1980 Pittsburgh Panthers football team

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1980 Pittsburgh Panthers football
Pitt Panthers wordmark.svg
National champion (DeVold, FR, The New York Times)
Co-national champion (FACT, Sagarin)
Gator Bowl champion
Eastern champion
ConferenceIndependent
Ranking
CoachesNo. 2
APNo. 2
1980 record11–1
Head coach
  • Jackie Sherrill (4th season)
Offensive coordinatorWally English (2nd season)
Offensive schemeMultiple pro-style
Defensive coordinatorFoge Fazio (2nd season)
Base defenseMultiple front
Home stadiumPitt Stadium
(Capacity: 56,500)
Seasons
← 1979
1981 →
1980 NCAA Division I-A independents football records
  • v
  • t
 Conf Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
No. 2 Pittsburgh   –   –   11 – 1 – 0
No. 5 Florida State   –   –   10 – 2 – 0
No. 8 Penn State   –   –   10 – 2 – 0
No. 9 Notre Dame   –   –   9 – 2 – 1
No. 18 Miami (FL)   –   –   9 – 3 – 0
Southern Miss   –   –   9 – 3 – 0
Navy   –   –   8 – 4 – 0
South Carolina   –   –   8 – 4 – 0
Virginia Tech   –   –   8 – 4 – 0
Boston College   –   –   7 – 4 – 0
Northeast Louisiana   –   –   7 – 4 – 0
Rutgers   –   –   7 – 4 – 0
UNLV   –   –   7 – 4 – 0
Tulane   –   –   7 – 5 – 0
Colgate   –   –   5 – 4 – 1
North Texas State   –   –   6 – 5 – 0
Villanova   –   –   6 – 5 – 0
West Virginia   –   –   6 – 6 – 0
Louisville   –   –   5 – 6 – 0
Richmond   –   –   5 – 6 – 0
Syracuse   –   –   5 – 6 – 0
East Carolina   –   –   4 – 7 – 0
Illinois State   –   –   4 – 7 – 0
Temple   –   –   4 – 7 – 0
Army   –   –   3 – 7 – 1
Holy Cross   –   –   3 – 8 – 0
Cincinnati   –   –   2 – 9 – 0
Memphis State   –   –   2 – 9 – 0
William & Mary   –   –   2 – 9 – 0
Georgia Tech   –   –   1 – 9 – 1
Rankings from AP Poll

The 1980 Pittsburgh Panthers football team represented the University of Pittsburgh in 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[]

Selectors that named Pitt the 1980 national champion:[2]

  • 1st-N-Goal
  • Angelo Louisa
  • ARGH Power Ratings
  • College Football Researchers Association
  • Foundation for the Analysis of Competitions and Tournaments
  • Harry DeVold
  • James Howell
  • Jeff Self
  • The New York Times
  • Quality Champions
  • Sagarin Ratings
  • Steve Eck
  • The Fleming System

Schedule[]

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
September 131:30 p.m.Boston CollegeNo. 3
  • Pitt Stadium
  • Pittsburgh, PA
ABCW 14–644,820
September 202:30 p.m.at KansasNo. 5
  • Memorial Stadium
  • Lawrence, KS
W 18–341,300
September 271:30 p.m.TempleNo. 6
  • Pitt Stadium
  • Pittsburgh, PA
W 36–247,071
October 41:30 p.m.MarylandNo. 6
  • Pitt Stadium
  • Pittsburgh, PA
W 38–947,409
October 117:00 p.m.at No. 11 Florida StateNo. 4
  • Doak Campbell Stadium
  • Tallahassee, FL
L 22–3652,894
October 181:30 p.m.West VirginiadaggerNo. 11
  • Pitt Stadium
  • Pittsburgh, PA (Backyard Brawl)
W 42–1455,130
October 252:00 p.m.at TennesseeNo. 12
  • Neyland Stadium
  • Knoxville, TN
W 30–694,008
November 14:00 p.m.at SyracuseNo. 11
ABCW 43–650,243
November 81:30 p.m.LouisvilleNo. 9
  • Pitt Stadium
  • Pittsburgh, PA
W 41–2347,280
November 151:30 p.m.at ArmyNo. 8
W 45–731,150
November 281:00 p.m.at No. 5 Penn StateNo. 4
  • Beaver Stadium
  • University Park, PA (rivalry)
ABCW 14–982,459
December 299:00 p.m.vs. No. 18 South CarolinaNo. 3
ABCW 37–972,297
  • daggerHomecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Eastern time

Roster[]

1980 Pittsburgh Panthers football team roster
Players Coaches
Offense
Pos. # Name Class
G 70 Emil Boures Jr
T 75 Jimbo Covert So
C 56 Russ Grimm Sr
QB 13 Dan Marino So
T 73 Mark May Sr
RB 40 Randy McMillan Sr
TE 84 Benjie Pryor Sr
G 77 Ron Sams So
Defense
Pos. # Name Class
DT 68 Jerry Boyarsky Sr
DB 5 Tom Flynn Fr
DE 99 Hugh Green Sr
DE 87 Rickey Jackson Sr
DB 26 Tim Lewis So
DT 71 Bill Maas Fr
DT 86 Greg Meisner Sr
DT 76 Bill Neill Sr
CB 3 Lynn Thomas Sr
SS 48 Carlton Williamson Sr
Special teams
Pos. # Name Class
K 1 David Trout Sr
Head coach
  • Jackie Sherrill
Coordinators/assistant coaches
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • Injured Injured
  • Redshirt Redshirt

Coaching staff[]

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 Coordinator
  • Nick Rapone – Part-Time Assistant
  • Bob Davie – Part-Time Assistant
  • Kirk Ferentz – Part-Time Assistant
   Strength and Conditioning Staff
  • Buddy Morris – Weight Training Coordinator

Season summary[]

Boston College[]

See also: 1980 Boston College Eagles football team
Boston College Eagles at #3 Pittsburgh Panthers
1 2 34Total
Boston College 0 0 606
#3 Pittsburgh 0 8 6014

at Pitt Stadium • Pittsburgh, PA

  • Date: September 13
  • Game time: 1:30 PM EDT
  • Game attendance: 44,820
  • TV: ABC
Game information

at Kansas[]

See also: 1980 Kansas Jayhawks football team
#5 Pittsburgh Panthers at Kansas Jayhawks
1 2 34Total
#5 Pittsburgh 0 10 6218
Kansas 3 0 003

at Memorial Stadium • Lawrence, KS

  • Date: September 20
  • Game time: 2:30 PM EDT
  • Game attendance: 41,300
Game information

Temple[]

See also: 1980 Temple Owls football team
Temple Owls at #6 Pittsburgh Panthers
1 2 34Total
Temple 2 0 002
#6 Pittsburgh 13 13 3736

at Pitt Stadium • Pittsburgh, PA

  • Date: September 27
  • Game time: 1:30 PM EDT
  • Game attendance: 47,071
Game information

Maryland[]

See also: 1980 Maryland Terrapins football team
Maryland Terrapins at #6 Pittsburgh Panthers
1 2 34Total
Maryland 0 3 609
#6 Pittsburgh 14 7 31438

at Pitt Stadium • Pittsburgh, PA

  • Date: October 4
  • Game time: 1:30 PM EDT
  • Game attendance: 47,409
Game information

at #11 Florida State[]

See also: 1980 Florida State Seminoles football team
#4 Pittsburgh Panthers at #11 Florida State Seminoles
1 2 34Total
#4 Pittsburgh 7 0 15022
#11 Florida State 3 20 6736

at Doak Campbell Stadium • Tallahassee, FL

  • Date: October 11
  • Game time: 7:00 PM EDT
  • Game attendance: 52,894
Game information

West Virginia[]

See also: 1980 West Virginia Mountaineers football team and Backyard Brawl
West Virginia Mountaineers at #11 Pittsburgh Panthers
1 2 34Total
West Virginia 7 0 7014
#11 Pittsburgh 7 28 0742

at Pitt Stadium • Pittsburgh, PA

  • Date: October 18
  • Game time: 1:30 PM EDT
  • Game attendance: 55,130
  • [3]
Game information

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.[4]

at Tennessee[]

See also: 1980 Tennessee Volunteers football team
#12 Pittsburgh Panthers at Tennessee Volunteers
1 2 34Total
#12 Pittsburgh 3 13 01430
Tennessee 6 0 006

at Neyland Stadium • Knoxville, TN

  • Date: October 25
  • Game time: 2:00 PM EDT
  • Game attendance: 94,008
Game information

at Syracuse[]

See also: 1980 Syracuse Orangemen football team and Pittsburgh–Syracuse football rivalry
#11 Pittsburgh Panthers at Syracuse Orangemen
1 2 34Total
#11 Pittsburgh 12 14 31443
Syracuse 0 6 006

at Carrier Dome • Syracuse, NY

  • Date: November 1
  • Game time: 4:00 PM EST
  • Game attendance: 50,243
  • TV announcers (ABC): Bill Flemming, Frank Broyles
Game information

Louisville[]

See also: 1980 Louisville Cardinals football team
Louisville Cardinals at #9 Pittsburgh Panthers
1 2 34Total
Louisville 0 9 01423
#9 Pittsburgh 0 20 21041

at Pitt Stadium • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

  • Date: November 8
  • Game time: 1:30 PM EST
  • Game attendance: 47,280
Game information

at Army[]

See also: 1980 Army Cadets football team
#8 Pittsburgh Panthers at Army Cadets
1 2 34Total
#8 Pittsburgh 28 7 3745
Army 0 7 007

at Michie Stadium • West Point, NY

  • Date: November 15
  • Game time: 1:30 PM EST
  • Game attendance: 31,150
Game information

at #5 Penn State[]

See also: 1980 Penn State Nittany Lions football team and Penn State–Pittsburgh football rivalry
#4 Pittsburgh Panthers at #5 Penn State Nittany Lions
1 2 34Total
#4 Pittsburgh 0 7 7014
#5 Penn State 3 0 609

at Beaver Stadium • University Park, PA

  • Date: November 28
  • Game time: 1:00 PM EST
  • Game attendance: 82,459
  • TV: ABC
Game information

vs. #18 South Carolina (Gator Bowl)[]

See also: 1980 South Carolina Gamecocks football team and 1980 Gator Bowl
1980 Gator Bowl: #3 Pittsburgh Panthers vs. #18 South Carolina Gamecocks
1 2 34Total
#3 Pittsburgh 10 7 17337
#18 South Carolina 0 3 069

at Gator Bowl Stadium • Jacksonville, FL

  • Date: December 29
  • Game time: 9:00 PM EST
  • Game attendance: 72,297
  • Referee: Robert Carpenter (ACC)
  • TV announcers (ABC): Al Michaels, Ara Parseghian, Steve Davis
Game information

Team players drafted into the NFL[]

Player Position Round Pick NFL Club
Hugh Green Defensive End 1 7 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Randy McMillan Running Back 1 12 Baltimore Colts
Mark May Tackle 1 20 Washington Redskins
Rickey Jackson Linebacker 2 51 New Orleans Saints
Greg Meisner Defensive Tackle 3 63 Los Angeles Rams
Carlton Williamson Defensive Back 3 65 San Francisco 49ers
Russ Grimm Center 3 69 Washington Redskins
Bill Neill Defensive Tackle 5 115 New York Giants
Benjie Pryor Tight End 5 120 Cincinnati Bengals
Lynn Thomas Defensive Back 5 121 San Francisco 49ers
Jerry Boyarsky Defensive Tackle 5 128 New Orleans Saints
Rick Trocano Quarterback 11 292 Pittsburgh Steelers

[5] 

/Dan Marino/Quarterback/1/27/Miami Dolphins

Awards and honors[]

  • Hugh Green, Walter Camp Award[6]
  • Hugh Green, Lombardi Award[7]
  • Hugh Green, Maxwell Award[8]
  • Mark May, Outland Trophy[9]

Media[]

Radio[]

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

References[]

  1. ^ 2018 NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision Records (PDF). National Collegiate Athletic Association. August 2018. p. 114. Retrieved November 29, 2018.
  2. ^ "College Football Data Warehouse: Yearly National Championship Selections". Archived from the original on 2010-02-11. Retrieved 2009-01-29.
  3. ^ Gadsden Times. 1980 Oct 19. Retrieved 2018-Dec-16.
  4. ^ "Site Unavailable".
  5. ^ "1981 NFL Draft Listing - Pro-Football-Reference.com". Archived from the original on 2007-12-21.
  6. ^ "Football".
  7. ^ "NCAA College Football Awards - ESPN".
  8. ^ "NCAA College Football Awards - ESPN".
  9. ^ "FWAA > Awards > Outland Trophy > Winners".
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