The Student-Alumni Committee agreed with some issues, but recommended that the Athletic Director, James Hagan, be fired and Coach Milligan be retained.
[13] After receiving the conflicting reports, the Chancellor formed another committee, the Panel of Five, led by long-time supporter Floyd Rose to come to a consensus.
1948 Heisman Trophy winner, Doak Walker, and future All-American, Kyle Rote, led the Mustangs offense.
Substitutes appearing in the game for the Panthers were Nick DeRosa, Earl Sumpter, Robert Mihm, Ralph Coleman, Charles Thomas, Charles Yost, Anthony Razzano, Laurice Pierce, Flint Greene, George Steingraber, Donald Fisher, William Hardisty, Bimbo Cecconi, Carl DePasqua, Louis Meillo, Robert Becker, Peter Fuderich and Joseph Cherol.
The Irish line-up had three consensus All-Americans – end Leon Hart, guard Bill Fischer and halfback, Emil Sitko.
Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were Earl Sumpter, Nick DeRosa, Ted Geremsky, Russell Phillips, Frank Capello, Robert Mihm, Ralph Coleman, Ray Johnson, George Radosevich, Bernie Barkouskie, Mike Boldin, Len Radnor, George Steingraber, Bimbo Cecconi, Louis Melillo, Tony DeMatteo, Bill Abraham, Walt Cummins, Joseph O'Bara, Jack Smodic, Carl DePasqua, William Hardisty and Joseph Cherol.
Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were Earl Sumpter, Ted Geremski, Robert Mihm, Ralph Coleman, George Radosevich, Bernie Barkouskie, Len Radnor, Mike Boldin, Nick DeRosa, Walt Cummins, Pete Fuderich, Bimbo Cecconi, Bill Bruno, Lindaro Lauro, William Hardisty, Jack Smodic, Emil Rader, Carl DePasqua and Bill Abraham.
With less than a minute remaining in the game, Pitt's Jack Smodic intercepted a deflected Dick Melka pass and raced 45-yards for the final touchdown.
Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were Ted Geremsky, Nick DeRosa, Earl Sumpter, Robert Mihm, George Radosevich, Charles Yost, Flint Greene, Len Radnor, Mike Boldin, Ralph Coleman, William Samer, Pete Fuderich, Walt Cummins, Bimbo Cecconi, Jack Smodic, Lindaro Lauro, Bill Abraham and Carl DePasqua.
In the second period, McPeak recovered a George Taliaferro fumble and the Pitt offense advanced the ball 71-yards, with Bob Becker carrying it into the end zone from the 2-yard line.
With one minute and ten seconds remaining in the game, Bimbo Cecconi fair caught Taliaferro's punt on the Panther 38-yard line.
The Pitt News reported: "Jimmy Joe juggled the ball, wheeled caught it again and sped off into the promised land with a grin on his face that extended from one side of the Stadium to the other.
Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were Ted Germenski, Nick DeRosa, Robert Mihm, Flint Greene, Ralph Coleman, Wilbur Forsythe, Charles Yost, Andy Kisiday, Charles Thomas, Len Radnor, Walt Cummins, Pete Federich, Bimbo Cecconi, Joseph O'Bara, Bill Abraham, William Hardisty, Jack Smodic and Carl DePaqua.
Pitt center, Don Fisher, and guard, Bernie Barkouskie, injured in the Indiana game were replaced in the starting line-up by Len Radnor and Charles Yost.
Pitt running back Bob Becker scored all three touchdowns and Nick Bolkovac converted two extra points (the third was blocked).
The Red Cats kicked off to start the second half, and Western end, Leo Spann, recovered the loose ball on the Panthers 6-yard line.
Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were Nick DeRosa, Ted Geremsky, Flint Greene, Robert Mihm, Andy Kisaday, George Steingraber, Mike Boldin, Wilbur Forsythe, Ralph Coleman, Earl Sumpter, Walt Cummins, Pete Fuderich, William Hardisty, Bobby Lee, Rader, Jack Smodic, Jimmy Robinson, Carl DePasqua and Joseph Cherol.
Five players scored touchdowns – Joe Whisler (2), Gerry Krall, Alex Verdova, Sonny Gandee and James Hague.
An 80-yard punt return by Ohio back Jimmy Clark was negated by an off-side penalty, and the Buckeyes were on the Pitt 1-yard line as the game ended, or the score could have been worse.
Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were Earl Sumpter, Ted Geremsky, Nick DeRosa, Flint Greene, Robert Mihm, Ralph Coleman, Wilbur Forsythe, Charles Yost, Andy Kisaday, Earl Thomas, Mike Boldin, Laurice Pierce, George Steingraber, George Radosevich, Louis Melillo, Pete Fuderich, Bobby Lee, Lindaro Lauro, William Hardisty, Bill Abraham and Bob Becker.
Left end, Leo Skladany, right guard, Charles Thomas, halfback, Jack Smodic and quarterback, Pete Fuderich, all had hip problems.
[57] Coach Milligan's banged-up Panthers defied the oddsmakers, and ran their record to 5–3, by upsetting the two-touchdown favored Boilermakers 20–13.
With less than a minute to play, Purdue back Kenny Gorgal returned an Andy Hardisty punt 82-yards for a touchdown and Trbovich added the placement.
Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were Leo Skladany, Nick DeRosa, Flint Greene, Robert Mihm, Wilbur Forsythe, Charles Yost, Charles Thomas, David Karanovich, Don Fisher, Len Radnor, Walt Cummins, Pete Fuderich, Bobby Lee, William Hardisty, Lindaro Lauro, Bill Abraham and Bob Becker.
[60] Halfbacks, Fran Rogel and Elwood Petchel, and linemen, Sam Tamburo and Paul Kelly received All-America recognition.
Nine seniors on the Panthers squad played their final college game: Bill McPeak and Leo Skladany, ends; Wilbur Forsythe and Ralph Coleman, tackles; Don Fisher, center; Walt Cummins and Pete Fuderich, quarterbacks; and Tony Matteo and Jack Smodic, halfbacks.
They defied logic for the second week in a row by dashing Penn State's hopes for a major bowl bid.
On third down Lion quarterback, Elwood Petchel's pass was deflected by Pitt tackle Ralph Coleman into teammate Nick Bolkovac's hands and he ran untouched 23-yards to the end zone.
Penn State advanced the ball deep into Pitt territory but Bobby Lee intercepted Petchel's pass on the 5-yard line.
Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were Ted Geremsky, Flint Greene, Robert Mihm, Charles Yost, Len Radnor, George Radosevich, Charles Thomas, Wilbur Forsythe, Robert Plotz, Pete Fuderich, Walt Cummins, Lindaro Lauro, Bill Hardisty, Bill Abraham and Bob Becker.