The 1932 Pittsburgh Panthers football team was an American football team that represented the University of Pittsburgh as an independent during the 1932 college football season. In its ninth season under head coach Jock Sutherland, the team compiled an 8–1–2 record, shut out eight of its eleven opponents, suffered its sole loss to USC in the 1933 Rose Bowl, and outscored all opponents by a total of 182 to 60. The team played its home games at Pitt Stadium in Pittsburgh.
Although there was no AP Poll to determine a national champion in 1932, the Knute K. Rockne Trophy was presented at the end of the season to the team deemed to be the national champion using the Dickinson System, a rating system developed by Frank G. Dickinson, a professor of economics of the University of Illinois. Michigan won the Rockne Trophy. Pittsburgh was ranked third.
Halfback Warren Heller and end Joe Skladany were both consensus first-team selections to the 1932 All-America team, and center Joseph Tormey earned third team United Press All-America honors.
Schedule
Preseason
Paul Reider was elected by his teammates to captain the Panthers, and W. Don Harrison announced that Jack McParland and Elmer Rosenblum were selected to be co-student managers for the varsity team through the 1932 football season.
On March 18, Coach Sutherland welcomed 60 candidates to spring practice. The Post-Gazette reported: "The Pitt coach is anxious to get under way, as he has the task of building an entirely new varsity line, as well as finding a punter...ahead of him." The spring session came to an end on April 23 with a regulation football game between the varsity and second team. Sophomore Henry Weisenbaugh scored a touchdown in the second quarter for the second teamers. Varsity back Warren Heller tied the score in the third period, but Clarence Hasson of the second team broke the tie in the last stanza with his touchdown and Zora Alpert added the point after. The second team triumphed 13 to 6.
On September 8, 50 Pitt players reported to Camp Hamilton for two weeks of preseason training. The Sun-Telegraph observed: "Despite the fact that the hardest football schedule in Pitt history lies ahead, and the entire varsity wall of 1931 rated by many the best in Pitt history is missing, Sutherland is so well pleased by the condition of his team and by the mental attitude of the players that he is almost able to forget his troubles for five or ten minutes at a time."
Due to the Depression, the athletic department lowered the ticket prices for the 1932 schedule. Box seat season tickets were lowered from $23.00 to $18.50; sideline seats from $15.00 to $14.00; and end seats from $9.50 to $7.60. Individual game tickets were lowered fifty cents to a dollar depending on the section. Boys under 16 were admitted to the Ohio Northern game for a dime, and the special boys' price was a quarter for the remaining home games.
Coaching staff 1932 Pittsburgh Panthers football staff Coaching staff John B. "Jock" Sutherland – Head coach Andy Gustafson – Assistant coach Joe Donchess – assistant end coach Ray Montgomery – assistant guard coach Bill Kern – assistant tackle coach Edward Baker – assistant backfield coach Eddie Schultz – assistant line coach Ulhardt Hangartner – Assistant coach - scout Roscoe “Skip” Gougler – Freshman coach Ralph Daugherty – Assistant coach Support staff Dr. Ralph Shanor – team physician George Moore – team trainer Percy S. Browne – custodian of equipment W. D. Harrison - director of athletics James Hagan – assistant director of athletics Frank Carver – Publicity Director Elmer Rosenblum – co-student manager Jack McParland – co-student manager
Roster
1932 Pittsburgh Panthers football roster Paul Reider*halfback75' 10" 1561933Bellefonte Academy New Castle. PA Theodore Dailey*end105' 10" 1621933Phillipsburg H. S. Phillipsburg, NJ John Meredith*tackle 96'1801934Bellefonte AcademyFairmont, WV Ken Ormiston*guard8 5' 11"1741935Kiski SchoolPittsburgh, PA Joseph Tormey*center115' 11" 1801933Erie Academy Erie, PA Tarciscio Onder*guard115' 11" 1971934Jeannette H. S.Jeannette, PA Robert Hoel*tackle8 5' 11"1931935Evanston Twp. H. S.Evanston, IL Joe Skladany*end115' 8"1841934Larksville H. S.Larksville, PA Robert Hogan*quarterback115' 10" 1801934Meadville H. S.Meadville, PA Warren Heller*halfback115' 10"1551933Steelton H. S.Steelton, PA John Luchfullback2 5' 10"1901933Warwood H. S.Wheeling, WV Louis Wojcihovskiend 46' 1"1701935Weston H. S.Weston, WV Paul Cuba*guard115' 11" 1801933New Castle H. S.New Castle, PA Francis Seigel*guard65' 10" 1731933Central H. S. Sioux City, IA George Shotwell*center9 5' 10"1651935Hanover Twp. H. S.Wilkes-Barre, PA Charles Hartwig*guard115' 11" 1701934Warwood H. S. Wheeling, WV John Lovetackle36' 1"1961934Jeannette H. S.Jeannette, PA Robert Timmonsend 56' 1681934Allegheny H. S.Pittsburgh, PA Rocco Cutriquarterback56'1701933Erie Academy Erie, PA Melvin Brownhalfback25' 9"1601933Central H. S.Pittsburgh, PA Mike Sebastian*halfback115' 10" 1671934Sharon H. S.Sharon, Pa. Isadore Weinstock*fullback11 6'1941935Coughlin H. S.Wilkes-Barre, PA Karl P. Seiffertend3 6'1751935Jeannette H. S.Jeannette, PA Frank Walton*tackle11 5' 10"1971934Beaver Falls H. S.Beaver Falls, PA Frank W. Kutzguard1 6'1801935Montgomery SchoolMcKeesport, PA Leslie C. Wilkinscenter1 5' 10"1781935Kiski SchoolRock Falls, IL George Kasarisguard06'1761935Danielson H. S.Danielson, CT John Valentitackle56' 2" 2301934Pierce School (Phila.) Media, PA Harvey E. Rooker*end10 6' 1"1791935Tarentum H. S.Tarentum, PA Jack Schrickerend05' 10"1601934Carrick H. S.Carrick, PA Michael Nicksickhalfback3 5' 10"1641935Burgettstown H. S.Burgettstown, PA Richard Matesichalfback55' 11"1761934Bellefonte AcademyWheeling, WV Henry A. Weisenbaugh*halfback10 5'10"1741935Tarentum H. S.Tarentum, PA William Hassonfullback15' 7"1701934South H. S.Pittsburgh, PA Miller Munjas*halfback10 5' 10"1601935Bellaire H. S.Bellaire, OH Nicholas Kliskeyfullback15' 7"1861935Scott H. S.North Braddock, PA Howard O'Dell*halfback65' 9" 1601934Central H. S. Sioux City, IA James Simmshalfback45' 10" 1651934Kiski SchoolMonongahela, PA Marwood Starkguard2 5' 10"1691935Allentown H. S.Allentown, PA George Schindehutteguard1 5' 9"1701933McKees Rocks H. S. McKees Rocks, PA Arthur Craftend16'1791934New Castle H. S.New Castle, PA Frank Tiernantackle16' 1851934 Sewickley H. S. Sewickley, PA Karl Kleinburgtackle 16'1801935Collinwood H. S.Cleveland, OH Arthur Sekay*halfback1 5' 9"1551933Schenley H. S.Pittsburgh, PA Arthur Ruffhalfback0 5' 9"1501935Etna H. S.Etna, PA Walter Balasiahalfback 15' 10"1601935Hanover Twp. H. S.Wilkes-Barre, PA Howard Geliniquarterback15' 10"1701934Weirton H. S.Weirton, WV William Hamelguard 15' 10"1691935Carrick H.S.Carrick, PA Stanley Oleojnicsaktackle3 5' 11"1801935Bellaire H. S.Bellaire, OH Edward Thompsontackle16' 1971935 Philadelphia, PA Theodore Schudaend05' 10"1701935 Trafford, PA John E. McParland*co-student manager 1934Peabody H. S. Pittsburgh, PA Elmer Rosenblum*co-student manager 1933Stamford H. S.Stamford, CT * Letterman
Game summaries
Ohio Northern
The Panthers opened their season at home on September 24 against the Ohio Northern Polar Bears, who last played Pitt in 1913. Pitt led the series 6–0 and had outscored the Polar Bears 179–0. Second-year head coach Harris Lamb led the 1931 team to a record setting 6–2 season. The Pitt News noted: "The Ohio boys are not exactly hopeful of beating the Panthers, but expect to offer more opposition than was afforded by Miami U., which faded before Pitt's attack in last year's opener."
Chester L. Smith of The Pittsburgh Press wrote: "This afternoon's match with the Polar Bears from Ada, O., is counted on by Dr. Jock Sutherland, the Pitt coach, to enable him to try out his first, second and third elevens. Captain Reider and his varsity mates will be on the field at the kickoff, but they will not remain in action long." Projected starter, fullback John Luch (appendicitis) was the only Panther on the roster unable to play.
Pitt drubbed the Polar Bears 47–0, as forty-three Panthers saw action. The Panthers scored seven touchdowns. Both Warren Heller and James Simms each scored two. Isadore Weinstock, Paul Reider and Richard Matesic contributed one apiece. Weinstock kicked three extra points and Tarciscio Onder converted two. Pitt accumulated 120 yards in penalties, which cost them three more scoring chances. The Pitt defense was also impressive as, it only allowed one first down and held the Northern offense to negative 74 yards for the game.
The Polar Bears finished the season with a 4–2–1 record. The Pittsburgh Panthers and Ohio Northern Polar Bears would not meet on the gridiron again.
The Pitt starting lineup for the game against Ohio Northern was Theodore Dailey (left end), Paul Cuba left tackle), Charles Hartwig (left guard), Joseph Tormey (center), Tarciscio Onder (right guard), Robert Hoel (right tackle), Joseph Skladany (right end), Bob Hogan (quarterback), Warren Heller (left halfback), Paul Reider (right halfback) and Isadore Weinstock (fullback). Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were Louis Wojcihovski, Harvey Rooker, Arthur Craft, John Meredith, John Valenti, Ken Ormiston, Marwood Stark, George Shindehutte, George Shotwell, Leslie Wilkins, Francis Seigel, Frank Tiernan, Robert Timmons, Frank Walton, John Love, Stanley Oleojnicsak, Rocco Cutri, Miller Munjas, Howard O'Dell, James Simms, Melvin Brown, Walter Balasia, Mike Sebastian, Richard Matesic, Nicolas Kliskey, Arthur Sekay, Henry Weisenbaugh and Clarence Hasson.
At West Virginia
On October 1, the 28th edition of the Backyard Brawl was played at Mountaineer Field in Morgantown, WV. The Panthers led the series 18–8–1. Second-year coach Greasy Neale's squad was 0–1 after being upset at Forbes Field by Duquesne (3–0) in their opening game. The Mountaineers were optimistic playing on their home turf, but their lineup was missing two starters due to injuries – end Will Sortet and fullback Patsy Slate. The Pitt Weekly noted: "When West Virginia wins a football game, that's news for Morgantown, but when West Virginia happens to beat Pitt, the football season for the Mountaineers is regarded as a howling success."
On Friday, September 30, the Panther entourage bussed to Uniontown, PA for an overnight stay. The team arrived in Morgantown on Saturday morning. They lunched at the Morgantown Country Club prior to suiting up for the game. Coach Sutherland's lineup was missing two starters. Captain Paul Reider was injured in the Ohio Northern game, and center Joseph Tormey contracted a severe cold. Mike Sebastian replaced Reider and George Shotwell replaced Tormey.
Home field was no advantage, as the Panthers manhandled the Mountaineers. Mike Sebastian, Warren Heller and Isadore Weinstock each scored a touchdown in the first quarter, and Weinstock added two placements for a 20 to 0 lead. Sutherland enlisted the second team for the second period in which fullback Henry Weisenbaugh scampered 6 yards for his first touchdown and Dick Matesic added the point after. The Panthers led 27 to 0 at halftime. The Pitt lineup of second and third stringers added a touchdown in both the third and fourth quarters. First Weisenbaugh, and then Howard Gelini carried the ball across the goal line, while Matesic added one placement to finalize the score at 40 to 0. West Virginia finished the season with a 5–5 record.
Statistically, the Panthers dominated for the second week in a row. Offensively, Pitt earned 16 first downs and netted 419 yards. Defensively, they held West Virginia to 2 first downs and a net of 26 yards.