1959 Pittsburgh Panthers football team

The 1959 Pittsburgh Panthers football team represented the University of Pittsburgh in the 1959 college football season. The team compiled a 6–4 record under head coach John Michelosen.^[1] The team played their home games at Pitt Stadium in Pittsburgh.

The University of Pittsburgh, under the direction of chancellor Edward Litchfield, bought Forbes Field in 1958, and agreed to lease it to the Pirates until a new stadium was constructed. On January 12, 1959, The Pittsburgh Press reported that the City Council asked the Public Auditorium Authority to prepare a plan for a new municipal sports stadium. A citizen's committee proposed the stadium be built on Monument Hill on the North Side. The cost of the land and stadium was estimated to be 23 million dollars.^[8] Pitt athletic director Tom Hamilton countered that the city should upgrade Pitt Stadium instead of building a new facility. He wanted to save the city money and keep the stadium on campus. Dr. Litchfield was in favor of the municipal stadium. Hamilton did not want the Steelers to play in Pitt Stadium, Dr. Litchfield did. Hamilton did not want Litchfield to implement the trimester plan. Hamilton and the rest of the athletic department felt it would put Pitt at a disadvantage athletically. The trimester plan was implemented. Tom Hamilton resigned as athletic director effective August 31, 1959. He became the commissioner of the newly formed Athletic Association of Western Universities.^[9] Frank Carver, long time Pitt graduate manager, was appointed acting athletic director.^[10]

On March 14, two expelled players (fullback Marty Barraca and center Mike Lucci) and two withdrawals (letterwinner quarterback Ed Sharockman and fullback Pat Morsillo) headed south to spend the spring and summer in Florida. They thought they could pursue their football careers elsewhere.^[11] A week later tackle Len Vella withdrew from classes due to academic problems.^[12]

Coach John Michelosen welcomed 65 candidates, including 17 lettermen, for his fifth year of spring practice. The Panthers were allowed 20 practice sessions to be completed in 30 days. Since the withdrawal of Ed Sharockman, finding a back-up quarterback was Coach Michelosen's main priority.^[12][13] The drills concluded on May 2 with the annual intra-squad game at the Pitt-Wildwood Club field. A crowd of 2,000 fans watched the Whites defeat the Blues 26–20.^[14]

On August 24, sixty-four gridders showed up for fall practice. Two-a-day sessions (9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.) were held until the start of school on September 8. Coach Michelosen was surprised by the excellent condition of his players. He told the Post-Gazette: “Notice there isn't much fat on this squad? Only one or two of them seem to have any excess weight, and most of them are down to playing weight already. Of course, it won't take long to get the other few trimmed down, too, if the weather continues.”^[15] Tackles Bill Lindner and Ken Montanari were named co-captains for the 1959 season.^[16]

On September 19, the Panthers opened their season in Milwaukee, WI against the Marquette Warriors. The Panthers led the all-time series 2–0, but this was their first trip to Marquette Stadium.^[17] The Warriors were coached by Lisle Blackbourn. He coached Marquette from 1950-1953 to a record of 18–17–4 then jumped to the pros to coach the Green Bay Packers from 1954-1957. He coached the 1958 season at Carroll College before returning to Marquette. The Warriors record the three previous years was 2–25–1, but they had 25 lettermen returning.^[18][19]

Coach Michelosen told The Pitt News: “The kids are in pretty good shape physically. Mentally it's hard to say, this is the first time we have opened the season after classes started. I don't know how this will affect the boys mentally. There are many factors that enter into the boys (sic) life that we don't have to contend with when there are no classes.”^[20]

In front of 15,175 fans, the Pitt Panthers needed a fourth quarter comeback to beat the Marquette Warriors 21–15. After a scoreless first half, 25 points were scored in the third period. Pitt took the kick-off and drove 60 yards in 5 plays. Mike Ditka caught a 25-yard Ivan Toncic pass for the touchdown. Norton Seaman's extra point went wide-left. Marquette tied the game on a 30-yard touchdown pass from Pete Hall to Larry Hubbard. Pitt center Foge Fazio blocked the extra point. Marquette regained possession, but Pitt defensive back Jim Cunningham intercepted an errant Hall pass and ran 54-yards for a touchdown. Seaman made the placement to put Pitt ahead 13–6. Marquette came right back and scored on a 5-yard keeper play by Hall. Fred Riddle blocked the extra point and Pitt led 13–12 going into the fourth quarter. Marquette marched to the Panthers 2-yard line but turned the ball over on downs. Pitt halfback Joe Scisly fumbled the ball back to the Warriors. The Pitt defense held, but Jim Webster kicked a 17-yard field goal to put Marquette ahead 15–13. The Panthers offense was ineffective and forced to punt. Then the Pitt defense forced Marquette into a punting situation from the warriors 31-yard line. Ditka broke through the line and blocked Hall's punt. Hall recovered but Ditka tackled him on the 6-yard line – first and goal for the Panthers. On second down, Toncic passed to Ditka for the go-ahead touchdown. The Panthers faked a placement and Toncic passed to John Yaccino for the two-point conversion. Pitt led 21–15. The Marquette offense drove to the Panthers 13-yard line before they lost the ball on downs. Pitt then ran out the clock.^[21][22]

Marquette won the statistical battle. They made 25 first downs, gained 119 yards rushing and 273 yards passing. Pete Hall completed 22 of 43 passes (1 touchdown and 1 interception). Larry Hubbard caught 11 passes for 132 yards (1 touchdown). Si Woods caught 5 passes for 87 yards. Pitt made 9 first downs, gained 175 yards rushing and gained another 54 yards passing by Ivan Toncic completing 7 of 15 passes. (2 for touchdowns and 1 interception). Mike Ditka caught 3 passes for 37 yards (2 touchdowns).^[23]

The Pitt starting lineup for the game against Marquette was Mike Ditka (left end), Ken Montanari (left tackle), Norton Seaman (left guard), Serafino Fazio (center), Bob Longfellow (right guard), Dick Mills (right tackle), Ron Delfine (right end), Ivan Toncic (quarterback), Andy Sepsi (left halfback), Joe Scisly (right halfback) and Jim Cunningham (fullback). Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were Steve Jastrzembski, Joe Latvis, Charles Marranca, Regis Coustiliac, Andrew Kuzneski, John Holzbach, Larry Vignali, Dennis Dvorchak, Ernie Westwood, David Walker, David Kraus, John Sakal, Ray Tarasi, Fred Cox, Chuck Reinhold, Bob Clemens, Curt Plowman, John Yaccino, Fred Riddle and Michael Frasca.^[22]