1972 Northwestern Wildcats football team

1972 Northwestern Wildcats football
Conference	Big Ten Conference
Record	2–9 (1–8 Big Ten)
Head coach	Alex Agase (9th season)
Captains	Jim Anderson Dave Dybas Dave Glantz Jim Lash
Home stadium	Dyche Stadium

1972 Big Ten Conference football standings

	Conf							Overall
Team	W		L		T			W		L		T
No. 6 Michigan +	7	–	1	–	0			10	–	1	–	0
No. 9 Ohio State +	7	–	1	–	0			9	–	2	–	0
Purdue	6	–	2	–	0			6	–	5	–	0
Michigan State	5	–	2	–	1			5	–	5	–	1
Minnesota	4	–	4	–	0			4	–	7	–	0
Indiana	3	–	5	–	0			5	–	6	–	0
Illinois	3	–	5	–	0			3	–	8	–	0
Iowa	2	–	6	–	1			3	–	7	–	1
Wisconsin	2	–	6	–	0			4	–	7	–	0
Northwestern	1	–	8	–	0			2	–	9	–	0
+ – Conference co-champions Rankings from AP Poll

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.

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. 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).

Schedule

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 16	at No. 11 Michigan	Michigan Stadium Ann Arbor, MI (rivalry)	L 0–7	71,757
September 23	No. 13 Notre Dame*	Dyche Stadium Evanston, IL (rivalry)	L 0–37	55,155
September 30	at Pittsburgh*	Pitt Stadium Pittsburgh, PA	W 27–22	74,595
October 7	at Wisconsin	Camp Randall Stadium Madison, WI	L 14–21	74,595
October 14	Iowa	Dyche Stadium Evanston, IL	L 12–23	31,149
October 21	at Purdue	Ross–Ade Stadium West Lafayette, IN	L 0–37	63,049
October 28	Indiana	Dyche Stadium Evanston, IL	W 23–14	32,007
November 4	Illinois	Dyche Stadium Evanston, IL (rivalry)	L 13–43	35,235
November 11	at Minnesota	Memorial Stadium Minneapolis, MN	L 29–35	32,771
November 18	No. 9 Ohio State	Dyche Stadium Evanston, IL	L 14–27	34,475
November 25	at Michigan State	Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI	L 14–24	46,140
*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 Alex Agase Coordinators/assistant coaches Legend (C) Team captain (S) Suspended (I) Ineligible Injured Redshirt