1972 Indiana State Sycamores football
ConferenceIndependent
Record7–3
Head coach
Home stadiumMemorial Stadium
Seasons
← 1971
1973 →
1972 NCAA College Division independents football records
Conf Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
No. 4 Ashland   –   11 – 0 – 0
Bridgeport   –   11 – 0 – 0
No. 1 Delaware   –   10 – 0 – 0
No. 5 Tennessee State   –   11 – 1 – 0
Colorado College   –   8 – 1 – 0
Tampa   –   10 – 2 – 0
Trinity (TX)   –   8 – 2 – 0
Western Carolina   –   7 – 2 – 1
Hawaii   –   8 – 3 – 0
Indiana State   –   7 – 3 – 0
Northeastern   –   6 – 2 – 0
Bucknell   –   6 – 3 – 0
Cortland   –   6 – 3 – 0
San Diego   –   6 – 3 – 1
Arkansas–Pine Bluff   –   4 – 2 – 1
Eastern Michigan   –   6 – 4 – 0
Milwaukee   –   6 – 4 – 0
Samford   –   5 – 3 – 2
Lake Forest   –   4 – 3 – 1
Nevada   –   6 – 5 – 0
Central Michigan   –   5 – 5 – 1
Fordham   –   5 – 5 – 0
Rose-Hulman   –   5 – 5 – 0
Santa Clara   –   4 – 4 – 1
Akron   –   3 – 4 – 2
Saint Mary's   –   3 – 4 – 0
Kentucky State   –   4 – 6 – 0
Drexel   –   3 – 6 – 0
Northeast Louisiana   –   3 – 7 – 0
Portland State   –   3 – 8 – 0
Wayne State (MI)   –   2 – 5 – 1
Boston University   –   2 – 8 – 0
Northern Michigan   –   2 – 8 – 0
Saint Peter's   –   2 – 8 – 0
Chattanooga   –   2 – 9 – 0
Southern Illinois   –   1 – 8 – 1
Eastern Illinois   –   1 – 9 – 0
Madison   –   0 – 4 – 1
UNLV   –   1 – 10 – 0
Rankings from AP small college poll

The 1972 Indiana State Sycamores football team represented Indiana State University in the 1972 NCAA College Division football season. It was the seventh and final season for head coach Jerry Huntsman. He won his fifth homecoming contest in front of a record crowd (17,230). The Sycamores finished the season on a five-game winning streak, narrowly missing a bid to the Boardwalk Bowl; they missed a win against University Division opponent Cincinnati by dropping a touchdown pass in the end zone within the last minute of play (see game film below); they outscored the opposition 236–141. Huntsman referred to it as his best team at Indiana State.[1] Three Sycamores were named All-Americans after the season; Bob Poss, (offensive guard) was selected for the Associated Press’ 2nd Team; Seniors Willie Lee (fullback) and John Karazsia (linebacker) were Honorable Mentions on the Associated Press team.

Lee staged a memorable senior campaign, establishing school records in yard rushing (957), touchdowns (13) and points (78). He had four 100+ yard rushing games, while the rest of the team combined for three. He led all Indiana collegiate players in scoring, while leading the Sycamores' rushing attack to a school record in rushing offense (2,647 yards). Lee was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers but would sign instead with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Junior Rick Murphy, a defensive back, led the nation in return yardage; he went on to a career in the World Football League (WFL).

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 98:00 p.m.Cincinnati
L 7–1013,500[2]
September 162:00 p.m.at Eastern Illinois
W 17–147,500
September 231:30 p.m.Evansville
  • Memorial Stadium
  • Terre Haute, IN
W 28–611,600
October 301:30 p.m.at Central Michigan
L 0-349,725
October 78:00 p.m.Ball State
L 10–2110,450
October 147:30 p.m.at Illinois State
W 32–810,000
October 218:00 p.m.Butler
  • Memorial Stadium
  • Terre Haute, IN
W 49–214,500
October 282:00 p.m.Western Illinoisdagger
  • Memorial Stadium
  • Terre Haute, IN
W 41–717,230
November 42:00 p.m.Akron
  • Memorial Stadium
  • Terre Haute, IN
W 21–177,200
November 188:30 p.m.at Southern Illinois
W 31–32,600

[3][4]

Game Films

References

  1. ^ "AMEY TAKES AIM: A weekend to remember with ISU's '72 football team".
  2. ^ Ford, Bill (September 10, 1972). "UC Edges Stubborn ISU, 10-7". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Cincinnati, Ohio. p. 2C. Retrieved December 12, 2022 – via Newspapers.com Open access icon.
  3. ^ "Final 1972 Cumulative Football Statistics Report". National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved June 3, 2022.
  4. ^ DeLassus, David. "Indiana State Yearly Results: 1970–1974". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on July 29, 2014. Retrieved April 14, 2013.
Categories