1981 Pittsburgh Panthers football team

1981 Pittsburgh Panthers football
1981 Pittsburgh Panthers football
National champion (NCF); Sugar Bowl champion
Sugar Bowl, W 24–20 vs. Georgia
Conference	Independent
Ranking
Coaches	No. 2
AP	No. 4
Record	11–1
Head coach	Jackie Sherrill (5th season);
Offensive coordinator	Joe Moore, Paul McCullough (1st, 6th season)
Offensive scheme	Multiple pro-style
Defensive coordinator	Foge Fazio (3rd season)
Base defense	Multiple front
Home stadium	Pitt Stadium
	Seasons ← 1980 1982 →

1981 Major eastern college football independents records
v t e	Conf					Overall
Team	W		L		T	W		L		T
No. 3 Penn State $	5	–	0	–	0	10	–	2	–	0
No. 4 Pittsburgh	5	–	1	–	0	11	–	1	–	0
No. 17 West Virginia	3	–	3	–	0	9	–	3	–	0
Temple	2	–	3	–	0	5	–	5	–	0
Syracuse	2	–	4	–	0	4	–	6	–	1
Boston College	1	–	4	–	0	5	–	6	–	0
Rutgers	1	–	4	–	0	5	–	6	–	0

$ – Lambert Trophy Winner Rankings from AP Poll

1981 NCAA Division I-A independents football records
v t e	Conf					Overall
Team	W		L		T	W		L		T
No. 4 Pittsburgh		–		–		11	–	1	–	0
No. 3 Penn State		–		–		10	–	2	–	0
No. 8 Miami (FL)		–		–		9	–	2	–	0
Southern Miss		–		–		9	–	2	–	1
No. 17 West Virginia		–		–		9	–	3	–	0
Colgate		–		–		7	–	3	–	0
Virginia Tech		–		–		7	–	4	–	0
Navy		–		–		7	–	4	–	1
Cincinnati		–		–		6	–	5	–	0
Florida State		–		–		6	–	5	–	0
Holy Cross		–		–		6	–	5	–	0
Tulane		–		–		6	–	5	–	0
UNLV		–		–		6	–	6	–	0
South Carolina		–		–		6	–	6	–	0
Temple		–		–		5	–	5	–	0
Boston College		–		–		5	–	6	–	0
East Carolina		–		–		5	–	6	–	0
Northeast Louisiana		–		–		5	–	6	–	0
Louisville		–		–		5	–	6	–	0
Notre Dame		–		–		5	–	6	–	0
Rutgers		–		–		5	–	6	–	0
William & Mary		–		–		5	–	6	–	0
Syracuse		–		–		4	–	6	–	1
Richmond		–		–		4	–	7	–	0
Army		–		–		3	–	7	–	1
North Texas State		–		–		2	–	9	–	0
Georgia Tech		–		–		1	–	10	–	0
Memphis State		–		–		1	–	10	–	0

Rankings from AP Poll

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^[1] and also by Montgomery Full Season Championship.^[2] The school does not claim a national championship for this season.

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent	Rank	Site	TV	Result	Attendance	Source
September 5	1:30 p.m.	Illinois	No. 8	Pitt Stadium Pittsburgh, PA		W 26–6	46,022	^[3]
September 19	1:30 p.m.	Cincinnati	No. 7	Pitt Stadium Pittsburgh, PA (River City Rivalry)		W 38–7	40,172	^[4]
October 3	3:50 p.m.	at South Carolina	No. 4	Williams–Brice Stadium Columbia, SC	ABC	W 42–28	56,495	^[5]
October 10	1:30 p.m.	at West Virginia	No. 4	Mountaineer Field Morgantown, WV (Backyard Brawl)		W 17–0	54,280	^[6]
October 17	1:30 p.m.	No. 11 Florida State	No. 3	Pitt Stadium Pittsburgh, PA		W 42–14	55,112	^[7]
October 24	1:30 p.m.	Syracuse	No. 2	Pitt Stadium Pittsburgh, PA (rivalry)	USA	W 23–10	50,330	^[8]
October 31	1:00 p.m.	at Boston College	No. 2	Alumni Stadium Chestnut Hill, MA		W 29–24	25,500	^[9]
November 7	1:00 p.m.	at Rutgers	No. 1	Giants Stadium East Rutherford, NJ		W 47–3	34,636	^[10]
November 14	1:30 p.m.	Army	No. 1	Pitt Stadium Pittsburgh, PA		W 48–0	53,225	^[11]
November 21	1:30 p.m.	at Temple	No. 1	Veterans Stadium Philadelphia, PA	USA	W 35–0	32,570	^[12]
November 28	12:25 p.m.	No. 11 Penn State	No. 1	Pitt Stadium Pittsburgh, PA (rivalry)	ABC	L 14–48	60,260	^[13]
January 1, 1982	8:00 p.m.	vs. No. 2 Georgia	No. 10	Louisiana Superdome New Orleans, LA (Sugar Bowl)	ABC	W 24–20	77,224	^[14]
Homecoming Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game All times are in Eastern time

^[15]

Game summaries

Illinois

Illinois Fighting Illini at No. 8 Pittsburgh Panthers – Game summary

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	ILL	PITT
First downs
Total yards
Rushes/yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Illinois	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Pittsburgh	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Scoring summary

Quarter	Time	Drive			Team	Scoring information	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.							6	26

Cincinnati

Cincinnati Bearcats at No. 7 Pittsburgh Panthers – Game summary

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	UC	PITT
First downs
Total yards
Rushes/yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Cincinnati	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Pittsburgh	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Scoring summary

Quarter	Time	Drive			Team	Scoring information	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.							7	38

At South Carolina

No. 4 Pittsburgh Panthers at South Carolina Gamecocks – Game summary

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	PITT	S CAR
First downs
Total yards
Rushes/yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Pittsburgh	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
South Carolina	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Scoring summary

Quarter	Time	Drive			Team	Scoring information	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.							42	28

At West Virginia

No. 4 Pittsburgh Panthers at West Virginia Mountaineers – Game summary

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	PITT	WVU
First downs
Total yards
Rushes/yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Pittsburgh	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
West Virginia	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Scoring summary

Quarter	Time	Drive			Team	Scoring information	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.							17	0

#11 Florida State

No. 11 Florida State Seminoles at No. 3 Pittsburgh Panthers – Game summary

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	FSU	PITT
First downs
Total yards
Rushes/yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Florida State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Pittsburgh	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Scoring summary

Quarter	Time	Drive			Team	Scoring information	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.							14	42

Syracuse

Syracuse Orangemen at No. 2 Pittsburgh Panthers – Game summary

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	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
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.							10	23

At Boston College

No. 2 Pittsburgh Panthers at Boston College Eagles – Game summary

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	PITT	BC
First downs
Total yards
Rushes/yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Pittsburgh	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Boston College	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Scoring summary

Quarter	Time	Drive			Team	Scoring information	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.							29	24

At Rutgers

No. 1 Pittsburgh Panthers at Rutgers Scarlet Knights – Game summary

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	PITT	RUT
First downs
Total yards
Rushes/yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Pittsburgh	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Rutgers	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Scoring summary

Quarter	Time	Drive			Team	Scoring information	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.							47	3

Army

Army Cadets at No. 1 Pittsburgh Panthers – Game summary

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	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
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.							0	48

At Temple

No. 1 Pittsburgh Panthers at Temple Owls – Game summary

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	PITT	TU
First downs
Total yards
Rushes/yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Pittsburgh	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Temple	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Scoring summary

Quarter	Time	Drive			Team	Scoring information	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.							35	0

#11 Penn State

No. 11 Penn State Nittany Lions at No. 1 Pittsburgh Panthers – Game summary

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	PSU	PITT
First downs
Total yards
Rushes/yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Penn State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Pittsburgh	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Scoring summary

Quarter	Time	Drive			Team	Scoring information	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.							48	14

Vs. #2 Georgia (Sugar Bowl)

1982 Sugar Bowl: No. 10 Pittsburgh Panthers vs. No. 2 Georgia Bulldogs – Game summary

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	PITT	UGA
First downs
Total yards
Rushes/yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Pittsburgh	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Georgia	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Scoring summary

Quarter	Time	Drive			Team	Scoring information	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.							24	20

Personnel

Coaching staff

1981 Pittsburgh Panthers football staff

	Coaching staff Jackie Sherrill – Head coach Foge Fazio – Assistant head coach/defensive coordinator/linebackers Joe Moore – Offensive coordinator/offensive line Joe Daniels – Quarterbacks Bob Davie – Drop Backs Joe Naunchik – Receivers George Pugh – Tight ends Andy Urbanic – Running backs Ray Zingler – Rush Ends			Support staff Alex Kramer – Administrative assistant Kevin Dickey – Recruiting doordinator Anthony Folino – Part-Time Assistant–Defensive Backs Bob Matey – Part-Time Assistant–Defensive Line Jim Miceli – Part-Time Assistant–Defensive Line Michael Sherman – Part-Time Assistant–Offensive Line Steve Heintzelman – Volunteer coach			Strength and conditioning staff Buddy Morris – Weight training coordinator

Roster

1981 Pittsburgh Panthers football team roster

Players

Coaches

Offense

Pos.	#	Name	Class
G	`70`	Emil Boures	Sr
OT	`75`	Jimbo Covert	Jr
QB	`13`	Dan Marino	Jr
G	`77`	Ron Sams	Jr

Defense

Pos.	#	Name	Class
DB	`5`	Tom Flynn	So
DB	`26`	Tim Lewis	Jr
DT	`71`	Bill Maas	So

Special teams

Pos.	#	Name	Class

Head coach

Jackie Sherrill

Coordinators/assistant coaches

Legend

(C) Team captain
(S) Suspended
(I) Ineligible

Injured
Redshirt

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

^[16]

Media

Radio

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

References

^ 2018 NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision Records (PDF). National Collegiate Athletic Association. August 2018. p. 114. Retrieved November 29, 2018.
^ College Football Data Warehouse; Pittsburgh All National Championships, accessdate=2009-01-29 Archived July 4, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
^ "Pitt overcomes jitters, Illinois". Wisconsin State Journal. September 6, 1981. Retrieved October 31, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Marino tosses five TDs in Pitt victory". The Scrantonian. September 20, 1981. Retrieved October 31, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Pitt romps 42–28". The Roanoke Times & World-News. October 4, 1981. Retrieved January 28, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Pitt shelves air attack, wins, 17–0". The Miami Herald. October 11, 1981. Retrieved January 28, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Seminoles Octoberfest ends as Pitt hammers FSU, 42–14". The Times Argus. October 18, 1981. Retrieved October 31, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Pitt trips Syracuse, 23–10". Sunday News. October 25, 1981. Retrieved October 31, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "No. 2-ranked Pitt escapes BC 29–24". St. Petersburg Times (AP story). November 1, 1981. p. 11C – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Pittsburgh proves too much for Rutgers". Asbury Park Press. November 8, 1981. Retrieved October 31, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "No. 1 Pitt routs Army". Sunday Telegram. November 15, 1981. Retrieved October 31, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Pitt cruises by Temple". The Post-Crescent. November 22, 1981. Retrieved October 31, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Penn State stuns top-ranked Pitt". The Times and Democrat. November 29, 1981. Retrieved October 31, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Pitt, Marino put the bite on Bulldogs". The Pittsburgh Press. January 2, 1982. Retrieved October 31, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "1981 Pitt Panthers Schedule and Results". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
^ "1982 NFL Draft Listing - Pro-Football-Reference.com". Archived from the original on December 21, 2007.

[2018ncaabook-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; Pittsburgh All National Championships, accessdate=2009-01-29 Archived July 4, 2008, at the Wayback Machine

[3] "Pitt overcomes jitters, Illinois". Wisconsin State Journal. September 6, 1981. Retrieved October 31, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.

[4] "Marino tosses five TDs in Pitt victory". The Scrantonian. September 20, 1981. Retrieved October 31, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.

[5] "Pitt romps 42–28". The Roanoke Times & World-News. October 4, 1981. Retrieved January 28, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.

[6] "Pitt shelves air attack, wins, 17–0". The Miami Herald. October 11, 1981. Retrieved January 28, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.

[7] "Seminoles Octoberfest ends as Pitt hammers FSU, 42–14". The Times Argus. October 18, 1981. Retrieved October 31, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.

[8] "Pitt trips Syracuse, 23–10". Sunday News. October 25, 1981. Retrieved October 31, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.

[9] "No. 2-ranked Pitt escapes BC 29–24". St. Petersburg Times (AP story). November 1, 1981. p. 11C – via Newspapers.com.

[10] "Pittsburgh proves too much for Rutgers". Asbury Park Press. November 8, 1981. Retrieved October 31, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.

[11] "No. 1 Pitt routs Army". Sunday Telegram. November 15, 1981. Retrieved October 31, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.

[12] "Pitt cruises by Temple". The Post-Crescent. November 22, 1981. Retrieved October 31, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.

[13] "Penn State stuns top-ranked Pitt". The Times and Democrat. November 29, 1981. Retrieved October 31, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.

[14] "Pitt, Marino put the bite on Bulldogs". The Pittsburgh Press. January 2, 1982. Retrieved October 31, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.

[15] "1981 Pitt Panthers Schedule and Results". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved October 31, 2024.

[16] "1982 NFL Draft Listing - Pro-Football-Reference.com". Archived from the original on December 21, 2007.

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v t e Pittsburgh Panthers football
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National championship seasons in bold