The article contained a "list of college football's mythical champions as selected by every recognized authority [sic] since 1924," which has served as the basis of the university's historical national championship claims, with Davis being the only selector of Pitt in 1929.

[27] The outlook for the 1929 season was promising since only three starters (Alex Fox, Albert Guarino and Mike Getto) and four substitutes (James Scanlon, Ted Helsing, Ed Sherako and Philip Goldberg) had graduated.

[28] The Pittsburgh Press noted: "Coach Sutherland is well satisfied with the results of the spring workouts and believes his squad will be strong offensively during the autumn campaign.

[30] Coach Sutherland worked the team hard because as noted by David Finoli: "He truly believed in the famous quote that his mentor Pop Warner muttered so many times: 'You play the way you practice'.

"[31] The Panthers returned to Pittsburgh a week prior to the home opener with Waynesburg College "in as fine condition and with as brilliant prospects as any Pitt team has ever boasted.

[38] Harry Keck of the Sun-Telegraph reported: "Under a warm sun and with only about 9,000 fans looking on, another powerful University of Pittsburgh football eleven made its bow at the Stadium Saturday afternoon, showing promise of great things in the games to come by the manner in which, with first, second and third-string men in action, it romped over the squad of Waynesburg College for eight touchdowns and an impressive 53–0 victory.

Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were Edward Baker, James Rooney, William Walinchus, Frank Hood, Joe Tommins, Jesse Quatse, Walter Milligan, Markley Barnes, Hart Morris, Vladimir Babic, Paul Collins, Al Ciper, Daniel Fuge, Robert Morris, Frank Fisher, Arthur Corson, Edward Schultz, Harry Wagner, Jack Kelly, Felix Wilps, Fred Johnson, James Clark and Walter Potter.

[8] The first road trip of the season took the Panthers to Durham, NC to both battle the Duke Blue Devil eleven and take part in the dedication of their new 35,000 seat stadium.

David Finoli noted: "While in the nation's capital, the team got the chance to meet President Herbert Hoover and have their picture taken with him as they visited the White House.

[41] Duke coach James DeHart, Pitt's first four-sport letterman, "is conceded to have one of the best teams ever developed in the South, and with football interest of the whole section focused on the big intersectional game at Durham, the Blue Devils will be primed for the Panthers.

[43] The Pittsburgh Press noted: 'At Chapel Hill, where hostility to Duke runs high, the North Carolina boys were unanimous in declaring that the Panthers would triumph.

Fifth year coach Ira Rodgers' eleven was 1–1–1 after winning their opener against West Virginia Wesleyan 16–0, losing to Davis & Elkins 13–6 and then tying Duquesne 7–7.

[57] David Finoli pointed out that "with home-field advantage and the fact that they had revenge on their minds themselves as they had not beaten Pitt in the past two campaigns, Nebraska certainly had all the intangibles on their side.

Nebraska showed nice improvement last week at Syracuse, but they are not ready yet for a team of the caliber that 'Jock' Sutherland will send on to the field this Saturday afternoon.

[60][61] Coach Bible told The Lincoln Star: "When the season started I expressed the hope that in the event we lost a game the defeat would be sustained at the hands of a good football team.

Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were Ernest Lewis, Edward Hirschberg, Leo Murphy, Felix Wilps, Al Ciper, Tom Parkinson, Joe Donchess, Charles Tully, Albert DiMeolo and Toby Uansa.

[14] While the country was reeling from the stock market frenzy,[68] the sports topic highlighted this week in history was the Carnegie Foundation report on college athletics.

Late in the quarter the Buckeye halfback Arden McConnell mishandled a snap from center and had to fall on the ball in the end zone for a safety.

"[76] The Pittsburgh Press noted: "Ohio State may have lost the football game, but so far as regular visitors to the stadium are concerned, their band won the world's championship yesterday.

[79] Coach Sutherland warned against overconfidence: "Newspapers all over the country have greatly overrated the Panther club and have left a more or less cocksuredness air among the players, the attitude that victory is an established fact.

Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were James Rooney, William Loehr, Jesse Quatse, Hart Morris, Leo Murphy, William Walinchus, James Clark, Charles Edwards, Walter Milligan, Vladimar Babic, Markley Barnes, Frank Hood, Joe Tommins,Harry Wagner,Edward Schultz, Felix Wilps and Robert Morris.

Early in the final quarter Tech got on the scoreboard with a touchdown on a short drive aided by a poor center snap by Pitt in punt formation.

[17] The annual Thanksgiving Day battle with Penn State would determine Pitt's football fate in their drive for a national title and Rose Bowl invitation.

"[90] Ten Panthers made their last appearance at the stadium in a Pitt uniform on Thanksgiving Day: Tom Parkinson, Toby Uansa, Joe Donchess, Ray Montgomery, Albert DiMeolo, Charles Edwards, Al Corson, Markley Barnes, James Rooney and Felix Wilps.

After reaching the Pitt 26-yard line, the Panthers called time out to regroup, but nonetheless State quarterback Cooper French threw a touchdown pass to end Skip Stahley tying the game.

The Panther offense regained possession on their 47-yard line early in the fourth stanza, and minutes later Parkinson scored his final touchdown of the day and added the placement.

Woolridge stated: "The council had renewed the contract with Dr. Sutherland not only because it considers him one of the foremost coaches of the country, but also because it has a deep appreciation of his widespread influences in teaching good sportsmanship and clean living.

[103][56][104][105] Captain and guard Nate Barragar was named second team All-America by the International News Service, the Central Press Association and Davis Walsh.

[56][104] The Pasadena Post reported: 'With a wealth of reserve material and perfect mental attitude in the minds of players Coach Howard Jones felt confident that his charges would weather the test against the undefeated champions of the east.

"[109] Jock Sutherland told the San Francisco Examiner: "My men are apparently in good condition - no colds, no injuries – and they will be ready for a real fight.