# 1954 Pittsburgh Panthers football team

The 1954 Pittsburgh Panthers football team represented the University of Pittsburgh as an independent in the 1954 college football season. The Panthers lost their first three games of the season under third year head coach Red Dawson, before he stepped down due to poor health. Pittsburgh's athletic director, Tom Hamilton, appointed himself interim head coach and led the team to a 4–2 record over their final six games of the season. Pittsburgh finished the year with a record of 4–5.

## Schedule

| Date | Opponent | Rank | Site | Result | Attendance |
| September 24 | at No. 15 USC | | Los Angeles Memorial ColiseumLos Angeles, CA | L 7–27 | 50,238 |
| October 2 | Minnesota | | Pitt StadiumPittsburgh, PA | L 7–46 | 31,433 |
| October 9 | No. 8 Notre Dame | | Pitt StadiumPittsburgh, PA (rivalry) | L 0–33 | 57,487 |
| October 16 | No. 9 Navy | | Pitt StadiumPittsburgh, PA | W 21–19 | 26,537 |
| October 23 | Northwestern | | Pitt StadiumPittsburgh, PA | W 14–7 | 25,307 |
| October 30 | at No. 7 West Virginia | | Mountaineer FieldMorgantown, WV (rivalry) | W 13–10 | 34,000 |
| November 6 | at No. 2 Ohio State | No. 20 | Ohio StadiumColumbus, OH | L 0–26 | 77,429 |
| November 13 | at Nebraska | | Memorial StadiumLincoln, NE | W 21–7 | 26,622 |
| November 20 | Penn State | | Pitt StadiumPittsburgh, PA (rivalry) | L 0–13 | 41,451 |
| Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game |||||||

## Preseason

After rumored to be headed to the University of Minnesota, Coach Dawson returned for his third season as Pitt coach. The Panthers Athletic Department added line coach Bill Bevan to Dawson's staff, which allowed Bob Timmons to coach basketball after November 1.
On March 29, Coach Dawson welcomed more than 60 student-athletes to his third spring practice. The initial roster included 18 lettermen, 22 sophomores from the previous year's freshmen team, 2 transfers and an Army returnee. Quarterback Bill Amos and tackle Jim Dalrymple transferred from Maryland, and end Walt Belich, who played for Pitt in 1950, returned from his military service. Drills were held Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. No drills were held on Tuesdays and Fridays due to late labs for the medical, dental and engineering students. The NCAA allowed for 20 days of drills. The session ended on May 8 with a football clinic for high school coaches and an intra-squad game.
Dr. Ralph Shanor, team physician for 25 years, was with the team through spring drills, but became ill in late summer, entered the hospital on September 30 and died on November 6.
Fall practice was held on campus at the Ellsworth Center Field. 53 candidates began two-a-day drills on September 1 to prepare for the season opener on September 24 in Los Angeles, CA. Coach Dawson was upbeat: “We had our first decent freshman team last fall...20 of our 24 freshmen are back. That's a pretty good record.” But even with the added depth, the Panthers had the usual brutal schedule to contend with.

## Roster

1954 Pittsburgh Panthers football roster :
| Player | Position | Games | Weight | Height | Class | Prep School | Hometown |
| Don Agafon | tackle | 0 | 220 | 6 ft 2 in | junior | Berwick H.S. | Berwick, PA |
| Bill Amos | quarterback | 1 | 190 | 6 ft 1 in | junior | Washington H. S./Univ. of Maryland | Washington, PA |
| Ambrose Bagamery* | right halfback | 9 | 180 | 6 ft | sophomore | Zelienople H. S. | Zelienople, PA |
| Bob Ballock* | center | 6 | 195 | 6 ft | senior | Farrell H. S. | Farrell, PA |
| Walt Bielich | end | 0 | 190 | 6 ft 1 in | junior | Youngstown H. S. | Youngstown, PA |
| Al Bolkovac* | guard | 9 | 200 | 6 ft | junior | Youngstown H. S. | Youngstown, OH |
| Ed Bose* | center | 6 | 210 | 6 ft | junior | Old Westbury H. S. | Old Westbury, NY |
| Dale Brown | end | 3 | 185 | 6 ft | sophomore | Elwood City H. S. | Elwood City, PA |
| Charles Brueckman | center | 0 | 200 | 6 ft 2 in | sophomore | McKees Rocks H. S. | McKees Rocks, PA |
| Herman Canil* | tackle | 7 | 200 | 6 ft 1 in | sophomore | Vandrgrift H. S. | Vandergrift, PA |
| John Cenci* | guard | 9 | 210 | 5 ft 11 in | junior | Schenley H. S. | Pittsburgh, PA |
| William Cessar* | tackle | 6 | 210 | 6 ft 1 in | junior | Millvale H. S. | Millvale, PA |
| Frank Cicero | center | 0 | 180 | 5 ft 11 in | sophomore | Sewickly H. S. | Sewickly, PA |
| Lou Cimarolli | halfback | 1 | 175 | 5 ft 10 in | junior | Bridgeville H. S. | Bridgeville, PA |
| Ralph Ciper | fullback | 0 | 190 | 5 ft 10 in | sophomore | Ambridge H. S. | Ambridge, PA |
| Chris Copetas | tackle | 0 | 200 | 6 ft | junior | Mt. Lebanon H. S. | Pittsburgh, PA |
| Chuck Cost* | left halfback | 9 | 170 | 5 ft 9 in | sophomore | Wilkinsburg H. S. | Wilkinsburg, PA |
| Glenn Dillon | end | 3 | 180 | 6 ft | senior | Titusville H. S. | Titusville, PA |
| Ray DiPasquale | right halfback | 0 | 185 | 5 ft 10 in | junior | Central Catholic H. S. | Pittsburgh, PA |
| Henry Ford * | left halfback | 9 | 180 | 5 ft 10 in | senior | Schenley H. S. | Pittsburgh, PA |
| Fred Glatz* | end | 7 | 190 | 6 ft 1 in | junior | Central Catholic H. S. | Pittsburgh, PA |
| Bob Grier* | fullback | 8 | 200 | 6 ft 1 in | junior | Massillon H. S. | Massillon, OH |
| Bill Hoffman | fullback | 1 | 195 | 5 ft 11 in | senior | Greensburg H. S. | Greensburg, PA |
| Harold Hunter* | guard | 9 | 200 | 6 ft 1 in | senior | Canonsburg H. S. | Canonsburg, PA |
| John Jacobs* | fullback | 6 | 195 | 5 ft 11 in | senior | Georges Twp. H. S. | Georges Twp., PA |
| Tom Jenkins* | fullback | 8 | 185 | 6 ft | sophomore | East Liverpool H. S. | East Liverpool, OH |
| Paul Kacik | left end | 0 | 185 | 6 ft 1 in | junior | Monessen H. S. | Monessen, PA |
| Bob Kennedy | left end | 0 | 185 | 5 ft 11 in | senior | Williamsport H. S. | Williamsport, PA |
| Bob Kiesel | fullback | 0 | 210 | 6 ft | junior | Scranton H. S. | Scranton, PA |
| Eldred Kraemer* | right tackle | 9 | 220 | 6 ft 3 in | senior | Clear Lake H. S. | Clear Lake, MN |
| Jim Lenhart* | quarterback | 6 | 190 | 6 ft 1 in | sophomore | Charleroi H. S. | Fairmont, WV |
| Darrell Lewis* | quarterback | 6 | 185 | 5 ft 10 in | sophomore | Wilkinsburg H. S | Wilkinsburg, PA |
| Howard Linn* | right tackle | 8 | 205 | 6 ft | junior | Steubenville H.S. | Steubenville, OH |
| Joe Los | right guard | 5 | 210 | 6 ft 1in | junior | Ellworth H. S. | Ellsworth, PA |
| Ray Macedonia | right end | 0 | 190 | 6 ft | senior | Oliver H. S. | Pittsburgh, PA |
| Dick Manson | left halfback | 0 | 190 | 5 ft 10 in | junior | Franklin H. S. | Franklin, PA |
| Rudy Mattioli | quarterback | 3 | 190 | 6 ft | senior | Har-Brack H. S./ Univ. of Kentucky | Har-Brack, PA |
| Joe Mazur | left end | 0 | 185 | 5 ft 11 in | sophomore | Trafford H. S. | Trafford, PA |
| Richie McCabe* | right halfback | 9 | 170 | 6 ft | senior | North Catholic H. S. | Pittsburgh, PA |
| Robert McQuaide* | left end | 9 | 185 | 6 ft | senior | Indiana H. S. | Indiana, PA |
| Don Michaels | fullback | 1 | 190 | 6 ft | junior | Beaverdale H. S. | Beaverdale, PA |
| Pete Neft | quarterback | 3 | 175 | 6 ft | junior | Peabody H. S. | Pittsburgh, PA |
| Louis Palatella* | left tackle | 9 | 215 | 6 ft | junior | Vandergrift H.S. | Vandergrift, PA |
| Joe Paluck* | right end | 9 | 215 | 6 ft 1 in | junior | Swoyersville H. S. | Swoyersville, PA |
| Nick Passodelis* | right halfback | 8 | 180 | 5 ft 10 in | sophomore | Aliquippa H. S. | Aliquippa, PA |
| Bob Pollock* | left tackle | 7 | 215 | 6 ft 2 in | sophomore | Mt. Carmel H. S. | Mt. Carmel, PA |
| Chester Rice* | left halfback | 5 | 180 | 5 ft 10 in | senior | Derry Twp. High School | Derry Township, PA |
| Bob Rosborough* | right end | 5 | 185 | 6 ft 1 in | sophomore | Donora H. S. | Donora, PA |
| Cornelius Salvaterra* | left halfback | 8 | 190 | 6 ft | sophomore | Wilkes-Barre H. S. | Wilkes-Barre, PA |
| Dick Scherer | right end | 3 | 200 | 6 ft 1 in | sophomore | North Catholic H. S. | Pittsburgh, PA |
| Donald Schlick | center | 0 | 200 | 6 ft | senior | Wheeling H. S. | Wheeling, WV |
| William Schmitt* | right guard/tackle | 9 | 215 | 6 ft 1 in | junior | South Hills H. S. | Pittsburgh, PA |
| Vince Scorsone | right guard | 3 | 220 | 6 ft | sophomore | McKeesport H. S. | McKeesport, PA |
| Gene Steratore* | right halfback | 2 | 190 | 6 ft | junior | Washington H. S. | Washington, PA |
| Ed Stowe | left guard | 5 | 205 | 5 ft 11 in | junior | Somerville H. S. | Somerville, NJ |
| Bob Verna | left tackle | 0 | 200 | 6 ft | junior | Conemaugh Twp. H. S. | Jerome, PA |
| Joe Walton* | left end | 8 | 215 | 5 ft 11 in | sophomore | Beaver Falls H. S. | Beaver Falls , PA |
| Dan Wisniewski | left guard | 0 | 205 | 5 ft 11 in | sophomore | Erie H. S. | Erie, PA |
| * Letterman |

## Game summaries
### at USC

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Pitt | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| • USC | 0 | 7 | 0 | 20 | 27 |
On September 24,in a rare Friday night game, the Panthers opened their season against the USC Trojans in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Pitt and USC were tied 2–2 all-time. USC beat the Panthers in the 1930 and 1933 Rose Bowl games, but then Pitt won the 1934 and 1935 regular season meetings. Fourth-year Coach Jess Hill's Trojans were 1–0, having beaten Washington State 39–0.
Coach Dawson's 46-member squad left on Wednesday morning. After a 9-hour Pan American flight, they arrived in LA, and had a “workout under the lights at the Coliseum.” Radio Station KDKA broadcast the game back to Pittsburgh.
Pitt tied the Trojans 7–7 through three quarters, but gave up 3 touchdowns in the fourth and lost their opening game 27–7. USC substitute running back Jon Arnett scored three touchdowns on runs of 1, 2 and 25 yards, and Lindon Crow caught a 66-yard touchdown pass from Ellsworth Kissinger late in the game. The Trojans converted 3 of 4 extra points. The Panthers answered the first USC touchdown with a 49-yard touchdown pass from Henry Ford to end Dick Scherer. Gene Steratore booted the extra point. At the start of the final period, Pitt fullback Tom Jenkins injured his ankle and had to be helped off the field. At the time Jenkins was the Panthers leading rusher and a stalwart on defense. Pitt end Joe Paluck and Trojan tackle Frank Pavich were ejected for fighting.
Henry Ford rushed 16 times for 69 yards and Tom Jenkins had 12 carries for 54 yards before his injury. USC's Jon Arnett led all rushers with 118 yards on 15 carries.
The Pitt starting lineup for the game against USC was Joe Walton (left end), Lou Palatella (left tackle), Ed Stowe (left guard), John Cenc (center), Al Bolkovac (right guard), Eldred Kraemer (right tackle), Joe Paluck (right end), Rudy Mattioli (quarterback), Henry Ford (left halfback), Ambrose Bagamery (right halfback) and Tom Jenkins (fullback). Substitutes appearing in the game for Pittsburgh were Bob McQuaide, Fred Glatz, Bill Cessar, Bob Pollack, Harold Hunter, Bob Ballock, Ed Bose, Joe Los, Bill Schmitt, Herman Canil, Howard Linn, Dick Scherer, Darrell Lewis, Jim Lenhart, Corny Salvaterra, Charles Cost, Nick Passodelis, Gene Steratore, Richie McCabe and Robert Grier.

### Minnesota

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Minnesota | 13 | 0 | 19 | 14 | 46 |
| Pitt | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
On October 2, the Panthers played their home opener against the Minnesota Gophers. Minnesota led the all-time series 7–0 and had out-scored the Panthers 197–38. First-year Coach Murray Warmath's squad was 1–0, having beaten Nebraska (19–7). Quarterback/kicker Gino Cappelletti, halfback Bob McNamara and end Gordy Soltau were future pros in the Minnesota lineup.
Coach Dawson's team depth was diminished as starting fullback Tom Jenkins, substitute quarterback Darrell Jenkins, end Dick Scherer and halfback Corny Salvaterra were all injured in the USC game. Jenkins was replaced by sophomore Nick Passodelis in the starting lineup.
Minnesota ran their record against the Panthers to 8–0 with a resounding 46–7 win. Minnesota led 13–0 at the end of the opening quarter on a 24-yard touchdown pass from Gino Cappelletti to Bob McNamara and a 3-yard run by Frank Backman. Cappelletti converted 1 of two extra points. The Panthers only score came in the second quarter. It was all Henry Ford. He returned a punt to the Minnesota 41-yard line, ran 37 yards around end to the 4-yard line and then ran into the end zone for the score. Ambrose Bagamery converted the extra point. The second half was all Minnesota, as they scored 5 touchdowns. Early in the third period, Bob McNamara returned a punt 65-yards for a touchdown. Pitt fumbles led to two more third quarter scores, and the Gophers subs managed to score twice in the final stanza. The favored Panthers lost three fumbles and had three passes intercepted. They earned 7 first downs on 108 total yards gained.
The Pitt starting lineup for the game against Minnesota was Joe Walton (left end), Lou Palatella (left tackle), Ed Stowe (left guard), John Cenci (center), Al Bolkovac (right guard), Eldred Kraemer (right tackle), Joe Paluck (right end), Rudy Mattioli (quarterback), Henry Ford (left halfback), Ambrose Bagamery (right halfback) and Nick Passodelis (fullback). Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were Bob McQuaide, Bill Cessar, Bob Pollack, Harold Hunter, Bob Ballock, Ed Bose, Joe Los, Bill Schmitt, Howard Linn, Jim Lenhart, Charles Cost, Gene Steratore, Richie McCabe, Robert Grier, Glen Dillon, Dale Brown, Bill Amos, Lou Cimarolli and Pete Neft.

### Notre Dame

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Notre Dame | 0 | 13 | 7 | 13 | 33 |
| Pitt | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
On October 9, the Panthers played the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Notre Dame led the all-time series 14–6–1. First-year Coach Terry Brennan's squad was 1–1 and ranked #8 in the AP Poll. They opened with a victory over Texas (21–0) and then lost to Purdue (14–27). The Irish were led by three All-Americans: quarterback Ralph Guglielmi, tackle Frank Varrichione and end Dan Shannon.
Coach Dawson was being criticized in the media for both the Panthers poor start to the season, and his proclivity to not speak to the press. Athletic Director Tom Hamilton told the scribes at the Tuesday news luncheon: “Two poor performances don't mean a football team is through. We'll bounce back and it will be no later than Saturday afternoon against Notre Dame.......I'm no Pollyanna. We're going to play good football. The kids haven't found themselves but they will. I've got 100 per cent confidence in them and the coaching staff.” The Athletic Committee met, and they too, gave Dawson a vote of approval.
In front 57,487 fans the Panthers lost their third straight game 33–0. Pitt gained 69 yards rushing and 18 yards passing, completing only 2 of 16 passes. They earned 6 first downs. The Pitt defense kept Notre Dame scoreless through the first quarter. Then the Irish scored two touchdowns in the second period, one in the third and two more in the final quarter. Five players scored touchdowns: Sherrill Sipes, Ralph Guglielmi, Dean Studer, Paul Hornung and Jim Munro. Don Schaefer booted two extra points and Jim Morse added one.
Coach Dawson addressed the press after the game: “We just give ball games away. We must be the most charitable football team I ever saw. Throw out the mistakes and this Pitt club could be a good football team. Notre Dame just played it better than we did....”
The Pitt starting lineup for the game against Notre Dame was Bob McQuaide (left end), Lou Palatella (left tackle), Ed Stowe (left guard), John Cenci (center), Bill Schmitt (right guard), Eldred Kraemer (right tackle), Joe Paluck (right end), Corny Salvaterra (quarterback), Henry Ford (left halfback), Ambrose Bagamery (right halfback) and Nick Passodelis (fullback). Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were Tom Jenkins, Bob Pollack, Joe Walton, Harold Hunter, Bob Ballock, Ed Bose, Joe Los, Al Bolkovac, Howard Linn, Dick Scherer, Jim Lenhart, Charles Cost, Richie McCabe, Pete Neft, Vince Scorsone and Don Michaels.

### Navy

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Navy | 6 | 6 | 0 | 7 | 19 |
| • Pitt | 0 | 14 | 0 | 7 | 21 |
On October 16, the Panthers hosted the Midshipmen of the Naval Academy. Pitt led the all-time series 5–1–1. The last time these teams met in 1934, Pitt Athletic Director, Tom Hamilton was the head coach of the Navy, and his undefeated Middies lost 31–7.
Fifth-year Coach Eddie Erdelatz's squad was 3–0 and ranked #9 in the AP football poll. End Ron Beagle was a consensus All-American.
On Monday, October 11, Tom Hamilton told the Sun-Telegraph: “Dawson will be our coach for the Navy game Saturday, for the week after and the week after that. I don't know where these rumors start, anyhow.” On Tuesday, Coach Dawson went to the hospital for “an irregularity of the heart.” Tom Hamilton stepped in as interim coach until Dawson would be able to return.
The 13-point underdog Panthers broke into the win column with an exciting 21–19 upset of the Navy. The Midshipmen opened the game with an onside kick, that they recovered on the Panthers 45-yard line. On the eighth play from scrimmage, Joe Gattuso ran through tackle from the 1 for the score. George Textor missed the extra point and Navy led 6–0. Navy intercepted a Pitt pass and drove to the Panthers 3-yard line. The Panthers defense stiffened and took possession on the 6-yard line. The Panthers offense proceeded to drive 94 yards in 16 plays for their first score. Corny Salvaterra scored on a quarterback sneak and Bugs Bagamery booted the extra point to put the Panthers ahead 7–6. Pitt got the ball back on a fumble by Navy quarterback Dick Echard recovered by end Fred Glatz. A 22-yard pass from Salvaterra to Henry Ford and another placement by Bagamery put the Panthers ahead 14–6. Late in the half, Navy intercepted a Pitt pass on the Panthers 24-yard line. A 24-yard scoring toss from Echard to Jack Garrow and another missed placement made the score 14–12 at halftime. After a scoreless third period, Fred Glatz recovered a fumble on the Navy 12-yard line. On third down from the 8-yard line, Salvaterra faked a hand-off to Henry Ford and ran around right end for the touchdown. Bagamery added the point after for a 21–12 Pitt lead. Navy answered with an 80-yard scoring drive. Bill Hepworth scored the touchdown and Textor added the point after to close the scoring.
Coach Hamilton was pleased and told Roy McHugh of The Pittsburgh Press: “We enjoyed the game and I hope Red enjoyed it too. I guess a lot of people thought our kids would fold but they aren't that kind.”
The Pitt starting lineup for the game against Navy was Bob McQuaide (left end), Lou Palatella (left tackle), Ed Stowe (left guard), John Cenci (center), Al Bolkovac (right guard), Eldred Kraemer (right tackle), Joe Paluck (right end), Corny Salvaterra (quarterback), Henry Ford (left halfback), Ambrose Bagamery (right halfback) and Nick Passodelis (fullback). Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were Tom Jenkins, Fred Glatz, Bob Pollack, Harold Hunter, Bob Ballock, Ed Bose, Joe Los, Bill Schmitt, Herman Canil, Howard Linn, Dick Scherer, Darrell Lewis, Jim Lenhart, Charles Cost, Richie McCabe, Bobby Grier, Dale Brown, Pete Neft, Bob Rosborough and John Jacobs.

### Northwestern

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Northwestern | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| • Pitt | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
On October 23, the Northwestern Wildcats visited Pittsburgh for the first time. The all-time series was 2–1 in Northwestern's favor. Coach Bob Voigts' squad was 1–3 for the season.
On Friday, Coach Dawson was told by Dr. Richard Horn not to coach for the remainder of the season. The Pitt Athletic Committee met and authorized Tom Hamilton to continue as interim coach through the end of the season.
This was the Homecoming Game, High School Day, Band Day and was the NCAA Game of the Week on national TV.
Coach Hamilton ran his record to 2–0, as the Panthers scored in the final minute to beat the Wildcats 14–7. The Panthers opened the game with a 66-yard drive, capped by a 1-yard touchdown run by Henry Ford. Ambrose Bagamery added the extra point and Pitt led 7–0. The Wildcats answered in the second period. Northwestern recovered a Pitt fumble and proceeded to drive 74 yards to the Panthers 2-yard line. The Panthers defense stiffened and took possession on downs. On first down Pitt fumbled again and Northwestern recovered. Wildcats halfback John Foster scored on first down and John Damore's placement tied the score. The Panthers spent the third quarter in Northwestern territory but could not score. Fumbles and an interception stymied their drives. Late in the final quarter, quarterback Corny Salvaterra returned a punt to the Wildcats 37-yard line. Two running plays moved the ball to the 16-yard line with less than 3 minutes to play. Five more running plays put the ball inside the 1-yard line with less than a minute to play. Salvaterra ran around right end for the touchdown. Bagamery made it 14–7. In the final 39 seconds, the Wildcats were able to drive to the Pitt 17-yard line where they fumbled and Pitt end Fred Glatz recovered.
Pitt earned 20 first downs and gained 303 total yards but had 4 fumbles, 1 interception and 91 yards in penalties. The Panthers defense held Northwestern to 10 first downs and 154 total yards.
The Pitt starting lineup for the game against Northwestern was Bob McQuaide (left end), Lou Palatella (left tackle), Ed Stowe (left guard), John Cenci (center), Al Bolkovac (right guard), Eldred Kraemer (right tackle), Joe Paluck (right end), Corny Salvaterra (quarterback), Henry Ford (left halfback), Nick Passodelis (right halfback) and Bobby Grier (fullback). Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were Tom Jenkins, Joe Walton, Fred Glatz, Harold Hunter, Ed Bose, Joe Los, Bill Schmitt, Herman Canil, Howard Linn, Darrell Lewis, Jim Lenhart, Charles Cost, Ambrose Bagamery, Richie McCabe, Bob Rosborough, John Jacobs and Chester Rice.

### at West Virginia

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Pitt | 0 | 0 | 7 | 6 | 13 |
| West Virginia | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 10 |
On October 30, after a 4-game homestand, the Panthers traveled to Morgantown, WV for the annual Backyard Brawl. Pitt led the all-time series 34–11–1, but West Virginia had won the past two games. Pitt had never lost in Morgantown. The Mountaineers were undefeated (4–0) and ranked #6 in the AP football poll. Future pros Sam Huff, Bruce Bosley and Joe Marconi were on the roster.
Coach Hamilton suspended three players for skipping practice. Starting tackle Ed Stowe, reserve tackle Joe Los and halfback Gene Steratore decided to drive to Florida and seek work for the winter. Steratore came back to school, but the other two remained in Florida. Harold Hunter replaced Stowe in the starting lineup. Coach Hamilton told The Pitt News: “The worst experience I've ever had in athletics. Running out on the team in the middle of the campaign with a big game coming up isn't fair to the coaches and it isn't fair to the team. The sooner we get rid of guys like that the better.”
The Panthers evened their record at 3–3 with a 13–10 upset over the favored Mountaineers. West Virginia center Chuck Donaldson kicked a 16-yard field goal on the last play of the first half. Pitt was inside the Mountaineers 35-yard line five times in the first half but could not score. Three times they turned the ball over on fumbles. In the third quarter Pitt end John Paluk recovered a West Virginia fumble on the Mountaineers 30-yard line. Quarterback Corny Salvaterra capped the short drive with a 9-yard touchdown pass to Ambrose Bagamery. Bagamery added the placement for a 7–3 lead. In the final period West Virginia blocked a Pitt punt and recovered on the Panthers 46-yard line. Fullback Joe Marconi finished the drive with a 4-yard end run. Donaldson converted the extra point for a 10–7 West Virginia lead. Pitt was not to be denied as Henry Ford returned the ensuing kick-off to the Panthers 45-yard line. Five plays moved the ball to the West Virginia 2-yard line. Three plays later they were on the 4-yard line. Salvaterra passed to end Fred Glatz, who made a leaping catch in the end zone. Bagamery missed the placement,, but Pitt led 13–10. West Virginia came back and was on the Pitt 32-yard line for one last - gasp play. They threw a pass and Pitt was called for roughing, which moved the ball to the 17-yard line. The final pass was knocked down by two Panthers in the end zone. Pitt was 3–3 for the season.
Pitt quarterback Corny Salvaterra carried the ball 16 times for 96 yards, completed 8 of 16 passes for 105 yards and had 1pass intercepted. West Virginia backs Dick Nicholson carried 6 times for 91 yards and Joe Marconi carried 11 times for 62 yards.
The Pitt starting lineup for the game against West Virginia was Bob McQuaide (left end), Lou Palatella (left tackle), Harold Hunter (left guard), John Cenci (center), Al Bolkovac (right guard), Eldred Kraemer (right tackle), Joe Paluck (right end), Corny Salvaterra (quarterback), Henry Ford (left halfback), Nick Passodelis (right halfback) and Tom Jenkins (fullback). Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were Joe Walton, Fred Glatz, William Cessar, Bob Pollock, Bob Ballock, Ed Bose, Bill Schmitt, Herman Canil, Howard Linn, Charles Cost, Ambrose Bagamery, Richie McCabe, Bobby Grier, Glen Dillon, Vince Scorsone, John Jacobs, Rudy Mattioli and Chester Rice.