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1962 Pittsburgh Panthers football team

1962 Pittsburgh Panthers football
ConferenceIndependent
Record5–5
Head coach
Home stadiumPitt Stadium
1962 NCAA University Division independents football records
Conf. Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
Memphis State   –   8 – 1 – 0
Oregon State   –   9 – 2 – 0
No. 9 Penn State   –   9 – 2 – 0
West Texas State   –   9 – 2 – 0
Boston College   –   8 – 2 – 0
Utah State   –   8 – 2 – 0
Villanova   –   7 – 3 – 0
Buffalo   –   6 – 3 – 0
Oregon   –   6 – 3 – 1
Houston   –   7 – 4 – 0
Miami (FL)   –   7 – 4 – 0
Army   –   6 – 4 – 0
Holy Cross   –   6 – 4 – 0
Louisville   –   6 – 4 – 0
Xavier   –   6 – 4 – 0
Florida State   –   4 – 3 – 3
Air Force   –   5 – 5 – 0
Montana   –   5 – 5 – 0
Navy   –   5 – 5 – 0
Notre Dame   –   5 – 5 – 0
Pacific (CA)   –   5 – 5 – 0
Pittsburgh   –   5 – 5 – 0
Syracuse   –   5 – 5 – 0
Texas Western   –   4 – 5 – 0
New Mexico State   –   4 – 6 – 0
Colgate   –   3 – 5 – 1
Idaho   –   2 – 6 – 1
San Jose State   –   2 – 8 – 1
Boston University   –   2 – 7 – 0
Dayton   –   2 – 8 – 0
Detroit   –   1 – 8 – 0
Hardin–Simmons   –   1 – 9 – 0
Colorado State   –   0 – 10 – 0
Rankings from AP Poll

The 1962 Pittsburgh Panthers football team represented the University of Pittsburgh in the 1962 NCAA University Division football season. The team compiled a 5–5 record under head coach John Michelosen. The team's statistical leaders included Jim Traficant with 611 passing yards and Rick Leeson with 481 rushing yards.[1]

Schedule

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 15Miami (FL)
L 14–2332,756[2]
September 29at Baylor
W 24–1425,000[3]
October 6at California
W 26–2427,000[4]
October 13West Virginia
  • Pitt Stadium
  • Pittsburgh, PA (rivalry)
L 8–1534,091[5]
October 20UCLA
  • Pitt Stadium
  • Pittsburgh, PA
W 8–640,419[6]
October 27vs. Navy
L 9–32
November 3Syracuse
  • Pitt Stadium
  • Pittsburgh, PA (rivalry)
W 24–623,473
November 10at Notre Dame
L 22–4352,215
November 17at Army
W 7–623,917
November 24No. 9 Penn State
  • Pitt Stadium
  • Pittsburgh, PA (rivalry)
L 0–1645,149
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game

Preseason

On March 19, Coach Michelosen welcomed 75 players for his eighth edition of spring workouts. The NCAA allowed the Panthers 35 days to fit in 20 days of practice. In addition, Michelosen welcomed two new coaches to his staff. Frank Lauterbur coached the tackles and directed the defense. Ernie Hefferle coached the ends. The annual Spring Practice game was held on April 28, and televised by WIIC. The Blues routed the Whites 42–0.[7][8][9]

On August 19, 77 candidates (including 24 lettermen) left Pittsburgh for Meadville, PA to start fall camp on the Allegheny College grounds. The squad trained there for two weeks, and then returned to Pittsburgh for school registration plus two more weeks of practice for their opening game.[10]

Seniors Tom Brown (guard) and Gary Kaltenbach (tackle) were named honorary captains for the season.[11]

Game summaries

Miami (Fla.)

Week 1: Miami at Pitt
Team 1 234Total
• Miami 0 1076 23
Pitt 0 608 14
  • Date: September 15, 1962
  • Location: Pitt Stadium
    Pittsburgh, PA
  • Game start: 1:30 p.m.
  • Game attendance: 32,756
  • Game weather: warm and overcast
  • Referee: David Buchanan (ECAC)
Scoring summary
2MIAMIBobby Wilson 25-yard field goalMIAMI 3–0
2MIAMINick Spinelli 1-yard run (Wilson kick)MIAMI 10–0
2PITTAl Grigaliunas 9-yard pass from Paul Martha (run failed)MIAMI 10–6
3MIAMISpinelli 8-yard run (Wilson kick)MIAMI 17–6
3MIAMIJack Sims 15-yard pass (kick failed)MIAMI 23–6
4PITTEd Clark 4-yard run (John Jenkins pass from Jim Traficant)MIAMI 23–14

The Panthers opened the 1962 season against Andy Gustafson's Miami Hurricanes. Pitt led the all-time series 4–3 and had won the past two meetings.[12] The Hurricanes were led by All-American quarterback George Mira.

Miami beat the Panthers 23–14. The first quarter was scoreless, as both teams failed on fake field goal attempts. Early in the second period, Miami recovered an Ed Clark fumble on the Panthers' 32-yard line. They drove to the seven and Bobby Wilson's partially blocked field goal barely made it over the cross-bar for the 3 points. Pitt answered with a drive to the Miami 2-yard line. The Miami defense held and took over on downs. They then drove the 97 yards in 13 plays, with Nick Spinelli running the final yard for the touchdown. Wilson added the extra point for a 10–0 Miami lead. Before halftime, the Panthers scored on a 9-yard pass from Paul Martha to Al Grigaliunas to complete a 59-yard drive. The two-point conversion failed. Miami took the second half kick-off and drove 73-yards in 8 plays. Spinelli scored his second touchdown on an 8-yard run. Wilson added the extra point. Miami added another score in the final period on a Mira to Jack Sims 15-yard pass. The extra point failed. Pitt scored in the final minute on an Ed Clark 4-yard run, and Jim Traficant passed to John Jenkins for the two-point conversion.[2]

Pitt earned 16 first downs and gained 325 total yards. Miami had 24 first downs and gained 450 total yards. Jim Traficant completed 9 of 20 passes for 124 yards. Ed Clark led the Pitt rushers with 55 yards on 10 carries. Rick Leeson gained 51 yards on 4 carries. Mira completed 13 of 25 passes for 162 yards, and ran 10 times for 86 yards.[13]

The Pitt starting line-up for the game against Miami was Al Grigaliunas (left end), Gary Kaltenbach (left tackle), Tom Brown (left guard), Paul Cercel (center), Ralph Conrad (right guard), Ed Adamchik (right tackle), Robert Long (right end), Jim Traficant (quarterback), Ed Clark (left halfback), Paul Martha (right halfback) and John Telesky (fullback). Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were William Howley, Eugene Sobolewski, John Maczuzak, Bob Ostrosky, Jeff Ware, Charles Ahlborn, Martin Schottenheimer, John Holzbach, John Draksler, John Price, Ernie Borghetti, Ronald Linaburg, John Jenkins, Joe Kuzneski, Fred Mazurek, Francis Novak, Glenn Lehner, Peter Billey, Robert Roeder, John Ozimek, William Bodle, Dennis Chillinsky, Rick Leeson and Lou Slaby.[14]

at Baylor

Week 2: Pitt at Baylor)
Team 1 234Total
• Pitt 0 14100 24
Baylor 0 707 14
  • Date: September 29, 1962
  • Location: Baylor Stadium
    Waco, TX
  • Game start: 8:00 p.m.
  • Game attendance: 25,000
  • Game weather: warm
  • Referee: C. W. “Napper” Davis
Scoring summary
2PITTWilliam Howley 2-yard pass from Fred Mazurek (Rick Leeson kick)PITT 7–0
2PITTLeeson 6-yard run (Leeson kick)PITT 14–0
2BAYJim Ingram 5-yard pass from Don Trull (Carl Choate kick)PITT 14–7
3PITTLeeson 26-yard field goalPITT 17–7
3PITTMartha 18-yard run (Leeson kick)PITT 24–7
4BAYLarry Elkins 8-yard pass from Trull (Choate kick)PITT 24–14

Pitt's first road trip was to Waco, Texas to play the Baylor Bears. Coach John Bridgers' Bears beat the Panthers (16–13) last season at Pittsburgh in the first game of the series. Both teams lost their opening game of this season. The Bears were led by All-American quarterback candidate Don Trull.[15]

Coach Michelosen had to alter his lineup after starting center Paul Cercel and linebacker Jeffrey Ware were suspended for fighting with police officers following the Miami loss.[16] He replaced Cercel with Charles Ahlborn at center, and inserted Rick Leeson at fullback, Peter Billey at halfback and John Jenkins at end.[17]

Pitt notched their first win in the state of Texas 24–14. In the second quarter, the Panthers gained possession on their 18-yard line, and needed 19 plays to score. A 2-yard pass from Fred Mazurek to William Howley ended the drive. Rick Leeson booted the extra point. Baylor answered with a drive of their own, but the Pitt defense stiffened and held on downs at the Pitt 15-yard line. Pitt's offense engineered another long drive that was capped with a Leeson 6-yard run and extra point for a 14–0 lead. Baylor quarterback Don Trull engineered an 80-yard drive for Baylor's first touchdown. A 5-yard pass to Jim Ingram and an extra point by Carl Choate cut the lead to 14–7 at halftime. The Pitt defense forced a punt on Baylor's first possession of the second half. They gained possession on the Baylor 41-yard line and drove to the Baylor 9. On fourth down Leeson kicked a 28-yard field goal for a 10 point lead. Then John Telesky intercepted a Trull pass on the Panthers' 39-yard line. It took 9 plays to go 61 yards, with Paul Martha going the final 18 on a reverse around left end. Leeson's placement made it 24–7. Baylor scored against the scrubs with a minute to go on a Trull 8-yard pass to Lawrence Elkins. Choate kicked the extra point.[18]

Pitt earned 23 first downs and gained 374 yards. Baylor countered with 16 first downs and 278 yards. Ed Clark led the Panthers with 86 yards on 10 carries. Leeson added 64 yards on 9 carries. Trull led the Baylor rushing with 34 yards on 3 carries, and he completed 12 of 20 passes for 157 yards.[19]

The Pitt starting line-up for the game against Baylor was Al Grigaliunas (left end), Gary Kaltenbach (left tackle), Tom Brown (left guard), Charles Ahlborn (center), Ralph Conrad (right guard), Ed Adamchik (right tackle), Robert Long (right end), Jim Traficant (quarterback), Ed Clark (left halfback), Paul Martha (right halfback) and John Telesky (fullback). Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were William Howley, Eugene Sobolewski, John Maczuzak, Bob Ostrosky, Ray Popp, John Zabcar, Martin Schottenheimer, John Holzbach, John Draksler, Robert Sorochak, John Price, Ernie Borghetti, Ronald Linaburg, John Jenkins, Joe Kuzneski, Fred Mazurek, Francis Novak, Glenn Lehner, Peter Billey, Robert Roeder, John Ozimek, William Bodle, Rick Leeson, Lou Slaby and Bernard LaQuinta.[20]

at California

Week 3: Pitt at California
Team 1 234Total
• Pitt 13 760 26
California 6 387 24
Scoring summary
1CALGold 3-yard run (kick failed)CAL 6–0
1PITTPaul Martha 37-yard pass from Jim Traficant (Rick Leeson kick)PITT 7–6
1PITTWilliam Howley 46-yard pass from Traficant (kick failed)PITT 13–6
2PITTTraficant 22-yard run (Leeson kick)PITT 20–6
2CALTom Blanchfield 35-yard field goalPITT 20–9
3CALAlan Nelson 7-yard pass from Larry Balliett (Bill Krum pass from Balliett)PITT 20–17
3PITTMartha 77-yard run (run failed)PITT 26–17
4CALRudy Carvajal 4-yard run (Blanchfield kick)PITT 26–24

The Panthers second road game was to the west coast to play the California Bears. Both teams were 1–1 on the season and the all-time record was 1–1. The Bears future Hall of Fame coach Marv Levy was in his fourth season at Cal, and his assistant was future Hall of Fame coach Bill Walsh. Coach Michelosen had to alter the Pitt line-up due to injuries to centers Charles Ahlborn and John Holzbach, end John Jenkins, quarterback Fred Mazurek and halfback Bob Roeder. While the Pitt charter flight stopped in Colorado Springs to refuel before continuing on to San Francisco, the squad held a workout on the Air Force Academy field.[21]

On October 6, the Panthers beat the California Bears 26–24 in front of 27,000 fans at California Memorial Stadium for their second win of the season. The Panthers won this game with their passing attack, as quarterback Jim Traficant threw three touchdown passes. Cal scored first on a Randy Gold 3-yard run. Tom Blanchfield's extra point was wide. Then the Pitt offense scored three touchdowns: a 37-yard pass to Paul Martha, a 46-yard pass to William Howley and a 22-yard run by Traficant. Rick Leeson booted 2 extra points and Pitt led 20–6. Cal answered with a 35-yard Blanchfield field goal right before halftime, and a third quarter 7-yard touchdown pass from Larry Balliett to Alan Nelson. A Balliett pass to Bill Krum added two more points to cut the lead to 20–17. Then Traficant padded the Pitt lead with a 77-yard touchdown pass to Martha, but the two point conversion failed. The Bears scored late on a 4-yard run by Rudy Carvajal and Blanchfield kicked the extra point.[22]

Pitt only earned 12 first downs to Cal's 18, but out gained the Bears 374 yards to 279. Rick Leeson led the Pitt ground game with 75 yards on 16 carries. Jim Traficant completed 4 of 7 passes for 169 yards and 3 touchdowns. He also ran the ball 6 times for 46 yards and 1 touchdown. Paul Martha caught 2 passes for 114 yards and two touchdowns, and he ran the ball 8 times for 34 yards.[22]

The Pitt starting line-up for the game against California was Al Grigaliunas (left end), Gary Kaltenbach (left tackle), Tom Brown (left guard), Martin Schottenheimer (center), Ralph Conrad (right guard), Ed Adamchik (right tackle), Robert Long (right end), Jim Traficant (quarterback), Ed Clark (left halfback), Paul Martha (right halfback) and Rick Leeson (fullback). Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were William Howley, Eugene Sobolewski, John Maczuzak, Bob Ostrosky, Ernie Borghetti, Robert Sorochak, Joe Gudenburr, John Price, John Draksler, Charles Ahlborn, John Holzbach, Glenn Lehner, Francis Novak, Bernard LaQuinta, Peter Billey, John Ozimek, William Bodle and John Telesky.[23]

References

  1. ^ "1962 Pittsburgh Panthers Stats". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. May 21, 2016.
  2. ^ a b Luther Evans (September 16, 1962). "UMira 23, Pitt 14, In Breeze". The Miami Herald. p. 1, 4 section D. Retrieved February 1, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ "Pittsburgh wins over Baylor". The Corpus Christi Caller-Times. September 30, 1962. Retrieved March 23, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "California Loses 26–24 Decision to Pittsburgh". The Los Angeles Times. October 7, 1962. p. 4, section D. Retrieved February 11, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "Mountaineers rally to upset Pitt Panthers, 15–8". Beckley Post-Herald & The Raleigh Register. October 14, 1962. Retrieved January 20, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Pitt fells UCLA on impromptu conversion, 8-6". The Washington Post. October 21, 1962. ProQuest 141659800.
  7. ^ Jimmy Jordan (March 20, 1962). "Panther Picture Day Bows To Weatherman". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. 18. Retrieved February 10, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ Jimmy Jordan (April 28, 1962). "Panther Grid Fans Get Preview Today". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. 13. Retrieved February 10, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "Varsity Crushes Competition, 42–0". The Pitt News. Vol. 56, no. 58. April 30, 1962. p. 6. Retrieved February 10, 2026.
  10. ^ "Cameramen Greet Pitt Footballers". The Pittsburgh press. August 20, 1962. p. 28. Retrieved February 10, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ Jimmy Jordan (August 21, 1962). "Contact Drills To Open Today". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. 20. Retrieved February 10, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ Borghetti, E. J. "All-Time Series". 2008 Pitt Football. University of Pittsburgh. p. 141. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  13. ^ "Individual Statistics". The Miami Herald. September 16, 1962. p. 1, section D. Retrieved February 1, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ "Pitt Lineups". The Pittsburgh Press. September 16, 1962. p. 5, section 4. Retrieved February 1, 2026 – via newspapers.com.
  15. ^ Jack Sell (September 26, 1962). "Roamin' Around: Red Blood and Super-Charged". PittsburghPost-Gazette. p. 26. Retrieved February 9, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ "2 Pitt Players Lost To Team". The Pittsburgh Press. September 17, 1962. p. 2. Retrieved February 9, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ^ Bob Drum (September 27, 1962). "'Little' Baylor Faces 'Big' Pitt". The Pittsburgh Press. p. 46. Retrieved February 9, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. ^ Dave Campbell (September 30, 1962). "Bruin Passers Sparkle But Pitt Power Prevails". Waco Tribune-Herald. p. 2-B. Retrieved February 10, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. ^ Dave Campbell (September 30, 1962). "Panther Dynamite Blows Up Bruins". Waco Tribune-Herald. p. 1-B. Retrieved February 10, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  20. ^ Frank Luksa (September 30, 1962). "Pitt's Ground Attack Socks Baylor, 24–14". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. p. 3, section 2. Retrieved February 10, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  21. ^ Jimmy Jordan (October 6, 1962). "Panthers Seek 2nd Win Today". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. 27. Retrieved February 13, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  22. ^ a b Donn Bernstein (October 8, 1962). "Bears Eager For Duke Tilt". Berkeley Daily Gazette. p. 9. Retrieved February 13, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  23. ^ Bob Drum. "Pitt Survives Cal Rally In 26–24 Win". The Pittsburgh press\date=October 7, 1962. p. 4, section 4. Retrieved February 13, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
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