The 1973 Pittsburgh Panthers football team represented the University of Pittsburgh as an independent during the 1973 NCAA Division I football season. Led by first-year head coach Johnny Majors, the Panthers compiled a record of 6–5–1. At the conclusion of the season, Pittsburgh advanced to the Fiesta Bowl and were defeated by Arizona State. The team played home games at Pitt Stadium in Pittsburgh.
Schedule
| Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance | Source |
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| September 15 | 2:00 p.m. | at Georgia | | | | T 7–7 | 52,005 | [1] |
| September 22 | 1:30 p.m. | Baylor | | | | L 14–20 | 28,332 | [2] |
| September 29 | 2:30 p.m. | at Northwestern | | | | W 21–14 | 24,462 | [3] |
| October 6 | 1:30 p.m. | Tulane | | - Pitt Stadium
- Pittsburgh, PA
| | L 6–24 | 25,054 | [4] |
| October 13 | 1:30 p.m. | at West Virginia | | | | W 35–7 | 37,000 | [5] |
| October 20 | 1:30 p.m. | at Boston College | | | | W 28–14 | 23,219 | [6] |
| October 27 | 1:33 p.m. | Navy | | - Pitt Stadium
- Pittsburgh, PA
| | W 22–17 | 33,136 | [7] |
| November 3 | 1:30 p.m. | Syracuse | | - Pitt Stadium
- Pittsburgh, PA (rivalry)
| | W 28–14 | 24,932 | [8] |
| November 10 | 1:30 p.m. | No. 5 Notre Dame | No. 20 | - Pitt Stadium
- Pittsburgh, PA (rivalry)
| | L 10–31 | 56,593 | [9] |
| November 17 | 1:30 p.m. | at Army | | | | W 34–0 | 33,264 | [10] |
| November 24 | 1:30 p.m. | at No. 6 Penn State | No. 20 | | | L 13–35 | 56,600 | [11] |
| December 21 | 8:00 p.m. | vs. No. 10 Arizona State | | | Mizlou | L 7–28 | 50,878 | [12] |
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[13]
Personnel
Roster
| 1973 Pittsburgh Panthers football team roster
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| Players
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Coaches
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| Offense
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Defense
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Special teams
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- Head coach
- Coordinators/assistant coaches
- Legend
- (C) Team captain
- (S) Suspended
- (I) Ineligible
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Coaching staff
| 1973 Pittsburgh Panthers football staff
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Coaching staff
- Johnny Majors – Head coach
- Jackie Sherrill – Assistant head coach/defensive coordinator
- George Haffner – Offensive coordinator
- Joe Avezzano – Offensive line
- Jim Dyar – Defensive line
- Larry Holton – Defense
- Harry Jones – Offensive backs
- Bob Leahy – Head Freshman Coach
- Joe Madden – Defensive secondary
- Bob Roper – Receivers
- Bob Matey – Freshman Defensive Line
- Keith Schroeder – Scouting
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Support staff
- Albert Smith – Executive Assistant Director of Athletics
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Team players drafted into the NFL
[14]
References
- ^ "New-look Pitt ties Georgia, 7–7". The Pittsburgh Press. September 16, 1973. Retrieved October 26, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Surprising Bears upset Pitt 20–14". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. September 23, 1973. Retrieved March 28, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Pittsburgh downs Wildcats". News Journal. September 30, 1973. Retrieved September 22, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Pitt burned by 'big play' Tulane, 24–6". The Pittsburgh Press. October 7, 1973. Retrieved October 15, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Pitt crushes W. Virginia, 35–7". The Philadelphia Inquirer. October 14, 1973. Retrieved January 25, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "'No. 2' Panthers upset Boston College, 28–14". The Pittsburgh Press. October 21, 1973. Retrieved September 22, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Pitt subdues Navy, 22–17". Daily Press. October 28, 1973. Retrieved September 23, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Pitt kicks Syracuse". The Houston Chronicle. November 4, 1973. Retrieved September 23, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Dorsett sets anti-Irish mark". The Cincinnati Enquirer. November 11, 1973. Retrieved September 23, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Dorsett dances Pitt to Fiesta". The Patriot-News. November 18, 1973. Retrieved September 22, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Penn State rallies to punish Pitt". The Wichita Eagle & Beacon. November 25, 1973. Retrieved September 23, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Fiesta time a big disappointment". The Pittsburgh Press. December 22, 1973. Retrieved October 8, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Schedule/Results (1973 Pittsburgh)". NCAA Statistics. National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved September 23, 2025.
- ^ "1974 NFL Draft Listing - Pro-Football-Reference.com". Archived from the original on December 21, 2007.
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National championship seasons in bold |