On March 8, 1928 the executive committee of the board of trustees appointed W. D. Harrison, dean of men at the University of Pittsburgh since 1923, to the office of director of athletics.

[17] The Athletic Department appointed Dr. Zonar Wissinger and Dr. Roscoe "Skip" Gougler freshmen team coaches to replace H. Clifford Carlson.

[20] With the graduation of sixteen players from the 1927 Eastern Championship team, captain Fox and coach Sutherland had a tough assignment to get the Panthers to perform at the same level for the 1928 season.

Fifty-two Pitt Panther athletes, hoping to earn a spot on the roster, spent two weeks learning the Sutherland system during the twice a day practice sessions.

[29] [30] The Post-Gazette noted: "The Pitt squad ended four weeks of intensive training work yesterday, and no Panther team ever was in better physical trim.

"[29] Harry Keck of the Sun-Telegraph reported: "The University of Pittsburgh Panthers, making their first appearance of the 1928 gridiron campaign, before a crowd of about 7,000 students, alumni, youngsters and just fans, had to cut loose with everything they had to score a 20 to 0 victory over Dr. Tommy Holleran's valiant little band of football warriors from Thiel College, of Greenville, Pa, in the stadium Saturday.

Sophomore halfback Harold "Josh" Williams and Felix Wilps scored three touchdowns apiece, while Tom Parkinson and Philip Goldberg each added one.

Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were William Walinchus, Jesse Crissinger, Bucky Wagner, James Rooney, Felix Wilps, Al Ciper, William Loehr, James Scanlon, Ernest Lewis, Arthur Corson, Ted Helsing, M. Petrosky, Philip Goldberg, Daniel Fuge, Paul Greenberger, Edward Schultz, Nevin Faw, Robert Graham, Michael Uram and Frank Fischer.

Fourth-year coach Ira Rodgers' eleven started the season with a 7 to 0 loss to Davis & Elkins College and then won their next two in preparation for the Panther tussle.

Still smarting from that crushing 40 to 0 defeat administered by the championship Golden Panther team last season and with a veteran lineup to hurl against Coach Sutherland's new eleven, the Mountaineers are primed to make amends for the debacle of last year.

"[40] Howard Linn, former Panther guard, scouted the Mountaineers victory over Haskell Institute for Coach Sutherland and reported: "Don't let the boys take West Virginia too lightly, they are tough!

"[41] Injured Pitt guard Albert DiMeolo was replaced by Ernest Lewis, otherwise Sutherland started the same lineup that scored fifty-three points against Bethany.

Mid-second period the Panthers gained possession on their 13-yard line and running backs Toby Uansa, Tom Parkinson and Josh Williams advanced the ball the length of the field.

[43] “From then on, however, Pitt's punch was lacking.” The safety came late in the game as Rooney mishandled a bad pass from center and recovered the ball behind the end zone line.

[6] W. J. Farrell of The Pittsburgh Press reported: "Pitt's 'Golden Panther' football team returned to its winning ways yesterday afternoon at the stadium, when it completely outplayed the Allegheny eleven to score a decisive and well-earned victory, 29 to 0.

The second half was a punting duel until the mid-fourth quarter when Pitt end Albert Guarino intercepted a pass by Allegheny halfback Dennison on the Methodist 29-yard line.

Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were William Walinchus, Jesse Crissinger, Toby Uansa, Edward Baker, Markley Barnes, Ernest Lewis, Arthur Corson and Reginald Bowen.

[49] The Tech eleven handled their three minor opponents (Westminster, Ashland and Thiel) easily and then shut out Washington & Jefferson 19–0 to earn their 4–0 record.

[54] "The Pittsburgh city football championship banner was carried back to the other side of Forbes Street last night in the gloom of a murky afternoon.

Baysinger threw 32 aerials and completed 16 of them, one for a touchdown.”[58] Starting fullback Tom Parkinson was still nursing his ribs and was unable to play, so Coach Sutherland went with the same backfield that faced Carnegie Tech.

Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were Arthur Corson, James Scanlon, William Walinchus, James Rooney, Reginald Bowen, William Loehr, Ernest Lewis, Bucky Wagner, Markley Barnes, Jesse Crissinger, Frank Hood, Felix Wilps, Nevin Faw, Philip Goldberg and Paul Greenberger.

Captain Carl Aschman and All-American tackle Forrest Douds[52] anchors of the Presidents' line are "two of the greatest linemen ever turned out in this district.

Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were Tom Parkinson, James Rooney, William Walinchus, William Loehr, James Scanlon, Ernest Lewis, Reginald Bowen, Bucky Wagner, Arthur Corson, Markley Barnes, Frank Hood, Jesse Crissinger, Philip Goldberg, Paul Greenberger and Felix Wilps.

Thursday evening the entourage entrained for Omaha, Nebraska, where Friday the Panthers held their practice indoors due to inclement weather conditions.

[52] Cy Sherman of The Lincoln Star was disappointed: "The whoop-las and the hur-rahs that hopeful Nebraskans were planning to let loose Saturday afternoon at the state university Memorial stadium will have to be reserved for another day.

An undefeated and untied Cornhusker football team, in the front rank of the running for national championship laurels, stepped out in defense of its record against an exasperated outfit of Pitt U. Panthers and could get nothing better than a 0–0 tie.

[75] Penn State's record was 3–4–1 due to an excessive number of injuries, but Coach Hugo Bezdek's Lions were in top form for the Panthers.

Tom Parkinson plunged through left guard for the tally from the one foot line, and James Rooney converted the point after for a 14 to 0 Pitt lead at halftime.

"Unkind as it may sound, it is nevertheless a fact that the Center countians are not the drawing card they used to be on the Pitt schedule...It is no secret that the football public is not looking for walkovers.

[83] The following players were awarded their letter by the athletic council at the team banquet: Captain Alex Fox, Tom Parkinson, Charles Edwards, Josh Williams, Toby Uansa, Ray Montgamery, Albert DiMeolo, Mike Getto, Charles Tully, Philip Goldberg, Joe Donchess, Albert Guarino, James Scanlon, Edward Baker, William Walinchus, Markley Barnes, Arthur Corson, James Rooney and manager Dave Stewart.