What Is 1931 Pitt Panthers football team

Overview

The 1931 Pittsburgh Panthers football team represented the University of Pittsburgh during the 1931 college football season. Competing as an independent, the team was led by head coach Jock Sutherland, who was in his eighth year at the helm. The Panthers played their home games at Forbes Field, a historic stadium also used by the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Under Sutherland’s leadership, the team posted a solid 6–2–1 record, outscoring opponents 135–56. Though not ranked in the final AP Poll (which did not begin until 1936), the Panthers were considered one of the stronger independent teams in the nation. Their season included notable wins over SMU and Penn State, showcasing a balanced offensive attack and a stout defense.

• Record: The Panthers finished the 1931 season with a 6–2–1 overall record, demonstrating consistent performance across nine games.
• Head Coach: Jock Sutherland, in his eighth season, continued to build Pitt into a national power with disciplined, hard-nosed football.
• Scoring: Pittsburgh scored 135 total points during the season, averaging 15.0 points per game, a strong output for the era.
• Defensive Strength: The defense allowed only 56 points all season, averaging 6.2 points per game against, one of the best in the nation.
• Home Field: All home games were played at Forbes Field, a multi-purpose stadium located in Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood.

Season Performance

The 1931 campaign featured a challenging schedule that tested the Panthers against regional and national opponents. The team opened with a strong showing and maintained momentum through key victories, though two losses and a tie prevented a perfect season.

• September 26: Pitt defeated Bethany College 47–0, setting the tone with a dominant offensive performance.
• October 3: A 20–0 shutout of Carnegie Tech highlighted the team’s defensive dominance early in the season.
• October 10: The Panthers beat SMU 19–0 in a rare intersectional matchup, boosting their national profile.
• October 17: A 13–6 loss to Fordham marked their first defeat, with Fordham’s strong defense containing Pitt’s attack.
• October 24: Pitt rebounded with a 7–7 tie against Penn State, a hard-fought battle in a long-standing rivalry.
• November 7: A 19–0 win over Washington & Jefferson showed continued strength against in-state competition.

Comparison at a Glance

The 1931 Panthers are often compared to other strong Pitt teams of the Sutherland era. Below is a comparison with select seasons:

The 1931 season falls slightly below the dominant 1932–1934 stretch, where Pitt regularly posted 8–1 or 9–1 records with even stronger defense. Still, the 1931 team was a key part of Sutherland’s legacy, maintaining national relevance and developing the program’s identity of physical, disciplined football.

Why It Matters

The 1931 season is a notable chapter in the history of Pitt football, reflecting the program’s strength during its golden era under Jock Sutherland. These teams laid the foundation for future success and helped establish Pitt as a national powerhouse in the early 20th century.

• The 1931 Panthers contributed to Jock Sutherland’s legacy as one of college football’s most respected coaches of the era.
• Strong defensive performance emphasized Sutherland’s coaching philosophy: discipline, preparation, and physicality.
• Games against teams like Fordham and SMU helped elevate Pitt’s national profile beyond regional competition.
• The season maintained momentum from the 9–1 1930 campaign, ensuring consistency in program excellence.
• Forbes Field games drew large crowds, strengthening the bond between the university and Pittsburgh community.
• Player development during this period fed into future All-Americans and NFL careers, extending the team’s long-term impact.

While not the most decorated season in Pitt history, the 1931 campaign exemplifies the sustained excellence that defined the Sutherland years and remains a point of pride in the program’s storied past.