Greatest Single Play in Pitt Football History? Just one play.

[anon_d97v9o3a8b6xr]

Some of us may not be old enough for some of the real history, but what is the one single greatest play in Pitt Football History? It can be in a game that was a win, loss, NC, or just any game. I know a NC play is huge, but there are just those memorable plays that are impossible to forget.

I might have to say, Revis kick return has got to be up there in a top 5. It had everything, part of a huge rivalry, a top level player, nearly falling over, fake toss, huge hit, keeping balance and spinning near the end.

What is your greatest single play of all time?

 

[jivecat]

1997: WVU Game....Pete Gonzalez to Terry Murphy which won the game on 4th down and put PITT in a bowl.

PITT football had been down so low and so bad up to that point.

 

[TFBaum]

Some of us may not be old enough for some of the real history, but what is the one single greatest play in Pitt Football History? It can be in a game that was a win, loss, NC, or just any game. I know a NC play is huge, but there are just those memorable plays that are impossible to forget.

I might have to say, Revis kick return has got to be up there in a top 5. It had everything, part of a huge rivalry, a top level player, nearly falling over, fake toss, huge hit, keeping balance and spinning near the end.

What is your greatest single play of all time?

Al Romano (spelling) stopping Syracuse QB.

 

[anon_d97v9o3a8b6xr]

I expect a Dorsett run mentioned here soon.

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

Marino to Brown. Sugar Bowl.

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

Marino to Brown. Sugar Bowl.

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Of course.....................it was all downhill after this play.

 

[richmondcircleh2p]

Marino to Brown
Owens Pick 6
Dorsett long run first drive at ND
Revis Kick return

 

[HailtoPitt]

If the significance of the play is not a factor, then it's the Revis return in my opinion. That was a thing a beauty, and not just from Revis. There was a stunning block on that play as well.

 

[Pitt5593]

Marino to Brown
Owens Pick 6
Dorsett long run first drive at ND
Revis Kick return

Gonzales to Murphy versus WVU number 5. Paul Martha 46 yard in fourth quarter versus WVU in 1963 number 6. Havern to Pilconis to take a 36-35 lead versus WVU in 1970 number 7. Number 8 is Dave Brytus running out of the end zone to take a safety securing the 13-9 win. Honorable mention is the field goal to beat Clemson in 2016.

 

[King Of All Message Boards]

It wasn’t the swinging gate. Or the Palko slide against Uconn. Of that I’m certain.

 

[pittmeister]

Marino to Brown

 

[anon_d97v9o3a8b6xr]

Blewitt kick against Clemson, top 10.

 

[9nationalchampionships]

For me....Marino to Brown

 

[Ronnyp91]

The day the legend started?

 

[bayardstreet]

Marino to Brown
Billy Owens interception
Gordon Jones TD catch against Georgia

 

[plcp]

Rutherford TD run to beat the nitters

 

[yourhired]

1. Marino to Brown
2. Dorsett run vs ND 1st play
3. Gordon Jones Punt Return vs ND

 

[PittAU]

I can't pick one.

I think Dorsett's run for the TD which also broke the NCAA rushing mark is worthy. I think Marino to Brown is also worthy. Pistol Pete for the TD against Morgantown C.C. is also worthy. Revis punt return was awesome. Lousaka's short TD run against Tech was awesome.

We've had a lot of great history, spelled by too many years of self-induced ridiculousness.

 

[PittAU]

It wasn’t the swinging gate. Or the Palko slide against Uconn. Of that I’m certain.

Swinging Gate! Ugh.

Goodness we have done some silly stuff.

 

[wbrpanther]

1997: WVU Game....Pete Gonzalez to Terry Murphy which won the game on 4th down and put PITT in a bowl.

PITT football had been down so low and so bad up to that point.

Actually the play before that...4th and 17---18 yards to Jake Hoffart was even bigger.
My choice is between Marino to Brown in the Sugar bowl and TDs 33 yard romp against Navy to set the all time rushing record. When the Navy cannon fires to salute an opponent you know that's big.

The Billy Owens pick six to thwart the Nits is up there pretty high too.
Oh yeah. Rod Rutherford weaving his way thru the Nits at 3 rivers too.
TDs first run against Notre Dame in '76
Revis punt return after Kinder's devastating block

I can't stop

 

[anon_d97v9o3a8b6xr]

I was there for the Rutherford run and I completely forgot about it. That was a great way to end it with PSU for quite some time.
Of course beating ND to close out Pitt Stadium. Play of that game was the pulling down the goal post and ripping up turf.
So many great plays to think about.

 

[HOF Coach]

Sunseri slipping a tackle in the backfield and turning a nine yard loss into a seven yard loss!

 

[SoufOaklin4Life]

If the significance of the play is not a factor, then it's the Revis return in my opinion. That was a thing a beauty, and not just from Revis. There was a stunning block on that play as well.

Derek kinder was a wrecking ball if I recall correctly

 

[SoufOaklin4Life]

Sunseri slipping a tackle in the backfield and turning a nine yard loss into a seven yard loss!

Ha!

 

[NCLee]

I was present for many of the plays listed or watched some on TV.

one that stings: Pit driving deep into PSU territory about to take 21-0 lead only to be picked off and then PSU scores 48 unanswered. That one play changed entire complexion!

 

[CaptainMurphy]

1997: WVU Game....Pete Gonzalez to Terry Murphy which won the game on 4th down and put PITT in a bowl.

PITT football had been down so low and so bad up to that point.

Came here to mention this one. It was really a spectacular ending to an incredible season (let's forget about the actual bowl game).

Another for me would be the Rod Rutherford TD run against PSU in the 12-0 game.

 

[upj87]

Some of us may not be old enough for some of the real history, but what is the one single greatest play in Pitt Football History? It can be in a game that was a win, loss, NC, or just any game. I know a NC play is huge, but there are just those memorable plays that are impossible to forget.

I might have to say, Revis kick return has got to be up there in a top 5. It had everything, part of a huge rivalry, a top level player, nearly falling over, fake toss, huge hit, keeping balance and spinning near the end.

What is your greatest single play of all time?

Pickett 40 yard run to (and from) Whipple standing at the 50 to secure a jet sweep play for a two yard loss...

 

[Slick Manager of Champs]

 

[Slick Manager of Champs]

 

[Slick Manager of Champs]

Derek kinder was a wrecking ball if I recall correctly

probably would get flagged for it today

 

[Rickey]

Marino to Brown, without a doubt. No other play even close.

And sadly, as someone else commented, the
Program went down from that day, and has yet to return to true greatness.

All due to Ed Bozik. Worse then Steve Pederson. I believe Jackie Sherill resigned and took the A&M job the next day, and we go with Foge. How sad.

But I’ll never forget that moment, and walking down the ramp of the Superdome, chanting with all of the other Pitt fans, “the cat ate the dog!”

 

[anon_d97v9o3a8b6xr]

Pickett 40 yard run to (and from) Whipple standing at the 50 to secure a jet sweep play for a two yard loss...

He was gassed before the snap

 

[NTOP]

Owens TD in 1987. TD's 40-yard score from the upback position vs. psu in 76.
Marino to Brown. Jones punt return vs. ND. Blewitt didn't blow it.

 

[steelcurtain55.]

Dorsett's very 1st carry. I have no idea how many yards he gained but I guarantee you that staff knew the significance of it. To know you have "THE" player to turn it around and see it come into action to me is probably the play that would do it for me.

My favorite play though was the run Graham had vs ND at home in the night game. Ray Graham is honestly one of my favorite Panthers of all time. I feel like he'll get lost in shuffle when people talk about all the great backs at PITT. I found him simply amazing to watch. Another guy I found simply amazing to watch was Charles Spencer along the OL. It was awesome to see a phenomenal athlete learn the job on the fly and each week improve and become a tremendous blocker. I thought had he never had the catastrophic leg injury, he was going to be in the Larry Allen category in the NFL. Watch his senior bowl practices vs Gabe Watson and all the 340lbs he carried.

 

[pittmeister]

Marino to Brown, without a doubt. No other play even close.

And sadly, as someone else commented, the
Program went down from that day, and has yet to return to true greatness.

All due to Ed Bozik. Worse then Steve Pederson. I believe Jackie Sherill resigned and took the A&M job the next day, and we go with Foge. How sad.

But I’ll never forget that moment, and walking down the ramp of the Superdome, chanting with all of the other Pitt fans, “the cat ate the dog!”

BINGO! He is the person to blame for the downfall of Pitt Football...

 

[daytonpanther]

Top 10s

Blewitt kick against Clemson
Marino's pass in Sugar Bowl
Pistol Pete's pass to get bowl eligible against WVU
Pickett's catch against USF
Rutherford run against PSU

 

[NTOP]

Dorsett's very 1st carry. I have no idea how many yards he gained but I guarantee you that staff knew the significance of it. To know you have "THE" player to turn it around and see it come into action to me is probably the play that would do it for me.

My favorite play though was the run Graham had vs ND at home in the night game. Ray Graham is honestly one of my favorite Panthers of all time. I feel like he'll get lost in shuffle when people talk about all the great backs at PITT. I found him simply amazing to watch. Another guy I found simply amazing to watch was Charles Spencer along the OL. It was awesome to see a phenomenal athlete learn the job on the fly and each week improve and become a tremendous blocker. I thought had he never had the catastrophic leg injury, he was going to be in the Larry Allen category in the NFL. Watch his senior bowl practices vs Gabe Watson and all the 340lbs he carried.

i almost put up TD's first carry at home. Folks gasped at the speed on a toss right. The GA game wasn't televised, so only a few understood the impact. Also thought about Graham's pinball run vs. ND.

 

[DT_PITT]

Marino to Brown. Sugar Bowl.

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Definitely mine!

 

[Slick Manager of Champs]

BINGO! He is the person to blame for the downfall of Pitt Football...

Posvar and the board were complicit. Beginning to think Bozik was just their lapdog.

 

[wbrpanther]

i almost put up TD's first carry at home. Folks gasped at the speed on a toss right. The GA game wasn't televised, so only a few understood the impact. Also thought about Graham's pinball run vs. ND.

How bout Dorsett's first carry of his first scrimmage at UPJ. Toss right, turned the corner and gone. Couple of hundred people, including a few on this board, on the hillside, including me, just went nuts.