1958 Pittsburgh Panthers football team

The 1958 Pittsburgh Panthers football team represented the University of Pittsburgh in the 1958 college football season. The team compiled a 5–4–1 record under head coach John Michelosen.^[1]

On April 9, sixty-two aspirants reported for spring drills at Ellsworth Field. Coach Michelosen had 19 lettermen returning, plus 28 scholarship players from the 1957 freshmen team. The NCAA allowed the Panthers 20 practice days. The drills ended with a football clinic for high school coaches in the morning followed by the annual Spring Game at Wildwood on May 10. Co-captains, center Don Crafton and guard Ed Michaels, chose the teams.^[9] Michaels' Blues squad beat Crafton's Whites 29–0. Michelosen told The Pitt News: “We should have a lot more depth at every position in 1958 as compared to last year's eleven. The main problem at the present will be to study the movies of the game and try to see what the boys did wrong and then correct it.”^[10]

Fall practice commenced on September 1 to prepare for their opening game at UCLA on September 20. Sixty-five Panthers lived and ate in Salk Hall (formerly Municipal Hospital), dressed in the Stadium and practiced twice daily on a new practice field across the street from Memorial Field House. Coach Michelosen added two ex-Panthers to his coaching staff. Lou Cecconi replaced Steve Petro as freshmen coach and Carl DePasqua mentored the backfield.^[11][12]

On September 18, the Panthers contingent boarded a TWA constellation at 8 a.m. that was to arrive in Los Angeles, CA around 3:30 p.m. They had a late afternoon workout scheduled at the Los Angeles Coliseum. Then they were housed at the Ambassador Hotel. This was the Panthers first game against the Bruins.^[13] Unfortunately, the plane lost an engine going over the Kansas-Colorado border and had to land in Albuquerque, N.M. While a plane was dispatched from Los Angeles, Coach Michelosen arranged a practice at the University of New Mexico football facility. The Panthers finally arrived at the Ambassador at 11:30 p.m. (18 hour trip).^[14]

Meanwhile, the UCLA Bruins were in a transition period. Nine-year coach Red Sanders died unexpectedly of a heart attack on August 14.^[15] Assistant coach George W. Dickerson replaced Sanders, and inherited a squad with 7 starters being punished by the Pacific Coast Conference for recruiting violations. The seven were allowed to play only 5 games on the schedule, and they had to be consecutive.^[16]

The underdog Panthers spoiled the Bruins home opener with a 27–6 upset. The Panthers scored in every period. In the first, the Panthers received the opening kick-off and Ivan Toncic directed a 10-play drive that ended with his 2-yard sneak for the opening touchdown. Toncic's placement was wide left. Toncic scored in the second quarter on a 55-yard pass interception. Michelosen had Pitt try for 2 points, but the pass fell incomplete. UCLA scored with seconds left in the first half. After a 58-yard jump pass from Bill Kilmer to Marv Luster put the ball on the Panthers 2-yard line, Kilmer ran around left end for the touchdown. Mike Ditka blocked the extra point. Panthers guard Norton Seaman booted a 14-yard field goal in the third period. The Panthers added two more touchdowns in the final period. Dick Haley scored on a 2-yard run and Mike Ditka caught a 16-yard pass from Ed Sharockman. One placement was wide and one was blocked.^[17]

The Panthers gained 324 total yards and earned 20 first downs. Joe Scisly led the Pitt rushers with 58 yards on 9 carries for a 6.4 average gain. Ivan Toncic completed 4 of 5 passes for 80 yards. Sophomore Ed Sharockman completed 1 of 2 for a touchdown. Mike Ditka had 2 receptions for 35 yards and a touchdown. The Panthers defense held UCLA to 10 first downs on 178 total yards.^[18]

Coach Michelosen told the L. A. Times: “We got the jump on UCLA, and under weather conditions like this, that probably made the difference. My quarterbacks called a fine game, and I was especially pleased the way we showed up in the line. The boys were blocking crisply and of course that's what gave my veteran ball carriers their running room.”^[19]

The Pitt starting lineup for the game against UCLA was Jim Zanos (left end), Ken Montanari (left tackle), John Guzik (left guard), Don Crafton (center), Ed Michaels (right guard), Bill Lindner (right tackle), Art Gob (right end), Ivan Toncic (quarterback), Dick Haley (left halfback), Joe Scisly (right halfback) and Fred Riddle (fullback). Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were Joe Pullekines, Mike Ditka, Dick Mills, Leonard Vella, Ed Fornadel, Bob Longfellow, Al Corfield, Serafino Fazio, Mike Lucci, Henry Suffoletta, Norton Seaman, Ernie Westwood, Charles Marranca, Bob Rathi, Ron Delfine, David Walker, Bill Kaliden, Ed Sharockman, Peter Prince, Andy Sepsi, John Flara, Curt Plowman, Chuck Reinhold, Bob Stark, Jim Cunningham and Marty Baracca.^[18]

On September 28, the Panthers home opener against Holy Cross was designated High School Day, Band Day and Boy Scout Day. This was the only time that Pitt and Holy Cross would play football. Holy Cross Coach Eddie Anderson was in his fifteenth year and told The Pittsburgh Press that this team was “the best I've ever had.” The Crusaders were led at quarterback by All-America candidate Tom Greene.^[20]

The Panthers were ranked #7 in the Associated Press Poll and favored by seven and a half points. Coach Michelosen kept the starting line-up intact. He told The Press: “We had an exceptional performance for an opening game, but the boys should get better timing and execution this week.”^[20]

In front of 49,935 opening day fans, the Panthers dominated the Holy Cross eleven with a 17–0 shutout. Pitt earned 18 first downs and gained 284 total yards. Their defense held the Crusaders to 7 first downs and 109 total yards (all through the air). Tom Greene was 4 of 15 for 100 yards with 2 interceptions. Pitt scored in the first quarter after guard John Guzik recovered a Holy Cross fumble on the Crusader 20-yard line. On the fifth play Ivan Toncic completed a 5-yard pass to Art Gob for the touchdown. Toncic converted the extra point and Pitt led 7–0. In the third quarter Pitt end Art Gob recovered a Crusader fumble on the visitor's 28-yard line. 10 plays moved the ball to the 2-yard line. An end around lost 9 yards. Coach Michelosen opted to try a field goal. Norton Seaman's kick was good and Pitt led 10–0. Sophomore quarterback Ed Sharockman directed a 6-play, 68-yard scoring drive in the final quarter. Sophomore halfback Chuck Reinhold ran the last 20 yards for the score, and Seaman's placement was good.^[21]

The Pitt starting lineup for the game against Holy Cross was Jim Zanos (left end), Ken Montanari (left tackle), John Guzik (left guard), Don Crafton (center), Ed Michaels (right guard), Bill Lindner (right tackle), Art Gob (right end), Ivan Toncic (quarterback), Dick Haley (left halfback), Joe Scisly (right halfback) and Fred Riddle (fullback). Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were Joe Pullekines, Mike Ditka, Dick Mills, Leonard Vella, Norton Seaman, Ed Fornadel, Bob Longfellow, Al Corfield, Serafino Fazio, Mike Lucci, Henry Suffoletta, Ernie Westwood, Charles Marranca, Ron Delfine, David Walker, Bill Kaliden, Ed Sharockman, Peter Prince, Andy Sepsi, John Flara, Curt Plowman, Chuck Reinhold, Bob Stark and Jim Cunningham.^[22]

Pitt's second road trip of the season was to Minneapolis, MN to play fifth-year coach Coach Murray Warmath's Minnesota Gophers. Minnesota led the all-time series 9–0 and had out scored the Panthers 252–51.^[23] The Gophers were 0–1, having lost to Washington 21–24.^[24] On Friday morning, the Panthers contingent flew into Minneapolis, and in the afternoon, held a workout on Memorial Stadium. They housed at the Curtis Hotel. The Panthers were missing three starters due to injuries. End Art Gob (shoulder), halfback Dick Haley (ankle) and quarterback Ivan Toncic (torn rib cartilage) did not start. Reserve quarterback Bill Kaliden (bruised foot) made the trip. Reserve end Bob Rathi (neck), guard Al Corfield (neck), Pat Morsillo (leg) and Elmer Merkovsky (leg) did not make the trip.^[25]

The #12 ranked Panthers extended their win streak to three games with a narrow 13–7 victory over the Gophers. The Gophers threatened to score four times in the first half. The Gophers opening drive went to the Panthers 20-yard line, where Ed Sharockman intercepted Jim Reese's pass on the 11-yard line and returned it to the 35-yard line. In the second quarter, Minnesota drove to the Panthers 35-yard line, but turned the ball over when John Guzik tackled Arlie Bomstad for no gain on fourth down. Pitt fumbled the ball right back on the Panthers 33-yard line. Minnesota took 8 plays to get to a fourth and 2 on the 3-yard line. Pitt end Joe Pullekines tackled Reese for a 14-yard loss to end that threat. Late in the first half Reese directed the Gophers to the Panthers 18-yard line. The Pitt defense stiffened again and sacked Reese on first and second down. Third and fourth down pass plays fell incomplete. The Panthers offense sputtered at the start of the second half when fullback Fred Riddle fumbled the kick-off and Minnesota recovered on the 32-yard line. This time Reese directed a 6-play scoring drive. Rogers Hagberg took a pitchout from Reese and ran 6 yards around left end for the touchdown. Everett Gerths kicked the extra point and Minnesota led 7–0. The Panthers offense answered with a 70-yard drive, led by Bill Kaliden, but they lost the ball on downs on the 13-yard line. After an exchange of punts, the Panthers drove 96 yards and lost the ball on downs at the 1 foot line. The Gophers punted and Pitt had possession on the Minnesota 33-yard line. On the fourth play Kaliden scored on a 1-yard sneak. Sharockman tried for the 2-point conversion and lost yards on a roll-out. The Panthers defense forced a punt and Pitt had possession on the Gophers 43-yard line with less than 5 minutes to play. Sharockman directed 5 running plays to the 20-yard line and was replaced by Kaliden. Kaliden threw a 6-yard pass to Joe Scisly, and a second pass to Jim Zanos for 13 yards. Kaliden scored on a 1-yard sneak. Norton Seaman kicked the extra point and Pitt led 13–7. After the kick-off, Reese threw an interception on first down and Pitt ran out the clock.^[4]

Statistically, the Panthers earned 17 first downs and gained a total of 298 yards. They held Minnesota to 13 first downs and 170 total yards. Fullback Bob Stark led the Pitt rushers with 59 yards on 10 carries. Bill Kaliden scored 2 touchdowns, rushed for 49 yards on 9 carries and completed 5 of 10 passes for 52 yards.^[26]

The Pitt starting lineup for the game against Minnesota was Jim Zanos (left end), Ken Montanari (left tackle), John Guzik (left guard), Don Crafton (center), Ed Michaels (right guard), Bill Lindner (right tackle), Joe Pullekines (right end), Ed Sharockman (quarterback), Chuck Reinhold (left halfback), Joe Scisly (right halfback) and Fred Riddle (fullback). Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were Art Gob, Mike Ditka, Dick Mills, Norton Seaman, Serafino Fazio, Henry Suffoletta, Ernie Westwood, Ron Delfine, Bill Kaliden, Andy Sepsi, John Flara, Curt Plowman and Bob Stark.^[26]

On October 11, the #10-ranked Panthers were in East Lansing, MI to play the # 9-ranked Michigan State Spartans. This was Pitt's third road game in 4 weeks. The Panthers had never beaten the Spartans. They were 0–3, and had been outscored 84–33.^[27] The Spartans led by College Football Hall of Fame coach Duffy Daugherty were 1–0–1 for the season. End Sam Williams was a consensus All-America and the roster contained future stars Fred Arbanas, George Perles, Herb Adderly and Wayne Fontes. Coach Daugherty's Spartans had beaten 13 of 14 non-conference opponents. They were favored by 2 touchdowns.^[28]

The Panthers left Pittsburgh Friday morning and flew into Lansing, MI. Coach Michelosen held an afternoon workout on Spartan Stadium. The Panthers stayed at the Olds Hotel. Starting end Art Gob (shoulder) did not play. Injured Panthers who were available were halfback Dick Haley (ankle), halfback Chuck Reinhold (ankle), quarterback Ivan Toncic (ribs) and quarterback Bill Kaliden (foot).^[29]

Michigan State improved Daugherty's non-conference record to 14 of 15 by beating the Panthers for the fourth straight time 22–8. Late in the first quarter, State halfback Dean Look punted the ball dead on the Pitt 1-yard line. The Pitt offense chose to punt on third down. Art Johnson returned the ball to the Panthers 23-yard line. The Spartans scored in 6 plays. Quarterback Mike Panitch went over center from the 1-yard line for the score. Panitch lateraled to Johnson for the two-point conversion and Pitt trailed 8–0. After the ensuing kick-off, the Panthers were forced to punt. State returned this one to the Panthers 34-yard line. On the first play of the second period State scored on a 2-yard run by Look. Johnson ran around end for another 2-point conversion and Pitt trailed 16–0 at halftime. The second time the Panthers had possession in the third quarter they managed to drive 42 yards in 8 plays. Dick Haley ran the last 9 yards over right tackle for the touchdown. A pass from Ivan Toncic to Ron Delfine earned two more points for the Panthers to cut the lead to 16–8. The Michigan State defense shut down the Panthers offense the rest of the game. The Spartans third-string added a late touchdown on a 6-yard pass from Larry Bielat to Dick Barker. The two-point conversion try failed.^[5]

The Pitt starting lineup for the game against Michigan State was Jim Zanos (left end), Ken Montanari (left tackle), Norton Seaman (left guard), Don Crafton (center), Ed Michaels (right guard), Bill Lindner (right tackle), Joe Pullekines (right end), Ivan Toncic (quarterback), Andy Sepsi (left halfback), Joe Scisly (right halfback) and Fred Riddle (fullback). Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were Bob Rathi, Mike Ditka, Dick Mills, John Guzik, Serafino Fazio, Henry Suffoletta, Ernie Westwood, Ron Delfine, Bill Kaliden, Ed Sharockman, Dick Haley, John Flara, Curt Plowman, Bob Stark, Jim Cunningham and Marty Baracca.^[30]

On October 18, the Panthers Homecoming opponent was the West Virginia Mountaineers. This was the fifty-first meeting of the Backyard Brawl, and Pitt led the series 37–12–1.^[31] Coach Art Lewis' Mountaineers were 1–3 on the season.^[32] The Mountaineers were minus five starters due to injuries.^[33]

Coach Michelosen had end Art Gob and halfback Dick Haley back in the starting lineup. After four games the Panthers led the East in total defense and rushing defense. Fullback Fred Riddle led the East in punting with a 42.1 average.^[33]

Pitt rallied to beat the Mountaineers 15–8 for their thirty-eighth victory in the series. In the first period Pitt had possession on their own 11-yard line. On first down John Flara fumbled a hand-off, and Mountaineer center Charles Lanasa caught it in midair, and carried it to the 3-yard line. On second down, quarterback Danny Williams ran inside left end to score. Williams completed a pass to Dave Rider for the two-point conversion. Late in the second quarter, the Pitt offense answered. With possession on his own 29-yard line, Ivan Toncic threw a 71-yard touchdown pass to Flara. Bill Kaliden passed to Mike Ditka for the two point conversion to tie the game. West Virginia did not have a first down in the first half, but the score was 8–8. Late in the third quarter, Pitt gained possession on their 36-yard line. On first down, Toncic threw to Art Gob for 13 yards. Then, Toncic threw to Dick Haley for 35 yards, and a first down on the WVU 15-yard line. Then, Toncic threw to Gob, but John Bowles intercepted on the 8-yard line. Gob knocked the ball loose when he tackled Bowles, and recovered for Pitt on the 10-yard line. On second down, Toncic threw a swing pass to Haley, and he ran the final 8 yards for the Panthers second touchdown. Marty Barraca booted the extra point, and Pitt led 15–8. The Panthers regained possession and drove to the WVU 14-yard line. Fred Riddle ran around end for the score, but Pitt was offside and lost the ball on downs. With less than a minute to play, Ditka punted out of bounds on the WVU 1-yard line. Michelosen had his third-string defense on the field. On first down, Williams threw 34-yards to Ray Petersen. The next pass went 19-yards to Terry Fairbanks. Williams was injured and had to leave the game. He was replaced by Chuck Simpson. On first down, Pitt defensive halfback Curt Plowman was called for pass interference, and the ball placed on the Pitt 26-yard line. Toncic replaced Plowman. Simpson connected with Bruce McClung for 20 yards to the Pitt 6-yard line (Toncic made the tackle). On the final play of the game, Simpson's pass was intercepted in the end zone by Toncic.^[34]

Statistically it should have been a rout. Pitt had 16 first downs, 258 yards passing and 65 yards rushing. They held WVU to 7 first downs, 90 yards passing and 41 yards rushing. But, Pitt fumbled 6 times and lost 4, had 3 passes intercepted and was penalized 7 times for 70 yards.^[35]

Coach Michelosen told the Sun-Telegraph: “Those fellows always are tough for us. They get up for this game and they really gave us a battle today. We hurt ourselves a lot in the first half with our fumbling. With Army coming up next, this was a good one to win.”^[36]

The Pitt starting lineup for the game against West Virginia was Jim Zanos (left end), Ken Montanari (left tackle), John Guzik (left guard), Don Crafton (center), Ed Michaels (right guard), Bill Lindner (right tackle), Art Gob (right end), Ivan Toncic (quarterback), Dick Haley (left halfback), Joe Scisly (right halfback) and Fred Riddle (fullback). Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were Joe Pullekines, Bob Rathi, Mike Ditka, Dick Mills, Leonard Vella, Bob Longfellow, Serafino Fazio, Mike Lucci, Henry Suffoletta, Ernie Westwood, Ron Delfine, Bill Kaliden, Ed Sharockman, Chuck Reinhold, John Flara, Curt Plowman, Jim Cunningham and Marty Baracca.^[35]