Remembering the days of Pitt national championships lost

Is there a better way to start a season than remembering one of the best college football… Is there a better way to start a season than remembering one of the best college football teams in the history of the game at your 50-yard line?

As the rain pelted Heinz Field on Saturday night, a raucous crowd celebrated the 30th anniversary of Pitt’s 1976 NCAA championship. The Panthers finished 12-0 with a unanimous national title, their fifth unanimous championship in the school’s history.

Donning sharp blue jerseys adorned with No. 76, the players marched onto the field at halftime to a proud group of Panther fans.

The group included legendary Tony Dorsett, who won the Heisman Trophy and the Maxwell and Walter Camp Awards, and Al Romano, a massive pillar in Pitt’s offensive line, who earned first team All-America honors.

Dorsett ran for 6,082 yards in his career at Pitt. In 1976, he ran for a then-NCAA single-season record of 1,948 yards

But the 1976 season wasn’t all about Dorsett.

The Panthers overcame starting quarterback Robert Haygood’s torn knee ligaments and backup (and current offensive coordinator) Matt Cavanaugh’s fractured fibula, winning three games with highly inexperienced Tom Yewcic.

When Cavanaugh returned in early November for Pitt’s matchup with Army, the Panthers had a chance to climb atop the national polls after then-No. 1 Michigan lost to Purdue. Dorsett cranked out 212 rushing yards and three touchdowns as the Panthers rolled, 37-7.

One week later, Pitt retired Dorsett’s jersey during halftime of the Panthers’ contest with the West Virginia Mountaineers and Cavanaugh ran for a personal-best 124 yards. Pitt held off late rallies by the Mountaineers to win 24-16, setting the stage for a colossal game against Penn State over Thanksgiving weekend.

Defensive back Bob Jury intercepted two passes, giving him nine for the season, as Pitt crushed rival Penn State, 24-7. The victory finished Pitt’s season and put the Panthers in the national title game against SEC-champ Georgia.

More than one month later at the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, Pitt stomped its way to the championship, ripping Georgia, 27-3. Cavanaugh contributed two scores, one with his feet, the other with his arm, guaranteeing a Panther win.

It was the last unanimous championship the program won and the height of the Pitt dynasty.

With the hope of inspiring a young Pitt club, the 1976 team marched on General Robinson Street an hour before kickoff, then stood at the corner of Pitt’s first-half end zone before taking the field.

They were remembered for their incredible feat, channeling teamwork, dedication and hard work into one memory-filled season.

And, as it turned out, their presence did bring back some of that 1976 magic, as the current Panthers hammered Virginia, 38-13.

It was a gloomy afternoon leading up to Saturday’s celebration. The rain pattered on the annual Rib Festival as fans formed lines extending from sidewalk to sidewalk on Art Rooney Avenue.

Young fans and old, all trying to catch a glimpse of Pitt’s legendary alumni, were willing to battle the elements for the treasured autographs.

They saw salesmen, executives, teachers, coaches, dentists and even a state representative, proof that the men moved on to lives outside of football.

But as for the former players, they will never forget the year they won it all, and neither will we.

Jeff Greer is a senior staff writer for The Pitt News. Let him know your favorite Pitt football memories at jag59@pitt.edu.