On March 12, Chancellor Rufus Fitzgerald announced the hiring of Ohio State grad Wesley E. Fesler as the 18th head football coach at the University of Pittsburgh.

"[14] By April 3, Fesler's staff was complete with the addition of Dick Fisher, Lyal Clark and Ralph Fife.

The coaches cut 15 deemed as unfit, and the Army drafted starting halfback James Robinson and center Jim Stopford.

[23] Illinois coach Ray Eliot had a veteran squad that was favored to win the Western Conference title.

Pitt answered after Louis "Bimbo" Cecconi intercepted a Julius Rykovich pass on the Illini 37-yard line and returned it to the 22.

After intermission, Buddy Young, Art Dufelmeier, Paul Patterson and Chick Maggioli each scored a touchdown, and Don Maechtle converted three of five extra points.

[29] Even though the Panthers lost 2 starters early in the game to injuries (end Leo Skladany and running back Bobby Lee), Coach Fesler was pleased with the overall effort.

Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were Walt Cummins, John Gregg, William Mihm, Frank Capello, Morris Harris, William Hardesty, Michael Roussos, Dan Cerrone, George Ranii, George Johnson, John Kosh, Earl Sumpter, Henry Clougherty, William Bruno, Louis Cecconi, Peter Fuderich, Michael Sprock, Jack Pepper, Ralph Short and Peter Daley.

[32] Prior to his entering the service, Mountaineer halfback Buddy Freeze, played his freshman year at Pitt.

Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were John Gregg, William Mihm, Schneider, Morris Harris, Michael Roussos, William Hardesty, Martin Rosepink, Dan Cerrone, Joseph Massey, Henry Clougherty, George Ranii, George Johnson, John Kosh, Ralph Coleman, Sam Haddad, Romeo Gallifa, Carl DePasqua, Peter Fuderich, John LaFrankie, Jack Banbury, Ralph Short, Michael Sprock, Peter Daley, Robert Teitt, Joe Rubino, Eugene Gaugler and Leonard Radnor.

[36] On October 5, the Panthers traveled to South Bend to play the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame for the fifteenth time.

[39] Since the Panthers had 9 players on the injured list (Lindaro Lauro, Leo Skladany, Jack Smodic, Bob Lee, Mike Roussos, Bill Hardesty, Frank Capello, Romeo Galiffa and John Banbury), Notre Dame was heavily favored to win their home opener.

Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were Leo Skladany, William Mihm, John Gregg, Wilbur Forsythe, Morris Harris, Martin Rosepink, John Kosh, George Johnson, George Ranii, Ralph Coleman, Henry Clougherty, Sam Haddad,Leonard Radnor, Carl DePasqua, Ralph Short, Michael Sprock, Peter Fuderich, John LaFrankie, Victor Pepper, Joe Rubino, Chester Radnor, Matthew Gebel and Robert Teitt.

Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were Walt Cummins, Martin Rosepink, Wilbur Forsythe, George Ranii, Frank Kosh, Sam Haddad, Lou Cecconi, Joe Rubino and Robert Teitt.

Due to the continuing hotel strike, the 37 squad members (minus seven injured first stringers) were housed in their Pullman cars.

Linemen Bill Coury and Bob Plotz had sore shoulders and were replaced by Wilbur Forsythe and John Kosh.

Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were Walt Cummins, William Mihm, John Gregg, Mike Roussos, Martin Rosepink, George Ranii, Joseph Massey, Sam Haddad, Jack Smodic, Louis Cecconi, Jack Banbury, Robert Lee, Matt Gebel and Len Radnor.

[55] Purdue guard Dick Barwegan received All-America mention, but the two notable members of the squad were future coaching greats, Hank Stram and John McKay.

Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were Walt Cummins, William Mihm, Wilbur Forsythe, Martin Rosepink, George Ranii, Sam Haddad, Gene Gaugler, Jack Smodic, Louis Cecconi, Bob Hum, John LaFrankie, Len Radnor and Lindara Lauro.

[57] Fullback Pete Pihos, quarterback Ben Raimondi and center John Cannady received All-American mention.

[58] McMillin told his squad: "the Panthers are 'corn-cob rough' and predicted the Hoosiers 'will be ripe for a pickin' unless we're ready to play our best football.

Hoosier fullback Pete Pihos ran in from the two-yard line, and Charley Armstrong added the point after to give Indiana the lead.

The Panthers managed to play the final period in Indiana territory, but were unable to capitalize due to fumbles and penalties.

Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were Walt Cummins, William Mihm, William Goelz, Martin Rosepink, Mike Roussos, Morris Harris, John Kosh, Ralph Coleman, Sam Haddad, Jack Smodic, Louis Cecconi, John LaFrankie, Lindara Lauro and Ralph Short.

After a scoreless first quarter, Ohio State back Alex Verdova fumbled a Carl DePasqua punt and Pitt guard Bernie Barkouskie recovered on the Buckeye 19-yard line.

In the third period, Spencer threw a 54-yard touchdown pass to Robert Brugge and Schnittker's placement was good to give the Buckeyes the lead.

Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were Walt Cummins, William Mihm, Martin Rosepink, Wilbur Forsythe, William Coury, Ralph Coleman, Sam Haddad, Lee Ward, Louis Cecconi, John LaFrankie, Lindara Lauro and George Matich.

[67] On November 23, Pitt's final game of the season was against Bob Higgins' Penn State Lions who sported a 6–1 record.

Lou Cecconi completed a 12-yard touchdown pass to Leo Skladany and Coury's extra point upped Pitt's lead to 14–0.

Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were Walt Cummins, William Goelz, Martin Rosepink, Wilbur Forsythe, Mike Roussos, Bernie Barkouskie, William Coury, Ralph Coleman, Sam Haddad, Louis Cecconi, John LaFrankie and Lindara Lauro.