[7] The Pittsburgh Railways offered bus service from the main campus to the stadium for 10 cents on home game-days.
The class was led by Joe Walton and included Charles Brueckman, Bob Rosborough, Corky Cost, Corny Salvaterra, Dick Scherer, Dale Brown, Herman Canil, Vincent Scorsone, Bob Pollock, James Lenhart, Darrell Lewis, Nick Passodelis, Ambrose Bagamery, Ralph Ciper and Dan Wisnewski, all of whom lettered and helped lead the Panthers to back-to-back bowl games in 1955 and 1956.
Coach Dawson reworked the backfield by replacing returning quarterback Rudy Mattioli, with last year's left halfback, Bob Hoffman.
Former defensive backs Richie McCabe and Chester Rice were named starting halfbacks and Bobby Epps was the fullback.
[15] Sooner guard J. D. Roberts was a consensus All-American, Outland Trophy winner and UPI Lineman of the Year for 1953.
Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were Bob McQuaide, John Paluck, William Schmitt, Howard Linn, Dick Gatz, Glen Tunning, Ed Stowe, Joe Los, Bob Ballock, Pete Neft, Ray Ferguson, Joe Capp, Rudy Mattioli, Paul Blanda and John Jacobs.
[19] Jock Sutherland was honored at halftime with a plaque commemorating his selection to the College Football Hall of Fame.
Late in the third quarter, Nebraska intercepted an errant Henry Ford pass and gained possession on the Panthers 43-yard line.
The Pitt offense ran an 86-yard, 18-play drive with Henry Ford plunging into the end zone as time expired for the touchdown.
Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were Bob McQuaide, Fred Glatz, William Schmitt, Howard Linn, John Cenci, Ed Stowe, Joe Los, Bob Ballock, Pete Neft, Ray Ferguson, Joe Capp, Dick Manson and Paul Blanda.
[20] On October 17, the #15 Pitt Panthers traveled to South Bend, IN to play #1 Notre Dame Fighting Irish for their first of four straight road trips.
[22] The Irish were led by three All-Americans: halfback Johnny Lattner (1953 Heisman Trophy winner), tackle Art Hunter and end Don Penza.
Pitt scored on their first possession by going 66 yards in 9 running plays with Bobby Epps going off tackle from the 8-yard line for the touchdown.
Notre Dame wasted no time to assert its power in the third quarter, as they tackled Epps in the end zone for a safety on Pitt's first possession.
Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were Bob McQuaide, Dick Gatz, William Schmitt, Howard Linn, Ed Stowe, Joe Los, Bob Ballock, Pete Neft, Ray Ferguson, Joe Capp, Dick Manson, Ed Bose, John Paluck, Fred Glatz, Rudy Mattioli, John Jacobs and Paul Blanda.
They were led by quarterback Dick Thomas (third ranked college passer) and All-American end Joe Collier, who set Big Ten records for touchdown receptions (7) and receiving yards (650) in 1952.
With less than 6 minutes remaining Nick Chandler intercepted Pitt quarterback Pete Neft's pass at the Wildcat 32-yard line.
Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were Bob McQuaide, Dick Gatz, Harold Hunter, Joe Los, Pete Neft, Richie McCabe, John Paluck, Fred Glatz, Rudy Mattioli, Ray DiPasquale and Paul Blanda.
We had a little let-down at the start, and Northwestern spread its defense all over the field which threw our kids off for awhile, but once we got going we did fairly well.”[33] In front of 50,965 fans, the Gophers extended their win streak over the Panthers to 7–0 with a 35–14 victory.
Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were Bob McQuaide, Bill Adams, William Schmitt, Harold Hunter, Joe Los, Pete Neft, Ray Ferguson, John Paluck, Fred Glatz, Rudy Mattioli, Joe Capp, Gene Steratore, Dick Manson, Howard Linn, Glen Tunning, Bob Ballock, Ed Bose, Al Bolkovac and Paul Blanda.
As the University officials explained, they 'never have any use for one'.” Coach Dawson elevated guard Hal Hunter, center Ed Bose and halfback Ray Ferguson to the starting line-up.
The bad news for the Panthers was injuries to kicker Paul Blanda (knee) and All-American tackle Eldred Kraemer (dislocated shoulder).
Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were Bob McQuaide, Glen Dillon, William Schmitt, John Cenci, Pete Neft, John Paluck, Fred Glatz, Rudy Mattioli, Joe Capp, Richie McCabe, Dick Manson, Howard Linn, Glen Tunning, Bob Ballock, Ed Johnson, Al Bolkovac, Bobby Grier, Don Michaels, Ray DiPasquale, William Cessar and Paul Blanda.
Starting right tackle Eldred Kraemer and right end Dick Deitrick were replaced by sophomores Howard Linn and John Paluck.
Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were Bob McQuaide, Glen Dillon, Paul Kacik, Joe Los, William Schmitt, Rudy Grunder, Ken Voytell, Don Agafon, Bob Verna, John Cenci, Pete Neft, Fred Glatz, Rudy Mattioli, Richie McCabe, Glen Tunning, Bob Ballock, Gary LeDonne, Ed Johnson, Al Bolkovac, Gene Steratore, Bobby Grier, Don Michaels, Ray DiPasquale, Bill Hoffman, Chester Rice, Bob Keisel, John Jacobs, William Cessar and Paul Blanda.
Coach Rip Engle's Lions were led by 2 future All-Pros - halfback Lenny Moore and tackle Roosevelt Grier.
Coach Dawson told The Pitt News: “We'll give an all-out effort to win this one.”[48] In front of 42,277 fans, it was de'ja vu as the Nittany Lions beat the Panthers 17–0 for the second year in a row.
After a scoreless first period, State scored early in the second on a 15-yard field goal by Jim Garrity to cap a 12-play, 75-yard drive.
The Pitt defense intercepted 4 passes (3 by Henry Ford to tie Bimbo Cecconi's one-game record) or the score could have been much worse.
Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were Bob McQuaide, Glen Dillon, William Schmitt, John Cenci, William Cessar, Ed Stowe, Pete Neft, John Paluck, Fred Glatz, Rudy Mattioli, Joe Capp, Richie McCabe, Gene Steratore, Glen Tunning, Bob Ballock, Ed Johnson, Al Bolkovac, Bobby Grier, Don Michaels, Bill Hoffman and William Cessar.