He was hurt by the things said about his players, whom he defended at every turn, insisting that they had done the best they could.”[16] “The pressure for success had to be felt by the coaching staff as 1925 would also mark the opening of the school's new magnificent $2.1 million stadium.

Chancellor Bowman was incensed at the increased debt that had occurred and he named an athletic director...Don Harrison, to oversee the department and rein in an out-of-control football program.” The Panthers scheduled high-level opponents and recruited top-notch talent by offering an average of $55.00 a month plus tuition and books.

Coach Sutherland urged all the candidates to get in some sort of athletic work for the rest of the year and many will be out for the track team.”[18] “The University of Pittsburgh football squad formally opened its most important season – stadium year – at Camp Hamilton this afternoon (August 31) when 84 men, players, managers and coaches arrived tonight for a late dinner in camp.

Frank Benedict, last year's backup to Marsh Johnson at center, and two rookies from the freshmen team, Andrew Salata at tackle and Gilbert “Gibby” Welch at halfback were penciled in for the first game.

"[30] Regis M. Welsh of The Pittsburgh Post reported: "Speedy, flashy, strong in spots, taking advantage of scoring breaks, then making enough mistakes to show its own immaturity, the Pitt Panther, romping like wild on its new turf field, and with an admiring and perspiring crowd of almost 20,000 looking on scored a decisive, but not too impressive victory over Washington and Lee yesterday afternoon in the giant bowl, 28–0.

Starting with a team of nine veterans and two graduates from last year's freshmen and winding up with the injection of so many substitutes that it would have made Knute Rockne seasick, the Panthers scored four times, twice on blocked kicks and twice by their own plunging and end skirting.

"[35] "Pitt, however, with its great line, well-balanced backfield and wealth of reserve strength is being made the favorite, and it is generally admitted that a victory for the visitors would be a startling turnover of the advance dope.

After spotting the Panthers an early 9–0 lead, Lafayette thoroughly controlled the contest, scoring 20 unanswered points and handing Pitt their worst loss in six years, 20–9.

[41] Walter Mahan, All-America guard, anchored the line, but the Mountaineers strength was in the backfield, which included Francis Farley, an excellent passer, Ed Morrison, Doc Bruder and Pete Barnum.

[42][43] "Rogers and his assistants have been working hard to get the Mountaineers ready for the Pitt struggle and though handicapped by lack of reserve material the coaches believe that this year's eleven will trouble the powerful Panther machine.

[45] "The Panthers seem to be thoroughly awakened to the fact that another defeat, following on the heels of the Maroon backset, would be nothing short of a calamity, and the chances are that it will be a bunch of determined, grim fighters who oppose the Morgantowners on Saturday.

[8] By refusing to give up and finally reversing form in the last quarter of its annual football game with West Virginia, the Panthers bested the Mountaineers 15–7 in a tightly contested struggle that kept the 25,000 fans enthralled.

This ambitious young fellow, Andy Gustafson by name, sprang into prominence almost immediately, but he arose to the height of his brilliant career yesterday at Pitt Stadium, when, virtually single-handed, he encompassed the defeat of the Panther's [sic] ancient rival, the West Virginia eleven.

Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were Richard Goldberg, James Scanlon, Felix Demoise, Joseph Schmitt, Carl McCutcheon, Ulardt Hangartner, Paul Fisher, Allan Booth and Chester Wasmuth.

[50] The Pittsburgh Gazette Times reported: "A confident Panther of Pitt, sleek and well fed on Mountaineer meat, chanced on the lean, snarling Blue Ridge timber wolf of Gettysburg at the stadium here yesterday afternoon and in sizzling, mud-soaked death combat barely clawed off with a 13–0 triumph by dint of a desperate final-stanza rally.

"[16] Under a steady drizzle the festivities started with a parade of "hundreds of former athletes and scores of well-known men in the civic, business, professional and educational life of the city and nation."

A revived and fighting Panther eleven saw to that when they successfully repelled the attack of the Carnegie Tech forces, carved out an impressive 12 to 0 victory, and regained the city collegiate gridiron title, which had rested in the Tartan camp for two years.

Almost 40,000 loyal supporters of both teams braved the elements, and clung to their seats around the great bowl, as an intermittent rain drove over the scene of the conflict throughout the contest.

[59] Graduate Manager Karl Davis scheduled Johns Hopkins as the set-up opponent for the Panthers prior to their final big three games to end the season.

[63] Max E. Hannum of The Pittsburgh Press reported: "Teams scheduled as 'set-up' opponents for institutions that desire only mediocre opposition on the eve of big games, frequently display tendencies to upset instead of taking their planned-for and generally expected trouncings.

Johns Hopkins proved an exception to this rule at the Pitt Stadium yesterday, and, opposed by second and third-string members of the Panther squad, eased gently out of the picture by the score of 31 to 0.

Before 30,000 rabid football enthusiasts, who refused to give up their seats even in the face of a driving rain that drenched every person on the mammoth bowl, and churned the field into a quagmire, the Pitt eleven upset the dope once more, and smashed a valiant and powerful W. & J. team, 6 to 0.

His gallant sportsmanship, unfailing courtesy, and Christian ideals of conduct set a new and higher standard of college-athletic relationship in this community, and won the love and respect of all who value courage, loyalty, industry and truth.

Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were Richard Goldberg, Joseph Schmitt, Howard Linn, John Roberts, Felix Demoise and Carl McCutcheon.

[74] The Quakers were led by two All-Americans - halfback Al Kreuz[75] and end George Thayer[76] Coach Sutherland spoke with The Pittsburgh Press: "We will play the kind of football that is best suited to the conditions that may arise as the battle progresses.

"[77] The Pitt Weekly reported: "Pennsylvania--proud, old Penn—felt the heel of another conqueror last Saturday when the Panthers invaded the Quaker City and sent Lou Young's highly touted eleven down to a 14 to 0 defeat on Franklin Field.

[87] The Pitt Weekly said it best: "The Panther, with his tail straight up in the air – rather proud since he deserves to be rated just beneath Dartmouth in the national ranking – ended his season Thanksgiving Day in a blaze of glory.

It was a fake as Cy Lundgren, the holder, dropped back and passed to a wide open Roepke on the five and he waltzed into the end zone for the Nittanies' touchdown.

Then, "a double pass, with (Gibby) Welch carrying the ball, saw the Pitt backfield star cut loose through the opposite side of the line out in the open field for an 80 yard run and a touchdown.

[92] The athletic council awarded varsity football letters to the following: Captain Ralph Chase, John Kifer, Blair McMillin, Andrew Salata, Zoner Wissinger, Wendell Steele, Andrew Cutler, Jesse Brown, John Harding, Gilbert Welch, Andrew Gustafson, Frank Benedict, Richard Goldberg, Felix Demoise, John Roberts, William Kern, Howard Linn, Joseph Schmitt, Carl McCutcheon, Robert Irwin, Allan Booth, James Hagan, Ulhard Hangartner and Axel Anderson.