The 1912 Pittsburgh Panthers football team was an American football team that represented the University of Pittsburgh as an independent during the 1912 college football season. In its fourth and final season under head coach Joseph H. Thompson, the team compiled a 3–6 record and was outscored by a total of 122 to 113. Schedule Preseason The University of Pittsburgh athletic program was bolstered by the financial success of the previous two years of football. The 1911 record was not as great as the 1910 record, but the schedule that Laurence Hurst put together generated a lot of fan interest. Similarly, the 1912 schedule had five "hard" home games – Bucknell, Carlisle, Notre Dame, W. & J., and Penn State. The Trees Stadium and Gymnasium were completed and put to use by the football team. Practice was held on the stadium grounds and the players utilized the locker room facilities in the adjacent Gymnasium. A "training house, where the regulars will be accommodated when the first squad was picked, was located on Dawson street." A freshman team was organized by Athletic Director Charles Miller. Ralph "Polly" Galvin was chosen Captain of the 1912 team at the season ending banquet. Joseph Thompson returned for a fourth year as head coach even though he aspired to be a state senator. The first game versus Ohio Northern was played at D. C. & A. C. Park in Wilkinsburg and the remaining home games were played on Forbes Field. It should be mentioned important rule changes were instituted for the 1912 season that had a lasting and positive effect on the game as we now know it. 1) The playing field was reduced to 100 yards with a 10-yard end zone. 2) A team had four downs to advance 10 yards and make a first down. 3) A touchdown counted six points. 4) A forward pass could be thrown any distance. 5) The onside kick from a scrimmage play was eliminated. 5) The kickoff was put in play from the 40-yard line. Coaching staff Roster Game summaries Ohio Northern "The Pitt football team inaugurated its 1912 season yesterday in Wilkinsburg by beating the Ohio Northern eleven 22–0." This was the fifth meeting between these two schools and Pitt now led the series 5–0, outscoring the Polar Bears 112–0. Pitt's lineup had four returning starters from the 1911 team – Galvin, Wagner, Leahy and Pratt.