCumberland Twp. H. S.Nemacolin, PA George Ranii*guard 10 2055 ft 10 injuniorAspinwall H. S.Blawnox, PA Frank Reckend 0 1956 ft 2 infreshmanEast Deer H. S.Glassmere, PA Frank Robertsonend 0 1455 ft 10 infreshmanJohnstown H. S.Johnstown, PA James Robinson*halfback 10 1806 ftfreshmanConnellsville H. S.Connellville, PA Michael Roussos*tackle 9 2206 ft 2 insophomore New Castle H. S.New Castle, PA John Rozanski*tackle 10 2035 ft 10 in sophomorePlymouth H. S. Plymouth, PA Leslie Sarlesend 0 1836 ft 2insophomoreButler H. S.Butlar, PA Leo Skladany*end 10 1866 ft 1 infreshmanPlymouth H. S.Plymouth, PA Robert Slackend 0 1726 ftfreshmanAspiwall H. S.Harwick, PA Edmund Slater end 0 1655 ft 11 insophomoreNorth Union H. S.Uniontown, PA Edward Smith*center 7 2106 ft 3 infreshmanMcKeesport H. S.McKeesport, PA Ernest Smithcenter 0 1805 ft 10 infreshmanEast Deer H. S.Creighton, PA Jack Smodic*quarterback 10 1745 ft 10 infreshmanGerman Twp. H. S.Gates, PA James Stopford*center 6 188 6 ftfreshmanJohn Harris H. S.Harrisburg, PA Edward Sudzinahalfback 1 1605 ft 8 infreshmanDuquesne H. S.Duquesne, PA John Tarantinohalfback 0 1755 ft 11 infreshmanScranton Central H. S.Scranton, PA Michael Temenoff*halfback 5 2056 ft 1 infreshmanWest Bethlehem H. S.Marianna, PA Kenneth Weinbelguard 0 1805 ft 9 infreshmanLodi H. S.East Patterson, NJ Harold Wertman*fullback 10 1806 ftfreshmanCoal Twp. H. S.Shamokin, PA Eugene Wojciechowskitackle 1 1956 ftsophomoreVandergrift H. S.Vandergrift, PA William Wolff*quarterback 7 1735 ft 10 infreshmanSt. Clair H. S.St. Clair, PA Albert Zellman*end 3 1856 ftsophomoreSouth Hills H. S.Pittsburgh, PA Edward Zimmovan*halfback 9 1806 ftsophomoreNorth Union H. S.Uniontown, PA * Letterman

Game summaries

at Illinois

On September 22, the Panthers opened their season against the Fighting Illini in Champaign, IL. Illinois led the series 2–0. Illinois starting halfback Eddie McGovern had an emergency appendectomy Friday morning and was replaced by freshman Tom Zaborac. Coach Ray Eliot's starting line-up had 2 seniors, 5 juniors, 3 sophomores and 1 freshman. The starting line averaged 205 pounds and was composed of 6 lettermen and 1 holdover reserve.

Pitt started 1 senior, 1 junior, 2 sophomores and 7 freshmen. Coach Shaughnessy was upbeat: "Why, our first three quarterbacks never played quarterback before, but, over-all, we're much better than last year." Jimmy Joe Robinson, Herbert Douglas and Allen Carter, Pitt's first African-American players, made the final roster.

Illinois kept the Panthers losing streak against the Western Conference alive, as they beat the Panthers 23–6. In the opening period, Illinois tackle, Les Bingaman, blocked Leo Skladaney's punt into the end zone. Pitt guard George Ranii recovered the ball for a safety. On Illinois' next possession, Pitt was guilty of pass interference in the end zone and the ball was placed at the 1-yard line. Bill Butkovich scored on second down. He added the point after and Illinois led 9–0. Then, the Panthers sustained their longest drive of the day and drove to the Illinois 1-yard line, but could not score. The second and third quarters were scoreless. Late in the third period, Illinois gained possession on the Pitt 37-yard line. They advanced the ball to the 11-yard line at the end of the period. On the second play of the final stanza, Butkovich went through center for the score. His placement made the score 16–0. Illini halfback, Eddie Bray, scored their final touchdown on a 38-yard scamper around left tackle. Bingaman kicked the point after. The Panthers answered with a 62-yard drive, highlighted by the passing of quarterback William Wolff. Wolff was 9 of 23 for 163 yards for the game. Ed Zimmovan scored on a 1-yard run to end the drive. Mike Roussos' placement attempt was low and the final read 23–6. Illinois finished the season with a 2–6–1 record.

The Pitt starting line-up for the game against Illinois was Leo Skladany (left end), Anthony Chuffi (left tackle), Francis Mattioli (left guard), John Kosh (center), George Ranii (right guard), George Johnson (right tackle), Bill McPeak (right end), William Wolff (quarterback), James Robinson (left halfback), Ed Zimmovan (right halfback) and James Foley (fullback). Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were Mike Banasick, Dominick Faraoni, Michael Roussos, John Rozanski, George Kohut, Steve Polach, Edward Smith, Edmund Ralko, Jack Smodic, Harry Peterson, Allen Carter, Herbert Douglas and Harold Wertman.

West Virginia

On September 9, the Panthers hosted the West Virginia Mountaineers. Pitt held a commanding 28–8–1 lead in the all-time series. Coach Ira Rodgers was in his third year as replacement for head coach Bill Kern, who was in the Navy. The Mountaineers opened their season with a 42–7 win over Otterbein College. Starting quarterback, Hal McKibben, suffered an injury in the Otterbein game and would not play. Coach Rogers told The Pittsburgh Press: "We're too young. There's still no substitute for experience."

Coach Shaughnessy used the same starting lineup as the Illinois game, except at fullback, where Harold Werkman replaced James Foley.

In front of 7500–10,000 rain-soaked fans, the Panthers made it 14 in a row over the Mountaineers with a 20–0 shutout. Pitt scored late in the first period on a 51-yard, 9-play drive. Former tackle, Mike Roussos, lined up at fullback and went through center from the 1-yard line for the score. He booted the extra point and Pitt led 7–0. Late in the first quarter, Pitt guard George Ranii recovered a Mountaineer fumble on the West Virginia 23-yard line. On the third play of the second period, James Robinson skirted right end into the end zone untouched from the 7-yard line. Roussos added the placement and Pitt led 14–0. At the end of the half, the Panther offense drove 64-yards in 12 plays with George Linelli rushing the final 3 yards. The placement center snap was fumbled, and Pitt led 20–0 at halftime. The Panthers dominated the statistics gaining 360 yards to 81, and earning 18 first downs to 4 for the visitors. But dropped passes and fumbles stymied their offense in the scoreless second half.