1972 Iowa Hawkeyes football team

1972 Iowa Hawkeyes football
ConferenceBig Ten Conference
Record3–7–1 (2–6–1 Big Ten)
Head coach
MVPDan Dickel
Captains
  • Craig Darling
  • Dave Harris
  • Dave Simms
Home stadiumKinnick Stadium
1972 Big Ten Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
No. 6 Michigan + 7 1 010 1 0
No. 9 Ohio State + 7 1 09 2 0
Purdue 6 2 06 5 0
Michigan State 5 2 15 5 1
Minnesota 4 4 04 7 0
Indiana 3 5 05 6 0
Illinois 3 5 03 8 0
Iowa 2 6 13 7 1
Wisconsin 2 6 04 7 0
Northwestern 1 8 02 9 0
  • + Conference co-champions
Rankings from AP Poll

The 1972 Iowa Hawkeyes football team was an American football team that represented the University of Iowa as a member of the Big Ten Conference during the 1972 Big Ten football season. In their second year under head coach Frank Lauterbur, the Hawkeyes compiled a 3–7–1 record (2–6–1 in conference game), finished in eighth place in the Big Ten, and were outscored by a total of 208 to 109.

The 1972 Hawkeyes gained 1,629 rushing yards and 825 passing yards. On defense, they gave up 2,724 rushing yards and 989 passing yards.

The team's statistical leaders included Kyle Skogman (24-of-57 passing for 356 yards), Dave Harris (621 rushing yards), Brian Rollins (29 receptions for 378 yards), and Harris and Frank Holmes (24 points each). Andre Jackson set a single-season Iowa record (still standing) with 171 total tackles in 1972. Harris, offensive lineman Craig Darling, and linebacker Dave Simms were the team captains. Defensive end Dan Dickel was also selected as the team's most valuable player.

Prior to the 1972 season, Iowa renamed Iowa Stadium as Kinnick Stadium in honor of 1939 Heisman Trophy winner Nile Kinnick. Artificial turf was also installed with a block "I" at the center of the field for the 1972 season. The stadium was called Iowa Stadium from its opening in 1929 through the 1971 season. Home attendance in 1972 totaled 220,833, an average of 44,166 per game.