1941 Pittsburgh Panthers football team
Fordham
### Fordham

[thumb\|left\|Program for November 8 game versus Fordham](/wiki/File:November_8%2C1941_University_of_Pittsburgh_versus_Fordham_University_football_game_program_cover.jpg "November 8,1941 University of Pittsburgh versus Fordham University football game program cover.jpg")
[thumb\|Ticket stub for November 8 game versus Fordham](/wiki/File:November_8%2C_1941_ticket_stub_for_the_University_of_Pittsburgh_versus_Fordham_University_football_game.jpg "November 8, 1941 ticket stub for the University of Pittsburgh versus Fordham University football game.jpg")
On November 8, the Panthers met the unbeaten (5–0\) Fordham Rams at Pitt Stadium. [Jim Crowley's](/wiki/Jim_Crowley "Jim Crowley") Rams had outscored their previous opponents 115–38, and, as 8–1 favorites with a \#3 ranking in the AP poll, were favored to win their remaining games and return to a bowl. Fordham led the all\-time series 2–1–3, and due to Pitt's football de\-emphasis, this was the final meeting on the gridiron between the two schools. Sportswriters considered this Crowley's best team with end [Jim Lansing](/wiki/Jim_Lansing "Jim Lansing"), halfback [Jim Blumenstock](/wiki/Jim_Blumenstock "Jim Blumenstock") and fullback [Steve Filipowicz](/wiki/Steve_Filipowicz "Steve Filipowicz") earning All\-America laurels. Crowley was cautious: "We are not over the hump yet by any means. We still have three ball clubs to meet and any one of them might come through with an upset...Fordham is in fine physical condition. The boys have played fine ball to date and I hope they can continue their fine pace."

In front of 20,000 fans, the Panthers shocked the football world with a 13–0 shutout of the Rams. After two exchanges of punts, the Panthers' offense gained possession on the Pitt 30\-yard line. The Panthers' 11\-play drive ended with fullback Frank Saksa's 1\-yard plunge into the end zone. Ralph Fife converted the point after and Pitt led 7 to 0\. The rest of the first half was mainly a punting duel. Late in the quarter, Fordham advanced into Pitt territory but Saksa intercepted an errant Filipowicz pass on the 12\-yard line and returned the ball to the 37\-yard line as time expired. In the third period, Fordham advanced the ball to the Pitt 13\-yard line. A bad center snap lost 9 yards and the Pitt defense stiffened and took over on downs. In the fourth quarter, Edgar "Special Delivery" Jones intercepted a Benny Babula pass and raced 33 yards for the second touchdown. The extra point was blocked and Pitt led 13 to 0\. The Panthers had to intercept two more passes before the upset was final.

Bowser was upbeat: "I believe this thing had been building up over quite some time. The boys have been improving steadily in recent games. For the first time this season they didn't make any mistakes. The boys were alert mentally, had lots of poise and most important, worked together as a unit....All our players did a grand job, and while the game proved our squad doesn't have much depth in material–it proved we could play good football."

Fordham finished the regular season with a 7–1 record and earned an invitation to the Sugar Bowl. They beat [Missouri](/wiki/1941_Missouri_Tigers_football_team "1941 Missouri Tigers football team")2–0 and were ranked \#6 in the final Associated Press football poll.

Coach Charles Bowser was selected "Coach of the Week" by the [United Press](/wiki/United_Press "United Press") for the upset victory over the Rams.

The Pitt starting lineup for the game against Fordham was Stanley Gervelis (left end), Jack Dursihan (left tackle), William Dillon (left guard), George Allshouse (center), Ralph Fife (right guard), William Benghouser (right tackle), John Stahl (right end), Walter West (quarterback), Edgar Jones (left halfback), William Dutton (right halfback) and Frank Saksa (fullback). Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were Michael Sotak, Harry Kindelberger, Vincent Antonelli, Steve Sinclair, Albert Kunkel, Vincent Antonelli, Martin Rosepink, Jack Stetler and Joe Connell.


What were some of the strengths and weaknesses of both teams going into the game?