[1] At the start of the season, Shaughnessy introduced red and white uniforms that departed from the team's traditional blue and gold color scheme.

[16] On January 25, the University of Pittsburgh Board of Trustees formally approved the resignation of Charles Bowser, as Pitt football coach, and appointed Clark Shaughnessy as his successor.

Halfback Tony DiMatteo, along with back-up quarterbacks Bob Smith and Ed Slavin had withdrawn earlier in the year.

[22] With Pitt on the trimester system for the war effort, the spring practice drills did not start until June 28, so Shaughnessy could include all the incoming freshmen.

"[28] On September 25, Pitt, wearing their red jerseys, opened the season against third-year coach Frank Leahy's Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

[32] The Irish lineup had 5 consensus 1943 All-Americans: halfback – Creighton Miller; tackle – Jim White; guard – Pat Filley; end – John Yonaker and quarterback – Angelo Bertelli, who also won the Heisman Trophy.

Pitt guard Francis Mattioli, tackle Martin Rosepink, center Ralph Hammond and halfback Louis Chelko were the only returning lettermen.

[35] In front of 59,050 fans, the largest opening day football crowd in Pittsburgh history, Notre Dame beat the Panthers handily 41–0.

Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were Paul Massey, Clair Malarkey, Michael Podrasky, Joseph DeFrank, Leonard West, George Ranii, Walter Germusa, Steve Polach, Ralph Hammond, Joseph Kielb, Richard Trachok, Thomas Kalmanir, Don Matthews, Angelo Carlaccini, and Cyril Plazak.

Back-up quarterback Joe Kielb scored the first Panther points of the season in the second quarter on fourth down, with a 1-yard dash around the left end.

Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were Paul Massey, Joseph DeFrank, Robert Fowler, Leonard West, Albert Marrangoni, William Galand, George Ranii, Walter Germusa, Steve Polach, Robert Bock, Donald Fisher, Frank Knisley, Walter Jones, Thomas Kalmanir, Joseph Kielb, Richard Trachok, Don Matthews, Cyril Plazak and Jay Brown.

Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were Jay Brown, Paul Massey, James Reber, George Ranii, Gary Feniello, Robert Fowler, William Galand, Steve Polach, Joseph Kielb, Thomas Kalmanir, Don Matthews, Richard Trachok and Frank Knisley.

Following the kick-off, Bethany substitute halfback, Charles Fultineer, fumbled a Ralph Hammond punt, and Joe Kielb recovered for the Panthers on the Bison 29-yard line.

Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were James Maloney, Jay Brown, Joseph DeFrank, Robert Fowler, William Galand, Robert Schneider, Steve Polach, Don Fisher, John Foley, Walter Jones, Joseph Kielb, Richard Trachok and Don Matthews.

Tech's last win was in 1938, when, in front of 61,000 fans, the Sugar Bowl bound Tartans, under the leadership of former Pitt star Bill Kern, beat the Panthers 20–10.

[54] Pitt was a heavy favorite, but Coach Shaughnessy was cautious: "There's no rhyme nor reason why Tech should beat us Saturday, but that makes me worry more than ever.

Tom Kalmanir replaced Louis Chelko at left halfback in the starting lineup and Francis Mattioli was designated Captain.

Late in the quarter substitute halfback, Walter Jones, ran 59-yards and John Foley missed the extra point to raise the halftime score to 26–0.

The Tartans offense sustained a drive in the last period, and an Irwin Breier 37-yard touchdown pass to Al Ghizzoni gave the Tech Homecoming crowd a reason to cheer.

Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were John Pager, Myron Pavuk, Donald Owen, James Maloney, Jay Brown, Paul Oberkircher, Warren Humes, Herbert Lurie, Herbert Sheinberg, Robert Fowler, James McDonough, Albert Marrangoni, William Galand, Robert Schneider, Max Scherb, Peter Siedyia, Paul Steinlauf, Joseph DeFrank, Steve Polach, Gary Feniello, Harry Alward, Al Beckman, Robert Bock, Donald Fisher, George Saphos, Edward Reese, Frank Gallo, Samuel Grecco, George Linelli, John Foley, John Fox, Walter Germusa, Robert Steytler, Dean Carey, Walter Jones, Joseph Kielb, Richard Trachok, Don Matthews and Cyril Plazak.

[57] After the Carnegie Tech victory, Coach Shaughnessy was optimistic: "I'm not saying what the result of the game with Ohio State will be, but I think it will be a fine battle all the way.

"[58] Shaughnessy lost 6 straight games to Ohio State when he coached Chicago and the Panthers had not beaten a Western Conference team since the football program was de-emphasized (0–9).

Louis Chelko was back in the lineup at left halfback, and Ralph Hammond was the designated Captain for the two touchdown underdog Panthers.

[59] In front of 30,000 Homecoming fans, the second-largest crowd of the season, Ohio State scored 7 unanswered touchdowns in the first half, and cruised to a 46–6 blowout victory over the Panthers.

Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were James Maloney, Jay Brown, Joseph DeFrank, James McDonough, William Galand, Robert Schneider, Steve Polach, Donald Fisher, Joseph Mocha, John Foley, Walter Jones, Richard Trachok, Thomas Kalmanir and Don Matthews.

[63] Penn State beat the Panthers 14–0 and for the first time in forty years, extended their win streak over Pitt to three games.

Coach Shaughnessy told the Sun-Telegraph: "I'm satisfied, our boys fought their hearts out, showed they knew how to tackle and that they are better than they looked in the game with Ohio State.

"[13] Even though Bill Abromitis ended up on the Penn State team, his school of choice was Pittsburgh, so he received his football letter from Pitt.

Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were James Maloney, Donald Owen, Joseph DeFrank, Albert Marrongoni, Milton Ebert, William Galand, Robert Schneider, Walter Germusa, Steve Polach, Gary Feniello, John Fox, Donald Fisher, John Foley, Joseph Kielb, Kalmanir, Louis Chelko and Don Matthews.

[65] The Athletic Department gave letters to William Abromitis, Jay Brown, Louis Chelko, Joseph DeFrank, Milton Ebert, Gary Feniello, Don Fisher, John Foley, Robert Fowler, William Galand, Walter Germusa, Ralph Hammond, John Itzel, Walter Jones, Thomas Kalmanir, Joe Kielb, Frank Knisley, James Maloney, Paul Massey, Don Matthews, Francis Mattioli, Joe Mocha, Joe Pierre, Cyril Plazak, George Ranii, james Reber, Martin Rosepink, Rich Trachok and Bill Rudoy.