The Panthers lost their first three games of the season under third year head coach Red Dawson, before he stepped down due to poor health.
Pittsburgh's athletic director, Tom Hamilton, appointed himself interim head coach and led the team to a 4–2 record over their final six games of the season.
The initial roster included 18 lettermen, 22 sophomores from the previous year's freshmen team, 2 transfers and an Army returnee.
Quarterback Bill Amos and tackle Jim Dalrymple transferred from Maryland, and end Walt Belich, who played for Pitt in 1950, returned from his service duty.
No drills were held on Tuesdays and Fridays due to late labs for the medical, dental and engineering students.
[10][11] On September 24,(a rare Friday night game), the Panthers opened their season against the USC Trojans in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
USC beat the Panthers in the 1930 and 1933 Rose Bowl games, but then Pitt won the 1934 and 1935 regular season meetings.
After a 9-hour Pan American flight, they arrived in LA, and had a “workout under the lights at the Coliseum.” Radio Station KDKA broadcast the game back to Pittsburgh.
At the start of the final period, Pitt fullback Tom Jenkins injured his ankle and had to be helped off the field.
Substitutes appearing in the game for Pittsburgh were Bob McQuaide, Fred Glatz, Bill Cessar, Bob Pollack, Harold Hunter, Bob Ballock, Ed Bose, Joe Los, Bill Schmitt, Herman Canil, Howard Linn, Dick Scherer, Darrell Lewis, Jim Lenhart, Corny Salvaterra, Charles Cost, Nick Passodelis, Gene Steratore, Richie McCabe and Robert Grier.
Quarterback/kicker Geno Cappelletti, halfback Bob McNamara and end Gordy Soltau were future pros in the Minnesota lineup.
Minnesota led 13–0 at the end of the opening quarter on a 24-yard touchdown pass from Geno Cappelletti to Bob McNamara and a 3-yard run by Frank Backman.