Conference Independent AP No. 2 | Coaches No. 2 1980 record 11–1 | |
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Head coach Jackie Sherrill (4th year) Offensive coordinator Wally English (2nd year) | ||
The 1980 Pittsburgh Panthers football team represented the University of Pittsburgh in the 1980 NCAA Division I-A football season. Despite losing one game, the Panthers were named national champions by several selectors including the College Football Researchers Association, The New York Times computer poll, and the Sagarin Ratings, among others. The university does not claim a national championships for this season, nor are the Panthers popularly recognized for winning that year's national championship. Pitt was awarded the Lambert-Meadowlands Trophy as the champion of the East.
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Championship selections
Selectors that named Pitt the 1980 national champion:
West Virginia
Starting free safety Rick Trocano moved over to offense in the second quarter to replace the injured Dan Marino. Previously the starter at QB in 1978, Trocano led Pitt to four second-quarter touchdowns during the Panthers’ win at Pitt Stadium.