 The 1976 season began with the Panthers ranked ninth in the AP preseason poll.The first game was at Notre Dame, where the Irish grew the grass long on the playing field in a failed attempt to slow down Dorsett, who had burned them for 303 rushing yards the year before.Their efforts were in vain as Dorsett ran for a 61-yard gain on Pitt's first play from scrimmage on the way to a 31–10 win.