List of Pittsburgh Panthers football seasons
This is a list of Pittsburgh Panthers football seasons, national championships and quarterbacks. The Pittsburgh Panthers football team is the American football team of the University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh. The team competes in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision. The Panthers have been members of the Atlantic Coast Conference since 2013. From 1991 to 2012 they were members of the Big East Conference. Before 1991 they competed as an independent.
The Panthers began play in 1890. In total, the University officially recognizes nine national championships based on research published by Sports Illustrated in 1970.[1] The NCAA's record book lists Pittsburgh as being selected for a national championship by "major selectors" in eleven different seasons.[2] Research by College Football Data Warehouse (CFBDW) has found that Pitt was selected as a national champion in 16 different seasons by at least one selector of championships.[3] Of these, CFBDW officially recognizes six as national championship seasons for the University of Pittsburgh.[4]
Season records
Season | Record | Bowl Results | Awards | AP Rank | National championships | References | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Overall | Conference | |||||||||||||
W | L | T | Membership | W | L | T | Peak | Final | Selectors | Source | ||||
1890 | 1 | 2 | 0 | |||||||||||
1891 | 2 | 5 | 0 | |||||||||||
1892 | 4 | 2 | 0 | |||||||||||
1893 | 1 | 4 | 0 | |||||||||||
1894 | 1 | 1 | 0 | |||||||||||
1895 | 1 | 6 | 0 | |||||||||||
1896 | 3 | 6 | 0 | |||||||||||
1897 | 1 | 3 | 0 | |||||||||||
1898 | 5 | 2 | 1 | |||||||||||
1899 | 3 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||
1900 | 5 | 4 | 0 | |||||||||||
1901 | 7 | 2 | 1 | |||||||||||
1902 | 5 | 6 | 1 | |||||||||||
1903 | 0 | 8 | 1 | |||||||||||
1904 | 10 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||
1905 | 10 | 2 | 0 | |||||||||||
1906 | 4 | 6 | 0 | |||||||||||
1907 | 9 | 1 | 0 | |||||||||||
1908 | 8 | 3 | 0 | |||||||||||
1909 | 6 | 2 | 1 | |||||||||||
1910 | 9 | 0 | 0 | NCF | CFBDW, NCAA | |||||||||
1911 | 4 | 3 | 1 | |||||||||||
1912 | 3 | 6 | 0 | |||||||||||
1913 | 6 | 2 | 1 | |||||||||||
1914 | 8 | 1 | 0 | |||||||||||
1915 | 8 | 0 | 0 | PD | NCAA, Pitt | |||||||||
1916 | 8 | 0 | 0 | BR, HAF, HS, NCF, PD | CFBDW, NCAA, Pitt | |||||||||
1917 | 9 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||
1918 | 4 | 1 | 0 | HAF, HS, NCF | CFBDW, NCAA, Pitt | |||||||||
1919 | 6 | 2 | 1 | |||||||||||
1920 | 6 | 0 | 2 | |||||||||||
1921 | 5 | 3 | 1 | |||||||||||
1922 | 8 | 2 | 0 | |||||||||||
1923 | 5 | 4 | 0 | |||||||||||
1924 | 5 | 3 | 1 | |||||||||||
1925 | 8 | 1 | 0 | |||||||||||
1926 | 5 | 2 | 2 | |||||||||||
1927 | 8 | 1 | 1 | L Rose Bowl | ||||||||||
1928 | 6 | 2 | 1 | |||||||||||
1929 | 9 | 1 | 0 | L Rose Bowl | PD | NCAA, Pitt | ||||||||
1930 | 6 | 2 | 1 | |||||||||||
1931 | 8 | 1 | 0 | PD | NCAA, Pitt | |||||||||
1932 | 8 | 1 | 2 | L Rose Bowl | ||||||||||
1933 | 8 | 1 | 0 | |||||||||||
1934 | 8 | 1 | 0 | PD | Pitt | |||||||||
1935 | 7 | 1 | 2 | |||||||||||
1936 | 8 | 1 | 1 | W Rose Bowl | #2 | #3 | BS, CFRA, HS | CFBDW, NCAA, Pitt | ||||||
1937 | 9 | 0 | 1 | #1 | #1 | AP, BR, BS, CFRA, DiS, HS, L, NCF, PS, SR, WS | CFBDW, NCAA, Pitt | |||||||
1938 | 8 | 2 | 0 | #1 | #8 | |||||||||
1939 | 5 | 4 | 0 | #1 | – | |||||||||
1940 | 3 | 4 | 1 | – | – | |||||||||
1941 | 3 | 6 | 0 | – | – | |||||||||
1942 | 3 | 6 | 0 | – | – | |||||||||
1943 | 3 | 5 | 0 | – | – | |||||||||
1944 | 4 | 5 | 0 | – | – | |||||||||
1945 | 3 | 7 | 0 | – | – | |||||||||
1946 | 3 | 5 | 1 | – | – | |||||||||
1947 | 1 | 8 | 0 | – | – | |||||||||
1948 | 6 | 3 | 0 | – | – | |||||||||
1949 | 6 | 3 | 0 | #15 | – | |||||||||
1950 | 1 | 8 | 0 | – | – | |||||||||
1951 | 3 | 7 | 0 | – | – | |||||||||
1952 | 6 | 3 | 0 | #14 | – | |||||||||
1953 | 3 | 5 | 1 | #15 | – | |||||||||
1954 | 4 | 5 | 0 | #20 | – | |||||||||
1955 | 7 | 4 | 0 | L Sugar Bowl | #7 | #11 | ||||||||
1956 | 7 | 3 | 1 | L Gator Bowl | #7 | #13 | ||||||||
1957 | 4 | 6 | 0 | #16 | – | |||||||||
1958 | 5 | 4 | 1 | #7 | – | |||||||||
1959 | 6 | 4 | 0 | #16 | #20 | |||||||||
1960 | 4 | 3 | 3 | #12 | – | |||||||||
1961 | 3 | 7 | 0 | – | – | |||||||||
1962 | 5 | 5 | 0 | – | – | |||||||||
1963 | 9 | 1 | 0 | #3 | #4 | |||||||||
1964 | 3 | 5 | 2 | – | – | |||||||||
1965 | 3 | 7 | 0 | – | – | |||||||||
1966 | 1 | 9 | 0 | – | – | |||||||||
1967 | 1 | 9 | 0 | – | – | |||||||||
1968 | 1 | 9 | 0 | – | – | |||||||||
1969 | 4 | 6 | 0 | – | – | |||||||||
1970 | 5 | 5 | 0 | #15 | – | |||||||||
1971 | 3 | 8 | 0 | – | – | |||||||||
1972 | 1 | 10 | 0 | – | – | |||||||||
1973 | 6 | 5 | 1 | L Fiesta Bowl | #20 | – | ||||||||
1974 | 7 | 4 | 0 | #8 | #20 | |||||||||
1975 | 8 | 4 | 0 | W Sun Bowl | #15 | #15 | ||||||||
1976 | 12 | 0 | 0 | W Sugar Bowl | #1 | #1 | AP, FN, FWAA, HAF, NCF, NFF, PS, R(FACT), SN, SR, UPI | CFBDW, NCAA, Pitt | ||||||
1977 | 9 | 2 | 1 | W Gator Bowl | #8 | #8 | ||||||||
1978 | 8 | 4 | 0 | L Tangerine Bowl | #9 | – | ||||||||
1979 | 11 | 1 | 0 | W Fiesta Bowl | #7 | #7 | ||||||||
1980 | 11 | 1 | 0 | W Gator Bowl | #2 | #2 | CFRA, DeS, NYT, R(FACT), SR | NCAA | ||||||
1981 | 11 | 1 | 0 | W Sugar Bowl | #1 | #4 | NCF | NCAA | ||||||
1982 | 9 | 3 | 0 | L Cotton Bowl Classic | #1 | #10 | ||||||||
1983 | 8 | 3 | 1 | L Fiesta Bowl | #15 | #18 | ||||||||
1984 | 3 | 7 | 1 | #17 | – | |||||||||
1985 | 5 | 5 | 1 | – | – | |||||||||
1986 | 6 | 4 | 1 | – | – | |||||||||
1987 | 8 | 4 | 0 | L Astro-Bluebonnet Bowl | #16 | – | ||||||||
1988 | 6 | 5 | 0 | #16 | – | |||||||||
1989 | 8 | 3 | 1 | W John Hancock Bowl | #7 | #17 | ||||||||
1990 | 3 | 7 | 1 | #13 | – | |||||||||
1991 | 6 | 5 | 0 | Big East | 3 | 2 | 0 | #12 | – | |||||
1992 | 3 | 9 | 0 | Big East | 1 | 3 | 0 | – | – | |||||
1993 | 3 | 8 | 0 | Big East | 2 | 5 | 0 | – | – | |||||
1994 | 3 | 8 | 0 | Big East | 2 | 5 | 0 | – | – | |||||
1995 | 2 | 9 | 0 | Big East | 0 | 7 | 0 | – | – | |||||
1996 | 4 | 7 | Big East | 3 | 4 | – | – | |||||||
1997 | 6 | 6 | Big East | 4 | 3 | L Liberty Bowl | – | – | ||||||
1998 | 2 | 9 | Big East | 0 | 7 | – | – | |||||||
1999 | 5 | 6 | Big East | 2 | 5 | – | – | |||||||
2000 | 7 | 5 | Big East | 4 | 3 | L Insight.com Bowl | – | – | ||||||
2001 | 7 | 5 | Big East | 4 | 3 | W Tangerine Bowl | – | – | ||||||
2002 | 9 | 4 | Big East | 5 | 2 | W Insight Bowl | #17 | #19 | ||||||
2003 | 8 | 5 | Big East | 5 | 2 | L Continental Tire Bowl | #9 | – | ||||||
2004 | 8 | 4 | Big East | 4 | 2 | L Fiesta Bowl | #19 | #25 | ||||||
2005 | 5 | 6 | Big East | 4 | 3 | #21 | – | |||||||
2006 | 6 | 6 | Big East | 2 | 5 | – | – | |||||||
2007 | 5 | 7 | Big East | 3 | 4 | – | – | |||||||
2008 | 9 | 4 | Big East | 5 | 2 | L Sun Bowl | #17 | – | ||||||
2009 | 10 | 3 | Big East | 5 | 2 | W Meineke Car Care Bowl | #8 | #15 | ||||||
2010 | 8 | 5 | Big East | 5 | 2 | W BBVA Compass Bowl | #15 | – | ||||||
2011 | 6 | 7 | Big East | 4 | 3 | L BBVA Compass Bowl | - | – | ||||||
2012 | 6 | 7 | Big East | 3 | 4 | L BBVA Compass Bowl | – | – | ||||||
2013 | 7 | 6 | ACC | 3 | 5 | W Little Caesars Pizza Bowl | – | – | ||||||
2014 | 6 | 7 | ACC | 4 | 4 | L Armed Forces Bowl | – | – | ||||||
2015 | 8 | 5 | ACC | 6 | 2 | L Military Bowl | #23 | – | ||||||
2016 | 8 | 5 | ACC | 5 | 3 | L Pinstripe Bowl | #22 | – | ||||||
2017 | 5 | 7 | ACC | 3 | 5 | – | – | |||||||
2018 | 7 | 7 | ACC | 6 | 2 | L Sun Bowl | #24 | – | ||||||
2019 | 8 | 5 | ACC | 4 | 4 | W 2019 Quick Lane Bowl | - | – |
Legend
CFBDW recognized National Championships[4] |
NCAA record book listed & Pitt claimed National Championships |
National Championship listed in the NCAA record book but not claimed by Pitt |
National Championship claimed by Pitt but not listed in the NCAA record book |
Big East Conference Championship (1991–2012) |
ACC Coastal Division Championship (2013–present) |
Undefeated Season |
Polls have been the most prominent form of championship selection since the inception of the AP Poll in 1936. The following systems have at one point in their history have named Pitt as a national champion or are still active today. Retroactive designations are marked in italics.
Selector | Name | Years | Selector | Name | Years | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mathematical | Poll | |||||
BCS* | Bowl Championship Series | 1998–2013 | AP | Associated Press | 1936–present | |
BR | Billingsley Report | 1869–1870, 1872–1969, 1970–2006 | CFRA | College Football Researchers Association | 1919–1935, 1936–1981, 1982–1992 | |
BS | Boand System | 1919–1929, 1930–1960 | FN | Football News | 1958–2002 | |
CCR | Congrove Computer Rankings | 1993–Present | FWAA | Football Writers Association of America | 1954–present | |
DeS | DeVold System | 1939–1944, 1945–2006 | HAF | Helms Athletic Foundation | 1883–1935, 1936–1940, 1941–1982 | |
DiS | Dickinson System | 1924–1925, 1926–1940 | NCF | National Championship Foundation | 1869–1870, 1872–1935, 1936–1979, 1980–2000 | |
HS | Houlgate System | 1885, 1887–1905, 1907–1926, 1927–1949 | NFF† | National Football Foundation | 1959–1990, 1995–present | |
L | Litkenhous | 1934–1972, 1974, 1978, 1981–1984 | SN | Sporting News | 1975–2006 | |
NYT | New York Times | 1979–2004 | UPI* | United Press International | 1950–1990, 1993–1995 | |
PS | Poling System | 1924–1934, 1935–1955, 1957–1984 | USAT*†‡ | USA Today | 2006–present | |
R(FACT) | Rothman (FACT) | 1968–2006 | * The USA Today (USAT) Coaches' Poll is used as part of the BCS formula. † The NFF merged with UPI from 1991–1992 and was known as the UPI/NFF. Prior to 1991 the UPI had published the Coaches' Poll, which has been published by USA Today under various names and sponsorships since 1991.[5] ‡ The USA Today Poll was sponsored by CNN from 1982–1996, known as CNN/USA Today, and ESPN from 1997–2005, known as the ESPN/USA Today. The NFF briefly merged with USA Today poll from 1993–1994 and was known as the USAT/NFF. | |||
SR | Sagarin Ratings | 1919–1977, 1978–2006 | ||||
WS | Williamson System | 1931, 1932–1963 | ||||
Research | ||||||
PD | Parke H. Davis | 1869–1870, 1872–1909, 1911–1916, 1919–1932, 1933 |
National championships
The University of Pittsburgh claims nine national championships for the Panthers football team: four that are mostly unanimous, (1916, 1918, 1937, and 1976) and five shared titles (1915, 1929, 1931, 1934, 1936).
The University bases its claim for the first eight national championships on a study conducted in 1970 by Sports Illustrated.[6] These championships, together with its unanimous championship of 1976, are the basis for the university's claim of eight national championship seasons.
Furthermore, according to research conducted by the College Football Data Warehouse,[7] in eight additional years at least one selector of national championships has declared Pitt as its national champion. Combined with the Sports Illustrated study, Pitt has been recognized as the national champion by at least one selector in 17 different seasons. According to the Official NCAA Division 1 Football Records Book, Pitt has been named a national champion by a "Major Selector" in 12 separate seasons.[8]
Note: The table lists all known national championship selections for the University of Pittsburgh. The list of national championship selecting organizations choosing Pitt for any particular year is not necessarily comprehensive. For more information see College Football Data Warehouse Total National Championships Additional notations include the following:
- Pitt: national championship selections are officially recognized by the University[9]
- NCAA: Selection as national champions by organizations designated as "Major Selectors" in the official NCAA football records book[10]
- CFBDW: Designation as "CFBDW Recognized National Champions"[11] according to College Football Data Warehouse.
Pittburgh Panthers national championships | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Season | Coach | Record | Selectors | Recognized | ||||||
1910 | Joseph H. Thompson | 9–0 | 1st-N-Goal Century Football Index Cliff Morgan Mel Smith National Championship Foundation Patrick Premo |
NCAA CFBDW | ||||||
1915 | Glenn Scobey Warner | 8–0 | Bill Libby Jim Koger Mel Smith Parke H. Davis |
NCAA Pitt | ||||||
1916 | Glenn Scobey Warner | 8–0 | consensus | NCAA Pitt CFBDW | ||||||
1917 | GlennScobey Warner | 10–0 | Alexander Weyand David Wilson Earl Jessen Jim Koger Mel Smith Nutshell Sports Football Ratings |
|||||||
1918 | Glenn Scobey Warner | 4–1 | consensus | NCAA Pitt CFBDW | ||||||
1925 | Jock Sutherland | 8–1 | Soren Sorensen | |||||||
1927 | Jock Sutherland | 8–1–1 | Esso Gas | |||||||
1929 | Jock Sutherland | 9–1 | Parke H. Davis | NCAA Pitt | ||||||
1931 | Jock Sutherland | 8–1 | 1st-N-Goal Bob Kirlin Parke H. Davis |
NCAA Pitt | ||||||
1933 | Jock Sutherland | 8–1 | Bob Kirlin | |||||||
1934 | Jock Sutherland | 8–1 | Parke H. Davis | Pitt | ||||||
1936 | Jock Sutherland | 8–1–1 | 1st-N-Goal Angelo Louisa Boand System Bob Kirlin College Football Researchers Association Earl Jessen Esso Gas Houlgate System Jim Koger Loren Maxwell Patrick Premo |
NCAA Pitt CFBDW | ||||||
1937 | Jock Sutherland | 9–0–1 | consensus | NCAA Pitt CFBDW | ||||||
1938 | Jock Sutherland | 8–2 | Patrick Premo | |||||||
1976 | Johnny Majors | 12–0 | consensus | NCAA Pitt CFBDW | ||||||
1980 | Jackie Sherrill | 11–1 | 1st-N-Goal Angelo Louisa ARGH Power Ratings College Football Researchers Association Foundation for the Analysis of Competitions and Tournaments Harry DeVold James Howell Jeff Self New York Times Quality Champions Sagarin Ratings Steve Eck The Fleming System |
NCAA | ||||||
1981 | Jackie Sherrill | 11–1 | Montgomery Full Season Championship National Championship Foundation |
NCAA |
The following table summarizes the source and totals for Pitt's national championship seasons.
Source | Championships | Years |
---|---|---|
AP/Coaches' Poll (1936–present) | Two | 1937, 1976 |
CFBDW (recognized)[4] | Six | 1910, 1916, 1918, 1936, 1937, 1976 |
Sports Illustrated (1970 study)[12] | Nine | 1915, 1916, 1918, 1929, 1931, 1934, 1936, 1937 |
NCAA ("major" selectors)[13] | Eleven | 1910, 1915, 1916, 1918, 1929, 1931, 1936, 1937, 1976, 1980, 1981 |
CFBDW (all)[3] | Sixteen | 1910, 1915, 1916, 1917, 1918, 1925, 1927, 1929, 1931, 1933, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1976, 1980, 1981 |
Total unique seasons | Seventeen | 1910, 1915, 1916, 1917, 1918, 1925, 1927, 1929, 1931, 1933, 1934, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1976, 1980, 1981 |
Claimed by Pitt[12] | Nine | 1915, 1916, 1918, 1929, 1931, 1934, 1936, 1937, 1976 |
Quarterbacks
Pitt's season-by-season completion leaders at quarterback since 1974 are depicted in the following table.[14]
Pittsburgh Panthers quarterbacks | ||||
Season | 1st String QB/Completions | 2nd String QB/Completions | 3rd String QB/Completions | |
---|---|---|---|---|
2018 | Kenny Pickett / 180 | Jeff George Jr. / 1 | Ricky Town / 1 | |
2017 | Max Browne / 96 | Ben DiNucci / 88 | Kenny Pickett / 39 | |
2016 | Nathan Peterman / 185 | Ben DiNucci / 3 | ||
2015 | Nathan Peterman / 193 | Chad Voytik / 16 | ||
2014 | Chad Voytik / 176 | Trey Anderson / 11 | ||
2013 | Tom Savage / 238 | Chad Voytik / 6 | ||
2012 | Tino Sunseri / 256* | Trey Anderson / 2 | ||
2011 | Tino Sunseri / 247* | Trey Anderson / 12 | ||
2010 | Tino Sunseri / 223 | Pat Bostick / 7 | ||
2009 | Bill Stull / 207 | Tino Sunseri / 10 | ||
2008 | Bill Stull / 188 | Pat Bostick / 22 | Kevan Smith / 1 | |
2007 | Pat Bostick / 155 | Kevan Smith / 36 | Bill Stull / 14 | |
2006 | Tyler Palko / 220 | Bill Stull / 6 | ||
2005 | Tyler Palko / 193 | Bill Stull / 1 | ||
2004 | Tyler Palko / 230 | Joe Flacco / 1 | ||
2003 | Rod Rutherford / 247* | Luke Getsy / 3 | ||
2002 | Rod Rutherford / 192 | Tyler Palko / 2 | ||
2001 | David Priestley / 165 | Rod Rutherford / 19 | ||
2000 | John Turman / 128 | David Priestley / 57 | ||
1999 | John Turman / 92 | David Priestley / 92 | ||
1998 | Matt Lytle / 159 | Matt O'Connor / 14 | ||
1997 | Pete Gonzalez / 198 | Matt Lytle / 5 | ||
1996 | Matt Lytle / 105 | Pete Gonzalez / 30 | ||
1995 | John Ryan / 115 | Matt Lytle / 37 | Pete Gonzalez / 30 | |
1994 | John Ryan / 87 | Sean Fitzgerald / 79 | Pete Gonzalez / 4 | |
1993 | John Ryan / 115 | Ken Ferguson / 9 | ||
1992 | Alex Van Pelt / 245* | John Ryan / 21 | ||
1991 | Alex Van Pelt / 227* | Ken Ferguson / 2 | ||
1990 | Alex Van Pelt / 201 | Darnell Dickerson / 1 | ||
1989 | Alex Van Pelt / 192 | Scott Stark / 4 | ||
1988 | Darnell Dickerson / 104 | Larry Wanke / 8 | ||
1987 | Sal Genilla / 80 | Darnell Dickerson / 35 | Larry Wanke / 13 | |
1986 | John Congemi / 165 | Joe Felitskey / 36 | Sal Genilla / 8 | |
1985 | John Congemi / 122 | Joe Felitskey / 4 | ||
1984 | John Congemi / 93 | Chris Jelic / 44 | John Cummings / 12 | |
1983 | John Congemi / 170 | Chris Jelic / 9 | John Cummings / 9 | |
1982 | Dan Marino / 221 | Dan Daniels / 2 | ||
1981 | Dan Marino / 226* | Dan Daniels / 1 | ||
1980 | Dan Marino / 116 | Rick Trocano / 88 | ||
1979 | Dan Marino / 130 | Rick Trocano / 74 | ||
1978 | Rick Trocano / 138* | Larry Delaney / 18 | ||
1977 | Matt Cavanaugh / 110* | Rick Trocano / 17 | ||
1976 | Matt Cavanaugh / 65 | Thomas Yencic / 14 | ||
1975 | Robert Haygood / 42 | Matt Cavanaugh / 30 | ||
1974 | Bill Daniels / 71* | Bob Medwid / 14 |
* Denotes setting of team single-season completion record
References
- ^ "Pitt football media guide 2006" (PDF). p. 176. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2018-10-01. Retrieved 2008-01-29.
- ^ "Official 2001 NCAA Division I Football Records Book" (PDF). p. 78. Retrieved 2009-01-29. [dead link]
- ^ a b "Pittsburgh All National Championships". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on 2008-07-04. Retrieved 2009-01-29.
- ^ a b c "College Football Data Warehouse: Recognized National Championships by Team: Pittsburgh". Archived from the original on 2012-11-14. Retrieved 2009-01-29.
- ^ "Official 2008 NCAA Division 1 Records Book" (PDF). NCAA. 2008.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Pitt Panthers media guide" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2018-10-01. Retrieved 2008-10-24.
- ^ College Football Data Warehouse: Pittsburgh All National Championships, accessdate=2008-11-28 Archived 2008-07-04 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ The National Collegiate Athletic Association, Official 2008 NCAA Division 1 Football Records Book, 2008-08[permanent dead link], pg 76, ISSN 0735-5475, accessdate=2008-11-28
- ^ 2007 Pitt Football Media Guide, p176
- ^ Official 2007 NCAA Division 1 Records Book, p.74 Archived 2007-12-01 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "CFBDW Recognized National Champions". Archived from the original on 2012-11-14. Retrieved 2009-01-30.
- ^ a b The University of Pittsburgh officially claims 9 National Championships for the Panthers football team. The University of Pittsburgh bases its claim for the first 8 national championships on a study conducted in 1970 by Sports Illustrated. These championships, together with its unanimous championship of 1976, are the basis for the university's claim of 9 national championship seasons. 2006 University of Pittsburgh 2006 Football Media Guide Archived 2018-10-01 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ National Championships as listed in the official NCAA football records book as selected by "Major Selectors" although the NCAA itself does not recognize or discriminate between national championship selections. "Official 2008 NCAA Division 1 Records Book" (PDF). NCAA. 2008.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Pitt Panthers 2012 season". sports-reference.com. Retrieved 16 August 2013.