American college football season
The 1976 Pittsburgh Panthers football team represented the University of Pittsburgh in the 1976 NCAA Division I football season and is recognized as a consensus national champion .[ 2] Pitt was also awarded the Lambert-Meadowlands Trophy as the best Division I team in the East . The Panthers played their home games at Pitt Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania .
During the 1970s, the top-ranked team won its bowl game only three times: Pittsburgh joined Nebraska (1971 ) and USC (1972 ).
Kiosk in the Great Hall at Heinz Field celebrating Pitt's 1976 national championship
A football signed by the 1976 Pittsburgh Panthers football team, including Tony Dorsett and head coach Johnny Majors .
Schedule
Date Time Opponent Rank Site TV Result Attendance Source September 11 4:20 pm at No. 11 Notre Dame No. 9 ABC W 31–1059,075
September 18 7:30 pm at Georgia Tech No. 3 W 42–1443,424 [ 3]
September 25 1:30 pm Temple No. 3 W 21–738,500
October 2 1:30 pm at Duke No. 2 W 44–3137,200 [ 4]
October 9 1:30 pm Louisville No. 2 Pitt Stadium Pittsburgh, PA W 27–634,000
October 16 1:30 pm Miami (FL) No. 2 Pitt Stadium Pittsburgh, PA W 36–1942,434
October 23 2:00 pm at Navy No. 2 W 45–026,346
October 30 1:30 pm Syracuse No. 2 Pitt Stadium Pittsburgh, PA (rivalry ) W 23–1350,399
November 6 1:30 pm Army No. 2 Pitt Stadium Pittsburgh, PA W 37–745,753
November 13 1:30 pm West Virginia No. 1 ABC W 24–1656,500 [ 5]
November 26 9:00 pm No. 16 Penn State No. 1 ABC W 24–750,250
January 1 12:30 pm vs. No. 5 Georgia No. 1 ABC W 27–376,117 [ 6]
Roster
1976 Pittsburgh Panthers football team roster
Players
Coaches
Offense
Defense
Special teams
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches
Legend
(C) Team captain
(S) Suspended
(I) Ineligible
Injured
Redshirt
Coaching staff
1976 Pittsburgh Panthers football staff
Coaching staff
Johnny Majors – head coach
Joe Madden – assistant head coach/defensive secondary
Joe Avezzano – offensive coordinator/offensive line
Bobby Roper – defensive coordinator/defensive line
Bill Cox – quarterbacks/receivers
Jim Dyar – defensive secondary
Larry Holton – defensive ends
Harry Jones – offensive backs
Bob Matey – middle guards/junior varsity
Support staff
Henry Lee Parker – administrative assistant to the head coach
Keith Schroeder – coordinator of computer scouting
Ray Olsen – graduate assistant
Dave Wannstedt – graduate assistant
Strength and conditioning staff
Regular season
The previous season saw Pitt win the Sun Bowl over Kansas for an 8–4 record, highlighted by wins at Georgia and Notre Dame . The stage was set for 1976, with Pitt ranked ninth in the AP preseason poll, for the Panthers to make a run for the national championship.
In the first game of the 1976 season, the Panthers faced off against Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana . A year earlier, Tony Dorsett had finished with 303 yards rushing in Pitt's 34–20 victory over the Irish. "They even grew the grass high," said Carmen DeArdo, a diehard Pitt alumnus, "and everyone knew Tony would get the ball." "They didn't let that grass grow long enough," Dorsett said later. He darted 61 yards on his first run of the season and tacked on 120 more by the end of the 31–10 Pitt win.[ 7] [ 8]
The season continued with a 42–14 win at Georgia Tech and a 36–19 win over Miami . The Panthers traveled to Annapolis on October 23 to face Navy and Dorsett broke the NCAA career rushing record on a 32-yard touchdown run in the 45–0 victory. Dorsett's achievement prompted a mid-game celebration in which even Navy saluted the feat with a cannon blast.[ 9] Pitt won a tough, hard-fought battle against struggling rival Syracuse .
On November 6, the second-ranked Panthers hosted Army at Pitt Stadium and won handily, but the significant action was taking place several hundred miles west, in West Lafayette, Indiana , where the Purdue Boilermakers held off the top-ranked Michigan Wolverines 16–14 in the closing seconds. The Pitt Stadium crowd erupted in celebration when the stadium public address announcer dramatically gave the final score from Purdue. For the first time in the modern era, Panther fans could legitimately claim, "We're number one!" Pitt defended its ranking in a close Backyard Brawl against West Virginia to go 10–0 heading into the regular season finale on national television against instate rival Penn State (7–3).[ 10]
At a packed Three Rivers Stadium on the night after Thanksgiving, the Nittany Lions scored first and held Dorsett to 51 yards in the first half; the game was tied at seven at halftime.[ 11] Majors adjusted for the second half by shifting Dorsett from tailback to fullback, enabling him to explode for an additional 173 yards as Pitt rolled to a 24–7 victory to cap an undefeated regular season.[ 11] [ 12]
In December, Dorsett became the first (and remains the only ) Pitt Panther to win the Heisman Trophy as the nation's best college football player. Dorsett also won the Maxwell Award , the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award , and was named UPI Player of the Year. He led the nation in rushing with 1,948 yards and was selected as an All-American. Dorsett finished his college career with 6,082 total rushing yards, then an NCAA record for career rushing.
Sugar Bowl
The 11–0 Panthers accepted an invitation to the Sugar Bowl to face fifth-ranked Georgia . Pitt defeated the Bulldogs 27–3 and was voted number one by both the Associated Press and Coaches polls, claiming their ninth national championship.[ 13] This was Pitt's first undefeated national championship since 1937. The American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) named Majors the 1976 Coach of the Year. Following this historic season, Majors returned to his alma mater, the University of Tennessee , to take the head coaching job.[ 14]
Game summaries
At #11 Notre Dame
No. 9 Pittsburgh Panthers at No. 11 Notre Dame Fighting Irish – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
No. 9 Panthers
7
14
0 10 31
No. 11 Fighting Irish
7
3
0 0 10
at Notre Dame Stadium • Notre Dame, Indiana
Date : September 11Game time : 4:20 PM EDT Game attendance : 59,075Referee : Tom PaspalasTV announcers (ABC ) : Keith Jackson (play-by-play) and Ara Parseghian (color commentator)
Statistics
PITT
ND
First downs
12
20
Total yards
277
287
Rushes/yards
53–191
50–112
Passing yards
87
175
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
6–13–0
13–38–4
Time of possession
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Pittsburgh
Passing
Robert Haygood
5–12, 83 yards
Rushing
Tony Dorsett
22 carries, 181 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Jim Corbett
4 receptions, 72 yards
Notre Dame
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Scoring summary
Quarter
Time
Drive
Team
Scoring information
Score
Plays
Yards
TOP
Pittsburgh
Notre Dame
1
Notre Dame
McAfee 25-yard touchdown reception from Siager, Reeve kick good
0
7
1
Pittsburgh
Dorsett 5-yard touchdown run, Long kick good
7
7
2
Pittsburgh
Haygood 1-yard touchdown run, Long kick good
14
7
2
Pittsburgh
Haygood 1-yard touchdown run, Long kick good
21
7
2
Notre Dame
53-yard field goal by Siager
21
10
4
Pittsburgh
34-yard field goal by Long
24
10
4
Pittsburgh
Cavanaugh 8-yard touchdown run, Long kick good
31
10
"TOP" = time of possession . For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football .
31
10
At Georgia Tech
Robert Haygood tore knee ligaments in the victory.
No. 3 Pittsburgh Panthers at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
No. 3 Panthers
7
7
14 14 42
Yellow Jackets
0
7
7 0 14
at Grant Field • Atlanta, Georgia
Date : September 18Game time : 7:30 PM EDT Game attendance : 43,424
Statistics
PITT
GT
First downs
Total yards
Rushes/yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Pittsburgh
Passing
Rushing
Tony Dorsett
27 carries, 113 yards, 3 TD
Receiving
Georgia Tech
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Scoring summary
Quarter
Time
Drive
Team
Scoring information
Score
Plays
Yards
TOP
Pittsburgh
Georgia Tech
1
Pittsburgh
Dorsett 6-yard touchdown run, Long kick good
7
0
2
Pittsburgh
Dorsett 6-yard touchdown run, Long kick good
14
0
2
Georgia Tech
Jolly 1-yard touchdown run, Smith kick good
14
7
3
Pittsburgh
Cavanaugh 4-yard touchdown run, Long kick good
21
7
3
Georgia Tech
Rucker 1-yard touchdown run, Smith kick good
21
14
3
Pittsburgh
Jones 51-yard touchdown reception from Haygood, Long kick good
28
14
4
Pittsburgh
Dorsett 10-yard touchdown run, Long kick good
35
14
4
Pittsburgh
Jones 6-yard touchdown reception from Cavanaugh, Long kick good
42
14
"TOP" = time of possession . For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football .
42
14
Temple
Temple Owls at No. 3 Pittsburgh Panthers – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Owls
7
0
0 0 7
No. 3 Panthers
0
6
8 7 21
at Pitt Stadium • Pittsburgh, PA
Date : September 25Game time : 1:30 PM EDT Game attendance : 38,500
Statistics
TU
PITT
First downs
Total yards
Rushes/yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Temple
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Pittsburgh
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Scoring summary
Quarter
Time
Drive
Team
Scoring information
Score
Plays
Yards
TOP
Temple
Pittsburgh
1
–
–
–
Temple
Johnson recovered blocked punt and returned 15 yards for a touchdown, Sornisky kick good
7
0
2
Pittsburgh
50-yard field goal by Long
7
3
2
Pittsburgh
33-yard field goal by Long
7
6
3
Pittsburgh
Walker 1-yard touchdown run, 2-point run good
7
14
4
Pittsburgh
Dorsett 3-yard touchdown run, Long kick good
7
21
"TOP" = time of possession . For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football .
7
21
At Duke
No. 2 Pittsburgh Panthers at Duke Blue Devils – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
No. 2 Panthers
7
23
14 0 44
Blue Devils
7
0
16 8 31
at Wallace Wade Stadium • Durham, NC
Date : October 2Game time : 1:30 PM EDT Game attendance : 37,200
Statistics
PITT
DUKE
First downs
Total yards
Rushes/yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Pittsburgh
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Duke
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Scoring summary
Quarter
Time
Drive
Team
Scoring information
Score
Plays
Yards
TOP
Pittsburgh
Duke
1
Duke
Gore 4-yard touchdown run, Fusco kick good
0
7
1
Pittsburgh
Taylor 66-yard touchdown reception from Cavanaugh, Long kick good
7
7
2
–
–
–
Pittsburgh
Safety, blocked punt goes out of the end zone.
9
7
2
Pittsburgh
Taylor 10-yard touchdown reception from Cavanaugh, Long kick good
16
7
2
Pittsburgh
Corbett 27-yard touchdown reception from Cavanaugh, Long kick good
23
7
2
Pittsburgh
Jones 37-yard touchdown reception from Cavanaugh, Long kick good
30
7
3
Pittsburgh
Jones 27-yard touchdown reception from Cavanaugh, Long kick good
37
7
3
Duke
Barney 1-yard touchdown run, 2-point pass good
37
15
3
Pittsburgh
Dorsett 4-yard touchdown run, Long kick good
44
15
3
Duke
Williamson 55-yard touchdown reception from Dunn, 2-point pass good
44
23
4
Duke
Gore 1-yard touchdown run, 2-point run good
44
31
"TOP" = time of possession . For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football .
44
31
Louisville
Louisville Cardinals at No. 2 Pittsburgh Panthers – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Cardinals
0
0
0 6 6
No. 2 Panthers
10
17
0 0 27
at Pitt Stadium • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Date : October 9Game time : 1:30 PM EDT Game attendance : 34,000[ 15]
Statistics
LOU
PITT
First downs
Total yards
Rushes/yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Louisville
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Pittsburgh
Passing
Rushing
Tony Dorsett
30 carries, 130 yards
Receiving
Scoring summary
Quarter
Time
Drive
Team
Scoring information
Score
Plays
Yards
TOP
Louisville
Pittsburgh
1
10:21
Pittsburgh
Cavanaugh 17-yard touchdown run, Long kick good
0
7
1
Pittsburgh
39-yard field goal by Long
0
10
2
10:49
52
Pittsburgh
Cavanaugh 6-yard touchdown run, Long kick good
0
17
2
–
–
–
Pittsburgh
Fumble recovery returned 0 yards for touchdown by Johnson, Long kick good
0
24
2
Pittsburgh
30-yard field goal by Long
0
27
4
–
–
–
Louisville
Fumble recovery returned 0 yards for touchdown by Abood, Turner kick no good
6
27
"TOP" = time of possession . For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football .
6
27
Matt Cavanaugh sustained a hairline fracture in the left ankle during the first half.
Miami (FL)
Miami (FL) Hurricanes at No. 2 Pittsburgh Panthers – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Hurricanes
0
0
6 13 19
No. 2 Panthers
9
13
0 14 36
at Pitt Stadium • Pittsburgh, PA
Date : October 16Game time : 1:30 PM EDT Game attendance : 42,434
Statistics
MIAMI
PITT
First downs
Total yards
Rushes/yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Miami (FL)
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Pittsburgh
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Scoring summary
Quarter
Time
Drive
Team
Scoring information
Score
Plays
Yards
TOP
Miami (FL)
Pittsburgh
1
–
–
–
Pittsburgh
Safety, Felder tackled Mason in end zone.
0
2
1
Pittsburgh
Dorsett 3-yard touchdown run, Long kick good
0
9
2
Pittsburgh
25-yard field goal by Long
0
12
2
Pittsburgh
29-yard field goal by Long
0
15
2
Pittsburgh
Dorsett 40-yard touchdown reception from Yawcic, Long kick good
0
22
3
Miami (FL)
Johnson 3-yard touchdown run, 2-point run failed
6
22
4
Pittsburgh
Taylor 10-yard touchdown run, Long kick good
6
29
4
Miami (FL)
Cain 75-yard touchdown reception from Glover, 2-point pass incomplete
12
29
4
Pittsburgh
Dorsett 53-yard touchdown run, Long kick good
12
36
4
Miami (FL)
Anderson 2-yard touchdown run, Dennis kick good
19
36
"TOP" = time of possession . For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football .
19
36
At Navy
Statistics
PITT
NAVY
First downs
Total yards
Rushes/yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Pittsburgh
Passing
Rushing
Tony Dorsett
27 carries, 180 yards, 3 TD
Receiving
Navy
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Scoring summary
Quarter
Time
Drive
Team
Scoring information
Score
Plays
Yards
TOP
Pittsburgh
Navy
1
Pittsburgh
Corbett 30-yard touchdown reception from Yawcic, Long kick good
7
0
2
Pittsburgh
Dorsett 6-yard touchdown run, Long kick good
14
0
3
Pittsburgh
40-yard field goal by Long
17
0
3
Pittsburgh
Dorsett 69-yard touchdown run, Long kick good
24
0
4
Pittsburgh
Dorsett 21-yard touchdown run, Long kick good
31
0
4
Pittsburgh
Dorsett 32-yard touchdown run, Long kick good
38
0
4
Pittsburgh
Sindewald 18-yard touchdown run, Long kick good
45
0
"TOP" = time of possession . For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football .
45
0
Syracuse
Syracuse Orangemen at No. 2 Pittsburgh Panthers – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Orangemen
7
0
6 0 13
No. 2 Panthers
3
7
7 6 23
at Pitt Stadium • Pittsburgh, PA
Date : October 30Game time : 1:30 PM EDT Game attendance : 50,399
Statistics
SYR
PITT
First downs
Total yards
Rushes/yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Syracuse
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Pittsburgh
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Scoring summary
Quarter
Time
Drive
Team
Scoring information
Score
Plays
Yards
TOP
Syracuse
Pittsburgh
1
Pittsburgh
41-yard field goal by Long
0
3
1
Syracuse
Magee 80-yard touchdown reception from Hurley, Jacobs kick good
7
3
2
Pittsburgh
Dorsett 1-yard touchdown run, Long kick good
7
10
3
Syracuse
45-yard field goal by Jacobs
10
10
3
Syracuse
55-yard field goal by Jacobs
13
10
3
Pittsburgh
Dorsett 33-yard touchdown run, Long kick good
13
17
4
Pittsburgh
47-yard field goal by Long
13
20
4
Pittsburgh
29-yard field goal by Long
13
23
"TOP" = time of possession . For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football .
13
23
Army
Army Cadets at No. 2 Pittsburgh Panthers – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Cadets
0
0
7 0 7
No. 2 Panthers
3
10
21 3 37
at Pitt Stadium • Pittsburgh, PA
Date : November 6Game time : 1:30 PM EST Game attendance : 45,753
Statistics
ARMY
PITT
First downs
Total yards
Rushes/yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Army
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Pittsburgh
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Scoring summary
Quarter
Time
Drive
Team
Scoring information
Score
Plays
Yards
TOP
Army
Pittsburgh
1
Pittsburgh
27-yard field goal by Long
0
3
2
Pittsburgh
39-yard field goal by Long
0
6
2
Pittsburgh
Dorsett 4-yard touchdown run, Long kick good
0
13
3
Pittsburgh
Dorsett 32-yard touchdown run, Long kick good
0
20
3
Pittsburgh
Dorsett 5-yard touchdown run, Long kick good
0
27
3
Army
Logue 27-yard touchdown reception from Hall, Castelli kick good
7
27
4
Pittsburgh
Taylor 24-yard touchdown reception from Cavanaugh, Long kick good
7
34
4
Pittsburgh
35-yard field goal by Long
7
37
"TOP" = time of possession . For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football .
7
37
West Virginia
West Virginia Mountaineers at No. 1 Pittsburgh Panthers – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Mountaineers
3
0
7 6 16
No. 1 Panthers
7
7
3 7 24
at Pitt Stadium • Pittsburgh, PA
Date : November 13Game time : 1:30 PM EST Game attendance : 56,500Referee : Raymond BowerTV announcers (ABC ) : Steve Zabriskie (play-by-play) and Lee Grosscup (color commentator)
Statistics
WVU
PITT
First downs
15
25
Total yards
169
399
Rushes/yards
44–99
63–350
Passing yards
70
49
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
8–24–1
8–14–0
Time of possession
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
West Virginia
Passing
Dan Kendra
8–24, 70 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing
Walt Easley
16 carries, 75 yards
Receiving
Steve Lewis
6 receptions, 74 yards, 2 TD
Pittsburgh
Passing
Matt Cavanaugh
8–14, 49 yards
Rushing
Tony Dorsett
38 carries, 199 yards, 3 TD
Receiving
Jim Corbett
4 receptions, 27 yards
Scoring summary
Quarter
Time
Drive
Team
Scoring information
Score
Plays
Yards
TOP
West Virginia
Pittsburgh
1
7:33
Pittsburgh
Dorsett 17-yard touchdown run, Long kick good
0
7
1
0:50
West Virginia
22-yard field goal by McKenzie
3
7
2
12:32
Pittsburgh
Dorsett 3-yard touchdown run, Long kick good
3
14
3
11:41
Pittsburgh
27-yard field goal by Long
3
17
3
4:03
West Virginia
Lewis 14-yard touchdown reception from Kendra, McKenzie kick good
10
17
4
9:05
Pittsburgh
Dorsett 30-yard touchdown run, Long kick good
10
24
4
3:11
West Virginia
Lewis 9-yard touchdown reception from Kendra, McKenzie kick no good
16
24
"TOP" = time of possession . For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football .
16
24
Vs. #16 Penn State
No. 1 Pittsburgh Panthers vs. No. 16 Penn State Nittany Lions – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
No. 1 Panthers
0
7
7 10 24
No. 16 Nittany Lions
7
0
0 0 7
at Three Rivers Stadium • Pittsburgh, PA
Statistics
PITT
PSU
First downs
20
12
Total yards
419
241
Rushes/yards
65–278
41–106
Passing yards
141
135
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
8–17–2
9–19–4
Time of possession
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Pittsburgh
Passing
Matt Cavanaugh
8–16, 141 yards, 2 INT
Rushing
Tony Dorsett
38 carries, 224 yards, 2 TD
Receiving
Gordon Jones
4 receptions, 111 yards
Penn State
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Scoring summary
Quarter
Time
Drive
Team
Scoring information
Score
Plays
Yards
TOP
Pittsburgh
Penn State
1
11:59
Penn State
Torrey 21-yard touchdown reception from Fusina, Capozzoli kick good
0
7
2
7:42
Pittsburgh
Dorsett 6-yard touchdown run, Long kick good
7
7
3
13:23
Pittsburgh
Dorsett 40-yard touchdown run, Long kick good
14
7
4
10:55
Pittsburgh
Walker 12-yard touchdown run, Long kick good
21
7
4
3:10
Pittsburgh
47-yard field goal by Long
24
7
"TOP" = time of possession . For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football .
24
7
Vs. #5 Georgia (Sugar Bowl)
1977 Sugar Bowl: No. 1 Pittsburgh Panthers vs. No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
No. 1 Panthers
7
14
3 3 27
No. 5 Bulldogs
0
0
3 0 3
at Louisiana Superdome • New Orleans, LA
Date : January 1Game time : 12:30 PM EST Game weather : indoorsGame attendance : 76,177Referee : Vincent BuckleyTV announcers (ABC ) : Keith Jackson (play-by-play) and Ara Parseghian (color commentator)
Statistics
PITT
UGA
First downs
24
14
Total yards
480
181
Rushes/yards
66–288
40–135
Passing yards
192
46
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
10–18–0
3–22–4
Time of possession
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Pittsburgh
Passing
Matt Cavanaugh
10–18, 192 yards, 1 TD
Rushing
Tony Dorsett
32 carries, 202 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Willie Taylor
4 receptions, 72 yards
Georgia
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Scoring summary
Quarter
Time
Drive
Team
Scoring information
Score
Plays
Yards
TOP
Pittsburgh
Georgia
1
Pittsburgh
Cavanaugh 6-yard touchdown run, Long kick good
7
0
2
Pittsburgh
Jones 59-yard touchdown reception from Cavanaugh, Long kick good
14
0
2
Pittsburgh
Dorsett 11-yard touchdown run, Long kick good
21
0
3
Georgia
25-yard field goal by Leavitt
21
3
3
Pittsburgh
42-yard field goal by Long
24
3
4
Pittsburgh
31-yard field goal by Long
27
3
"TOP" = time of possession . For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football .
27
3
Team players drafted into the NFL
[ 16]
Awards and honors
Tony Dorsett, Heisman Trophy [ 17]
Tony Dorsett, Walter Camp Award[ 18]
Tony Dorsett, Maxwell Award
Tony Dorsett, led the nation in rushing with 1,948 yards
Tony Dorsett, All-America selection
Radio
References
^ https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/years/1976-standings.html
^ Official 2009 NCAA Division I Football Records Book (PDF) . Indianapolis: The National Collegiate Athletic Association. August 2009. p. 85. Retrieved October 16, 2009 .
^ "Pitt rolls past Georgia Tech, 42–14" . Kingsport Times-News . September 19, 1976. Retrieved January 26, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Pitt struggles by Duke" . The Tampa Tribune . October 3, 1976. Retrieved January 26, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Panthers hold off WVU, 24–16" . The Pittsburgh Press . November 14, 1976. Retrieved January 26, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Pitt: How sweet it is!" . The Pittsburgh Press . January 2, 1977. Retrieved October 29, 2023 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "CNNSI.com – College Football – Heisman Heroes – Suzuki presents Heisman Heroes: Tony Dorsett – Friday August 25, 2000 01:29 PM" . CNN .
^ Gorman, Kevin (October 30, 2008). "Pitt-Notre Dame series produces phenomenal performances" . Pittsburgh Tribune-Review . Archived from the original on January 4, 2013. Retrieved April 29, 2010 .
^ "Tony Dorsett No. 1" . Reading Eagle . (Pennsylvania). Associated Press. October 24, 1976. p. 77.
^ Axelrod, Phil (November 26, 1976). "Pitt, State, maybe Tennessee" . Pittsburgh Post-Gazette . p. 18.
^ a b Parascenzo, Marino (November 27, 1976). "Panthers claw Nittany Lions, 24-7" . Pittsburgh Post-Gazette . p. 1.
^ Mackin, Mike (June 12, 2008). "Let's Learn From the Past: The 1976 Pitt Panthers" . Pittsburgh Post-Gazette . Retrieved April 29, 2010 .
^ "Yearly National Championship Selections: 1976 National Championships" . College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on November 9, 2007. Retrieved April 15, 2009 .
^ Fitzgerald, Francis J., ed. (1996). The Year the Panthers Roared . Louisville, Kentucky: AdCraft Sports. ISBN 1-887761-06-3 .
^ "Pitt loses quarterback, but Dorsett nears record." Eugene Register-Guard. 1976 Oct 10. Retrieved 2018-Dec-30.
^ "1977 NFL Draft Listing - Pro-Football-Reference.com" . Pro-Football-Reference.com . Archived from the original on December 22, 2007.
^ "1976 – 42nd Award Tony Dorsett Pittsburgh Back" . HeismanTrophy.com. Archived from the original on October 4, 2013. Retrieved June 6, 2011 .
^ "Football" . Archived from the original on July 7, 2011. Retrieved January 4, 2009 .
Venues Bowls & rivalries Culture & lore People Seasons National championship seasons in bold
1936–1949 1950s 1960s
1960 : Minnesota (AP, Coaches, NFF ) / Ole Miss (FWAA)
1961 : Alabama (AP, Coaches, NFF) / Ohio State (FWAA)
1962 : USC
1963 : Texas
1964 : Alabama (AP, Coaches) / Arkansas (FWAA) / Notre Dame (NFF)
1965 : Alabama (AP, FWAA) / Michigan State (Coaches, FWAA, NFF)
1966 : Notre Dame (AP, Coaches, FWAA, NFF) / Michigan State (NFF)
1967 : USC
1968 : Ohio State
1969 : Texas
1970s 1980–1991