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Greatest Pitt Play Ever?

upj87

Head Coach
Nov 5, 2003
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For me, Marino to John Brown, down 3, 4th and 5 with 42 seconds left with the first down getting you in field goal range and going for it all with a beautiful dart for the win in the Sugar Bowl. What a freaking ballsy call.
 
Another great one was Pitt's first play against ND in 1976. Tony D had torched the Irish for 303 yards the previous season, so what does Pitt do on their first play--hand it to Tony D and he rumbles downfield for like 50 or 60 yards to set the stage for a Pitt blow-out en route to the National Championship.
 
Greatest and most significant are 2 separate things. From a purely athletic standpoint, Fitzgerald diving from the 5 and being parallel to the ground when catching the TD in the bowl game, Revis punt return against WVU, and Aaron Donald taking down Duke's qb and rb at once all come to mind as best pitt play that I have been around for. .
 
For me, Marino to John Brown, down 3, 4th and 5 with 42 seconds left with the first down getting you in field goal range and going for it all with a beautiful dart for the win in the Sugar Bowl. What a freaking ballsy call.
Pretty sure this thread is going to remind me of my vacation to the national parks in Utah last year when every member of my family thought a different park was the most spectacular and there could be no argument because there could be no wrong answer.
 
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For me, Marino to John Brown, down 3, 4th and 5 with 42 seconds left with the first down getting you in field goal range and going for it all with a beautiful dart for the win in the Sugar Bowl. What a freaking ballsy call.
First thing that comes to my mind also
 
This play won't get many votes but I was there and couldn't believe it. Army beating us 7-0 and on our 1 yard line. The ball gets popped into the air and safety Jeff Delaney grabs it and goes 100 yards the other way for a TD
 
I would second TD run from scrimmage against ND and Marino-Brown Touchdown. I would also not discount Randy McMillan run against PSU where he steamrolled the nitters and Gordon Jones had a punt return vs ND that he went through and around the fighting irish
 
That was a great choice. LOU!!!
Most fun sporting event I've ever been to. And a tremendous effort to score the td.

Nobody there that night can deny Heinz could provide a tremendous atmosphere for a Pitt game. It was definitely more rocking than any Steeler game I've ever been to there, though i certainly know Heinz has been equally crazy for some, like big Ravens games (not lucky enough to have attended those). Obviously many of our games have been dogs but there have been Steelers games I've been to that were duds as well. They weren't really in the playoff chase, the opponent was meh ... and subsequently so was the crowd and the experience. This proves if the team is good ... either team ... and the games are meaningful ... for Pitt or the Steelers ... Heinz is at least as good as any other place for game experience.
 
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For me, Marino to John Brown, down 3, 4th and 5 with 42 seconds left with the first down getting you in field goal range and going for it all with a beautiful dart for the win in the Sugar Bowl. What a freaking ballsy call.

Could you imagine if 48-14 never happened and this play ended up winning a national championship for Pitt? It would be right up there with Mazeroski's home run IMHO and maybe one of the greatest plays in college football history.
 
Have to include Revis' punt return against WVU at Heinz on this list. Tremendous individual effort
 
Just pure great plays, not concerning meaningful games or anything? Some I've seen in my time...not discounting any of the older TD or Marino plays cited above but I ain't that old! (Pretty damn old though). These are no means totally inclusive. And not in particularly good order, just typed em as they came to me.

A dazzling run by the infamously- legendary Brian Davis in his debut game that literally had the whole stadium gasping. 1985? A long run that showed power, speed and amazing moves all at once. What a shame, is all you can say, about how it turned out for him but what a run he made that game.

Owen INT return vs PSU certainly a sweet one.

Van Pelt to Tuten long winning TD pass in ... was it the last Bluebonnet Bowl (?). They pulled that one outta their tails because that one was looking dire.

Frazier long FG to complete the comeback from 31-8 to tie WVU at MoTown.

Curtis Martin long run against Texas in Pitt Stadium. I can't even recall if it went all the way but was amazing. He was like Barry Sanders on that run (and that entire game really). Play I'm referencing, can't easily describe. Trapped behind the line, disappeared in a pile, a slight lull as if the play had ended, suddenly he emerges, breaks free into the secondary, and seemingly the entire Texas D that had been flatfooted gave futile chase. They may as well have been shaking their fists at him like in a Benny Hill skit.

John Ryan herculean two point conversion run to complete an unfathomable rally to tie WVU at Pitt Stadium game. Unfortunately our pass D was as bad as it is now and we immediately gave up the losing TD two plays later.

WV OT game in 1997. Pete Gonzalez converting 4th and 17 in OT toward the winning TD. There were actually several epic plays in that game.

Ramon Walker destroying a ND ball carrier and stripping, actually more like wrenching him, of the ball simultaneously, in the final game at Pitt Stadium. I REALLY liked that guy. Can't a defensive guru like Duz find another near homicidal safety built like a ton of bricks, if freaking Walt could?

Rod R catch and run in the PSU win at Three Rivers. Great play design and call by Walt.

A TD catch by Antonio Bryant in a WVU win at Three Rivers where he made a leaping grab, toed the end line delicately to stay in bounds, and lost his shoe.

Larry's sublime bomb TD catch over his head between two TAM defenders.

Long Brandon Miree TD run up the gut to beat VT. Another great call by Walt ... or audible by Rod? ... either way it completely fooled the whole place.

The Fitz catch cited above in the Insight Bowl.

Joe DelSardo acrobatic one hand TD catch at Heinz, in some otherwise dismal game a against Rutgers or some other such swill.

The Polite TD run cited above. Rutherford had a critical long scramble in that same drive when things were looking hopeless.

The Revis punt return cited above. What was interesting about it (other than Kinder blocking) was how slowly it actually progressed. It was not one of those lightening quick Henderson-like explosions. He was tremendously patient and kind of just meandered along, toying with them, causing great drama. Capped it with a final 180 spin to avoid the last WVU tackler (the bastard Soviet judge only gave it a 9). Fantastic play. Too bad it was in a game where we got drilled.

A long, clutch catch and run from Palko to Erik Gill in the "F'in Proud" game was ND.

The fake punt conversion that kept a critical possession going in the 13-9 game.

Not so much a single play but an entire drive when LeSean McCoy carried every play but one and defeated WVU on the final drive. They knew he was coming and he tore their heart out.

Greg Cross' sole good play for Pitt, maybe his only play period, a dazzling TD run vs Iowa. Retarded cro-magnon staff still had no clue how to use him after it. What a waste.

Aaron Donald tackling the QB and RB ... Maybe even the blocker too? ... on the same play.

Multiple Henderson runs last year qualify. He's quite a talent. Many Aston plays too.

The clutch INT and long return in the Clemson game that saved a sure losing TD and set us up to win.

The O'Neill TD last year on the reverse- screen pass play where he literally was escorted down the sideline by his line mates. Fantastically conceived and executed.

Conner TD on shuffle pass in the PSU game was nothing spectacular but very inspiring. Ditto his first TD in the first game back.

Again, not inclusive. I'm sure many others I don't immediately recall.
 
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Most fun sporting event I've ever been to. And a tremendous effort to score the td.

Nobody there that night can deny Heinz could provide a tremendous atmosphere for a Pitt game. It was definitely more rocking than any Steeler game I've ever been to there, though i certainly know Heinz has been equally crazy for some, like big Ravens games (not lucky enough to have attended those). Obviously many of our games have been dogs but there have been Steelers games I've been to that were duds as well. They weren't really in the playoff chase, the opponent was meh ... and subsequently so was the crowd and the experience. This proves if the team is good ... either team ... and the games are meaningful ... for Pitt or the Steelers ... Heinz is at least as good as any other place for game experience.

The AFC Champ game, when Polemalu returned the interception for a TD against the Raven was ridiculous as far as atmosphere. That was Heinz's high point. But the VT game in 2003 was pretty damn good, especially with Gameday there.
 
Anyone who contends Pitt doesn't have enough fans or enough fans sufficient to fill Heinz needs to watch this game . Pitt just needs to deliver on the field and the fans will return.

Absolutely, no question about it. Stadium is irrelevant to the fan support. Win and play in meaningful games and Heinz atmosphere will be really good. I never forget being at that game that night. Fun times.
 
Anyone who contends Pitt doesn't have enough fans or enough fans sufficient to fill Heinz needs to watch this game . Pitt just needs to deliver on the field and the fans will return.

That was a perfect storm year. Great home schedule, high expectations, Heisman candidate not to mention the vitriol (remember that) towards VT especially as they were defecting from the Big East. Plus we had Tu Tu Ferguson.
 
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That was a perfect storm year. Great home schedule, high expectations, Heisman candidate not to mention the vitriol (remember that) towards VT especially as they were defecting from the Big East. Plus we had Tu Tu Ferguson.
i agree that a lot of factors converged which fueled attendance last year but the main point is that Pitt can fill that stadium IF they have some stars, an attractive schedule and an excellent team. Some lnow nothings continuously argue that it can't be done....BS!
 
That was a perfect storm year. Great home schedule, high expectations, Heisman candidate not to mention the vitriol (remember that) towards VT especially as they were defecting from the Big East. Plus we had Tu Tu Ferguson.
Lol was recently out with a friend of mine i haven't seen in years who was at that game wth us. It came up in conversation. His telling remark was "the only thing that sucks in my memory of that game was that we were wearing those horrible blow torch (his words) uniforms." So that goes to show how something that really shouldn't matter does indeed have an impact on the psyche of fans...
 
Lol was recently out with a friend of mine i haven't seen in years who was at that game wth us. It came up in conversation. His telling remark was "the only thing that sucks in my memory of that game was that we were wearing those horrible blow torch (his words) uniforms." So that goes to show how something that really shouldn't matter does indeed have an impact on the psyche of fans...
Those uniforms were indeed ugly...who in the hell in their right mind with a free will would have the bad taste to select those uniforms....only the idiot, Stevie P. !
 
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i agree that a lot of factors converged which fueled attendance last year but the main point is that Pitt can fill that stadium IF they have some stars, an attractive schedule and an excellent team. Some lnow nothings continuously argue that it can't be done....BS!

I always say the two most impressive showings that year by our fans was 50+K (legit) against Kent State and 60K against Syracuse for a Noon Start.

What happened the week after the VT game? We go to Morgantown and get 52'd. We beat them, we are likely Top 10 going into the Miami game. Then the Miami game, we all brought oranges to throw on the field. Well we didn't need to. The crowd and atmosphere and win against VT was great. But we never took advantage of it. One other thing, we as a program dropped to Temple levels, 2003 represented the apex of the ascent of the Pitt football program. You reenergized the alums and energized the locals. People cared.

But the loss to WVU. And those types of games just mounted over the next few seasons and alot of that good will that was evident during that season was lost and buried over things like the Cincy loss. Just when you think Pitt is getting over the hump and advancing, they lose a game. And I think this has crushed the psyche of regular fans and has not motivated the casual fan to getting on the bandwagon.
 
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I always say the two most impressive showings that year by our fans was 50+K (legit) against Kent State and 60K against Syracuse for a Noon Start.

What happened the week after the VT game? We go to Morgantown and get 52'd. We beat them, we are likely Top 10 going into the Miami game. Then the Miami game, we all brought oranges to throw on the field. Well we didn't need to. The crowd and atmosphere and win against VT was great. But we never took advantage of it. One other thing, we as a program dropped to Temple levels, 2003 represented the apex of the ascent of the Pitt football program. You reenergized the alums and energized the locals. People cared.

But the loss to WVU. And those types of games just mounted over the next few seasons and alot of that good will that was evident during that season was lost and buried over things like the Cincy loss. Just when you think Pitt is getting over the hump and advancing, they lose a game. And I think this has crushed the psyche of regular fans and has not motivated the casual fan to getting on the bandwagon.
Indeed. As this thread proves there have been no shortage of great players and exciting plays but no killer instinct that the great programs have (from leadership and boosters on down).
 
Those uniforms were indeed ugly...who in the hell in their right mind with a free will would have the bad taste to select those uniforms....only the idiot, Stevie P. !
Especially the fact that he thought that was a better look that the script.
 
I always say the two most impressive showings that year by our fans was 50+K (legit) against Kent State and 60K against Syracuse for a Noon Start.

What happened the week after the VT game? We go to Morgantown and get 52'd. We beat them, we are likely Top 10 going into the Miami game. Then the Miami game, we all brought oranges to throw on the field. Well we didn't need to. The crowd and atmosphere and win against VT was great. But we never took advantage of it. One other thing, we as a program dropped to Temple levels, 2003 represented the apex of the ascent of the Pitt football program. You reenergized the alums and energized the locals. People cared.



But the loss to WVU. And those types of games just mounted over the next few seasons and alot of that good will that was evident during that season was lost and buried over things like the Cincy loss. Just when you think Pitt is getting over the hump and advancing, they lose a game. And I think this has crushed the psyche of regular fans and has not motivated the casual fan to getting on the bandwagon.
Miami was way more talented than Pitt that year. But what I remember was Walt doing the stupidest thing a coach could do. using Fitz as a decoy in that game because he was double covered by two All-Americans. I still say that didn't matter. Throw him the damn ball and he'll come down with it regardless of the coverage.
 
Another great one was Pitt's first play against ND in 1976. Tony D had torched the Irish for 303 yards the previous season, so what does Pitt do on their first play--hand it to Tony D and he rumbles downfield for like 50 or 60 yards to set the stage for a Pitt blow-out en route to the National Championship.
What made it better was that at a pre-game pep rally, Notre Dame great, Paul Hornung, promised the Irish faithful that there was no way that Dorsett would get 303 yds. against their defense.

Well, he was correct: TD was held to "only" 181, including 61 on his first carry. For me, that launched TD's Heisman run and Pitt's challenge for the national title.
 
I always say the two most impressive showings that year by our fans was 50+K (legit) against Kent State and 60K against Syracuse for a Noon Start.

What happened the week after the VT game? We go to Morgantown and get 52'd. We beat them, we are likely Top 10 going into the Miami game. Then the Miami game, we all brought oranges to throw on the field. Well we didn't need to. The crowd and atmosphere and win against VT was great. But we never took advantage of it. One other thing, we as a program dropped to Temple levels, 2003 represented the apex of the ascent of the Pitt football program. You reenergized the alums and energized the locals. People cared.

But the loss to WVU. And those types of games just mounted over the next few seasons and alot of that good will that was evident during that season was lost and buried over things like the Cincy loss. Just when you think Pitt is getting over the hump and advancing, they lose a game. And I think this has crushed the psyche of regular fans and has not motivated the casual fan to getting on the bandwagon.
As I have said a million times Pitt has never had a long term period of sustained success which has hurt attendance. Even the 76-81 period in the whole scheme of things was just a blip on the radar which is why those who use this period as the litmus test for Pitt's being able to draw big crowds are just dead wrong and STUPID!
 
As I have said a million times Pitt has never had a long term period of sustained success which has hurt attendance. Even the 76-81 period in the whole scheme of things was just a blip on the radar which is why those who use this period as the litmus test for Pitt's being able to draw big crowds are just dead wrong and STUPID!
except no on has actually done that in the post you reference or elsewhere so I'm not sure who you are calling stupid. ...anybody that is a long term Pitt fan knows great or bad, Pitt never drew well at any point and time.
 
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except no on has actually done that in the post you reference or elsewhere so I'm not sure who you are calling stupid. ...anybody that is a long term Pitt fan knows great or bad, Pitt never drew well at any point and time.
I've seen it said a million times and I could provide some of the the posters handles!
 
its hard to ask for Pitt's greatest play ever when half of this board never even heard of Marshall Goldberg let alone see film clips or read stories about him.

Or Pitt's dream backfield.....which had some all time greats lining up at the same time

or those Pitt teams from the 30's...when Pitt stadium was sold out every saturday and the 0-0 tie against Fordham is still considered one of the greatest games in CFB history

Point being.....some of the greatest plays in Pitt history wont even get mentioned here....simply because no one cares to read about Pitt football history.

And for those that suggest it doesnt matter.....please keep in mind that 30 years from now, no one will say Pitt beating Clemson mattered.

It does matter....today..... and it should matter a generation from now.
 
Anyone who contends Pitt doesn't have enough fans or enough fans sufficient to fill Heinz needs to watch this game . Pitt just needs to deliver on the field and the fans will return.

Pitt has enough fans to fill Heinz, the problem is filling it consistently. Unless every game is a Big Game like this one was, then those seats aren't going to be filled.
 
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Pitt has enough fans to fill Heinz, the problem is filling it consistently. Unless every game is a Big Game like this one was, then those seats are going to be filled.
We got 60k for a noon game against Syracuse that year and 50k for Kent St.-I can live with those kinds of numbers
 
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