No Pitt game today. The present is bleak. The future nebulous. Time to take not of past Pitt greats.
As most are aware, Curtis Martin will be honored by Pitt at the Navy game on Wednesday.
Also attending the game will be two former teammates who will be rooting for different teams that night.
Navy’s last win over Pitt came in 1985 during the senior season of tailback Napoleon McCallum, a two-time honorable mention All-American who would play in the National Football League.
Navy and Pitt were once regular opponents, playing 19 consecutive games between 1961-1979 and seven straight times from 1983-89. The Panthers hold a 20-13-3 lead in the series, which dates back to 1912.
Two of the finest players to participate in the rivalry – former Pittsburgh tailback Tony Dorsett and ex-Navy quarterback Roger Staubach – will be in attendance at Heinz Field on Wednesday. Dorsett and Staubach were longtime teammates with the Dallas Cowboys, playing in two Super Bowls together.
The article added another tidbit that made me go, “What, 1, 2, 3, 4… crap.”
However, the once-proud program has never been quite the same since head coach Jackie Sherrill left after leading Pitt to an 11-1 record and Sugar Bowl victory in 1981. Longtime assistant Serafino “Foge” Fazio took over and mediocrity soon set in. The Panthers have suffered 14 losing or non-winning seasons since and gone through six head coaches.
Urp.
We need our pro alumni to come back to the city and work with these players in the off season similar to what the U and all of the other big time programs do.
