American college football season
The 1972 Northwestern Wildcats team represented Northwestern University during the 1972 Big Ten Conference football season . In their ninth and final year under head coach Alex Agase , the Wildcats compiled a 2–9 record (1–8 against Big Ten Conference opponents) and finished in last place in the Big Ten Conference .[ 2]
The team's offensive leaders were quarterback Mitch Anderson with 1,335 passing yards, Greg Boykin with 625 rushing yards, and Jim Lash with 667 receiving yards.[ 3] Five Northwestern player received All-Big Ten honors. They are: (1) tight end Steve Craig (AP-1, UPI-1); (2) split end Jim Lash (UPI-1); (3) defensive back Greg Strunk (AP-2, UPI-2); (4) defensive lineman Jim Anderson (AP-2); and (5) running back Greg Boykin (AP-2).[ 4] [ 5]
Schedule
Date Opponent Site Result Attendance Source September 16 at No. 11 Michigan L 0–771,757 [ 6]
September 23 No. 13 Notre Dame * L 0–3755,155
September 30 at Pittsburgh * W 27–2274,595
October 7 at Wisconsin L 14–2174,595
October 14 Iowa Dyche Stadium Evanston, IL L 12–2331,149
October 21 at Purdue L 0–3763,049
October 28 Indiana Dyche Stadium Evanston, IL W 23–1432,007
November 4 Illinois Dyche Stadium Evanston, IL (rivalry ) L 13–4335,235
November 11 at Minnesota L 29–3532,771
November 18 No. 9 Ohio State Dyche Stadium Evanston, IL L 14–2734,475
November 25 at Michigan State L 14–2446,140
*Non-conference game Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
Roster
1972 Northwestern Wildcats football team roster
Players
Coaches
Offense
Pos.
#
Name
Class
QB
12
Mitch Anderson
So
TE
84
Steve Craig
Jr
OT
75
Dave Glantz (C)
Sr
WR
28
Steve Harris
Jr
G
64
Donnie Haynes
Jr
G
68
Paul Hiemenz
So
WR
86
Jim Lash (C)
Sr
C
57
Larry Lilja
So
OT
63
Larry Mishler
Sr
FB
34
Harold Smith
Jr
WR
88
Rick Sund
Sr
FB
39
Jim Trimble
So
Defense
Pos.
#
Name
Class
DT
74
Jim Anderson (C)
Sr
LB
38
Steve Anenen
Jr
LB
43
Doug Belko
So
LB
98
Rob Mason
So
LB
82
Pat McNamara
Sr
LB
33
Carl Patrnchak
So
LB
32
Joe Patrnchak
So
DT
56
George Petrak
Jr
DE
53
Dale Spriet
So
DB
18
Greg Strunk
Sr
DB
15
Greg Swanson
Jr
LB
66
Mike Varty
Jr
DT
97
Joe Verzino
Sr
Special teams
Pos.
#
Name
Class
P
23
Marty McGann
Sr
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches
Legend
(C) Team captain
(S) Suspended
(I) Ineligible
Injured
Redshirt
References
^ "Year-by-Year Results" (PDF) . 2007. p. 148. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 16, 2019. Retrieved March 14, 2019 .
^ "1972 Northwestern Wildcats Schedule and Results" . SR/College Football . Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved February 22, 2016 .
^ "1972 Northwestern Wildcats Stats" . SR/College Football . Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved February 22, 2016 .
^ "Wells named to All-Big Ten team" . The Pantagraph (Bloomington, Illinois) . November 28, 1972.
^ "UM, State, Buckeyes Dominate UPI's All Big Ten Team" . Ludington Daily News (UPI story) . November 28, 1972. p. 5.
^ Curt Sylvester (September 17, 1972). "Defense Throttles Northwestern: U-M Wins a Squeaker, 7–0" . Detroit Free Press . p. 1C, 4C – via Newspapers.com .
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