Former Pitt linebacker Troy Benson remembers the day his roommate tackled Reggie White

Linebacker Troy Benson said he recorded a barely believable 23 tackles in Pitt’s 13-3 victory against Tennessee in 1983.

But it was a tackle — of sorts — a Pitt offensive lineman made that remains one of Benson’s most vivid memories of that game, the last between Pitt and Tennessee before the teams get together Saturday at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn.

“Watch the (56-yard) touchdown pass to Dwight Collins,” Benson said of the game’s only touchdown. “If you watch the line, my roommate, Bobby Brown, who I love dearly, Reggie White bull-rushed him, and Bobby just pulled him down right on top of him. Pretty sure they could have called holding there, but it never happened.”

The game opened the season, the first after the departure of Dan Marino to the NFL. John Cummings completed only 9 of 13 passes for 110 yards, and he was injured late and gave way to John Congemi the rest of the season.

It was a strange game, with Pitt getting no first downs in the first half. But the Panthers quieted a crowd of 95,824, winning with solid defense, four turnovers (including a Benson interception in the red zone), two field goals from Eric Schubert, Collins’ touchdown and Tony Recchia’s eight punts for an average of 46.4 yards.

Pitt finished a disappointing 8-3-1 after Penn State snapped the Panthers’ six-game winning streak with a 24-24 tie at Pitt Stadium.

Still, Benson has mostly fond memories of that season.

“I remember listening to my Walkman on the bus (riding to the Tennessee game), not getting that much sleep the night before, being so nervous l just felt like it was so big to me. I guarantee you I wasn’t alone. A lot of people felt that way.”

Benson, a native of Altoona, was a co-captain with Bill Fralic and Chris Doleman.

“Sad to say, I’m the only one alive,” he said.

One day, Benson and Fralic were working out together at Pitt Stadium when Fralic gave him some good advice.

“What do you think about pro ball?” Fralic said, mindful that both players were approaching their senior year.

“Aw, Bill,” Benson replied, “I just want to be good this year. I’ve never even thought about it.”

“You better start thinking about it,” Fralic replied, “because you’re probably going to get an opportunity to do it.”

Benson went on to get drafted in the fifth round and play six seasons with the New York Jets. Fralic and Doleman were picked in the first round.

“Bill and I were pretty close,” Benson said. “We played golf at Oakmont. Every time he would come up from Atlanta, he would always invite me to go play there because he knew I loved golf so much.”

Benson plans to watch Saturday’s game on TV — unless his family somehow talks him into the 10-hour drive from Gibsonia to Knoxville.

He’s pleased the game is called the Johnny Majors Classic after the man who coached both teams in his career.

“I used to tell him I wish I had the chance to play for him,” Benson said. “He was a super guy. I loved him.”