Five regulars, Albert DiMeolo, Ray Montgomery, Joe Donchess, Toby Uansa and Tom Parkinson, received All-America honors,[15] while the six substitutes – Markley Barnes, James Rooney, Felix Wilps, Arthur Corson, William Loehr and Charles Edwards – all played substantial minutes during the season.

At the annual banquet Sutherland "bemoaned the loss of so many of his 1929 stars, saying that a good team could be formed of the players who graduate next spring."

[18] Alexander Stevenson, assistant Pitt coach and scout since 1909, contracted pneumonia upon his return from the Rose Bowl and died on February 5.

[20] 1929 All-Americans Joe Donchess and Ray Montgomery were both hired by the athletic council to assist coach Sutherland for the 1930 season.

[25][26] The 1930 spring session came to a somber conclusion, as veteran running back Leo Murphy sustained a broken neck while blocking during a scrimmage on April 23.

[30] After three weeks of training, the team returned to Pittsburgh and practiced on the hill above the stadium in preparation for the home opener against Waynesburg College.

Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were Melvin Brown, Art Sekay, Bucky Wagner, Jack Kelly, Ed Schultz, Francis Seigel, Mike Milligan, Walter Babic, Al Ciper, Charles Miller, Paul Collins, Joe Tommins, Rocco Cutri, John Luch, Frank Walton, Joe Tormey, Ray Anderson, Bill Walinchus, Ted Dailey, Paul Reider, Paul Cuba, Bob Morris, Herman Yentch, Zola Alpert and George Shindehutte.

Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were Francis Seigel, Joseph Tormey, Walter Milligan, Frank Walton, Paul Collins, Bucky Wagner, Melvin Brown, Theodore Dailey, Ray Anderson, Walter Babic, Edward Schultz, Rocco Cutri, Jack Kelly, John Loch, Zola Alpert and Paul Cuba.

The game was scheduled through the effort of Karl Davis, former Pitt graduate manager of athletics, who now occupied the same position at Western Reserve.

[48] The Pitt Panthers won their third straight by running roughshod over the Western Reserve eleven on League Field 52 to 0 in front of 12,000 fans.

Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were Josh Williams, Francis Seigel, Rocco Curti, Bucky Wagner, Walter Milligan, Paul Reider, Paul Cuba, Al Ciper, Edward Schultz, Herman Yentch, Melvin Brown, Zola Alpert, John Luch, Walter Babic, Jack Kelly, Robert Morris, Arthur Sekay, Charles Miller and Ray Anderson.

[53] Syracuse end George A. Ellert received third-team All-American mention from both the International News Service and the Central Press Association.

Ends Edward Hirschberg and James MacMurdo, plus guard Hart Morris were replaced by Paul Collins, Theodore Daily and Walter Milligan in the starting lineup.

Meanwhile Pitt goes through her final preparations up on the hilltop back of the stadium in a disconsolate, gloomy, but withall [sic] decidedly grim frame of mind.

Dr. John Bain (Jock) Sutherland has publicly prophesied that the Panthers are in for a licking, and the series of injuries that struck the Gold and Blue last week-end at Syracuse only added to the depression.

"[9] Pittsburgh scalpers printed and sold approximately 25,000 counterfeit pasteboards which caused confusion, chaos and numerous arrests prior to kick-off.

Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were James Clark, Paul Reider, Edward Hirshberg, Joseph Tormey, Theodore Dailey, William Walinchus and Walter Babic.

Coach Sutherland made one change in the starting lineup - James Clark replaced Frank Hood at fullback.

Gregg McBride of The Lincoln Star summarized: "Emblazoned above the varsity dressing room door at Nebraska's Memorial Stadium are these words, 'They Shall Not Score.'

Saturday...a fighting band of Cornhusker linemen breathed the breath of life into Nebraska tradition by twice turning back at the goal line a band of determined Panthers....The thrills of an entire football game were crowded into those last 10 minutes of play....The spectacular performance of the Nebraska team which twice held the Panthers for downs within the 4-yard line will be vivid in the memories of the upwards to 30,000 spectators long after the individuals who featured in the sterling performance have been forgotten.

Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were Melvin Brown, Paul Reider, Edward Hirshberg, William Walinchus, Theodore Dailey and Hart Morris.

"[86] The Pittsburgh Panthers retained the "City Championship Trophy" with a one-point victory over the Carnegie Tech Tartans - 7 to 6 - in front of over 52,000 fans.

Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were Edward Hirshberg, Frank Hood, William Walinchus, Joseph Tormey, Hart Morris, Theodore Dailey and Melvin Brown.

[94][95] The Pitt Panthers initial trip to Western Conference (Big Ten) territory was not a rewarding experience, as the Buckeyes recorded a 16–7 Homecoming victory in front of 48,908 fans.

After gaining a first down, Frank Hood's pass to Paul Reider was intercepted by Martin Varner on the Panther 35-yard line.

[91] Lester Biederman of the Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph reported that Jock Sutherland was gracious in defeat when he spoke to Sam Wallaman: "I certainly want to congratulate you.

[99] The Pittsburgh Press noted that the Lions, with their 3–3–2 record, were "desperately eager to score a win over Pitt, whom they have not beaten since 1919, when coach Higgins was a member of the team.

First string ends James MacMurdo and Paul Collins were suspended from the team for academic reasons; Starting guard Walter Milligan was injured against Ohio State and could not play; Starting center Ralph Daugherty skipped classes and practice for a week due to personal issues; and former starting halfback, Josh Williams, was ill.[100] The Post-Gazette commented: "For years Pitt has entered the annual game an overwhelming favorite but because of injuries, illness and ineligibility the Panther presents a slightly patched up front for the battle with the traditional rivals from State College.

"[102] The Panthers kept their coach's unblemished record against Penn State intact as they beat the Nittany Lions 19–12 on the frigid turf of Pitt Stadium.

Late in the quarter, Penn State end Earl Edwards blocked a Harry Wagner punt, caught the ball midair and rambled 26 yards for the last touchdown of the game.