1972 BYU Cougars football team

{{CFB schedule

| rankyear = 1972

| poll = AP

| timezone = local to gamesite

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = September 16

| w/l = w

| nonconf = y

| opponent = Kansas State

| site_stadium = Cougar Stadium

| site_cityst = Provo, UT

| score = 32–9

| attend = 31,753

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-byu-flattens-k-state/156786417/|work=The Tulsa World|title=BYU flattens K-State|date=September 17, 1972|accessdate=October 8, 2024|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = September 23

| w/l = l

| nonconf = y

| opponent = Utah State

| site_stadium = Cougar Stadium

| site_cityst = Provo, UT

| gamename = rivalry

| score = 19–42

| attend = 35,239

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-ogden-standard-examiner-tony-adams-l/156786520/|work=The Ogden Standard-Examiner|title=Tony Adams lifts Utah State to 42–19 victory over BYU|date=September 24, 1972|accessdate=October 8, 2024|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = September 30

| w/l = l

| nonconf = y

| away = y

| opponent = Oregon State

| site_stadium = Parker Stadium

| site_cityst = Corvallis, OR

| score = 3–29

| attend = 20,065

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-news-ore-state-contains-byu-2/156786731/|work=The Times-News|title=Ore. State contains BYU 29–3|date=October 1, 1972|accessdate=October 8, 2024|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 7

| w/l = w

| nonconf = y

| away = y

| opponent = Long Beach State

| site_stadium = Anaheim Stadium

| site_cityst = Anaheim, CA

| score = 38–27

| attend = 11,529

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-byu-rallies-to-edg/156786908/|work=The Los Angeles Times|title=BYU rallies to edge 49ers, 38–27|date=October 8, 1972|accessdate=October 8, 2024|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 14

| w/l = w

| homecoming = y

| opponent = UTEP

| site_stadium = Cougar Stadium

| site_cityst = Provo, UT

| score = 21–14

| attend = 31,176

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-herald-journal-three-first-half-touc/156787066/|work=The Herald-Journal|title=Three first half touchdowns give Brigham Young margin|date=October 15, 1972|accessdate=October 8, 2024|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 21

| w/l = l

| opponent = Arizona State

| opprank = 19

| site_stadium = Cougar Stadium

| site_cityst = Provo, UT

| score = 17–49

| attend = 23,561

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-arizona-republic-slow-starting-devil/156785365/|work=The Arizona Republic|title=Slow-starting Devils drub BYU, 49–17|date=October 15, 1972|accessdate=October 8, 2024|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 28

| w/l = w

| away = y

| opponent = Colorado State

| site_stadium = Hughes Stadium

| site_cityst = Fort Collins, CO

| score = 44–8

| attend = 18,972

| source = {{Cite news|last=Twitty|first=Mike|date=October 29, 1972|title=Strong BYU effort stifles Ram upset plan|page=23|work=Fort Collins Coloradoan|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/65016632/byu-csu-1972-recap/|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 4

| w/l = w

| opponent = Wyoming

| site_stadium = Cougar Stadium

| site_cityst = Provo, UT

| score = 33–14

| attend = 22,373

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/rapid-city-journal-pokes-tumble-to-byu/156787255/|work=Rapid City Journal|title=Pokes tumble to BYU|date=November 5, 1972|accessdate=October 8, 2024|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 11

| w/l = l

| away = y

| opponent = Arizona

| site_stadium = Arizona Stadium

| site_cityst = Tucson, AZ

| score = 7–21

| attend = 26,500

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-arizona-republic-wildcats-top-bringh/156787370/|work=The Arizona Republic|title=Wildcats top Bringham Young, 21–7|date=November 12, 1972|accessdate=October 8, 2024|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 18

| w/l = w

| opponent = Utah

| site_stadium = Robert Rice Stadium

| site_cityst = Salt Lake City, UT

| gamename = Holy War

| score = 16–7

| attend = 24,917

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-herald-cougars-snuff-utes-bow/156787463/|work=The Daily Herald|title=Cougars snuff Ute's bowl hopes, 16–7|date=November 19, 1972|accessdate=October 8, 2024|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 25

| w/l = w

| away = y

| opponent = New Mexico

| site_stadium = University Stadium

| site_cityst = Albuquerque, NM

| score = 21–7

| attend = 9,490

| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/tri-city-herald-byu-posts-easy-win/156787549/|work=Tri-City Herald|title=BYU posts easy win|date=November 26, 1972|accessdate=October 8, 2024|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

}}

{{cite web |author= |title=1972 NCAA Football Statistics (BYU) |url=https://stats.ncaa.org/teams/251412 |publisher=National Collegiate Athletic Association |accessdate=October 8, 2024 }}

Defensive coordinator LaVell Edwards was promoted to head coach in January to take over for the departed Tommy Hudspeth,{{Cite web |url=http://www.byucougars.com/media_guides/football/2010/ |title=2010 BYU football media guide |access-date=2010-11-21 |archive-date=2010-12-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101204075028/http://www.byucougars.com/media_guides/football/2010/ |url-status=dead }} who ended up as the head coach at UTEP by season's end.

BYU was returning 28 players from the previous year but Golden Richards would not be one of them. Richards claimed it was because the Cougars were still a run-oriented offense while BYU and Edwards said it was because Richards had trouble keeping with his academics.[https://web.archive.org/web/20090821071047/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/cover/featured/8297/index.htm Sports Illustrated, 11 Sept 1972]

Pete Van Valkenburg rushed for 164 yards on 16 carries, scored on a 59-yard run in the first quarter and set up Dave Terry for BYU's second touchdown. Keith Brumley's 37-yard field goal was Kansas State's only points through the first three quarters. Henry Childs caught a 27-yard touchdown pass from Dennis Morrison three minutes into the final quarter for Kansas State.

"BYU in romp." Eugene Register-Guard. p. 4B. 1972 Sep 17. Retrieved 2022-Dec-08.

{{Clear}}

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|bg=#fff

|bg2=#eee

|titlestyle=background-color:#000; color:#fff

|state=collapsed

|date=October 7

|time=8:00 p.m. PDT

|road=BYU

|R1=0 |R2=10 |R3=14 |R4=14

|home=Long Beach State

|H1=14 |H2=6 |H3=0 |H4=7

|stadium=Anaheim Stadium, Anaheim, CA

|attendance=11,500

|weather=

|referee=

|TV=

|TVAnnouncers=

|reference=[http://cougarstats.com/1972/1972Game4.html Box Score]

|scoring=

|stats=

;Passing

Bill August 4/6, 62 yards, Dave Terry 2/7, 26 yards, 2 INT

;Rushing

Pete Van Valkenburg 19–247, Wayne Bower 9–48, Steve Stratton 4–17, Dan Taylor 2–6, Bryce Johnson 1–0, Dave Terry 4–(-4)

;Receiving

John Betham 2–41, Mike Pistorius 1–21, Steve Stratton 2–13, Logan Hunter 1–13

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryStart|VisitorName=BYU|HomeName=Long Beach State|state=collapsed}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=1

| Time=

| Team=Long Beach State

| DriveLength=

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| Type=RushTD

| Runner=Drake

| yards=1

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| Kicker=Logue

| 2pt type=run/pass

| 2pt result=good/failed/incomplete

| Visitor=0

| Home=7

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=1

| Time=

| Team=Long Beach State

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| DriveTime=

| Type=RushTD

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| Kicker=Logue

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| Visitor=0

| Home=14

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=2

| Time=

| Team=BYU

| DriveLength=

| DriveTime=

| Type=RushTD

| Runner=Pete Van Valkenburg

| yards=3

| kickresult=good

| Kicker=John Monahan

| 2pt type=run/pass

| 2pt result=good/failed/incomplete

| Visitor=7

| Home=14

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=2

| Time=

| Team=BYU

| DriveLength=

| DriveTime=

| Type=FG

| yards=31

| Kicker=John Monahan

| Visitor=10

| Home=14

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=3

| Time=

| Team=Long Beach State

| DriveLength=

| DriveTime=

| Type=Other

| Other=Newsome 28-yard interception return, kick blocked

| Visitor=10

| Home=20

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=3

| Time=

| Team=BYU

| DriveLength=

| DriveTime=

| Type=RushTD

| Runner=Pete Van Valkenburg

| yards=64

| kickresult=good

| Kicker=John Monahan

| 2pt type=run/pass

| 2pt result=good/failed/incomplete

| Visitor=17

| Home=20

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=3

| Time=

| Team=BYU

| DriveLength=

| DriveTime=

| Type=Other

| Other=Dave Atkinson 19-yard interception return, John Monahan kick good

| Visitor=24

| Home=20

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=4

| Time=

| Team=Long Beach State

| DriveLength=

| DriveTime=

| Type=RushTD

| Runner=Fitzpatrick

| yards=1

| kickresult=good

| Kicker=Logue

| 2pt type=run/pass

| 2pt result=good/failed/incomplete

| Visitor=24

| Home=27

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=4

| Time=

| Team=BYU

| DriveLength=

| DriveTime=

| Type=RushTD

| Runner=Pete Van Valkenburg

| yards=73

| kickresult=good

| Kicker=John Monahan

| 2pt type=run/pass

| 2pt result=good/failed/incomplete

| Visitor=31

| Home=27

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry

| Quarter=4

| Time=

| Team=BYU

| DriveLength=

| DriveTime=

| Type=RushTD

| Runner=Steve Stratton

| yards=7

| kickresult=good

| Kicker=John Monahan

| 2pt type=run/pass

| 2pt result=good/failed/incomplete

| Visitor=38

| Home=27

}}

{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEnd|Visitor=38|Home=27}}

{{Clear}}

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{{Empty section|date=December 2022}}

{{Americanfootballbox

|bg=

|bg2=

|titlestyle={{CollegeSecondaryStyle|BYU Cougars|border=2}}; text-align:center

|state=collapsed

|title=BYU Cougars (5–4) at Utah Utes (5–4)

|date=November 18, 1972

|time=

|road=BYU

|R1=7 |R2=2 |R3=0 |R4=7

|home=Utah

|H1=0 |H2=0 |H3=7 |H4=0

|stadium=Robert Rice Stadium, Salt Lake City, Utah

|attendance=24,917

|weather=Overcast, {{Convert|47|F|C}}

|referee=

|TV=

|TVAnnouncers=

|reference=[http://www.cougarstats.com/games.php?show=details&game_id=493 Box Score]

|scoring=

First quarter

• BYU – Steve Stratton 4-yard run (John Monahan kick). BYU 7–0.

Second quarter

• BYU – Safety. BYU 9–0.

Third quarter

• UTAH – Ike Spencer 70-yard run (Fleming Jensen kick). BYU 9–7.

Fourth quarter

• BYU – George Gourley 24-yard interception return (John Monahan kick). BYU 16–7.

|stats=

;Top passers

• BYU – Dave Terry – 7/13, 71 yards
• UTAH – Daniel Payne – 3/17, 38 yards, 4 INT

;Top rushers

• BYU – Pete Van Valkenburg – 37 rushes, 158 yards
• UTAH – Ike Spencer – 11 rushes, 101 yards, TD

;Top receivers

• BYU – John Betham – 3 receptions, 32 yards
• UTAH – Stephen Odom – 2 receptions, 20 yards

}}

BYU's first win versus Utah since 1967

{{Empty section|date=December 2022}}

{{American football roster/Header|year=1972|team=BYU Cougars|teamcolors=y

|offensive_players=

{{American football roster/Player|num=9|class=|first=Dave|last=Affleck|pos=WR}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=34|class=|first=Charlie|last=Ah You|pos=FB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=7|class=|first=Bill|last=August|pos=QB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=61|class=|first=Joe|last=Bailey|pos=C}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=41|class=|first=John|last=Betham|pos=WR}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=36|class=|first=Wayne|last=Bower|pos=FB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=79|class=|first=Dave|last=Brooks|pos=OT}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=42|class=|first=Dave|last=Clark|pos=WR}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=22|class=|first=Dean|last=Conway|pos=FB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=64|class=|first=Bill|last=Critchfield|pos=OT}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=62|class=|first=Craig|last=Denny|pos=OT}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=36|class=|first=Paul|last=Devine|pos=RB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=80|class=|first=Dennis|last=Dorman|pos=TE}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=68|class=|first=Harold|last=Farnsworth|pos=OG}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Gil|last=Gillenwater|pos=RB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=15|class=|first=Brian|last=Gunderson|pos=QB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=56|class=|first=Paul|last=Gustavson|pos=C}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=78|class=|first=Paul|last=Howard|pos=OG}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=25|class=|first=Logan|last=Hunter|pos=WR}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=20|class=|first=Bryce|last=Johnson|pos=RB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=66|class=|first=Doug|last=Maughan|pos=OL}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=14|class=|first=Terry|last=McEwen|pos=QB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=76|class=|first=Val|last=Miller|pos=OG}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=71|class=|first=John|last=Monahan|pos=OG}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=16|class=|first=Mark|last=Montgomery|pos=QB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=70|class=|first=Paul|last=Muklewicz|pos=OT}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=53|class=|first=Ken|last=Peterson|pos=OT}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=89|class=|first=Mike|last=Pistorius|pos=TE}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=65|class=|first=Steve|last=Price|pos=OT}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=90|class=|first=Rick|last=Powell|pos=WR}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=59|class=|first=Sid|last=Smith|pos=C}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=35|class=|first=Steve|last=Stratton|pos=FB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=43|class=|first=Dan|last=Taylor|pos=RB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=13|class=|first=Dave|last=Terry|pos=QB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=28|class=|first=Pete|last=Van Valkenburg|pos=RB|link=y}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=22|class=|first=Lynn|last=Zwahlen|pos=WR}}

|defensive_players=

{{American football roster/Player|num=85|class=|first=Joel|last=Adams|pos=DE}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=45|class=|first=Doug|last=Adams|pos=LB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Dave|last=Atkinson|pos=CB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=72|class=|first=Wayne|last=Baker|pos=DT}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=69|class=|first=Jerry|last=Burke|pos=LB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=18|class=|first=Stan|last=Call|pos=CB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=67|class=|first=Larry|last=Carr|pos=LB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=58|class=|first=Conrad|last=Cole|pos=DE}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=44|class=|first=Craig|last=Crompton|pos=S}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=54|class=|first=Steve|last=Draeger|pos=LB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=84|class=|first=Greg|last=Dunn|pos=LB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=17|class=|first=Fred|last=EchoHawk|pos=S}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=24|class=|first=Tom|last=EchoHawk|pos=S}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=12|class=|first=Mike|last=Epperson|pos=DB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=56|class=|first=Lloyd|last=Fairbanks|pos=DE}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=31|class=|first=Reed|last=Gempler|pos=CB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=33|class=|first=George|last=Gourley|pos=S}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=11|class=|first=Dan|last=Hansen|pos=S}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=52|class=|first=Kahlili|last=Hunt|pos=LB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=34|class=Fr|first=Phil|last=Jensen|pos=LB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=26|class=|first=Paul|last=Karaica|pos=CB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=87|class=|first=Bob|last=Larsen|pos=DE}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=74|class=|first=Paul|last=Linford|pos=DT}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=60|class=|first=Wally|last=Molifua|pos=DT}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=57|class=|first=Larry|last=Nelson|pos=LB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=83|class=|first=Orrin|last=Olsen|pos=DL}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=50|class=|first=Mike|last=Preston|pos=LB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=46|class=|first=Roy|last=Robbins|pos=DE}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=37|class=|first=Karl|last=Rogoff|pos=LB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=88|class=|first=Ed|last=Rozeski|pos=DE}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=63|class=|first=Julian|last=Smilowitz|pos=DT}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=5|class=|first=Bennie|last=Smith|pos=DB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=51|class=|first=Scott|last=Stapley|pos=LB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=32|class=|first=Ron|last=Tree|pos=LB}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=73|class=|first=Stan|last=Varner|pos=DE}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=77|class=|first=Grant|last=Wells|pos=DT}}

|special_teams_players=

{{American football roster/Player|num=14|class=|first=Doug|last=Coon|pos=P}}

{{American football roster/Player|num=19|class=|first=Dennis|last=Olsen|pos=K}}

}}

{{American football roster/Footer|roster_url=|accessdate=

|head_coach=

• LaVell Edwards

|asst_coach=

• Jim Criner
• Dick Felt (DC/DB)
• J.D. Helm (RB)
• Dave Kragthorpe (OC/OL)
• Mel Olson (JV)
• Dewey Warren (QB/WR)

}}

{{col-float|width=48%}}

{{col-float-break|width=48%}}

{{col-float-end}}

Broyles, Bob and Paul Guido. 50 Years of College Football: A Modern History of America's Most Colorful Sport.

All-WAC: Dave Atkinson, Dan Hansen, Paul Howard, Paul Linford, Ron Tree, Pete Van Valkenburg

WAC Coach of the Year: LaVell Edwards [https://web.archive.org/web/20110105214852/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700084102/20-years-ago-Cougars-coach-wins-annual-WAC-award.html The Deseret News. 20 November 2010]

{{Reflist}}

{{BYU Cougars football navbox}}

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Category:BYU Cougars football seasons

BYU Cougars football