1980 Pittsburgh Panthers football team

The 1980 Pittsburgh Panthers football team represented the University of Pittsburgh as an independent during the 1980 NCAA Division I-A football season. Despite losing one game, the Panthers were named national champion by NCAA-designated major selectors DeVold System, Football Research, and The New York Times, while also named co-national champion by Rothman (FACT) and Sagarin. The university does not claim a national championship for this season, nor are the Panthers popularly recognized for winning that year's national championship. Pitt was awarded the Lambert-Meadowlands Trophy as the champion of the East.

The team is noteworthy for featuring four future members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame: Linebacker Rickey Jackson, Center Russ Grimm, Tackle Jimbo Covert, and quarterback Dan Marino. Several other players on the team, including Mark May and Hugh Green, would go on to be Pro Bowl NFL stars.

Championship selections
Selectors that named Pitt the 1980 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
 * The New York Times
 * Quality Champions
 * Sagarin Ratings
 * Steve Eck
 * The Fleming System

West Virginia
Starting free safety Rick Trocano moved over to offense in the second quarter to replace the injured Dan Marino. Previously the starter at QB in 1978, Trocano led Pitt to four second-quarter touchdowns during the Panthers' win at Pitt Stadium.

Awards and honors

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