1972 Iowa Hawkeyes football team

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, 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, Dave Harris, Brian Rollins, and Harris and Frank Holmes. Andre Jackson set a single-season Iowa record 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.

Game summaries

Iowa closed the season with a win over Illinois. The Hawkeyes would not win again until upsetting No. 12 UCLA in the home opener of the 1974 season.