Tony Dorsett

Many at Pitt were skeptical that Dorsett, at just 157 pounds, was the answer to anyone's prayer. But the skinny, shy freshman was soon to prove them wrong. On his first play from scrimmage the first day of practice, Dorsett ran the ball for an 80-yard touchdown. Initially named to the third team, by the third day of practice, he was listed as the team's starting tailback.

Successful from the start as a football player, Dorsett was not always happy after he arrived in Pittsburgh. He had to adjust to being away from his family, living in a much larger city, and the increasing "fishbowl" nature of his existence. The Pitt sports information office began to refer to him as Tony, but until his junior year Dorsett, who had always been called Anthony, continued to sign autographs as Anthony Dorsett. His spot in limelight intensified after his girlfriend, Karen Casterlow, gave birth to the couple's son, Anthony, on September 14, 1973, the day Dorsett played in his first game as a Pitt Panther. The two never married, but Dorsett remained involved with his son throughout his childhood.

Unhappy and homesick, Dorsett almost gave up on college during his freshman year. Only after being encouraged by his mother and his coaches, did he agree to stick it out. After a freshman season with 1,686 yards rushing, Dorsett no longer had any doubts about his place. During his sophomore year, he was slowed by double- and triple-team defenses, but still managed to gain over 1,000 yards. During his junior and senior seasons, Dorsett, who bulked up to 185 pounds by his senior year, continued to improve, as did the Pitt team record. By the fall of 1976, Dorsett's final college season, Pitt was vying for the number one ranking in the nation, and Dorsett was vying for the Heisman.

During his senior year Dorsett rushed for 1,948 yards, scored twenty-one touchdowns, and set an all-time National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) record of 6,082 yards. Along with winning the Heisman Trophy in 1976, Dorsett ended his storybook college career with fifty-five touchdowns, an average of 5.7 yards per attempt, a national championship, and his jersey was retired. He had also been named an All-American all four years. He was ready for the pros.