# 1981 Pittsburgh Panthers football team

The 1981 Pittsburgh Panthers football team represented the University of Pittsburgh in the 1981 NCAA Division I-A football season. The one-loss Panthers were selected as national champion by NCAA-designated major selector National Championship Foundation and also by Montgomery Full Season Championship. The school does not claim a national championship for this season.

## Schedule

| Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
| September 5 | 1:30 p.m. | Illinois | No. 8 | Pitt StadiumPittsburgh, PA | | W 26–6 | 46,022 |
| September 19 | 1:30 p.m. | Cincinnati | No. 7 | Pitt StadiumPittsburgh, PA (River City Rivalry) | | W 38–7 | 40,172 |
| October 3 | 3:50 p.m. | at South Carolina | No. 4 | Williams–Brice StadiumColumbia, SC | ABC | W 42–28 | 56,495 |
| October 10 | 1:30 p.m. | at West Virginia | No. 4 | Mountaineer FieldMorgantown, WV (Backyard Brawl) | | W 17–0 | 54,280 |
| October 17 | 1:30 p.m. | No. 11 Florida State | No. 3 | Pitt StadiumPittsburgh, PA | | W 42–14 | 55,112 |
| October 24 | 1:30 p.m. | Syracuse | No. 2 | Pitt StadiumPittsburgh, PA (rivalry) | USA | W 23–10 | 50,330 |
| October 31 | 1:00 p.m. | at Boston College | No. 2 | Alumni StadiumChestnut Hill, MA | | W 29–24 | 25,500 |
| November 7 | 1:00 p.m. | at Rutgers | No. 1 | Giants StadiumEast Rutherford, NJ | | W 47–3 | 34,636 |
| November 14 | 1:30 p.m. | Army | No. 1 | Pitt StadiumPittsburgh, PA | | W 48–0 | 53,225 |
| November 21 | 1:30 p.m. | at Temple | No. 1 | Veterans StadiumPhiladelphia, PA | USA | W 35–0 | 32,570 |
| November 28 | 12:25 p.m. | No. 11 Penn State | No. 1 | Pitt StadiumPittsburgh, PA (rivalry) | ABC | L 14–48 | 60,260 |
| January 1, 1982 | 8:00 p.m. | vs. No. 2 Georgia | No. 10 | Louisiana SuperdomeNew Orleans, LA (Sugar Bowl) | ABC | W 24–20 | 77,224 |
| HomecomingRankings from AP Poll released prior to the gameAll times are in Eastern time |||||||||

## Game summaries
### Illinois

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Fighting Illini | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| No. 9 Panthers | 14 | 0 | 10 | 2 | 26 |
at Pitt Stadium • Pittsburgh, PA
* Date: September 7
* Game time: 1:30 PM EDT
* Game attendance: 46,022
* Statistics
* First downs
* Total yards
* Rushes/yards
* Passing yards
* Passing: Comp–Att–Int
* Time of possession
| Team | Category |
| Illinois | Passing |
| Illinois | Rushing |
| Illinois | Receiving |
| Pittsburgh | Passing |
| Pittsburgh | Rushing |
| Pittsburgh | Receiving |
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | Illinois | Pittsburgh |
| 1 | | | | | Pittsburgh | DiBartola 4-yard touchdown run, Everett kick good | 0 | 7 |
| 1 | | | | | Pittsburgh | Collins 19-yard touchdown reception from Marino, Everett kick good | 0 | 14 |
| 2 | | | | | Illinois | 46-yard field goal by Bass | 3 | 14 |
| 2 | | | | | Illinois | 33-yard field goal by Bass | 6 | 14 |
| 3 | | | | | Pittsburgh | Dawkins 23-yard touchdown reception from Marino, Everett kick good | 6 | 21 |
| 3 | | | | | Pittsburgh | 43-yard field goal by Everett | 6 | 24 |
| 4 | | – | – | – | Pittsburgh | Safety, Eason tackled in end zone by Maas | 6 | 26 |
| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 6 | 26 |

### Cincinnati

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Bearcats | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 |
| No. 7 Panthers | 21 | 0 | 10 | 7 | 38 |
at Pitt Stadium • Pittsburgh, PA
* Date: September 19
* Game time: 1:30 PM EDT
* Game attendance: 40,172
* Statistics
* First downs
* Total yards
* Rushes/yards
* Passing yards
* Passing: Comp–Att–Int
* Time of possession
| Team | Category |
| Cincinnati | Passing |
| Cincinnati | Rushing |
| Cincinnati | Receiving |
| Pittsburgh | Passing |
| Pittsburgh | Rushing |
| Pittsburgh | Receiving |
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | Cincinnati | Pittsburgh |
| 1 | | | | | Pittsburgh | Dawkins 16-yard touchdown reception from Marino, Everett kick good | 0 | 7 |
| 1 | | | | | Pittsburgh | Dawkins 19-yard touchdown reception from Marino, Everett kick good | 0 | 14 |
| 1 | | | | | Pittsburgh | Compton 11-yard touchdown reception from Marino, Everett kick good | 0 | 21 |
| 3 | | | | | Pittsburgh | Dawkins 21-yard touchdown reception from Marino, Everett kick good | 0 | 28 |
| 3 | | | | | Pittsburgh | 32-yard field goal by Everett | 0 | 31 |
| 4 | | | | | Pittsburgh | Dawkins 8-yard touchdown reception from Marino, Everett kick good | 0 | 38 |
| 4 | | — | — | — | Cincinnati | Logan recovered blocked punt in end zone, Fogler kick good | 7 | 38 |
| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 7 | 38 |

### At South Carolina

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 4 Panthers | 14 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 42 |
| Gamecocks | 0 | 0 | 21 | 7 | 28 |
at Williams–Brice Stadium • Columbia, SC
* Date: October 3
* Game time: 3:50 PM EDT
* Game attendance: 56,495
* TV announcers (ABC): Keith Jackson (play-by-play), Frank Broyles (color commentator) and Steve Davis (sideline reporter)
* Statistics
* First downs
* Total yards
* Rushes/yards
* Passing yards
* Passing: Comp–Att–Int
* Time of possession
| Team | Category |
| Pittsburgh | Passing |
| Pittsburgh | Rushing |
| Pittsburgh | Receiving |
| South Carolina | Passing |
| South Carolina | Rushing |
| South Carolina | Receiving |
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | Pittsburgh | South Carolina |
| 1 | | | | | Pittsburgh | Brown 28-yard touchdown reception from Marino, Everett kick good | 7 | 0 |
| 1 | | | | | Pittsburgh | Brown 12-yard touchdown reception from Marino, Everett kick good | 14 | 0 |
| 2 | | | | | Pittsburgh | Dawkins 53-yard touchdown reception from Marino, Everett kick good | 21 | 0 |
| 2 | | | | | Pittsburgh | Compton 6-yard touchdown reception from Marino, Everett kick good | 28 | 0 |
| 3 | | | | | Pittsburgh | Dawkins 30-yard touchdown reception from Marino, Everett kick good | 35 | 0 |
| 3 | | | | | South Carolina | Aubin 24-yard touchdown reception from Beckham, Fleetwood kick good | 35 | 7 |
| 3 | | | | | Pittsburgh | Brown 8-yard touchdown reception from Marino, Everett kick good | 42 | 7 |
| 3 | | | | | South Carolina | Berry 58-yard touchdown run, Fleetwood kick good | 42 | 14 |
| 3 | | | | | South Carolina | Aubin 58-yard touchdown reception from Hillary, Fleetwood kick good | 42 | 21 |
| 4 | | | | | South Carolina | Smith 9-yard touchdown reception from Beckham, Fleetwood kick good | 42 | 28 |
| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 42 | 28 |

### At West Virginia

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 4 Panthers | 0 | 7 | 10 | 0 | 17 |
| Mountaineers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
at Mountaineer Field • Morgantown, WV
* Date: October 10
* Game time: 1:30 PM EDT
* Game attendance: 54,280
* Statistics
* First downs
* Total yards
* Rushes/yards
* Passing yards
* Passing: Comp–Att–Int
* Time of possession
| Team | Category |
| Pittsburgh | Passing |
| Pittsburgh | Rushing |
| Pittsburgh | Receiving |
| West Virginia | Passing |
| West Virginia | Rushing |
| West Virginia | Receiving |
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | Pittsburgh | West Virginia |
| 2 | | | | | Pittsburgh | Thomas 43-yard touchdown run, Everett kick good | 7 | 0 |
| 3 | | | | | Pittsburgh | 39-yard field goal by Everett | 10 | 0 |
| 3 | | | | | Pittsburgh | Thomas 2-yard touchdown run, Everett kick good | 17 | 0 |
| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 17 | 0 |

### #11 Florida State

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 11 Seminoles | 0 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 14 |
| No. 3 Panthers | 7 | 14 | 14 | 7 | 42 |
at Pitt Stadium • Pittsburgh, PA
* Date: October 17
* Game time: 1:30 PM EDT
* Game attendance: 55,112
* Statistics
* First downs
* Total yards
* Rushes/yards
* Passing yards
* Passing: Comp–Att–Int
* Time of possession
| Team | Category |
| Florida State | Passing |
| Florida State | Rushing |
| Florida State | Receiving |
| Pittsburgh | Passing |
| Pittsburgh | Rushing |
| Pittsburgh | Receiving |
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | Florida State | Pittsburgh |
| 1 | | | | | Pittsburgh | DiBartola 22-yard touchdown reception from Marino, Everett kick good | 0 | 7 |
| 2 | | — | — | — | Pittsburgh | Interception returned 22 yards for touchdown by Sunseri, Everett kick good | 0 | 14 |
| 2 | | — | — | — | Pittsburgh | Flynn 83-yard punt return for a touchdown, Everett kick good | 0 | 21 |
| 2 | | | | | Florida State | Whiting 1-yard touchdown run, Rendina kick good | 7 | 21 |
| 3 | | | | | Pittsburgh | Dawkins 86-yard touchdown reception from Marino, Everett kick good | 7 | 28 |
| 3 | | | | | Pittsburgh | Dawkins 16-yard touchdown reception from Marino, Everett kick good | 7 | 35 |
| 3 | | | | | Florida State | Childers 5-yard touchdown reception from Williams, Rendina kick good | 14 | 35 |
| 4 | | | | | Pittsburgh | Thomas 6-yard touchdown run, Everett kick good | 14 | 42 |
| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 14 | 42 |

### Syracuse

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Orangemen | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| No. 2 Panthers | 0 | 17 | 0 | 6 | 23 |
at Pitt Stadium • Pittsburgh, PA
* Date: October 24
* Game time: 1:30 PM EDT
* Game attendance: 50,330
* TV: USA
* Statistics
* First downs
* Total yards
* Rushes/yards
* Passing yards
* Passing: Comp–Att–Int
* Time of possession
| Team | Category |
| Syracuse | Passing |
| Syracuse | Rushing |
| Syracuse | Receiving |
| Pittsburgh | Passing |
| Pittsburgh | Rushing |
| Pittsburgh | Receiving |
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | Syracuse | Pittsburgh |
| 1 | | | | | Syracuse | 36-yard field goal by Anderson | 3 | 0 |
| 1 | | | | | Syracuse | Morris 7-yard touchdown run, Anderson kick good | 10 | 0 |
| 2 | | | | | Pittsburgh | 32-yard field goal by Everett | 10 | 3 |
| 2 | | | | | Pittsburgh | Brown 13-yard touchdown reception from Marino, Everett kick good | 10 | 10 |
| 2 | | | | | Pittsburgh | Dawkins 2-yard touchdown reception from Marino, Everett kick good | 10 | 17 |
| 4 | | | | | Pittsburgh | Dawkins 7-yard touchdown reception from Marino, Everett kick no good | 10 | 23 |
| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 10 | 23 |

### At Boston College

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 2 Panthers | 7 | 13 | 9 | 0 | 29 |
| Eagles | 3 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 24 |
at Alumni Stadium • Chestnut Hill, MA
* Date: October 31
* Game time: 1:00 PM EST
* Game attendance: 25,500
* Statistics
* First downs
* Total yards
* Rushes/yards
* Passing yards
* Passing: Comp–Att–Int
* Time of possession
| Team | Category |
| Pittsburgh | Passing |
| Pittsburgh | Rushing |
| Pittsburgh | Receiving |
| Boston College | Passing |
| Boston College | Rushing |
| Boston College | Receiving |
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | Pittsburgh | Boston College |
| 1 | | | | | Boston College | 21-yard field goal by Cooper | 0 | 3 |
| 1 | | | | | Pittsburgh | Brown 14-yard touchdown reception from Marino, Everett kick good | 7 | 3 |
| 2 | | | | | Boston College | Benjamin 8-yard touchdown run, Cooper kick good | 7 | 10 |
| 2 | | | | | Pittsburgh | Collins 32-yard touchdown reception from Marino, Everett kick good | 14 | 10 |
| 2 | | | | | Pittsburgh | Thomas 11-yard touchdown run, Everett kick no good | 20 | 10 |
| 3 | | – | – | – | Pittsburgh | Safety, center snap out of end zone | 22 | 10 |
| 3 | | | | | Pittsburgh | Marino 1-yard touchdown run, Everett kick good | 29 | 10 |
| 3 | | | | | Boston College | Rikard 30-yard touchdown reception from Flutie, Cooper kick good | 29 | 17 |
| 4 | | | | | Boston College | Rikard 17-yard touchdown reception from Flutie, Cooper kick good | 29 | 24 |
| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 29 | 24 |

### At Rutgers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 1 Panthers | 0 | 14 | 14 | 19 | 47 |
| Scarlet Knights | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
at Giants Stadium • East Rutherford, NJ
* Date: November 7
* Game time: 1:00 PM EST
* Game attendance: 34,636
* Statistics
* First downs
* Total yards
* Rushes/yards
* Passing yards
* Passing: Comp–Att–Int
* Time of possession
| Team | Category |
| Pittsburgh | Passing |
| Pittsburgh | Rushing |
| Pittsburgh | Receiving |
| Rutgers | Passing |
| Rutgers | Rushing |
| Rutgers | Receiving |
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | Pittsburgh | Rutgers |
| 1 | | | | | Rutgers | 26-yard field goal by Falcinelli | 0 | 3 |
| 2 | | | | | Pittsburgh | DiBartola 6-yard touchdown reception from Marino, Everett kick good | 7 | 3 |
| 2 | | | | | Pittsburgh | Brown 31-yard touchdown reception from Marino, Everett kick good | 14 | 3 |
| 3 | | | | | Pittsburgh | Thomas 5-yard touchdown run, Everett kick good | 21 | 3 |
| 3 | | | | | Pittsburgh | Marino 1-yard touchdown run, Everett kick good | 28 | 3 |
| 4 | | | | | Pittsburgh | DiBartola 2-yard touchdown run, Everett kick good | 35 | 3 |
| 4 | | | | | Pittsburgh | Compton 30-yard touchdown reception from Marino, Everett kick no good | 41 | 3 |
| 4 | | | | | Pittsburgh | McIntyre 8-yard touchdown run, Everett kick no good | 47 | 3 |
| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 47 | 3 |

### Army

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Cadets | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| No. 1 Panthers | 14 | 7 | 20 | 7 | 48 |
at Pitt Stadium • Pittsburgh, PA
* Date: November 14
* Game time: 1:30 PM EST
* Game attendance: 53,225
* Statistics
* First downs
* Total yards
* Rushes/yards
* Passing yards
* Passing: Comp–Att–Int
* Time of possession
| Team | Category |
| Army | Passing |
| Army | Rushing |
| Army | Receiving |
| Pittsburgh | Passing |
| Pittsburgh | Rushing |
| Pittsburgh | Receiving |
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | Army | Pittsburgh |
| 1 | | | | | Pittsburgh | Thomas 2-yard touchdown run, Everett kick good | 0 | 7 |
| 1 | | | | | Pittsburgh | DiBartola 1-yard touchdown run, Everett kick good | 0 | 14 |
| 2 | | | | | Pittsburgh | Dawkins 13-yard touchdown reception from Marino, Everett kick good | 0 | 21 |
| 3 | | | | | Pittsburgh | Dawkins 14-yard touchdown reception from Marino, Everett kick good | 0 | 28 |
| 3 | | | | | Pittsburgh | Dawkins 6-yard touchdown reception from Marino, Everett kick no good | 0 | 34 |
| 3 | | | | | Pittsburgh | Dawkins 10-yard touchdown reception from Marino, Everett kick good | 0 | 41 |
| 4 | | | | | Pittsburgh | Bailey 1-yard touchdown run, Everett kick good | 0 | 48 |
| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 0 | 48 |

### At Temple

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 1 Panthers | 21 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 35 |
| Owls | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
at Veterans Stadium • Philadelphia, PA
* Date: November 21
* Game time: 1:30 PM EST
* Game attendance: 32,570
* TV: USA
* Statistics
* First downs
* Total yards
* Rushes/yards
* Passing yards
* Passing: Comp–Att–Int
* Time of possession
| Team | Category |
| Pittsburgh | Passing |
| Pittsburgh | Rushing |
| Pittsburgh | Receiving |
| Temple | Passing |
| Temple | Rushing |
| Temple | Receiving |
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | Pittsburgh | Temple |
| 1 | | | | | Pittsburgh | Compton 6-yard touchdown reception from Marino, Everett kick good | 7 | 0 |
| 1 | | | | | Pittsburgh | Compton 55-yard touchdown reception from Marino, Everett kick good | 14 | 0 |
| 1 | | | | | Pittsburgh | Thomas 19-yard touchdown run, Everett kick good | 21 | 0 |
| 3 | | | | | Pittsburgh | Dawkins 12-yard touchdown reception from Marino, Everett kick good | 28 | 0 |
| 4 | | | | | Pittsburgh | Williams 5-yard touchdown reception from Marino, Everett kick good | 35 | 0 |
| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 35 | 0 |

### #11 Penn State

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 11 Nittany Lions | 0 | 14 | 17 | 17 | 48 |
| No. 1 Panthers | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
at Pitt Stadium • Pittsburgh, PA
* Date: November 28
* Game time: 12:25 PM EST
* Game attendance: 60,260
* TV announcers (ABC): Bill Flemming (play-by-play) and Darrell Royal (color commentator)
* Statistics
* First downs
* Total yards
* Rushes/yards
* Passing yards
* Passing: Comp–Att–Int
* Time of possession
| Team | Category |
| Penn State | Passing |
| Penn State | Rushing |
| Penn State | Receiving |
| Pittsburgh | Passing |
| Pittsburgh | Rushing |
| Pittsburgh | Receiving |
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | Penn State | Pittsburgh |
| 1 | | | | | Pittsburgh | Collins 28-yard touchdown reception from Marino, Everett kick good | 0 | 7 |
| 1 | | | | | Pittsburgh | Collins 9-yard touchdown reception from Marino, Everett kick good | 0 | 14 |
| 2 | | | | | Penn State | Meade 2-yard touchdown run, Franco kick good | 7 | 14 |
| 2 | | | | | Penn State | Blackledge 8-yard touchdown run, Franco kick good | 14 | 14 |
| 3 | | | | | Penn State | Jackson 42-yard touchdown reception from Blackledge, Franco kick good | 21 | 14 |
| 3 | | | | | Penn State | Jackson 45-yard touchdown reception from Blackledge, Franco kick good | 28 | 14 |
| 3 | | | | | Penn State | 39-yard field goal by Franco | 31 | 14 |
| 4 | | | | | Penn State | 38-yard field goal by Franco | 34 | 14 |
| 4 | | — | — | — | Penn State | Fumble recovery returned 0 yards for touchdown by Farrell, Franco kick good | 41 | 14 |
| 4 | | — | — | — | Penn State | Interception returned 91 yards for touchdown by Robinson, Franco kick good | 48 | 14 |
| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 48 | 14 |

### Vs. #2 Georgia (Sugar Bowl)

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 10 Panthers | 0 | 3 | 7 | 14 | 24 |
| No. 2 Bulldogs | 0 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 20 |
at Louisiana Superdome • New Orleans, LA
* Date: January 1
* Game time: 8:00 PM EST
* Game attendance: 77,224
* Referee: Ken Faulkner (SWC)
* TV announcers (ABC): Keith Jackson (play-by-play), Frank Broyles (color commentator) and Bill Flemming (sideline reporter)
* Statistics
* First downs
* Total yards
* Rushes/yards
* Passing yards
* Passing: Comp–Att–Int
* Time of possession
| Team | Category |
| Pittsburgh | Passing |
| Pittsburgh | Rushing |
| Pittsburgh | Receiving |
| Georgia | Passing |
| Georgia | Rushing |
| Georgia | Receiving |
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | Pittsburgh | Georgia |
| 2 | | | | | Georgia | Walker 10-yard touchdown run, Butler kick good | 0 | 7 |
| 2 | | | | | Pittsburgh | 41-yard field goal by Everett | 3 | 7 |
| 3 | | | | | Pittsburgh | Dawkins 30-yard touchdown reception from Marino, Everett kick good | 10 | 7 |
| 3 | | | | | Georgia | Walker 8-yard touchdown run, Butler kick no good | 10 | 13 |
| 4 | | | | | Pittsburgh | Brown 6-yard touchdown reception from Marino, Everett kick good | 17 | 13 |
| 4 | | | | | Georgia | Kay 6-yard touchdown reception from Belue, Butler kick good | 17 | 20 |
| 4 | | | | | Pittsburgh | Brown 33-yard touchdown reception from Marino, Everett kick good | 24 | 20 |
| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 24 | 20 |

## Awards and honors

* Dan Marino, fourth in Heisman Trophy voting

## Team players drafted into the NFL

| Player | Position | Round | Pick | NFL club |
| Emil Boures | Center | 7 | 182 | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| Sal Sunseri | Linebacker | 10 | 267 | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| Sam Clancy | Defensive end | 11 | 284 | Seattle Seahawks |

## Media
### Radio

| Flagship station | Play-by-play | Color commentator | Sideline reporter | Studio host |
| WTAE–AM 1250 | Bill Hillgrove | John Sauer | | |