1972 Miami Dolphins season

American football season December 2025 August 2023 Miami Dolphins 1972 14–0 1st AFC East Don Shula Joe Robbie Miami Orange Bowl Won Divisional Playoffs(vs. Browns) 20–14Won AFC Championship(at Steelers) 21–17Won Super Bowl VII(vs. Redskins) 14–7 9 SS Dick Anderson MLB Nick Buoniconti FB Larry Csonka T Norm Evans G Larry Little RB Mercury Morris FS Jake Scott DE Bill Stanfill WR Paul Warfield 4 SS Dick Anderson QB Earl Morrall G Larry Little DE Bill Stanfill Dolphins seasons thumb|200px|Jim Kiick (#21) rushes for Miami in Super Bowl VII The 1972 Miami Dolphins season was the franchise's seventh season and third in the National Football League (NFL). The team was led by third-year head coach Don Shula and achieved the only perfect season in NFL history (and only the second perfect season in professional football history after the 1948 Cleveland Browns). The team also led the league in both points scored and fewest points allowed. Starting quarterback Bob Griese broke his ankle in week 5, leaving backup Earl Morrall to start the remainder of the regular season, though Griese relieved Morrall in the second half of the AFC Championship Game and started Super Bowl VII. Morrall, a 38-year-old who spent much of his career backing up stars including Johnny Unitas, was named MVP in 1968 under Shula when the pair led the Baltimore Colts to the NFL championship. The Dolphins clinched the AFC East title in week 10 with Morrall at quarterback.100 Things Dolphins Fans Should Know and Do Before They Die, Armando Salguero, Triumph Books, Chicago, 2020, ISBN 978-1-62937-722-3, p. 4 None of their regular season opponents advanced to the eight-team postseason; three had made the previous postseason (Kansas City, Minnesota, Baltimore). Running backs Larry Csonka and Mercury Morris became the first teammates to each rush for 1,000 yards in a season. Paul Warfield led the team in receptions and receiving yards, and Marlin Briscoe led the team in receiving touchdowns. The offensive line included future Hall of Famers Jim Langer and Larry Little.100 Things Dolphins Fans Should Know and Do Before They Die, Armando Salguero, Triumph Books, Chicago, 2020, ISBN 978-1-62937-722-3, p. 70 The Dolphins' early-1970s defensive unit was termed the "No-Name Defense" by Dallas Cowboys head coach Tom Landry, given its lack of high-profile players (the unit's only Hall of Famer, linebacker Nick Buoniconti, achieved much of his success with the Boston Patriots in the 1960s and was not inducted until 2001). The defense was led by Buoniconti, end Bill Stanfill, tackle Manny Fernandez, and safeties Dick Anderson and Jake Scott. In all, nine Dolphins—Csonka, Morris, Warfield, Little, Norm Evans, Buoniconti, Stanfill, Anderson, and Scott—were selected to the Pro Bowl, and Little, Morrall, Stanfill, and Anderson were named first-team All-Pro.1972 Miami Dolphins Roster https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/mia/1972_roster.htm Sports Reference, LLC Pro-Football-Reference September 6, 2011 August 16, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110816171314/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/mia/1972_roster.htm live The Dolphins went 14–0 in the regular season, the best record in the league by three games, and won all three postseason games to finish 17–0. Three other teams, the Chicago Bears in 1934 and 1942 and the New England Patriots in 2007, reached the NFL's title game undefeated and untied, but all three lost the championship. Four other teams, the Akron Pros in 1920, the Canton Bulldogs in 1922 and 1923, and the Green Bay Packers in 1929, won the NFL championship with an undefeated record, but all recorded at least one tie. The 1985 Chicago Bears' bid for an undefeated season was snapped by the Dolphins in their game 13 Monday Night Football meeting.Oyefusi Daniel 1985 Dolphins forever connected to perfect 1972 team after giving 12-0 Bears first and only loss https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nfl/miami-dolphins/article268062487.html Miami Herald January 18, 2025 https://web.archive.org/web/20221102122522/https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nfl/miami-dolphins/article268062487.html November 2, 2022 November 2, 2022Biggs Brad 1985 Bears-Dolphins on Monday Night Football: A perfect season evaporated https://www.chicagotribune.com/2015/11/29/1985-bears-dolphins-on-monday-night-football-a-perfect-season-evaporated/ Chicago Tribune January 18, 2025 https://web.archive.org/web/20240907151411/https://www.chicagotribune.com/2015/11/29/1985-bears-dolphins-on-monday-night-football-a-perfect-season-evaporated/ September 7, 2024 29 November 2015 Miami led the league in total offense, total defense, scoring offense, and scoring defense, the only team ever to do so. On August 20, 2013, four decades after the perfect season, President Barack Obama hosted the surviving members of the 1972 Dolphins, noting they "never got their White House visit."https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Er3z00blcec&t=1m President Obama Honors the 1973 Super Bowl Champion Miami Dolphins YouTube.com/user/whitehouse August 20, 2013 August 21, 2013 October 22, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131022081725/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Er3z00blcec&t=1m livePerfect 1972 Miami Dolphins Team Going to the White House http://www.sportsmedia101.com/miamidolphins/2013/08/13/perfect-1972-miami-dolphins-team-going-to-the-white-house/ August 15, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130818011355/http://www.sportsmedia101.com/miamidolphins/2013/08/13/perfect-1972-miami-dolphins-team-going-to-the-white-house/ August 18, 2013 dead mdy-all Fifty years later, on October 23, 2022, the 1972 Dolphins were honored at halftime during a Sunday Night Football game featuring the Miami Dolphins and Pittsburgh Steelers, the same matchup that occurred for the 1972 AFC Championship Game. For the 50th anniversary celebration, the Dolphins wore throwback uniforms as well as patches bearing a classic Dolphins logo, the number 50, and the years 1972 and 2022.https://sports.nbcsports.com/2022/10/23/the-perfect-nfl-season-1972-miami-dolphins-set-to-celebrate-50th-anniversary-on-sunday-night-football/ NBC Sports The perfect NFL season: 1972 Miami Dolphins set to celebrate 50th anniversary tonight on Sunday Night Football October 23, 2022 October 23, 2022 October 30, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20221030053813/https://sports.nbcsports.com/2022/10/23/the-perfect-nfl-season-1972-miami-dolphins-set-to-celebrate-50th-anniversary-on-sunday-night-football/ dead The 1972 Dolphins ranked number 1 on the 100 greatest teams of all time by the NFL on its 100th anniversary.NFL Top 100 Teams https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nfl-top-100-teams.htm Pro Football Reference100 Greatest Teams: Numbers 100-1 SUPERCUT https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qzU600OwVc NFL.com Background The Miami Dolphins franchise was founded in 1966 under head coach George Wilson. Wilson led the Dolphins to just fifteen wins in four seasons before being fired and replaced by Baltimore Colts head coach Don Shula. Despite his poor record, many of Wilson's player acquisitions contributed to the Dolphins' success in the early 1970s. The team drafted quarterback Bob Griese in 1967, fullback Larry Csonka in 1968, and defensive end Bill Stanfill and running back Mercury Morris in 1969.http://www.miamidolphins.com/history/historical-highlights-1965-69 Historical Highlights (1965–69) Miami Dolphins May 19, 2010 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20100404065350/http://www.miamidolphins.com/history/historical-highlights-1965-69 April 4, 2010http://www.thephinsider.com/2013/5/21/4350148/miami-dolphins-history-part-2-1967-1969 Miami Dolphins Historical Perspective Part 2 – 1967 to 1969 Kevin Nogle May 21, 2013 SB Nation March 22, 2017 March 22, 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170322210019/http://www.thephinsider.com/2013/5/21/4350148/miami-dolphins-history-part-2-1967-1969 live Wilson also signed Manny Fernandez and traded for Nick Buoniconti, Larry Little, and Paul Warfield.http://www.miamidolphins.com/history/historical-highlights-1970-79 Historical Highlights (1970–79) Miami Dolphins March 23, 2017 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20100401110915/http://www.miamidolphins.com/history/historical-highlights-1970-79 April 1, 2010 Wilson was initially resentful of the Dolphins' success, believing his firing was premature and Shula had inherited a "ready-made team".https://www.newspapers.com/clip/9902137/the_palm_beach_post/ Ready-Made Team January 12, 1972 The Palm Beach Post Associated Press C6 April 15, 2021 Newspapers.com April 14, 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190414030537/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/9902137/the_palm_beach_post/ live However, tension between Wilson and Shula lessened after the team won Super Bowl VII, and Wilson congratulated Shula and invited him to play at his golf course.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/9902228/the_palm_beach_post/ Ex-Dolphin Coach 'Buries Hatchet' July 9, 1973 Associated Press The Palm Beach Post D3 April 15, 2021 Miami, Florida Newspapers.com April 14, 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190414030546/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/9902228/the_palm_beach_post/ live After accepting the job in Miami, Shula hired Howard Schnellenberger as offensive coordinator, Bill Arnsparger (who had served as defensive line coach under Shula in Baltimore) as defensive coordinator, Carl Taseff as offensive backs coach, Monte Clark as offensive line coach, and Mike Scarry as defensive line coach, and retained defensive backs coach Tom Keane from Wilson's staff; each of these coaches remained with the team through 1972. In the 1970 draft and ensuing free agency period, Shula added cornerback Tim Foley, safety Jake Scott, guard Bob Kuechenberg, and future Hall of Fame center Jim Langer. In Shula's first season, the Dolphins went 10–4 and reached the playoffs for the first time. Miami returned to the playoffs in 1971 and defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in the longest game in NFL history to secure the franchise's first playoff victory. The Dolphins shut out the Baltimore Colts, Shula's former team, to reach Super Bowl VI, where they lost 24–3 to Dallas. Off-season NFL draft 1972 NFL draft 1972 Miami Dolphins 1 25 Mike Kadish Defensive tackle Notre Dame yes 3 77 Gary Kosins Running back Dayton Signed with the Chicago Bearshttps://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KosiGa00.htm Gary Kosins Pro-Football-Reference.com April 14, 2021 January 11, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210111221544/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KosiGa00.htm live no 4 91 Larry Ball Linebacker Louisville yes 4 105 Al Denton Tackle Ohio no 5 129 Charlie Babb Safety Memphis yes 6 155 Ray Nettles Linebacker Tennessee Signed with the BC Lionshttps://www.cfl.ca/2009/09/29/cfl-mourns-the-loss-of-ray-nettles/ CFL Mourns the Loss of Ray Nettles September 29, 2009 Canadian Football League April 12, 2021 April 12, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210412063317/https://www.cfl.ca/2009/09/29/cfl-mourns-the-loss-of-ray-nettles/ live no 7 161 Bill Adams Guard Holy Cross Signed with the Buffalo Billshttps://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AdamBi20.htm Bill Adams Pro-Football-Reference.com April 12, 2021 April 12, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210412063321/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AdamBi20.htm live no 7 180 Calvin Harrell Running back Arkansas State Signed with the Edmonton Eskimoshttps://www.profootballarchives.com/playerh/harr00860.html Calvin Harrell Profootballarchives.com/ April 14, 2021 April 15, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210415035735/https://www.profootballarchives.com/playerh/harr00860.html live no 8 207 Craig Curry Quarterback Minnesota no 8 233 Greg Johnson Defensive back Wisconsin no 11 285 Ed Jenkins Wide receiver Holy Cross yes 12 311 Ashley Bell Tight end Purdue no 13 337 Archie Robinson Defensive back Hillsdale no 14 362 Willie Jones Linebacker Tampa no 15 389 Bill Davis Defensive tackle William & Mary no 16 415 Al Hannah Wide receiver Wisconsin no 17 441 Vern Brown Defensive back Western Michigan no Staff 1972 Miami Dolphins Team Owner / President – Joe Robbie Vice president – Don Shula Director of player personnel – Joe Thomas Head coach – Don Shula Offense/receivers – Howard Schnellenberger Offensive backs – Carl Taseff Offensive line – Monte Clark Defense/linebackers – Bill Arnsparger Defensive line – Mike Scarry Defensive backs – Tom Keane None - N/A None - N/Ahttps://www.profootballarchives.com/1972nflmia.html 1972 Miami Dolphins (NFL) Scores, Roster, Stats, Coaches, Draft profootballarchives.com Roster 1972 Miami Dolphins 15 Earl Morrall 11 Jim Del Gaizo 12 Bob Griese 22 Mercury Morris 39 Larry Csonka FB 21 Jim Kiick 23 Charles Leigh American football FB 32 Hubert Ginn 28 Ed Jenkins American football y 81 Howard Twilley 42 Paul Warfield 86 Marlin Briscoe 28 Ed Jenkins American football 82 Otto Stowe 80 Marv Fleming 88 Jim Mandich 77 Doug Crusan T 67 Bob Kuechenberg G 62 Jim Langer C 66 Larry Little G 73 Norm Evans T 54 Howard Kindig T 60 Al Jenkins American football G 79 Wayne Moore American football T 83 Vern Den Herder DE 75 Manny Fernandez American football DT 72 Bob Heinz DT 84 Bill Stanfill DE 78 Jim Dunaway DT IR 65 Maulty Moore y DT 59 Doug Swift 85 Nick Buoniconti 57 Mike Kolen 51 Larry Ball y 53 Bob Matheson 56 Jesse Powell American football 25 Tim Foley defensive back CB 45 Curtis Johnson cornerback CB 40 Dick Anderson SS 13 Jake Scott FS 49 Charlie Babb y SS 43 Mike Howell FS 26 Lloyd Mumphord CB 48 Henry Stuckey 1 Garo Yepremian K 20 Larry Seiple P 7 Billy Lothridge P 44 Tom Curtis American football FS IR 89 Karl Noonan WR IR -- Mike Kadish y DT Preseason Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue 1 August 5, 1972 at Detroit Lions L 23–31 0–1 Tiger Stadium 2 August 12, 1972 Green Bay Packers L 13–14 0–2 Miami Orange Bowl 3 August 19, 1972 at Cincinnati Bengals W 35–17 1–2 Riverfront Stadium 4 August 25, 1972 Atlanta Falcons W 24–10 2–2 Miami Orange Bowl 5 August 31, 1972 at Washington Redskins L 24–27 2–3 Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium 6 September 10 Minnesota Vikings W 21–19 3–3 Miami Orange Bowl Regular season Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap 1 September 17 at Kansas City Chiefs W 20–10 1–0 Arrowhead Stadium Recap 2 September 24 Houston Oilers W 34–13 2–0 Miami Orange Bowl Recap 3 October 1 at Minnesota Vikings W 16–14 3–0 Metropolitan Stadium Recap 4 October 8 at New York Jets W 27–17 4–0 Shea Stadium Recap 5 October 15 San Diego Chargers W 24–10 5–0 Miami Orange Bowl Recap 6 October 22 Buffalo Bills W 24–23 6–0 Miami Orange Bowl Recap 7 October 29 at Baltimore Colts W 23–0 7–0 Memorial Stadium Recap 8 November 5 at Buffalo Bills W 30–16 8–0 War Memorial Stadium Recap 9 November 12 New England Patriots W 52–0 9–0 Miami Orange Bowl Recap 10 November 19 New York Jets W 28–24 10–0 Miami Orange Bowl Recap 11 November 27, 1972 St. Louis Cardinals W 31–10 11–0 Miami Orange Bowl Recap 12 December 3 at New England Patriots W 37–21 12–0 Schaefer Stadium Recap 13 December 10 at New York Giants W 23–13 13–0 Yankee Stadium Recap 14 December 16, 1972 Baltimore Colts W 16–0 14–0 Miami Orange Bowl Recap Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text. Game summaries Week 1: at Kansas City Chiefs Miami Dolphins 1972 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week 1: Miami Dolphins at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary September 17 4:00 p.m. EDT/3:00 p.m. CDT Dolphins 7 10 3 0 Chiefs 0 0 3 7 Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri 91 F C Jim Tunney NBC Curt Gowdy and Al DeRogatis Box score First quarter MIA – Marlin Briscoe 14-yard pass from Bob Griese (Garo Yepremian kick). Dolphins 7–0. Second quarter MIA – Garo Yepremian 47-yard field goal. Dolphins 10–0. MIA – Larry Csonka 2-yard run (Garo Yepremian kick). Dolphins 17–0. Third quarter MIA – Garo Yepremian 15-yard field goal. Dolphins 20–0. KC – Jan Stenerud 40-yard field goal. Dolphins 20–3. Fourth quarter KC – Willie Frazier 4-yard pass from Len Dawson (Jan Stenerud kick). Dolphins 20–10. Top passers MIA – Bob Griese – 8/15, 111 yards, TD, INT KC – Len Dawson – 22/33, 237 yards, TD, 2 INT Top rushers MIA – Larry Csonka – 21 rushes, 118 yards, TD KC – Ed Podolak – 13 rushes, 81 yards Top receivers MIA – Paul Warfield – 2 receptions, 49 yards KC – Otis Taylor – 4 receptions, 69 yards The Dolphins opened the season against the Chiefs in the first regular season game at Arrowhead Stadium. In the Divisional Round the year prior, Miami defeated Kansas City at Kansas City Municipal Stadium in double overtime, the longest game in NFL history. On the Chiefs' first drive, Miami safety Dick Anderson recovered an Ed Podolak fumble, leading to a seven-play, 57-yard drive capped by a 14-yard touchdown from Bob Griese to Marlin Briscoe. Lloyd Mumphord blocked a Jan Stenerud field goal attempt on Kansas City's ensuing drive.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/25119800/the_palm_beach_post/ Miami Tames Kansas City In Boiling Season Opener Dick Treglown September 18, 1972 The Palm Beach Post D3 November 5, 2018 Newspapers.com November 5, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20181105160501/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/25119800/the_palm_beach_post/ live Late in the second quarter, the Dolphins scored twice in quick succession – a 47-yard Garo Yepremian field goal and a two-yard Larry Csonka run following an interception by Jake Scott. The Chiefs did not score until a 40-yard field goal by Stenerud late in the third quarter, and a touchdown from Len Dawson to Willie Frazier was the only score of the fourth quarter as Miami won 20–10.https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197209170kan.htm Miami Dolphins at Kansas City Chiefs - September 17th, 1972 Pro-Football-Reference.com November 5, 2018 November 5, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20181105160417/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197209170kan.htm live Week 2: vs. Houston Oilers Miami Dolphins 1972 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week 2: Houston Oilers at Miami Dolphins – Game summary September 24 1:00 p.m. EST Oilers 0 0 13 0 Dolphins 13 7 7 7 Miami Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida Rain, 77 F C Fred Silva NBC Jay Randolph and Johnny Morris Box score First quarter MIA – Jim Kiick 1-yard run (Garo Yepremian kick). Dolphins 7–0. MIA – Mercury Morris 2-yard run (kick blocked). Dolphins 13–0. Second quarter MIA – Larry Csonka 4-yard run (Garo Yepremian kick). Dolphins 20–0. Third quarter MIA – Bob Griese 2-yard run (Garo Yepremian kick). Dolphins 27–0. HOU – Charlie Joiner 82-yard pass from Dan Pastorini (kick failed). Dolphins 27–6. HOU – Willie Rodgers 1-yard run (Skip Butler kick). Dolphins 27–13. Fourth quarter MIA – Jim Kiick 6-yard pass from Bob Griese (Garo Yepremian kick). Dolphins 34–13. Top passers HOU – Dan Pastorini – 9/21, 104 yards, TD, INT MIA – Bob Griese – 11/16, 142 yards, TD, INT Top rushers HOU – Hoyle Granger – 12 rushes, 48 yards MIA – Mercury Morris – 15 rushes, 94 yards, TD Top receivers HOU – Charlie Joiner – 2 receptions, 80 yards, TD MIA – Paul Warfield – 3 receptions, 67 yards The Orange Bowl's new Poly-Turf field and intermittent rains led to slippery conditions for Miami's week 2 meeting with Houston. Less than two minutes in, Bill Stanfill returned a Hoyle Granger fumble to Houston's one-yard line to set up a Jim Kiick touchdown. Minutes later, Houston quarterback Dan Pastorini muffed the ball in punt formation; the Dolphins recovered again and Mercury Morris scored four plays later. Garo Yepremian's subsequent extra point attempt was blocked, his first miss after seventy-five consecutive successful attempts. Miami engineered another four-play scoring drive on its following possession, using a 30-yard Paul Warfield reception to set up a short Larry Csonka touchdown and give the Dolphins a 20–0 halftime lead. Pastorini completed three of ten passes for minus-ten yards in the first half.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/47305004/the-miami-herald/ Dolphins Slip Past Houston In Rain, 34-13 Bill Braucher September 25, 1972 The Miami Herald 1C March 25, 2020 Newspapers.com March 25, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200325050213/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/47305004/the-miami-herald/ live A nine-play, 76-yard drive to open the second half pushed Miami further ahead. A long Charlie Joiner touchdown got Houston on the board and a second score after a Morris fumble cut Miami's lead to 27–13. However, Kiick's second touchdown following a fourteen-play drive in the fourth quarter put the game out of reach, and a Tim Foley interception sealed a 34–13 Dolphins victory.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/47305281/the-miami-herald/ Bill Braucher Dolphins Outclass Oilers On Wet Poly-Turf, 34-13 September 25, 1972 The Miami Herald 3C March 25, 2020 Newspapers.com March 25, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200325050313/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/47305281/the-miami-herald/ live Week 3: at Minnesota Vikings Miami Dolphins 1972 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week 3: Miami Dolphins at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary October 1 4:00 p.m. EDT/3:00 p.m. CDT Dolphins 0 0 6 10 Vikings 7 0 0 7 Metropolitan Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota 56 F C Tommy Bell NBC Curt Gowdy and Al DeRogatis Box score First quarter MIN – John Gilliam 56-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 7–0. Second quarter No scoring plays Third quarter MIA – Garo Yepremian 38-yard field goal. Vikings 7–3. MIA – Garo Yepremian 42-yard field goal. Vikings 7–6. Fourth quarter MIN – Bill Brown 1-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 14–6. MIA – Garo Yepremian 51-yard field goal. Vikings 14–9. MIA – Jim Mandich 3-yard pass from Bob Griese (Garo Yepremian kick). Dolphins 16–14. Top passers MIA – Bob Griese – 16/33, 127 yards, TD, 2 INT MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 10/23, 142 yards, TD, 3 INT Top rushers MIA – Larry Csonka – 10 rushes, 66 yards MIN – Oscar Reed – 9 receptions, 52 yards Top receivers MIA – Jim Mandich – 3 receptions, 39 yards, TD MIN – John Gilliam – 3 receptions, 91 yards, TD The first-ever meeting between the Dolphins and Vikings began with a long first-quarter touchdown from Fran Tarkenton to John Gilliam; Minnesota held this 7–0 lead into halftime.https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197210010min.htm Miami Dolphins at Minnesota Vikings - October 1st, 1972 Pro-Football-Reference.com March 27, 2020 March 27, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200327061213/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197210010min.htm live Tim Foley intercepted Tarkenton early in the third quarter, setting up a 51-yard Garo Yepremian field goal. A second Yepremian field goal cut Minnesota's lead to one point, but the Vikings responded with thirteen-play drive which ended in a touchdown on the first play of the fourth quarter.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/47435192/fort-lauderdale-news/ No Names Slay The Big Names October 2, 1972 Mike Schwebel Fort Lauderdale News 1D March 27, 2020 Newspapers.com March 27, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200327061218/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/47435192/fort-lauderdale-news/ live Minnesota quickly regained possession by intercepting Bob Griese, but two sacks of Tarkenton kept Minnesota out of field goal range and the game at 14–6. On Miami's ensuing drive, a 22-yard pass from wide receiver Marlin Briscoe to Jim Mandich set up another 51-yard Yepremian field goal. A short Vikings punt was followed by a six-play Miami drive and a three-yard touchdown pass from Griese to Mandich to give the Dolphins a 16–14 win. The Dolphins sacked Tarkenton five times and intercepted him three times.100 Things Dolphins Fans Should Know and Do Before They Die, Armando Salguero, Triumph Books, Chicago, 2020, ISBN 978-1-62937-722-3, p. 3https://www.newspapers.com/clip/47435265/fort-lauderdale-news/ Dolphins Nip Vikings, 16-14, With Late Touchdown Pass October 2, 1972 Mike Schwebel Fort Lauderdale News 6D March 27, 2020 Newspapers.com March 27, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200327061214/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/47435265/fort-lauderdale-news/ live Week 4: at New York Jets Miami Dolphins 1972 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week 4: Miami Dolphins at New York Jets – Game summary October 8 1:00 p.m. EDT Dolphins 0 14 3 10 Jets 7 0 3 7 Shea Stadium, Flushing, New York 57 F C Dick Jorgensen NBC Jay Randolph and Dave Kocourek Box score First quarter NYJ – Randy Rasmussen 0-yard fumble return (Bobby Howfield kick). Jets 7–0. Second quarter MIA – Howard Twilley 16-yard pass from Bob Griese (Garo Yepremian kick). Tied 7–7. MIA – Jim Kiick 6-yard run (Garo Yepremian kick). Dolphins 14–7. Third quarter MIA – Garo Yepremian 27-yard field goal. Dolphins 17–7. NYJ – Bobby Howfield 18-yard field goal. Dolphins 17–10. Fourth quarter MIA – Jim Kiick 3-yard run (Garo Yepremian kick). Dolphins 24–10. NYJ – Emerson Boozer 1-yard run (Bobby Howfield kick). Dolphins 24–17. MIA – Garo Yepremian 43-yard field goal. Dolphins 27–17. Top passers MIA – Bob Griese – 15/27, 220 yards, TD NYJ – Joe Namath – 12/25, 156 yards, INT Top rushers MIA – Larry Csonka – 18 rushes, 102 yards NYJ – John Riggins – 10 rushes, 50 yards Top receivers MIA – Paul Warfield – 5 receptions, 71 yards NYJ – Jerome Barkum – 4 receptions, 76 yards The Jets received the opening kickoff and quickly marched 65 yards downfield, taking a 7–0 lead when a Cliff McClain fumble was recovered by guard Randy Rasmussen in the end zone.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/47577979/the-baltimore-sun/ Dolphins ground Jets, stay unbeaten October 9, 1972 Associated Press The Baltimore Sun C1 March 29, 2020 Newspapers.com New York maintained this advantage until early in the second quarter when a 16-yard touchdown pass from Bob Griese to Howard Twilley tied the game. A six-yard Jim Kiick touchdown run gave Miami a 14–7 lead just before halftime.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/47578046/the-baltimore-sun/ Unbeaten Dolphins trim Jets October 9, 1972 Associated Press The Baltimore Sun C9 March 29, 2020 Newspapers.com March 29, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200329061659/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/47578046/the-baltimore-sun/ live A field goal early in the third quarter increased Miami's lead to ten points. On New York's subsequent drive, Joe Namath found Jerome Barkum for a 52-yard gain which gave the Jets first-and-goal at the one-yard line. However, two penalties and three failed attempts forced New York to settle for an 18-yard Bobby Howfield field goal, cutting the lead to 17–10. Early in the fourth quarter, Miami capitalized on a long pass interference penalty against Steve Tannen with a second Jim Kiick touchdown run. Miami fumbled a punt deep in its own territory in the fourth quarter and allowed New York cut the lead to 24–17, but a late field goal put the game out of reach as the Dolphins won 27–17. Week 5: vs. San Diego Chargers Miami Dolphins 1972 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week 5: San Diego Chargers at Miami Dolphins – Game summary October 15 1:00 p.m. EDT Chargers 3 0 0 7 Dolphins 3 14 7 0 Miami Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida 78 F C Chuck Heberling KCST Jerry Gross and Mike Smith Box score First quarter MIA – Garo Yepremian 37-yard field goal. Dolphins 3–0. SD – Dennis Partee 12-yard field goal. Tied 3–3. Second quarter MIA – Dick Anderson 35-yard fumble return (Garo Yepremian kick). Dolphins 10–3. MIA – Howard Twilley 18-yard pass from Earl Morrall (Garo Yepremian kick). Dolphins 17–3. Third quarter MIA – Paul Warfield 19-yard pass from Earl Morrall (Garo Yepremian kick). Dolphins 24–3. Fourth quarter SD – Cid Edwards 3-yard pass from John Hadl (Bill McClard kick). Dolphins 24–10. Top passers SD – John Hadl – 12/22, 117 yards, TD, 2 INT MIA – Earl Morrall – 8/10, 86 yards, 2 TD Top rushers SD – Mike Garrett – 22 rushes, 68 yards MIA – Larry Csonka – 13 rushes, 70 yards Top receivers SD – Cid Edwards – 4 receptions, 39 yards, TD MIA – Howard Twilley – 2 receptions, 41 yards, TD The Dolphins and Chargers traded first-quarter field goals before Dick Anderson returned a fumble 35 yards for a touchdown to give Miami a 10–3 lead. The Dolphins scored a second touchdown on an 18-yard pass from Earl Morrall to Howard Twilley to take a 17–3 lead into halftime.https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197210150mia.htm San Diego Chargers at Miami Dolphins - October 15th, 1972 Pro-Football-Reference.com June 8, 2020 June 11, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200611102700/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197210150mia.htm live In the third quarter, Morrall's second touchdown pass increased the lead to 24–3. A late San Diego touchdown made the final score 24–10 as the Dolphins moved to 5–0. Dolphins quarterback Bob Griese broke his ankle early in the first quarter on a sack by Ron East and Deacon Jones.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/53018248/fort-lauderdale-news/ Evans Takes Blame For Griese Injury October 16, 1972 Dan Norman 6D Fort Lauderdale News June 8, 2020 Newspapers.com June 8, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200608064856/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/53018248/fort-lauderdale-news/ live He did not play again until late in the last game of the regular season; Griese was replaced by the 38-year-old Morrall until returning in the AFC Championship Game.https://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/former-nfl-quarterback-earl-morrall-dies-at-791-042514 QB Earl Morrall, member of unbeaten 1972 Dolphins, dies at 79 April 25, 2014 Fox Sports June 8, 2020 June 8, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200608064853/https://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/former-nfl-quarterback-earl-morrall-dies-at-791-042514 live Week 6: vs. Buffalo Bills Miami Dolphins 1972 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week 6: Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins – Game summary October 22 1:00 p.m. EDT Bills 0 13 0 10 Dolphins 7 0 10 7 Miami Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida 77 F C Ben Dreith WKBW Rick Azar and Paul Maguire Box score First quarter MIA – Mercury Morris 5-yard run (Garo Yepremian kick). Dolphins 7–0. Second quarter BUF – John Leypoldt 35-yard field goal. Dolphins 7–3. BUF – Ken Lee 16-yard interception return (John Leypoldt kick). Bills 10–7. BUF – John Leypoldt 34-yard field goal. Bills 13–7. Third quarter MIA – Larry Csonka 10-yard run (Garo Yepremian kick). Dolphins 14–13. MIA – Garo Yepremian 54-yard field goal. Dolphins 17–13. Fourth quarter BUF – John Leypoldt 45-yard field goal. Dolphins 17–16. MIA – Mercury Morris 15-yard run (Garo Yepremian kick). Dolphins 24–16. BUF – Jim Braxton 6-yard pass from Mike Taliaferro (John Leypoldt kick). Dolphins 24–23. Top passers BUF – Dennis Shaw – 3/6, 29 yards MIA – Earl Morrall – 6/10, 91 yards, INT Top rushers BUF – Jim Braxton – 9 rushes, 75 yards MIA – Larry Csonka – 18 rushes, 107 yards, TD Top receivers BUF – Jim Braxton – 2 receptions, 18 yards, TD MIA – Howard Twilley – 2 receptions, 41 yards The Dolphins remained at home during week 6 for a game against the division rival Buffalo Bills.Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins - October 22nd, 1972 https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197210220mia.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com March 30, 2021 November 14, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201114202759/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197210220mia.htm live Miami scored a touchdown on the opening drive, capped off by a five-yard run by Mercury Morris. After regaining possession later in the first quarter, the Dolphins managed to reach the Bills seven-yard line. However, four failed attempts at reaching the end zone gave the Bills possession again. Then, in the second quarter, Dolphins running back Jim Kiick fumbled the ball, recovered by Alvin Wyatt of the Bills. This ultimately set up a 35-yard field goal by Buffalo's John Leypoldt. Shortly after, Bills linebacker Ken Lee intercepted a pass from Earl Morrall and returned it for a touchdown. Late in the second quarter, Morrall attempted to throw a lateral pass, but fumbled and Buffalo defensive tackle Don Croft secured the ball. Leypoldt then kicked a 34-yard field goal, allowing the Bills to lead 13–7 at halftime.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74698336/panama-city-news-herald/ Dolphins Cop Squeaker October 23, 1972 Panama City News-Herald 2B March 30, 2021 Newspapers.com May 2, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210502030459/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74698336/panama-city-news-herald/ live Dolphins tackle Manny Fernandez strip-sacked Bills quarterback Dennis Shaw at the Buffalo 10-yard line on the first play of the third quarter. Miami fullback Larry Csonka then ran 10 yards into the end zone, allowing the Dolphins to take a 14–13 lead. A few minutes after this transpired, Dolphins cornerback Curtis Johnson blocked a punt by Spike Jones of the Bills. After the Dolphins were penalized four times on that drive (a loss of 33 yards), Garo Yepremian kicked a 54-yard field goal, the longest in franchise history until Pete Stoyanovich's 59-yard field goal in 1989.https://www.upi.com/Archives/1989/11/12/Dan-Marino-threw-three-touchdown-passes-and-rookie-Pete/4818626850000/ Dan Marino threw three touchdown passes and rookie Pete... Dave Raffo November 12, 1989 United Press International March 30, 2021 May 2, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210502030525/https://www.upi.com/Archives/1989/11/12/Dan-Marino-threw-three-touchdown-passes-and-rookie-Pete/4818626850000/ live The fourth quarter began with a 45-yard field goal by Leypoldt, cutting Miami's lead to 17–16. With 9:18 remaining in the final period, the Dolphins scored again with a 15-yard run by Morris, amassing 106 rushing yards in the game. Later, the Bills capped off a touchdown-scoring drive with a six-yard pass from quarterback Mike Taliaferro to fullback Jim Braxton. However, with only about one minute remaining by then, the Dolphins won the game by a score of 24–23. The Dolphins were forced to wear their aqua jerseys because the Bills packed their white jerseys instead of their blue ones for the trip. The NFL fined Buffalo $5,000 for its mistake.Braucher Bill Fernandez Invents New Defense https://www.newspapers.com/image/625519388/ February 13, 2026 The Miami Herald 1C Week 7: at Baltimore Colts Miami Dolphins 1972 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week 7: Miami Dolphins at Baltimore Colts – Game summary October 29 4:00 p.m. EST Dolphins 7 9 7 0 Colts 0 0 0 0 Memorial Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland 59 F C Bob Frederic NBC Curt Gowdy and Al DeRogatis Box score First quarter MIA – Larry Csonka 1-yard run (Garo Yepremian kick). Dolphins 7–0. Second quarter MIA – Larry Csonka 1-yard run (kick blocked). Dolphins 13–0. MIA – Garo Yepremian 24-yard field goal. Dolphins 16–0. Third quarter MIA – Mercury Morris 7-yard run (Garo Yepremian kick). Dolphins 23–0. Fourth quarter No scoring plays Top passers MIA – Earl Morrall – 9/15, 85 yards, INT BAL – Marty Domres – 13/21, 102 yards Top rushers MIA – Larry Csonka – 19 rushes, 93 yards, 2 TD BAL – Don Nottingham – 9 rushes, 43 yards Top receivers MIA – Howard Twilley – 2 receptions, 46 yards BAL – Tom Mitchell – 2 receptions, 31 yards The Dolphins then traveled to Memorial Stadium in Baltimore for a match against the Colts on October 29.Miami Dolphins at Baltimore Colts - October 29th, 1972 https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197210290clt.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com May 5, 2021 Miami scored in the first quarter on an 80-yard drive that included a 20-yard pass from quarterback Earl Morrall to wide receiver Howard Twilley, a 32-yard rush by running back Larry Csonka, a 19-yard rush by running back Mercury Morris, and finally a one-yard rush by Csonka for a touchdown. Garo Yepremian's extra point allowed the Dolphins to take a 7–0 lead. Dolphins cornerback Curtis Johnson blocked a punt by David Lee of the Colts and recovered the football at Baltimore's 22-yard line. A few plays later, at 3rd and 15 on Baltimore's 27-yard line, Morrall threw the ball to wide receiver Marlin Briscoe, who then threw a pass to wide receiver Paul Warfield at the one-yard line. Csonka then ran one-yard for a touchdown, but defensive tackle Jim Bailey blocked Yepremian's extra point attempt.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77064516/fort-lauderdale-news/ Dolphins Roll, 23-0 6D October 30, 1972 Mike Schwebel Fort Lauderdale News May 5, 2021 Newspapers.com Later in the second quarter, Dolphins defensive back Lloyd Mumphord blocked Boris Shlapak's field goal attempt. The second quarter then ended after Yepremian kicked a 24-yard field goal. The Dolphins led 16–0 after the first half. The game's final score occurred in the third quarter. Bruce Laird of the Colts was returning a punt but fumbled the ball, which was recovered by Hubert Ginn of the Dolphins at Baltimore's 20 yard line. After a few more plays, Morris scored a seven-yard rushing touchdown, followed by a Yepremian extra point. Miami won the game with a score of 23–0 and improved to 7–0 at the halfway point of the regular season. Week 8: at Buffalo Bills Miami Dolphins 1972 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week 8: Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills – Game summary November 5 1:00 p.m. EST Dolphins 10 6 7 7 Bills 6 7 3 0 War Memorial Stadium, Buffalo, New York 41 F C John McDonough NBC Ken Coleman and Dave Kocourek Box score First quarter MIA – Garo Yepremian 33-yard field goal. Dolphins 3–0. BUF – Randy Jackson 13-yard pass from Dennis Shaw (kick blocked). Bills 6–3. MIA – Mercury Morris 22-yard run (Garo Yepremian kick). Dolphins 10–6. Second quarter MIA – Garo Yepremian 17-yard field goal. Dolphins 13–6. MIA – Garo Yepremian 16-yard field goal. Dolphins 16–6. BUF – Tony Greene 39-yard interception return (John Leypoldt kick). Dolphins 16–13. Third quarter MIA – Marv Fleming 7-yard pass from Earl Morrall (Garo Yepremian kick). Dolphins 23–13. BUF – John Leypoldt 28-yard field goal. Dolphins 23–16. Fourth quarter MIA – Mercury Morris 4-yard run (Garo Yepremian kick). Dolphins 30–16. Top passers MIA – Earl Morrall – 5/14, 89 yards, TD, INT BUF – Dennis Shaw – 12/23, 125 yards, TD, 2 INT Top rushers MIA – Mercury Morris – 11 rushes, 106 yards, 2 TD BUF – O. J. Simpson – 13 rushes, 45 yards Top receivers MIA – Marv Fleming – 2 receptions, 38 yards, TD BUF – J. D. Hill – 4 receptions, 55 yards For week 8, the Dolphins traveled to War Memorial Stadium in Buffalo to take on the Bills on November 5. A Garo Yepremian 33-yard field goal allowed Miami to take an early 3–0 lead.Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills - November 5th, 1972 https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197211050buf.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com May 5, 2021 The Bills then overtook the Dolphins on a drive capped off by quarterback Dennis Shaw throwing a 13-yard pass to running back Randy Jackson, although John Leypoldt's extra point attempt would be blocked. Buffalo now led Miami by a score of 6–3. However, the Dolphins reclaimed the lead on a possession culminating in a 22-yard run by running back Mercury Morris, followed by an extra point by Yepremian. Miami increased their lead further early in the second quarter with a pair of Yepremian field goals from 17 yards and 16 yards. Shortly thereafter, Dolphins quarterback Earl Morrall was intercepted by Bills safety Tony Greene and returned for a touchdown, narrowing Miami's lead to 16–13. This would be the final score of the first half, as Miami halted another scoring attempt by Buffalo when cornerback Tim Foley intercepted Shaw at Miami's 20-yard line.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77125446/panama-city-news-herald/ Dolphins Beat Bills, Extend Winning Streak to Eight Games United Press International Panama City News-Herald 2B May 5, 2021 Newspapers.com Miami increased their lead again in the third quarter with a seven-yard pass from Morrall to tight end Marv Fleming. The antecedent drive included several long runs and an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against the Bills. Later in the third quarter, Leypoldt kicked a 28-yard field goal, cutting their deficit to 23–16 at the end of the period. However, in the fourth quarter, the Dolphins put together another scoring drive that included a 26-yard pass from Morrall to Morris and then four-yard rush by Morris for the touchdown. With neither team able to accumulate more points after that drive, the game ended as a 30–16 win for the Dolphins. Of note, Morris surpassed 100 rushing yards in a game for only the second time in his professional football career. Week 9: vs. New England Patriots Miami Dolphins 1972 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week 9: New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins – Game summary November 12 1:00 p.m. EST Patriots 0 0 0 0 Dolphins 17 14 7 14 Miami Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida 78 F C Fred Silva NBC Jay Randolph and Dave Kocourek Box score First quarter MIA – Mercury Morris 4-yard run (Garo Yepremian kick). Dolphins 7–0. MIA – Mercury Morris 4-yard run (Garo Yepremian kick). Dolphins 14–0. MIA – Garo Yepremian 16-yard field goal. Dolphins 17–0. Second quarter MIA – Larry Csonka 3-yard run (Garo Yepremian kick). Dolphins 24–0. MIA – Mercury Morris 6-yard run (Garo Yepremian kick). Dolphins 31–0. Third quarter MIA – Marlin Briscoe 16-yard pass from Earl Morrall (Garo Yepremian kick). Dolphins 38–0. Fourth quarter MIA – Marlin Briscoe 51-yard pass from Jim Del Gaizo (Garo Yepremian kick). Dolphins 45–0. MIA – Jim Mandich 39-yard pass from Jim Del Gaizo (Garo Yepremian kick). Dolphins 52–0. Top passers NE – Jim Plunkett – 7/19, 66 yards, 2 INT MIA – Earl Morrall – 7/13, 162 yards, TD Top rushers NE – Carl Garrett – 10 rushes, 44 yards MIA – Mercury Morris – 16 rushes, 90 yards, 3 TD Top receivers NE – Bob Gladieux – 2 receptions, 26 yards MIA – Marlin Briscoe – 4 receptions, 128 yards, 2 TD Following their win against the Buffalo Bills, the Dolphins hosted the New England Patriots at the Orange Bowl for week 9. Miami annihilated New England both offensively and defensively.https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197211120mia.htm New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins - November 12th, 1972 Pro-Football-Reference.com March 24, 2020 June 11, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200611102730/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197211120mia.htm live On the third play of the game, Dolphins safety Dick Anderson intercepted Patriots quarterback Jim Plunkett at New England's 26-yard line. Anderson returned the ball to the New England four-yard line before fumbling. Although it appeared that the Patriots may have recovered the fumble, the officiating crew ruled that they did not. Dolphins running back Mercury Morris then scored a touchdown on a four-yard rush. On just the fifth offensive play for the Dolphins, Morris again scored a 4-yard rushing touchdown. Miami scored on every possession they had during the first half, leading the Patriots 31–0 at intermission.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/41936032/the-times/ Dolphins Cudgel Patriots, 52-0, for 9th Win in Row Associated Press John R. Skinner November 13, 1972 The Shreveport Times 3-C March 24, 2020 Newspapers.com March 25, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200325035000/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/41936032/the-times/ live In the third quarter, Morrall threw a 16-yard pass to Marlin Briscoe, increasing the Dolphins lead to 38–0. By the beginning of the fourth quarter, with little doubt about which team would win, Dolphins quarterback Jim Del Gazio replaced Morrall. Del Gazio threw two touchdown passes in the final quarter – a 51-yard pass to Briscoe and a 39-yard pass to Jim Mandich. The Dolphins did not allow the Patriots to score throughout the game. The final score of 52–0 in favor of Miami remains the most lopsided win for either team in the history of the Dolphins–Patriots rivalry.https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/game_query.cgi?tm1=nwe&tm2=mia&yr=all All Matchups, New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins Pro-Football-Reference.com March 24, 2020 November 15, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201115201645/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/game_query.cgi?tm1=nwe&tm2=mia&yr=all live Miami totaled 482 yards, far higher than New England's 169 yards. Morrall passed for 162 yards, while Del Gazio passed for 145. The Dolphins defense limited the Patriots to just 77 net passing yards and 92 rushing yards, including four sacks against Plunkett for a loss of 40 yards. Morris, the leading rusher of the game, accumulated 90 rushing yards and 35 receiving yards; he scored 3 rushing touchdowns. With the victory, the Dolphins improved to 9–0. Don Shula became the 9th head coach in NFL history to win at least 100 regular season games, but the first to do so in only 10 seasons. Week 10: vs. New York Jets Miami Dolphins 1972 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week 10: New York Jets at Miami Dolphins – Game summary November 19 1:00 p.m. EST Jets 7 10 7 0 Dolphins 7 7 7 7 Miami Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida 75 F C Norm Schachter NBC Curt Gowdy and Al DeRogatis Box score First quarter MIA – Howard Twilley 9-yard pass from Earl Morrall (Garo Yepremian kick). Dolphins 7–0. NYJ – John Riggins 1-yard run (Bobby Howfield kick). Tied 7–7. Second quarter NYJ – Rich Caster 29-yard pass from Joe Namath (Bobby Howfield kick). Jets 14–7. NYJ – Bobby Howfield 33-yard field goal. Jets 17–7. MIA – Mercury Morris 1-yard run (Garo Yepremian kick). Jets 17–14. Third quarter MIA – Earl Morrall 31-yard run (Garo Yepremian kick). Dolphins 21–17. NYJ – Wayne Stewart 4-yard pass from Joe Namath (Bobby Howfield kick). Jets 24–21. Fourth quarter MIA – Mercury Morris 14-yard run (Garo Yepremian kick). Dolphins 28–24. Top passers NYJ – Joe Namath – 14/23, 175 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT MIA – Earl Morrall – 8/17, 132 yards, TD, INT Top rushers NYJ – John Riggins – 18 rushes, 83 yards, TD MIA – Mercury Morris – 23 rushes, 107 yards, 2 TD Top receivers NYJ – Rich Caster – 3 receptions, 52 yards, TD MIA – Howard Twilley – 3 receptions, 75 yards, TD The Dolphins then returned home in week 10 for their second matchup against the Jets.New York Jets at Miami Dolphins - November 19th, 1972 https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197211190mia.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com May 6, 2021 Near the beginning of the first quarter, Dolphins safety Dick Anderson intercepted Jets quarterback Joe Namath's first pass of that game. After seven more plays, Miami scored on a nine-yard pass from quarterback Earl Morrall to wide receiver Howard Twilley. New York responded with an 80-yard drive that included several short passes from Namath, before eventually ending with a one-yard rushing touchdown by fullback John Riggins. In the game's second quarter, Morrall fumbled on a lateral pass, with the ball being recovered by cornerback Earlie Thomas of the Jets at the Dolphins 38-yard line. Within a few plays, the Jets scored another touchdown via a 28-yard pass from Namath to wide receiver Rich Caster. New York increased their lead on Miami to 17–7 after Bobby Howfield kicked a 33-yard field goal. However, the Dolphins cut the Jets lead to 17–14 just before halftime on a drive that ended with a one-yard run by running back Mercury Morris.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77127453/the-courier-journal/ Anderson helps Dolphins nail Jets, win title The Courier-Journal November 20, 1972 B7 May 6, 2021 Louisville, Kentucky Newspapers.com Early in the third quarter, Morrall rushed for 31 yards for a touchdown. Miami then led New York by 21–17. The Jets reclaimed the lead later in the third quarter on a drive that ended with a four-yard pass from Namath to tight end Wayne Stewart. However, in the game's final quarter, Anderson landed on the ball after Jets running back Cliff McClain fumbled it at New York's 27-yard line. On the fourth play after the fumble, Morris managed to run 14 yards to the end zone. Miami would ultimately win the game by a score of 28–24 and improve to 10–0. With the victory, the Dolphins also clinched the AFC East title. Week 11: vs. St. Louis Cardinals Miami Dolphins 1972 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week 11: St. Louis Cardinals at Miami Dolphins – Game summary November 27, 1972 9:00 p.m. EST Cardinals 0 3 0 7 Dolphins 7 3 14 7 Miami Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida 66 F C Bernie Ulman ABC Frank Gifford, Don Meredith, and Howard Cosell Box score First quarter MIA – Jim Kiick 2-yard run (Garo Yepremian kick). Dolphins 7–0. Second quarter STL – Jim Bakken 49-yard field goal. Dolphins 7–3. MIA – Garo Yepremian 25-yard field goal. Dolphins 10–3. Third quarter MIA – Otto Stowe 37-yard pass from Earl Morrall (Garo Yepremian kick). Dolphins 17–3. MIA – Lloyd Mumphord 28-yard interception return (Garo Yepremian kick). Dolphins 24–3. Fourth quarter STL – Leon Burns 2-yard run (Jim Bakken kick). Dolphins 24–10. MIA – Otto Stowe 27-yard pass from Earl Morrall (Garo Yepremian kick). Dolphins 31–10. Top passers STL – Gary Cuozzo – 6/17, 80 yards, 2 INT MIA – Earl Morrall – 12/19, 210 yards, 2 TD Top rushers STL – Johnny Roland – 6 rushes, 25 yards MIA – Larry Csonka – 16 rushes, 114 yards Top receivers STL – Jackie Smith – 3 receptions, 63 yards MIA – Otto Stowe – 6 receptions, 140 yards, 2 TD The Dolphins remained at home at the Orange Bowl in week 11 for a Monday Night Football game against the St. Louis Cardinals.St. Louis Cardinals at Miami Dolphins - November 27th, 1972 https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197211270mia.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com May 8, 2021 Dolphins safety Dick Anderson intercepted St. Louis quarterback Gary Cuozzo's first pass of the game at the Cardinals' 29-yard line. On the sixth play following the interception, Dolphins running back Jim Kiick reached the end zone on a two-yard run. Miami led St. Louis 7–0 following the first quarter. Both teams scored a field goal in the second quarter, from 49 yards and 25 yards by Jim Bakken of the Cardinals and Garo Yepremian of the Dolphins, respectively. At half time, Miami led St. Louis by a score of 10–3.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77267028/pittsburgh-post-gazette/ Dolphins Rip Cards; 11 in Row November 28, 1972 Associated Press Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 21 May 8, 2021 Newspapers.com The Dolphins would widen their lead by two touchdowns in the third quarter. First, Miami scored on a 37-yard pass from quarterback Earl Morrall to wide receiver Otto Stowe. Later in the quarter, Dolphins cornerback Lloyd Mumphord intercepted Cardinals quarterback Jim Hart and returned the ball for a touchdown. Miami now led by 24–3 after the third quarter. St. Louis finally responded again in the fourth quarter via a two-yard rush by running back Leon Burns. However, the Dolphins then scored another touchdown on a drive capped off by a 27-yard pass from Morrall to Stowe. Miami won the game by a score of 31–10. Week 12: at New England Patriots Miami Dolphins 1972 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week 12: Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots – Game summary December 3 1:00 p.m. EST Dolphins 3 10 17 7 Patriots 0 7 0 14 Schaefer Stadium, Foxboro, Massachusetts 44 F C Jack Reader NBC Jim Simpson and Kyle Rote Box score First quarter MIA – Garo Yepremian 36-yard field goal. Dolphins 3–0. Second quarter MIA – Garo Yepremian 10-yard field goal. Dolphins 6–0. MIA – Jim Kiick 1-yard run (Garo Yepremian kick). Dolphins 13–0. NE – Tom Reynolds 36-yard pass from Jim Plunkett (Mike Walker kick). Dolphins 13–7. Third quarter MIA – Jim Mandich 3-yard pass from Earl Morrall (Garo Yepremian kick). Dolphins 20–7. MIA – Garo Yepremian 18-yard field goal. Dolphins 23–7. MIA – Marlin Briscoe 14-yard pass from Earl Morrall (Garo Yepremian kick). Dolphins 30–7. Fourth quarter MIA – Hubert Ginn 8-yard run (Garo Yepremian kick). Dolphins 37–7. NE – John Tarver 8-yard pass from Brian Dowling (Mike Walker kick). Dolphins 37–14. NE – Brian Dowling 1-yard run (Mike Walker kick). Dolphins 37–21. Top passers MIA – Earl Morrall – 11/19, 201 yards, 2 TD, INT NE – Jim Plunkett – 9/18, 95 yards, TD, 2 INT Top rushers MIA – Mercury Morris – 15 rushes, 113 yards NE – Josh Ashton – 7 rushes, 60 yards Top receivers MIA – Paul Warfield – 3 receptions, 89 yards NE – Bob Windsor – 6 receptions, 54 yards In week 12, the Dolphins traveled to Schaefer Stadium for their second matchup of the season against the Patriots. The only score in the first quarter was 36-yard field goal by Miami's Garo Yepremian.Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots - December 3rd, 1972 https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197212030nwe.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com May 9, 2021 The Dolphins increased their lead further in the second quarter, with a 10-yard field goal by Yepremian and a one-yard rush by running back Jim Kiick on a drive that spanned 89 yards. New England responded late in the second quarter via a 36-yard pass from quarterback Jim Plunkett to wide receiver Tom Reynolds. The Dolphins led by a score of 13–7 at halftime.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77268490/daily-press/ Miami Pads Charts to 12–0, Csonka's Rushing Hits 1,000 Associated Press Daily Press Newport News, Virginia December 4, 1972 14 May 9, 2021 Newspapers.com Early in the third quarter, Miami defensive Vern Den Herder intercepted a pass by Plunkett and reached New England's 11-yard line before the play ended. The Dolphins soon scored another touchdown when quarterback Earl Morrall threw a three-yard pass to tight end Jim Mandich. Later in the third quarter, Yepremian kicked a 18-yard field goal. Dolphins linebacker Doug Swift intercepted Plunkett on New England's next possession. On the fifth play following the interception, Miami scored on a 14-yard pass from Morrall to wide receiver Marlin Briscoe. Miami added another touchdown early in the fourth quarter via an eight-yard rush by running back Hubert Ginn. At this point, the Dolphins led by 37–7. The Patriots scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, the first being an eight-yard pass from quarterback Brian Dowling to running back John Tarver and the second being a one-yard rush by Dowling. The game ended with a 37–21 victory for the Dolphins. With the win, the Dolphins became only the third team in NFL history to win at least 12 consecutive games, after the 1934 Chicago Bears and 1969 Minnesota Vikings. Also of note, running back Larry Csonka surpassed 1,000 rushing yards on the season during this game. Week 13: at New York Giants Miami Dolphins 1972 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week 13: Miami Dolphins at New York Giants – Game summary December 10 1:00 p.m. EST Dolphins 10 7 0 6 Giants 6 7 0 0 Yankee Stadium, New York City, New York 47 F C Fred Silva NBC Charlie Jones and George Ratterman Box score First quarter NYG – Ron Johnson 6-yard run (kick failed). Giants 6–0. MIA – Mercury Morris 12-yard run (Garo Yepremian kick). Dolphins 7–6. MIA – Garo Yepremian 37-yard field goal. Dolphins 10–6. Second quarter MIA – Paul Warfield 34-yard pass from Earl Morrall (Garo Yepremian kick). Dolphins 17–6. NYG – Ron Johnson 1-yard run (Pete Gogolak kick). Dolphins 17–13. Third quarter No scoring plays Fourth quarter MIA – Garo Yepremian 31-yard field goal. Dolphins 20–13. MIA – Garo Yepremian 16-yard field goal. Dolphins 23–13. Top passers MIA – Earl Morrall – 9/17, 171 yards, TD, INT NYG – Norm Snead – 15/25, 231 yards, 2 INT Top rushers MIA – Mercury Morris – 19 rushes, 98 yards, TD NYG – Vince Clements – 11 rushes, 63 yards Top receivers MIA – Paul Warfield – 4 receptions, 132 yards, TD NYG – Bob Tucker – 4 receptions, 89 yards The Dolphins traveled to Yankee Stadium in New York to face the New York Giants in week 13.Miami Dolphins at New York Giants - December 10th, 1972 https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197212100nyg.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com May 9, 2021 After Joe Orduna of the Giants returned the opening kickoff for 38 yards, New York began a five play, 50-yard drive. New York running back Ron Johnson rushed one-yard for a touchdown, which was preceded by a 34-yard pass from quarterback Norm Snead to wide receiver Don Herrmann. However, the Dolphins blocked Pete Gogolak's extra point attempt. Miami quickly responded with a 10 play, 82-yard drive capped off by a 12-yard rush by Mercury Morris for a touchdown and a successful extra point attempt by Garo Yepremian. Later in the first quarter, New York's Rocky Thompson fumbled during a kickoff return, with the ball recovered by Miami running back Charles Leigh. The Giants defense forced the Dolphins to kick a 37-yard field goal, increasing their lead to 10–6.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77268546/asbury-park-press/ Joe Lee Giants' Mistakes Make Dolphins' 13th Victory Easier December 11, 1972 17 Asbury Park Press December 29, 2021 Newspapers.com Miami extended their lead further in the second quarter, when wide receiver Paul Warfield caught a 34-yard pass from quarterback Earl Morrall. New York responded with another touchdown, the result of an 81-yard, 12 play drive which again ended with a one-yard run by Johnson. By the end of the first half, the Dolphins led by a score of 17–13. Neither team scored in the third quarter. In the fourth quarter, Dolphins cornerback Curtis Johnson intercepted a pass from Snead, which eventually led to Yepremian kicking a 31-yard field goal. A turnover by New York's John Mendenhall during a punt return later in the fourth quarter led to another field goal by Yepremian, this time by a distance of 16 yards. The Giants were unable to score after the second quarter, and thus, the game ended with a 23–13 victory for the Dolphins. Week 14: vs. Baltimore Colts Miami Dolphins 1972 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week 14: Baltimore Colts at Miami Dolphins – Game summary December 16, 1972 1:00 p.m. EST Colts 0 0 0 0 Dolphins 3 7 3 3 Miami Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida 69 F C Jim Tunney NBC Curt Gowdy and Al DeRogatis Box score First quarter MIA – Garo Yepremian 40-yard field goal. Dolphins 3–0. Second quarter MIA – Paul Warfield 14-yard pass from Earl Morrall (Garo Yepremian kick). Dolphins 10–0. Third quarter MIA – Garo Yepremian 50-yard field goal. Dolphins 13–0. Fourth quarter MIA – Garo Yepremian 35-yard field goal. Dolphins 16–0. Top passers BAL – Marty Domres – 11/23, 128 yards, 2 INT MIA – Earl Morrall – 7/15, 110 yards, TD, INT Top rushers BAL – Lydell Mitchell – 9 rushes, 42 yards MIA – Mercury Morris – 26 rushes, 86 yards Top receivers BAL – Don McCauley – 4 receptions, 46 yards MIA – Paul Warfield – 2 receptions, 35 yards, TD In the final week of the regular season, the Dolphins returned home for their second matchup against the Colts. The Dolphins scored first, with a 40-yard field goal by Garo Yepremian in the first quarter. Miami extended their lead further in the second quarter, with a 14-yard pass from quarterback Earl Morrall to wide receiver Paul Warfield. After Colts quarterback Marty Domres sprained his ankle, Baltimore briefly inserted Johnny Unitas at quarterback late in the second quarter for what would be his final game as a Colt. In the second half, the Dolphins added six more points with a pair of third and fourth quarter field goals by Yepremian from 50 yards and 35 yards, respectively. Miami Dolphins quarterback Bob Griese entered the game in the fourth quarter, his first time on the field since his injury against the Chargers in week 5. With Baltimore unable to score throughout the game, Miami won 16–0.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77268598/the-delta-democrat-times/ United Press International Dolphins finish undefeated 13 December 17, 1972 The Delta Democrat-Times December 31, 2021 Newspapers.com With the Dolphins defeating the Baltimore Colts, they finished the regular season with a perfect win–loss record of 14–0. The 1972 Dolphins became the third team in the history of the NFL to complete a regular season undefeated and untied, after the 1934 and 1942 Chicago Bears, while the 1948 Cleveland Browns achieved a 14–0 record as a member of the All-America Football Conference. Later, the 2007 New England Patriots also earned an undefeated and untied regular season record.https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/1972-dolphins-remain-only-perfect-team-in-nfls-100-years-heres-every-teams-best-unbeaten-start/ 1972 Dolphins remain only perfect team in NFL's 100 years: Here's every team's best unbeaten start CBS Sports Jeff Kerr November 12, 2019 December 31, 2021 Standings Postseason Round Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap Divisional December 24, 1972 Cleveland Browns W 20–14 1–0 Miami Orange Bowl Recap AFC Championship December 31, 1972 at Pittsburgh Steelers W 21–17 2–0 Three Rivers Stadium Recap Super Bowl VII January 14, 1973 Washington Redskins W 14–7 3–0 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Recap Game summaries AFC Divisional Playoffs: vs. Cleveland Browns Miami Dolphins 1972 2;text-align:center; autocollapse AFC Divisional Playoffs: Cleveland Browns at Miami Dolphins – Game summary December 24 3:00 p.m. EST Browns 0 0 7 7 Dolphins 10 0 0 10 Miami Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida 78,916 62 F C Norm Schachter NBC Jim Simpson and Kyle Rote Box score First quarter MIA – Charlie Babb 5-yard blocked punt return (Garo Yepremian kick). Dolphins 7–0. MIA – Garo Yepremian 40-yard field goal. Dolphins 10–0. Second quarter No scoring plays Third quarter CLE – Mike Phipps 5-yard run (Don Cockroft kick). Dolphins 10–7. Fourth quarter MIA – Garo Yepremian 46-yard field goal. Dolphins 13–7. CLE – Fair Hooker 27-yard pass from Mike Phipps (Don Cockroft kick). Browns 14–13. MIA – Jim Kiick 8-yard run (Garo Yepremian kick). Dolphins 20–14. Top passers CLE – Mike Phipps – 9/23, 131 yards, TD, 5 INT MIA – Earl Morrall – 6/13, 88 yards Top rushers CLE – Bo Scott – 16 rushes, 94 yards MIA – Mercury Morris – 15 rushes, 72 yards Top receivers CLE – Fair Hooker – 3 receptions, 53 yards, TD MIA – Paul Warfield – 2 receptions, 50 yards For the first round of the playoffs, the Dolphins remained in Miami to take on the wild card Browns on December 24. The Dolphins scored first, after rookie safety Charlie Babb blocked Browns placekicker Don Cockroft's punt at the Cleveland 17-yard line and returned the ball for a touchdown. Miami added to their lead with a 40-yard field goal by Garo Yepremian near the end of the first quarter, although their offense, ranked the best in the league for the 1972 season, otherwise remained mostly stagnant in the first half. However, Cleveland failed to score in the first half, leaving Miami with a 10–0 at the intermission.United Press International https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77268612/the-star-press/ Dolphins Defeat Browns December 25, 1972 13 The Muncie Star December 22, 2022 Newspapers.com Near the beginning of the third quarter, Browns safety Thom Darden had a significant punt return of 38 yards, which ultimately set up the drive in which Browns quarterback Mike Phipps scored a rushing touchdown. Yepremian then kicked a 46-yard field goal in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter. The Browns orchestrated another touchdown drive in the fourth quarter, ending with a 27-yard pass from Phipps to Fair Hooker. Consequently, the Browns took a 14–13 lead over the Dolphins. However, in the final minutes of the game, Miami executed a six play, 80-yard drive capped by an eight-yard rush by running back Jim Kiick. Throughout the contest, Browns quarterback Phipps was intercepted five times by the Dolphins defense. Miami won by a score of 20–14. AFC Championship: at Pittsburgh Steelers Miami Dolphins 1972 2;text-align:center; autocollapse AFC Championship: Miami Dolphins at Pittsburgh Steelers – Game summary December 31 12:00 p.m. EST Dolphins 0 7 7 7 Steelers 7 0 3 7 Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 50,845 58 F C Ben Dreith NBC Curt Gowdy and Al DeRogatis Box score First quarter PIT – Gerry Mullins 0-yard fumble return (Roy Gerela kick). Steelers 7–0. Second quarter MIA – Larry Csonka 9-yard pass from Earl Morrall (Garo Yepremian kick). Tied 7–7. Third quarter PIT – Roy Gerela 14-yard field goal. Steelers 10–7. MIA – Jim Kiick 2-yard run (Garo Yepremian kick). Dolphins 14–10. Fourth quarter MIA – Jim Kiick 3-yard run (Garo Yepremian kick). Dolphins 21–10. PIT – Al Young 12-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Roy Gerela kick). Dolphins 21–17. Top passers MIA – Bob Griese – 3/5, 70 yards PIT – Terry Bradshaw – 5/10, 80 yards, TD, 2 INT Top rushers MIA – Mercury Morris – 16 rushes, 76 yards PIT – Franco Harris – 16 rushes, 76 yards Top receivers MIA – Paul Warfield – 2 receptions, 63 yards PIT – Al Young – 4 receptions, 54 yards, TD Because home teams in the playoffs were decided based on a yearly rotation prior to the 1975 postseason, the Dolphins traveled to Pittsburgh for the AFC Championship Game on December 31 despite being undefeated.DeArdo Bryan May 27, 2020 Here's why the undefeated '72 Dolphins faced the Steelers in Pittsburgh for the AFC title game https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/heres-why-the-undefeated-72-dolphins-faced-the-steelers-in-pittsburgh-for-the-afc-title-game/ December 22, 2022 CBS Sports The Steelers, who defeated the Raiders in the previous round via the Immaculate Reception, jumped to an early 7–0 lead when Steelers guard Gerry Mullins recovered Terry Bradshaw's fumble in the end zone.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115025357/the-sacramento-bee/ Alert Miami Tops Steelers D6 The New York Times News Service January 1, 1973 William N. Wallace The Sacramento Bee December 22, 2022 Newspapers.com In the second quarter, the Steelers defense put the Dolphins in a 4th-and-5 situation at the Pittsburgh 49-yard line. However, Miami instead executed a fake punt in which Larry Seiple ran for 37 yards. Miami then tied the game after Morrall threw a nine-yard pass to Csonka.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77268641/herald-and-review/ Dolphins Stifle Steelers 21–17 Associated Press January 1, 1973 Herald and Review Decatur, Illinois 24 December 22, 2022 Newspapers.com The Steelers retook the lead, 10–7, early in the third quarter when Roy Gerela kicked a 14-yard field goal. Shortly thereafter, Don Shula replaced Morrall with Griese at quarterback. Miami then went on an 80-yard touchdown drive, which featured a 52-yard pass to Paul Warfield and ended with a two-yard rush by Kiick. After Maulty Moore blocked another Gerela field goal attempt, the Dolphins increased their lead to 21–10 following a 49-yard drive capped by another rush by Kiick, this time by 3 yards. The Steelers responded with a touchdown drive of their own, ending with a 12-yard pass from Bradshaw to Al Young. Although this narrowed the Dolphins lead to 21–17, the Steelers did not score again as the Dolphins intercepted Bradshaw twice in the final minutes of the game. Consequently, Miami remained undefeated and advanced to Super Bowl VII. Super Bowl VII: vs. Washington Redskins Super Bowl VII Miami Dolphins 1972 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Super Bowl VII: Miami Dolphins vs. Washington Redskins – Game summary January 14, 1973 3:50 p.m. EST/12:50 PST Dolphins 7 7 0 0 Redskins 0 0 0 7 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California 90,182 Sunny and hazy, 84 F C Tommy Bell NBC Curt Gowdy, Al DeRogatis, and Bill Enis Box score First quarter MIA – Howard Twilley 28-yard pass from Bob Griese (Garo Yepremian kick), 0:01. Dolphins 7–0. Drive: 6 plays, 63 yards, 2:54. Second quarter MIA – Jim Kiick 1-yard run (Garo Yepremian kick), 0:18. Dolphins 14–0. Drive: 5 plays, 27 yards, 1:33. Third quarter No scoring plays Fourth quarter WAS – Mike Bass 49-yard fumble return (Curt Knight kick), 2:07. Dolphins 14–7. Top passers MIA – Bob Griese – 8/11, 88 yards, TD, INT WAS – Billy Kilmer – 14/28, 104 yards, 3 INT Top rushers MIA – Larry Csonka – 15 rushes, 112 yards WAS – Larry Brown – 22 rushes, 72 yards Top receivers MIA – Paul Warfield – 3 receptions, 36 yards WAS – Roy Jefferson – 5 receptions, 50 yards The Dolphins advanced to their second consecutive Super Bowl appearance, this time against the Washington Redskins at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on January 14, 1973. Washington was favored by 1 point, despite Miami entering the game undefeated and the Redskins having three regular season losses.https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197301140mia.htm Super Bowl VII - Washington Redskins vs. Miami Dolphins - January 14th, 1973 Pro-Football-Reference.com December 22, 2022 Super Bowl VII quickly became a defensive battle between both teams, with the Dolphins and Redskins each starting with two drives that ended with punts. However, in the waning minutes of the first quarter, Miami engineered a scoring drive capped by a 28-yard touchdown pass from Griese to Twilley. On Washington's subsequent drive, Jake Scott intercepted Billy Kilmer's pass. But the Dolphins failed to capitalize and both teams exchanged punts, while Kilmer threw another interception to Nick Buoniconti, who then returned the ball for 32 yards, with two minutes remaining in the half. Miami took advantage this time and scored on a one-yard rush by Kiick. The Dolphins held a 14–0 lead at halftime. On the opening drive of the third quarter, the Redskins advanced as far as the Dolphins 17-yard line, before Manny Fernandez sacked Kilmer on third down for a loss of eight yards. Curt Knight's subsequent field goal attempt of 32 yards missed. The game then continued to be a defensive battle between the two teams. Both teams then exchanged punts again, while Griese was intercepted by Brig Owens late in the third quarter. Just over halfway through the fourth quarter, the Redskins again drove far into Dolphins territory. However, Scott intercepted another pass from Kilmer. Subsequently, Miami's next drive stalled at Washington's 34-yard line. Redskins defensive lineman Bill Brundige blocked Yepremian's 42-yard field goal attempt. Yepremian then tried to throw a pass, but the ball was instead caught by Washington cornerback Mike Bass, who ran the other way to cut the Dolphins lead to 14–7. This play is sometimes referred to as "Garo's Gaffe". Both teams each had one more drive, but neither of them resulted in a score. Thus, Dolphins won Super Bowl VII by a score of 14–7. Awards and honors Coach of the Year – Don Shula Comeback Player of the Year – Earl Morrall Super Bowl Most Valuable Player – Jake Scott Urban legend There is an urban legend that every season, whenever the last remaining undefeated NFL team loses its first game, all the surviving members of the 1972 Miami Dolphins open bottles of champagne in celebration. Coach Don Shula tried to play down the myth by saying that two players, Dick Anderson and Nick Buoniconti, who live near each other, sometimes have a toast together.https://www.espn.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=wojciechowski_gene&id=2750571 ESPN – Shoes ... The Jaw ... by any name, Shula still the king – Columnist ESPN February 1, 2007 September 3, 2012 October 22, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121022063013/http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=wojciechowski_gene&id=2750571 livehttp://www.snopes.com/sports/football/miami72.asp Urban Legends Reference Pages: 1972 Miami Dolphins Toast First Losses by Undefeated Teams 18 December 2005 Snopes.com September 3, 2012 However, they occasionally had Diet Cokes together, such as in 2005 when Bob Griese and Shula watched the Chargers win over the Colts, the last undefeated team that season.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109805821/edmonton-journal/ Mixed feelings from class of '72 D6 December 19, 2005 Associated Press Edmonton Journal September 19, 2022 Newspapers.com The NFL capitalized on the legend during a commercial that aired during Super Bowl LIII commemorating the 100th year of the NFL. The commercial featured "44 of the greatest NFL athletes" at a formal dinner event with the attendees dressed in black tie. Cacophony breaks out, and three members of the 1972 Dolphins, Larry Little, Paul Warfield, Larry Csonka, are shown casually sitting at a table together uniquely dressed in aqua-colored formal coats, and all three are drinking champagne, laughing at the chaos happening around them.The 100-Year Game | SBLIII https://web.archive.org/web/20210502030459/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJjiIuH1VnY&t=44s 2021-05-02 (posted to the NFL official YouTube channel on Feb 3, 2019) The perfect season Perfect season thumb|right|The 1972 team on the Miami Dolphins Honor Roll The 1972 Miami Dolphins were the first team to execute a perfect regular season in the post-merger NFL. They are the only team in NFL history to go undefeated and untied in the regular season and postseason. After their loss to the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl VI (Miami's only loss during calendar year 1972), Don Shula had vowed to not only reach the Super Bowl again but to win it. He forced the team to watch film of the loss twice while at training camp. Shula would later go on to say: I think that's when we all came together for what was going happen for the next two years. What I stressed in the locker room was that we wanted to make sure this wouldn't happen again. Our goal was not to go to the Super Bowl but to win it. https://books.google.com/books?id=-0ukAS0WhtAC&q=did+don+shula+make+his+team+watch+the+super+bowl+loss&pg=PA56 The Ultimate Super Bowl Book: A Complete Reference to the Stats, Stars, and Stories Behind Football's Biggest Game--and Why the Best Team Won - Second Edition 9781610586696 McGinn Bob September 15, 2012 October 24, 2020 November 18, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201118001000/https://books.google.com/books?id=-0ukAS0WhtAC&q=did+don+shula+make+his+team+watch+the+super+bowl+loss&pg=PA56 live An enduring controversy is based on the argument that the 1972 Dolphins played a soft schedule not possible under the current scheduling formula.Moulton David http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2008/feb/03/david-moulton-final-salute-1972-dolphins/ David Moulton: A final salute to the 1972 Dolphins " Naples Daily News Naplesnews.com September 3, 2012 February 5, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080205084528/http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2008/feb/03/david-moulton-final-salute-1972-dolphins/ dead Prior to the implementation of position scheduling in 1978, opponents were set by the NFL on a rotating basis.Urena, Ivan; Pro Football Schedules: A Complete Historical Guide from 1933 to the Present, pp. 10-12 0786473517 The Dolphins' 1972 regular-season opponents posted an aggregate winning percentage of .397, and only two had winning records for that season (both the Kansas City Chiefs and New York Giants finished 8–6). However, this does not constitute any record; the 1975 Minnesota Vikings, who began 10–0 and finished 12–2, played 14 opponents with an average winning percentage of .332, and nine of their games were against teams 4–10 or worse.https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/1975.htm 1975 Minnesota Vikings Pro-Football-Reference.com 2018-03-30 2018-02-02 https://web.archive.org/web/20180202130559/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/min/1975.htm live Also in finishing 14-0, the Dolphins outscored opponents an aggregate 385-171, but this was not as one-sided as the 1968 Baltimore Colts, whom Shula had coached and Morrall had played for, and who scored more points (402) and gave up fewer (144). The 1969 Vikings also had a greater point differential of 246 points. Both the Colts and Vikings went to the Super Bowl, but lost. The Dolphins were beneficiaries of a weak AFC East that saw the Colts lapse from a perennial contender into a three-year stretch in which they would win only 11 games; a Bills team yet to find its legs with O. J. Simpson and the return of coach Lou Saban; a dysfunctional Patriots organization that had little to no talent to surround former No. 1 overall draft choice Jim Plunkett; and a Jets squad with a porous defense, offsetting the benefits of Joe Namath remaining healthy throughout the season and an emerging John Riggins in the running game. Miami also caught a scheduling break by facing an Oilers team that was in the midst of back-to-back 1–13 seasons, a Chargers team beginning a run of four consecutive seasons in the AFC West cellar, and a Cardinals team that appeared to lack direction by rotating its starting quarterbacks instead of giving the job full-time to Jim Hart. The Dolphins also caught the Vikings in the midst of a massive transformation following the return of Fran Tarkenton, missing the playoffs for the only time between 1968 and 1978, finishing 7–7. The NFL's rules at the time forced the undefeated Dolphins (14–0) to play the Steelers (11–3) in Pittsburgh for the AFC Championship Game. Subsequent rule changes have since changed the playoff structure so that this would never happen again. Since the 1975 season, teams that have won their division and have had a superior record than their opponent (as was the case with the 1972 Dolphins when they faced the Steelers) would play their postseason games at home. The 1972 Dolphins consisted mostly of the same core of players that it possessed from 1970 through 1974 and was the most dominant NFL team during that stretch. In those five seasons, the Dolphins reached the playoffs all five years, won three AFC Championships, two Super Bowls and went undefeated and untied while winning the Super Bowl in 1972. They posted a record of 65–15–1, and were also the fastest franchise to win a Super Bowl after franchise inception and joining the NFL (seven years after starting in the AFL, three years after becoming a member of the NFL). Television coverage Fans in the Miami area could not view the team's home games on television, as 1972 was the final year in which all NFL home games were blacked out on local television even if the stadium had sold out. To view the team's home games, Dolphins fans in the Miami-Dade area (as well as Broward and Palm Beach counties) would have to attend home games in person or travel to outside markets such as Orlando, Tampa, Gainesville and Jacksonville to watch the games on television. CBS did not televise a Dolphins game in 1972. Miami's only home game vs. an NFC opponent (vs. the Cardinals) was selected for ABC's Monday Night Football, and was the team's only Monday night game. NBC was the network for all other Dolphins games. Super Bowl VII was the first game to be televised in the market of origin under new rules that would come into effect the following season requiring games to be sold out within 72 hours of kickoff time to be aired in the market of origin (these blackout rules were lifted in 2015). As all Super Bowls (except Super Bowl I) have sold out, none have been blacked out since. 2013 White House visit thumb|right|President Obama honoring the 1972 team at the White House in 2013 Four decades later, on August 20, 2013, the team was invited by President Barack Obama to visit the White House. Obama noted that the team "never got their White House visit." Asked why the team had not been invited by President Richard Nixon in 1973, Larry Csonka stated that he did not feel neglected as it had not been a regular occurrence at the time.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anFZQcJ5SPk&t=1m28s Csonka: '72 Dolphins still at the peak YouTube.com/user/CNN August 20, 2013 August 21, 2013 October 22, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131022082827/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anFZQcJ5SPk&t=1m28s live However, MSNBC reported that this was a deliberate snub by Nixon, who was a Redskins fan, even though Nixon owned a vacation home in nearby Key Biscayne, Florida and telephoned Shula only hours after the Dolphins defeated the Colts in the 1971 AFC Championship game to suggest a play for Miami to use in Super Bowl VI (a down-and-out pass to Warfield that was broken up by Cowboys safety Cornell Green).https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcY_D95leF8 40 yrs Later, Nixon Shunned '72 Dolphins Get White-House Respect YouTube.com August 21, 2013 August 21, 2013 August 21, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130821094716/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcY_D95leF8 live Obama had previously invited the 1985 Bears to the White House, as their original visit had been canceled because of the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster. Obama, a Chicago resident and Bears fan,Laura Miller https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/blog/2011/10/07/1985-chicago-bears-visit-white-house 1985 Chicago Bears Visit the White House | The White House October 7, 2011 National Archives whitehouse.gov September 3, 2012 January 21, 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170121072103/https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/blog/2011/10/07/1985-chicago-bears-visit-white-house live had called the 1985 Bears the greatest team ever, but during the Dolphins' visit, he called his own words into question, also noting that the 1985 Bears' only defeat came at the hands of the 1985 Dolphins.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Er3z00blcec&t=5m18s President Obama Honors the 1973 Super Bowl Champion Miami Dolphins YouTube.com/user/whitehouse August 20, 2013 August 21, 2013 October 22, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131022073727/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Er3z00blcec&t=5m18s live Bob Kuechenberg, Jim Langer, and Manny Fernandez all refused to attend because of their political differences with the Obama administration.Dave Hyde http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2013-08-17/sports/fl-dave-hyde-white-house-dolphins-0818-20130817_1_white-house-president-obama-bob-kuechenberg At least three '72 Dolphins refuse White House invite sun-sentinel.com August 17, 2013 October 28, 2013 August 21, 2013 https://archive.today/20130821030836/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2013-08-17/sports/fl-dave-hyde-white-house-dolphins-0818-20130817_1_white-house-president-obama-bob-kuechenberg dead References External links 1972 Miami Dolphins Season at Pro-Football Reference Perfect Season Podcast – a 50th anniversary podcast with an episode for each game of the 1972 season, starring several members of the team Miami Category:Miami Dolphins seasons Category:AFC East championship seasons Category:American Football Conference championship seasons Category:Super Bowl champion seasons Miami Dolphins Category:1970s in Miami Category:American football records and statistics