The 1980 Pittsburgh Panthers football team represented the University of Pittsburgh

University of Pittsburgh

The University of Pittsburgh, commonly referred to as Pitt, is a state-related research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded as Pittsburgh Academy in 1787 on what was then the American frontier, Pitt is one of the oldest continuously chartered institutions of...

 in the 1980 college football season. Despite losing one game, the Panthers were named National Champions by several selectors of national championships 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

Lambert-Meadowlands Trophy

The Lambert-Meadowlands Trophy is an annual award given to the best team in the Northeast in Division I FBS college football.The Lambert Trophy was established by brothers Victor and Henry Lambert in memory of their father, August. The Lamberts were the principals in a distinguished Madison Avenue...

 as the champion of the East

Northeastern United States

The Northeastern United States is a region of the United States as defined by the United States Census Bureau.-Composition:The region comprises nine states: the New England states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont; and the Mid-Atlantic states of New...

.

Championship selections

Selectors that named Pitt the 1981 National Champion:

• 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

Schedule

• In the Backyard Brawl
  Backyard Brawl
  The Backyard Brawl is an annual football game between the University of Pittsburgh Panthers and the West Virginia University Mountaineers. The term "Backyard Brawl" has also been used to refer to college basketball games played annually or semi-iannually and may also be used to refer to other...
  
  , Pittsburgh beat West Virginia by a 42-14 score. Starting free safety Rick Trocano moved over to offense in the second quarter to replace the injured Dan Marino. Trocano led Pitt to four second-quarter touchdowns during the Panthers’ win at Pitt Stadium.

  Game	Date	Time	TV	Opponent	Result	Score	Record
  1	Sat. Sep. 13		ABC	Boston College	Win	14-6	1-0
  2	Sat. Sep. 20		None	@ Kansas	Win	18-3	2-0
  3	Sat. Sep. 27		None	Temple	Win	36-2	3-0
  4	Sat. Oct. 4		None	Maryland	Win	38-9	4-0
  5	Sat. Oct. 11		None	@ Florida State	Loss	22-36	4-1
  6	Sat. Oct. 18		None	West Virginia	Win	42-14	5-1
  7	Sat. Oct. 25		None	@ Tennessee	Win	30-6	6-1
  8	Sat. Nov. 1		ABC	@ Syracuse	Win	43-6	7-1
  9	Sat. Nov. 8		None	Louisville	Win	41-23	8-1
  10	Sat. Nov. 15		None	@ Army	Win	45-7	9-1
  11	Sat. Nov. 22		ABC	@ Penn State	Win	14-9	10-1
  12	Mon. Dec. 29		ABC	South Carolina (Gator Bowl)	Win	37-9	11-1

Team Players drafted into in the NFL

Player	Position	Round	Pick	NFL Club
Hugh Green	Defensive End	1	7	Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1981 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season The 1981 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season began with the team trying to improve on an 5-10-1 season. The team was considered to be superior to the 1979 team that finished the season one game shy of the Super Bowl. With the running game and special teams ineffective, the Buccaneers depended heavily on...
Randy McMillan Randy McMillan Lewis Lorando "Randy" McMillan , was a professional American football player who was selected by the Baltimore Colts in the 1st round of the 1981 NFL Draft. A 6'0", . running back from Harford CC two-time 1st team All-AmericanPittsburgh, McMillan played in 6 NFL seasons from 1980-1986.-External...	Running Back	1	12	Baltimore Colts 1981 Baltimore Colts season The 1981 Baltimore Colts season was the 29th season for the team in the National Football League. The Baltimore Colts finished the National Football League's 1981 season with a record of 2 wins and 14 losses, and finished tied for fourth in the AFC East division with the New England Patriots...
Mark May Mark May Mark Eric May is a former American football offensive lineman in the National Football League. He is currently a football analyst for ESPN.-Football career:...	Tackle	1	20	Washington Redskins 1981 Washington Redskins season The 1981 Washington Redskins began with the team trying to improve on their 6-10 record from 1980. This was Joe Gibbs' first season as Head Coach.-NFL Draft:-Schedule:-Standings:-References:...
Rickey Jackson Rickey Jackson Rickey Anderson Jackson is a former American football linebacker in the NFL for the New Orleans Saints and the San Francisco 49ers . In 1997, Jackson was inducted into the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame. Jackson won a Super Bowl ring with the 49ers in Super Bowl XXIX one year before retiring...	Linebacker	2	51	New Orleans Saints 1981 New Orleans Saints season The 1981 New Orleans Saints season was the Saints 15th season. The Saints had the first pick overall in the 1981 NFL Draft. With the first pick overall, the Saints drafted Heisman Trophy winner George Rogers from the University of South Carolina.-NFL Draft:...
Greg Meisner Greg Meisner Gregory Paul Meisner is a former American football defensive lineman for the Los Angeles Rams, Kansas City Chiefs and New York Giants of the National Football League....	Defensive Tackle	3	63	Los Angeles Rams 1981 Los Angeles Rams season The 1981 Los Angeles Rams season was the team's 44th year with the National Football League and the 36th season in Los Angeles.-NFL Draft:-Schedule:-External links:*...
Carlton Williamson Carlton Williamson Carlton Williamson , is a former professional American football player who was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the 3rd round of the 1981 NFL Draft. A 6'0", 200 lbs. safety from the University of Pittsburgh, Williamson was a 2-time Pro Bowl selection in 1984 and 1985 and a 2-time Super...	Defensive Back	3	65	San Francisco 49ers 1981 San Francisco 49ers season The San Francisco 49ers 1981 season was their 32nd season in the National Football League. The season was highlighted by their first Super Bowl victory. A big turning point for the franchise was the drafting of Ronnie Lott from the University of Southern California. Quarterback Joe Montana began...
Russ Grimm Russ Grimm Russell Scott Grimm is a former American football guard for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. As a collegian, he was an All-American center at the University of Pittsburgh. As a professional, Grimm had multi-selections to both the All-Pro and Pro Bowl teams, and was...	Center	3	69	Washington Redskins 1981 Washington Redskins season The 1981 Washington Redskins began with the team trying to improve on their 6-10 record from 1980. This was Joe Gibbs' first season as Head Coach.-NFL Draft:-Schedule:-Standings:-References:...
Bill Neill Bill Neill William M. Neill is a former defensive lineman in the National Football League who played for the New York Giants and the Green Bay Packers. Neill played collegiate ball at the University of Pittsburgh before being drafted by the New York Ginats in the 5th round of the 1981 NFL Draft. He played...	Defensive Tackle	5	115	New York Giants 1981 New York Giants season The 1981 New York Giants season was the 57th season for the club in the National Football League. The Giants qualified for the playoffs for the first time in 18 years with a 9–7 record, which placed them third in the National Football Conference East Division...
Benjie Pryor	Tight End	5	120	Cincinnati Bengals 1981 Cincinnati Bengals season The 1981 Cincinnati Bengals season was the team's 14th year in professional football and its 12th with the National Football League.The Bengals unveiled new uniforms with tiger-striped helmets, jerseys and pants. They had at least a share of the AFC Central lead the entire season and, on Dec...
Lynn Thomas	Defensive Back	5	121	San Francisco 49ers 1981 San Francisco 49ers season The San Francisco 49ers 1981 season was their 32nd season in the National Football League. The season was highlighted by their first Super Bowl victory. A big turning point for the franchise was the drafting of Ronnie Lott from the University of Southern California. Quarterback Joe Montana began...
Jerry Boyarsky Jerry Boyarsky Gerard Mark Joseph Boyarsky is a former American football player who was a defensive tackle who played for four teams in the National Football League. He played college football at the University of Pittsburgh. Jerry Boyarsky graduated from Lakeland School District, Pennsylvania...	Defensive Tackle	5	128	New Orleans Saints 1981 New Orleans Saints season The 1981 New Orleans Saints season was the Saints 15th season. The Saints had the first pick overall in the 1981 NFL Draft. With the first pick overall, the Saints drafted Heisman Trophy winner George Rogers from the University of South Carolina.-NFL Draft:...
Rick Trocano Rick Trocano Richard Charles Trocano is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 11th round of the 1981 NFL Draft. He played college football at Pittsburgh....	Quarterback	11	292	Pittsburgh Steelers 1981 Pittsburgh Steelers season - Schedule :- Schedule :- Week 1 : vs. Kansas City Chiefs :at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania* Game time: 1:00 pm EDT* Game weather:* Game attendance: 53,305* Referee: Jim Tunney...

Awards and honors

• Hugh Green, Walter Camp Award
• Hugh Green, Lombardi Award
• Hugh Green, Maxwell Award
• Mark May, Outland Trophy