Pitt Athletics Hall of Fame
- Induction:
- 2023
- Class:
- 1978
One of the greatest quarterbacks in Pitt history, Cavanaugh's career (1974-77) coincided with the Panthers' reemergence as a national power. He was the starting signal-caller during Pitt's undefeated march to the 1976 national title, capping that magical season with an MVP performance in the Sugar Bowl, a 27-3 demolition of Georgia. Cavanaugh scored the first touchdown of the game and the celebration of that score became a Sports Illustrated cover (Jan. 10, 1977). His effective blend of passing and running made him a first team All-American as a senior in 1977. In his final collegiate game—a 34-3 win over Clemson in the Gator Bowl—Cavanaugh threw for 387 yards and four touchdowns to take home his second bowl MVP award.
A second-round selection of New England in 1978, he played five seasons (1978-82) with the Patriots before moving on to stints with the San Francisco 49ers (1983-85), Philadelphia Eagles (1986-89) and New York Giants (1990-91). Cavanaugh earned three Super Bowl rings: two as a player (with the 49ers in 1984 and the Giants in 1990) and one as an offensive coordinator(Baltimore Ravens in 2000).
