The de-emphasis of the football program was felt most strongly from 1965 through 1972. Bill Cabin wrote in the April 28, 1965 Pitt News: “Rumors about financial problems have been circulating since November, and Chancellor Edward H. Litchfield admits the university is under financial stress.” Three assistant coaches (Ernie Hefferle, Bill Kaliden, Joe Pullikines) resigned along with head trainer Frank Weichec. Athletic Director Frank Carver dismissed the idea that finances influenced their decisions, but they all received jobs with substantial pay increases.[13] On May 22, while Chancellor Litchfield attempted to solicit donations and funding, he suffered a heart attack. On July 28, he decided to resign and Dr. Stanton C. Crawford was named Acting Chancellor. On August 23, 1966, the University of Pittsburgh became a state-related school.[14][15]
Athletic Director, Frank Carver, hired former Pitt end Bob Rosborough, former Panther tackle Dick Mills and former Penn and Rutgers head coach John Stiegman to complete Michelosen's staff.[16][17][18] Due to the assistant coaching matters, the football staff was able to only recruit 16 incoming freshmen.[19]
On March 18, Coach Michelosen welcomed 67 varsity hopefuls, including 20 lettermen, for spring practice. The NCAA allowed 20 days of practice, but the Pitt trimester break interfered with the calendar. The Blue-White intra-squad game was played on April 24. The Blues beat the Whites 30–25. Halfback Eric Crabtree scored 4 touchdowns for the winners. Quarterback Jim Alcorn threw 2 touchdown passes to end Bob Longo for the losing side.[20][21]
On Sunday August 22, over 60 Panthers reported to the Stadium for their final camp, under the direction of Coach Michelosen, at Allegheny College. On Monday the squad bussed to Meadville. Tuesday was photo day, and on Wednesday 10 days of two-a-day drills began. On Saturday, September 4 a final scrimmage was played before bussing back to Pittsburgh for 12 more days of preparation prior to their opening game.[22]
Tom Trovato 8-yard pass to Scott Cress (Scholl kick)
ORE 10–7
3
ORE
Cress 6-yard run (Scholl kick)
ORE 17–7
4
PITT
Dyer 9-yard pass to Mitch Zalnasky (Dyer pass to Eric Crabtree)
ORE 17–15
The Panthers opened the season against Coach Len Casanova's Oregon Ducks. Pitt led the all-time series 2–1, but Oregon had won the previous game played in Portland, OR. Pitt and Oregon have not met since on the gridiron.[23]
In front of an opening day crowd of 31,916 at Pitt Stadium, Oregon evened the all-time series at 2–2 with a 17–15 victory. After a scoreless opening period, the Ducks offense stalled on the Pitt 23-yard line and Len Scholl booted a 36-yard field goal. Pitt answered with a 13-play, 80-yard drive capped by a 1-yard touchdown dive by Bob Dyer. Frank Clark kicked the extra point. Pitt led 7–3 at halftime. The Oregon offense scored twice in the third period. First, halfback Scott Cress caught an 8-yard pass from Tom Trovato to end an 11-play, 72-yard drive. Then, the Oregon defense forced a punt and drove 87 yards for their final touchdown. Cress ran around left end for 6-yards. Scholl converted both extra points. In the final quarter, the Panthers offense drove deep inside Oregon territory to the 25-yard line but lost the ball on a fumble. They got the ball back, drove to the 5-yard line and fumbled again. The next Pitt drive ended with a Bob Dyer 8-yard touchdown pass to Mitch Zalnasky. Fullback Barry McKnight's run cut the lead to 2 points. The Panthers managed to regain possession and move the ball to the Ducks 8-yard line, but Kenny Lucas threw an interception and Oregon was able to run out the clock.[24]
The Pitt starting lineup for the game against Oregon was Mitch Zalnasky (left end), Tom Raymond (left tackle), Gabe Tamburino (left guard), Fred Hoaglin (center), Tom Qualey (right guard), Jim Jones (right tackle), Mike Rosborough (right end), Ken Lucas (quarterback), Eric Crabtree (left halfback), Bob Dyer (right halfback) and Barry McKnight (fullback). Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were Ed Assid, Bob Longo, Greg Keller, John Verkleeren, Phil Dahar, Howard Heit, John Schmidt, Al Keiser, Robert Trethaway, Robert Guzinsky, George Macko, Ray Radakovich, Joe Novogratz,Tom Crosby, David Merrill, Tom Mitrakos, Jock Beachler, John Boucek, Bob Bazylak, Joe Pohl, James Dodaro, Dale Stewart, Joe Curtin, Gerald Rife, Jim Flanigan, Mike Raklewicz, Andy McGraw and Frank Clark.[25]
Kenny Lucas 22-yard pass to Eric Crabtree (James Jones kick)
PITT 7–3
2
PITT
Lucas 8-yard pass to Mitch Zalnasky (kick failed)
PITT 13–3
4
OKLA
John Hammond 8-yard pass to Gordon Brown (pass failed)
PITT 13–9
On September 5, the Panthers hosted Coach Gomer Jones' Oklahoma Sooners for the third time in their series. Oklahoma had not lost to the Panthers and led the all-time series 4–0–1. Coach Jones had 20 returning lettermen on his roster, including All-American linebacker Carl McAdams.[26]
Pitt managed to thrill the crowd of 24,452 fans by beating the Sooners 13–9. After a scoreless first quarter, in which the Panthers botched a field goal attempt, the Oklahoma offense moved to the Pitt 7-yard line and converted a Ron Shotts field goal. The Pitt offense answered with a 66-yard, 6-play drive, capped with a 22-yard touchdown pass from Kenny Lucas to Eric Crabtree. James Jones added the extra point. Then, with less than 2 minutes left in the half, a 14-yard punt gave Pitt possession on the Sooners 28-yard line. Lucas connected with end Mitch Zalnasky on three straight passes. The final 8-yard reception produced the touchdown. Jones' kick went wide left and Pitt lead 13–3. The Panthers squandered two scoring chances in the second half. Sooner guard Glanville Liggins blocked a 33-yard field goal attempt by Jones. Later Pitt drove to the 4-yard line and ended up turning the ball over on downs on the 9-yard line. Oklahoma started their 8-play, 91-yard touchdown drive with less than 6 minutes remaining. Quarterback John Hammond threw a 8-yard touchdown pass to Gordon Brown to cut the lead to 4 points. A fake placement attempt was intercepted by Pitt linebacker Tom Mitrakos. Oklahoma halfback Tom Pannell led all rushers with 82 yards. Barry McKnight's 43 yards led the Panthers. The crucial stat was Pitt punter Andy McGraw averaged 44 yards on 5 punts, while Sooner Tom Stidam averaged 29.9 on 7 kicks. [27]
The Pitt starting lineup for the game against Oklahoma was Mitch Zalnasky (left end), Tom Raymond (left tackle), Gabe Tamburino (left guard), Fred Hoaglin (center), Tom Qualey (right guard), Jim Jones (right tackle), Mike Rosborough (right end), Ken Lucas (quarterback), Eric Crabtree (left halfback), Bob Dyer (right halfback) and Barry McKnight (fullback). Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were Ed Assid, Bob Longo, Greg Keller, Phil Dahar, George Hawryluk, Howard Heit, John Schmidt, Al Keiser, Robert Trethaway, Robert Guzinsky, Dave Drake, David Randour, Richard Genter, Joe Novogratz,Tom Crosby, Tom Mitrakos, Jock Beachler, John Boucek, Ed James, Bob Bazylak, Joe Pohl, James Dodaro, Dale Stewart, Joe Curtin, Gerald Rife, Jim Flanigan, Mike Raklewicz, Dewey Chester and Andy McGraw.[28]
Dick Rader 72-yard pass from Allen McCune (Kinder kick)
WVU 14–0
2
WVU
Rader 14-yard pass from McCune (Kinder kick)
WVU 21–0
2
PITT
Mike Rosborough 13-yard pass from Kenny Lucas (James Jones kick)
WVU 21–7
2
PITT
Kenny Lucas 2-yard run (run failed)
WVU 21–13
2
WVU
Garrett Ford 58-yard run (Kinder kick)
WVU 28–13
2
PITT
Barry McKnight 2-yard run (Jones kick)
WVU 28–20
3
PITT
Eric Crabtree 43-yard pass from Lucas (Lucas run)
TIED 28–28
3
WVU
McCune 1-yard run (Kinder kick)
WVU 35–28
3
PITT
Crabtree 71-yard run (pass failed)
WVU 35–34
4
WVU
Jim Harris 17-yard pass from McCune (Kinder kick)
WVU 42–34
4
PITT
Crabtree 92-yard kick-off (Lucas pass to Mitch Zalnasky)
TIED 42–42
4
WVU
Rader 15-yard pass from McCune (Kinder kick)
WVU 49–42
4
PITT
Bob Dyer 1-yard run (run failed)
WVU 49–48
4
WVU
Ford 59-yard pass from McCune (Kinder kick)
WVU 56–48
4
WVU
Ford 5-yard run (Kinder kick)
WVU 63–48
On October 2, the Panthers went to Morgantown, WV for the 58th Backyard Brawl. Pitt lead the all-time series 41–15–1, but the teams had split the past eight games. Sixth-year head coach Gene Corum returned 25 lettermen from the team that lost 14–0 at Pitt Stadium the previous season.[29]
In front of a record sell-out crowd of 35,000 fans, West Virginia beat Pitt 63–48. In the highest scoring game of the series, the Pitt Panthers offense scored 7 touchdowns, kicked 2 extra points and converted 2-2 point conversions for 48 points, but the Pitt defense gave up 9 touchdowns and 9 extra points. Other records set were: highest losing score (48); total offense (624 yards WVU); passing yardage (320 yards WVU); touchdown passes (5 by Allen McCune WVU); rushing yardage in a quarter (133 yards by Garrett Ford). Eric Crabtree led Pitt with 3 touchdowns. He gained 75 yards rushing on 4 carries, had 3 pass receptions for 76 yards and returned a kick-off 92-yards to tie the game at 42. Halfbacks Dick Rader and Garrett Ford each scored three touchdowns for the Mountaineers.[30]
The Pitt starting lineup for the game against West Virginia was Mitch Zalnasky (left end), Tom Raymond (left tackle), Gabe Tamburino (left guard), Fred Hoaglin (center), Tom Qualey (right guard), Jim Jones (right tackle), Mike Rosborough (right end), Kenny Lucas (quarterback), Bob Dyer (left halfback), Eric Crabtree (right halfback) and Barry McKnight (fullback). Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were Phil Dahar, Ed Assid, Bob Longo, John Verkleeren, Greg Keller, Al Keiser, Robert Guzinsky, Howard Heit, John Schmidt, Robert Trethaway, Dave Drake, David Randour, Brian Bubnis, Tom Crosby, James Dodaro, Mickey Depp, Jim Flanigan, Tom Mitrakos, Joe Novogratz, William Boucek, Ken Perry, Dale Stewart, Gerald Rife, Joseph Pohl, Joe Curtin, Bob Bazylak and Andy McGraw.[30]
Chuck Drulis 17-yard pass from Scotty Glacken (Caldwell kick)
DUKE 14–7
2
DUKE
Glacken 2-yard run (fCaldwell kick)
DUKE 21–7
4
PITT
Mitch Zalnasky 1-yard pass from Kenny Lucas (pass failed)
DUKE 21–13
On October 9, the Panthers travelled to Durham, NC to play the unbeaten (3–0) Duke Blue Devils. The all-time series was tied at 6–6, but Pitt had won the previous three games. This was the National TV Game of the Week.[31]
In front of 25,000 fans the Pitt Panthers lost to the Blue Devils 21–13. The Pitt offense scored a touchdown on an opening drive of 95-yards in 10 plays. Eric Crabtree ran the final 8 yards for the score. James Jones added the extra point and Pitt led 7–0 in less than 5 minutes. The second quarter was all Duke as they tallied 3 touchdowns. Duke fullback Page Wilson ran 1-yard over left guard to cap a 9-play, 77-yard drive. Mike Caldwell tied the score with his first of three placements. An exchange of punts gave the Devils possession on the Pitt 31-yard line. Duke scored in three plays on a 17-yard touchdown pass from Scotty Glacken to Chuck Drulis. On second down after the kick-off Pitt quarterback Kenny Lucas fumbled and Duke recovered on the Panthers 39-yard line.
Glacken scored on a 2-yard run around left end and Duke led 21–7 at halftime. Pitt engineered an 85-yard march early in the fourth quarter to cut the lead to 21–13. End Mitch Zalnasky caught a 1-yard pass from Lucas, but the 2-point conversion failed. Later in the period, Pitt gained possession and drove to a first down on the Duke 22-yard line. Barry McKnight fumbled the hand off and Duke recovered. The Blue Devils were then able to run out the clock.[32]
The Pitt starting lineup for the game against Duke was Mitch Zalnasky (left end), Tom Raymond (left tackle), Gabe Tamburino (left guard), Fred Hoaglin (center), Dave Randour (right guard), John Schmidt (right tackle), Mike Rosborough (right end), Kenny Lucas (quarterback), Bob Dyer (left halfback), Eric Crabtree (right halfback) and Barry McKnight (fullback). The defensive lineup was Phil Dahar (left end), Al Keiser (left tackle), Dave Drake (middle guard), Bob Guzinsky (right tackle), Ed Assid (right end), Jim Flanigan (left linebacker), Tom Mitrakos (middle linebacker), Joe Novogratz (right linebacker), Dale Stewart (left cornerback), Gerald Rife (right cornerback) and Joe Pohl (safety). Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were Ed James, Andy McGraw, and James Jones.[33]
Steve Shrawder 21-yard pass from Bruce Bickel (pass failed)
NAVY 12–0
On October 16, the Panthers played their third road game in a row against the Midshipmen of the Naval Academy at RFK Stadium in Washington D. C. Pitt led the all-time series 7–4–2, but the Panthers had not beaten the Middies in the past three contests. First-year Navy Coach Bill Elias had 17 returning lettermen and his troops had a 2–1–1 record.[34]
In front of 24,184 fans, including 4,100 Midshipmen classmates, Navy shut out the Panthers 12–0. Early in the second period the Panthers drove to the Navy 27-yard line and Jim Jones missed a 37-yard field goal. Later in the period the Navy defense forced the Panthers to punt from their own 26-yard line. Defensive end Ray Hill blocked the punt and Pitt fullback Barry McKnight downed it on the Pitt 2-yard line. Navy halfback Al Roodhouse scored on first down. A poor pass from center botched the extra point, but Navy led 6–0. In the third quarter, Pitt recovered a Navy fumble on the Midshipmen 21-yard line. On a pass to Eric Crabtree in the end zone Navy was called for pass interference. The ball was placed on the 1-yard line. Fullback McKnight was stopped twice, halfback Bob Dyer lost a yard and on fourth down quarterback Kenny Lucas fumbled. In the final period Pitt punter Andy McGraw pinned the Middies back on their own 4-yard line. Then backup quarterback Bruce Bickel directed a 96-yard touchdown drive that ended with his 21-yard touchdown pass to Steve Shrawder. The conversion try failed.[35]
Pitt quarterback Kenny Lucas was sacked for losses totaling 87 yards, and he threw 2 interceptions. The Panthers lost 1 fumble. The Pitt defense intercepted 2 passes and recovered 3 Navy fumbles. They generated 191 yards of total offense but no points.[36]
The Pitt starting lineup for the game against Navy was Mitch Zalnasky (left end), Tom Raymond (left tackle), Gabe Tamburino (left guard), Fred Hoaglin (center), Dave Randour (right guard), John Schmidt (right tackle), Mike Rosborough (right end), Kenny Lucas (quarterback), Bob Dyer (left halfback), Eric Crabtree (right halfback) and Barry McKnight (fullback). Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were Phil Dahar, Ed Assid, Bob Longo, John Verkleeren, Greg Keller, Al Keiser, Robert Guzinsky, James Jones, Tom Qualey, Robert Trethaway, Dave Drake, Brian Bubnis, Mickey Depp, Jim Flanigan, Tom Mitrakos, Joe Novogratz, William Boucek, Dale Stewart, Gerald Rife, Joseph Pohl, Joe Curtin, David Merrill, Richard Miale, Richard Genter, Frank Pecman and Andy McGraw.[37]
Bob Dyer 23-yard pass from Kenny Lucas (kick failed)
PITT 6–0
1
PITT
Barry McKnight 1-yard run (Mitch Zalnasky pass from Lucas)
PITT 14–0
2
MIAMI
Russell Smith 1-yard run (Don Curtright kick )
PITT 14–7
3
PITT
Eric Crabtree 14-yard pass from Lucas (James Jones kick)
PITT 21–7
3
MIAMI
Bill Schirmer 59-yard interception return (Curtright kick)
PITT 21–14
4
PITT
Dyer 3-yard run (Jones kick)
PITT 28–14
On October 23, after a month on the road, the Panthers hosted the Miami Hurricanes for their Youth Day Game. Second-year coach Charlie Tate's squad had 24 returning lettermen, including All-American candidate defensive end Ed Weisacosky. The Hurricanes had a 2–3 record, and Pitt led the all-time series 5–4–1.[38]
The Panthers treated the Youth Day crowd of 37,431 to a 28–14 victory over the Hurricanes. Pitt scored 2 touchdowns in the first quarter. Quarterback Kenny Lucas threw a 23-yard pass to Bob Dyer for the first score, and after an interception, fullback Barry McKnight capped the second scoring drive of 17 yards with a 1-yard plunge. A conversion pass from Lucas to Mitch Zalnasky put the Panthers ahead 14–0. Then, Pitt lost a fumble on their 23-yard line. The 9-play Miami drive ended with a Russell Smith dive into the end zone from the 1-yard line. Don Curtright booted the extra point to cut the lead to 7 points. Pitt took the second half kick-off and marched 80 yards in 13 plays with Lucas throwing a 23-yard pass to Eric Crabtree for the score. Jim Jones booted the placement. Late in the period Miami linebacker Ken Corbin bumped Lucas's arm as he was throwing and defensive end Bill Schirmer intercepted and ran 59-yards untouched for the score. Curtright was good on the placement to again cut the lead to 7. Pitt answered with a 14-play, 80-yard drive to seal the victory. Bob Dyer scored on a 3-yard run and Jones kicked the extra point. Pitt's 3 game losing streak was over.[39]
The Pitt starting offensive lineup for the Miami game was Mike Rosborough (left end), Tom Raymond (left tackle), Gabe Tamburino (left guard), Fred Hoaglin (center), Tom Qualey (right guard), James Jones (right tackle), Mitch Zalnasky (right end), Kenny Lucas (quarterback), Bob Dyer (left halfback) Eric Crabtree (right halfback) and Barry McKnight (fullback). The defensive lineup was Ed Assid (left end), Bob Guzinsky (left tackle), Joe Novogratz (right linebacker), Tom Mitrakos (middle linebacker), Jim Flanigan (left linebacker), Dave Drake (middle guard), Al Keiser (right tackle), Phil Dahar (right end), Dale Stewart (left cornerback), Gerald Rife (right cornerback) and Joe Pohl (safety). Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were Mike Raklewicz, Dewey Chester, Ed James, Bob Longo, Andy McGraw, Mickey Depp, William Boucek, Marc Mallinger and Richard Genter.[40][41]
Terry Roe 33-yard interception return (kick failed)
SYR 37–0
3
SYR
Little 1-yard run (Dziekonski kick)
SYR 44–0
3
SYR
Little 23-yard run (Dziekonski kick)
SYR 51–0
4
PITT
Eric Crabtree 48-yard pass from Kenny Lucas (James Jones kick)
SYR 51–7
4
PITT
Barry McKnight 1-yard run (kick failed)
SYR 51–13
On October 30, Pitt and Syracuse played in Flushing, New York at Shea Stadium. This was the twenty-first meeting and Pitt led the series 11–7–2. However, the Orangemen had won 5 of the past eight meetings. Coach Ben Schwartzwalder's team had 20 lettermen and two All-Americans, halfback Floyd Little and center Pat Killorin. Their fullback was sophomore Larry Csonka.[42]
In front of a sparse crowd of 24, 950 fans, Pitt absorbed it's worst loss in this series 51–13. Syracuse only needed two and a half quarters to amass 51 points. Pitt scored it's 13 points against the second and third string Syracuse defense. Floyd Little scored four touchdowns and gained 248 yards. Pitt received the opening kick-off, and were forced to punt. Four plays later Mike Koski raced 70 yards for the first touchdown. Joe Dziekonski converted the first of his six placements for a 7–0 lead. Pitt halfback Bob Dyer fumbled on second down into the arms of Ed Mantie, who raced 32 yards untouched for touchdown number two, and Pitt was behind 14–0 in the first seven minutes. Then, Little starred in the second and third quarters. He raced 15 yards around left end for his first touchdown and followed that with a 95-yard punt return. Dziekonski booted a 21-yard field goal and Terrell Roe closed the first half scoring with a 33-yard interception return. Syracuse 37–Pitt 0. In the third quarter, Little scored on a 1-yard and 23-yard run to up the score to 51–0. In the final period, Pitt managed a 48-yard scoring toss from Kenny Lucas to Eric Crabtree and a 1-yard plunge by Barry McKnight. Jim Jones was good on the first conversion.[43]
The Pitt starting offensive lineup for the Syracuse game was Mike Rosborough (left end), Tom Raymond (left tackle), Gabe Tamburino (left guard), Fred Hoaglin (center), Tom Qualey (right guard), James Jones (right tackle), Mitch Zalnasky (right end), Kenny Lucas (quarterback), Bob Dyer (left halfback) Eric Crabtree (right halfback) and Barry McKnight (fullback). The defensive lineup was Ed Assid (left end), Bob Guzinsky (left tackle), Joe Novogratz (right linebacker), Tom Mitrakos (middle linebacker), Jim Flanigan (left linebacker), Dave Drake (middle guard), Al Keiser (right tackle), Phil Dahar (right end), Dale Stewart (left cornerback), Gerald Rife (right cornerback) and Ken Perry (safety). Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were Frank Pecman, Robert Trethaway, George Macko, Brian Bubnis, Ray Radakovich, David Merrill, Joe Curtin, Bob Bazylak, Carmen Sporio, Mike Raklewicz, Dewey Chester, Ed James, Bob Longo, Andy McGraw, Richard Miale, Mickey Depp, William Boucek, Marc Mallinger, Howard Heit and Richard Genter.[44]
"Miami of Florida-October 23". 1965 Pitt Football For Press, Radio & TV. University of Pittsburgh Athletic Department. p.23-25. Retrieved September 21, 2026.