1972 Virginia Tech Gobblers football team

American college football season August 2023 February 2026 1972 Virginia Tech Gobblers football Virginia Tech retro logo.svg 150 Independent 6–4–1 Charlie Coffey 2nd Lane Stadium The 1972 Virginia Tech Gobblers football team was an American football team that represented Virginia Tech as an independent during the 1972 NCAA University Division football season. In their second year under head coach Charlie Coffey, the Gobblers compiled an overall record of 6–4–1.https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/virginia-tech/1972-schedule.html 1972 Virginia Tech Hokies College Football at Sports-Reference.com December 14, 2021 The 1972 Virginia Tech Gobblers football team represented Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University as an independent during the 1972 NCAA University Division football season. Led by second-year head coach Charlie Coffey, the Gobblers played their home games at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, Virginia. Virginia Tech finished the season with a record of 6–4–1. Virginia Tech opened the season with consecutive road losses to Virginia (24–20) and No. 17 Florida State (27–15). The team rebounded with a 13–10 home win over SMU and a 27–27 tie against Houston. In midseason, the Gobblers won three straight games, including a 34–32 victory over Oklahoma State and a 53–21 road win at Ohio. A narrow 17–16 loss to William & Mary ended the streak, but Tech closed the season with wins over Southern Mississippi (27–14), South Carolina (45–20), and Wake Forest (44–9), offset by a 52–13 loss at Alabama. Quarterback Don Strock led the nation in passing yards with 3,243, completing 63.1% of his passes for 21 touchdowns. Wide receiver Mike Scales recorded 826 receiving yards, while fullback Tommy Barber led the team in rushing with 624 yards. Virginia Tech averaged 27.9 points per game and ranked first nationally in passing offense, totaling 3,348 yards through the air. Defensively, the Gobblers allowed 23.0 points per game and 253 total points on the season. Linebacker Mike Widger and defensive back Ron Davidson were among the team’s top tacklers. Virginia Tech outgained opponents by over 495 total yards and finished with a +54 point differential. The 1972 season marked a statistical high point for the program’s passing attack and helped establish Lane Stadium as a growing venue for major college football. Schedule 1972 AP September 16 l y Virginia Scott Stadium Charlottesville, VA rivalry 20–24 31,300 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90583599/virginia-turns-back-virginia-tech-by-24/ The Danville Register Virginia turns back Virginia Tech by 24 to 20 count September 17, 1972 December 14, 2021 Newspapers.com September 23 l y Florida State 17 Doak Campbell Stadium Tallahassee, FL 15–27 36,400 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90583731/florida-state-whips-virginia-tech-2715/ News-Press Florida State whips Virginia Tech 27–15 September 24, 1972 December 14, 2021 Newspapers.com September 30 w SMU Lane Stadium Blacksburg, VA 13–10 26,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90583825/ Fort Worth Star-Telegram Mustangs saddled by Virginia Tech October 1, 1972 December 14, 2021 Newspapers.com October 7 t Houston Lane Stadium Blacksburg, VA 27–27 26,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90583953/houston-earns-tie-with-vpi/ San Antonio Express and News Houston earns tie with VPI October 8, 1972 December 14, 2021 Newspapers.com October 14 w y Oklahoma State 19 Lane Stadium Blacksburg, VA 34–32 36,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90584134/virginia-tech-upsets-oklahoma-st-on-fg/ The Journal News Virginia Tech upsets Oklahoma St. on FG October 15, 1972 December 14, 2021 Newspapers.com October 21 w y Ohio Peden Stadium Athens, OH 53–21 13,344 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90584438/virginia-tech-drubs-ohio-u/ The Philadelphia Inquirer Virginia Tech drubs Ohio U. October 22, 1972 December 14, 2021 Newspapers.com October 28 l y William & Mary City Stadium Richmond, VA Tobacco Bowl 16–17 22,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90584520/indians-shock-gobblers-1716/ The Daily News Leader Indians shock Gobblers 17–16 October 29, 1972 December 14, 2021 Newspapers.com November 4 w Southern Miss Lane Stadium Blacksburg, VA 27–14 25,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74211056/don-strock-guides-virginia-tech-to-2714 The Danville Register Don Strock guides Virginia Tech to 27–14 triumph November 5, 1972 March 23, 2021 Newspapers.com November 11 w South Carolina Lane Stadium Blacksburg, VA 45–20 30,000 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90584612/poor-gamecocks-routed-by-4520/ The Gastonia Gazette Poor Gamecocks routed by 45–20 November 12, 1972 December 14, 2021 Newspapers.com November 18 l y Alabama 2 Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL 13–52 57,162 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90584717/alabama-cruises-past-virginia-tech-521/ Star-Gazette Alabama cruises past Virginia Tech, 52–13 November 19, 1972 December 14, 2021 Newspapers.com November 25 w y Wake Forest Groves Stadium Winston-Salem, NC 44–9 6,500 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90584798/strock-wins-passing-title-in-449-win-ov/ The Charlotte Observer Strock wins passing title in 44–9 win over Deacons November 26, 1972 December 14, 2021 Newspapers.com Game summaries September 16 – at Virginia Virginia Tech opened the season with a 24–20 loss to in-state rival Virginia at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville. Quarterback Don Strock threw touchdown passes to Mike Scales and Ken Edwards, finishing with 287 yards through the air. The Gobblers led 20–17 entering the fourth quarter, but Virginia scored the game-winning touchdown with under five minutes remaining. Attendance: 31,300. "Virginia turns back Virginia Tech by 24 to 20 count". The Danville Register. September 17, 1972 – via Newspapers.com. September 23 – at No. 17 Florida State Virginia Tech fell 27–15 to No. 17 Florida State in Tallahassee. Don Strock threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to Mike Scales and completed 27 of 45 passes for 312 yards. Dave Strock added a 32-yard field goal. Florida State capitalized on two Tech turnovers and controlled the second half. Attendance: 36,400. "Florida State whips Virginia Tech 27–15". News-Press. September 24, 1972 – via Newspapers.com. September 30 – vs. SMU Virginia Tech earned its first win of the season with a 13–10 victory over SMU at Lane Stadium. Don Strock threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to Mike Scales and passed for 278 yards. Dave Strock kicked two field goals, including the game-winner from 27 yards out in the fourth quarter. Attendance: 26,000. "Mustangs saddled by Virginia Tech". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. October 1, 1972 – via Newspapers.com. October 7 – vs. Houston Virginia Tech and Houston played to a 27–27 tie in Blacksburg. Don Strock threw three touchdown passes—two to Mike Scales and one to Ken Edwards—and finished with 407 passing yards. Dave Strock added a 24-yard field goal. Houston tied the game with a late touchdown drive. Attendance: 26,000. "Houston earns tie with VPI". San Antonio Express and News. October 8, 1972 – via Newspapers.com. October 14 – vs. No. 19 Oklahoma State Virginia Tech upset No. 19 Oklahoma State 34–32 at Lane Stadium. Don Strock threw touchdown passes to Mike Scales, Ken Edwards, and tight end Bob Smith, totaling 336 passing yards. Dave Strock kicked two field goals, including the game-winner from 38 yards with under a minute remaining. Attendance: 36,000. "Virginia Tech upsets Oklahoma St. on FG". The Journal News. October 15, 1972 – via Newspapers.com. October 21 – at Ohio Virginia Tech routed Ohio 53–21 in Athens. Don Strock threw four touchdown passes—two to Mike Scales and one each to Ken Edwards and Bob Smith—and passed for 310 yards. Tommy Barber added a rushing touchdown, and Dave Strock kicked a 42-yard field goal. Attendance: 13,344. "Virginia Tech drubs Ohio U." The Philadelphia Inquirer. October 22, 1972 – via Newspapers.com. October 28 – vs. William & Mary (Tobacco Bowl) Virginia Tech fell 17–16 to William & Mary in the Tobacco Bowl at City Stadium in Richmond. Don Strock threw touchdown passes to Mike Scales and Ken Edwards, but Dave Strock missed a potential game-winning field goal in the final minute. Attendance: 22,000. "Indians shock Gobblers 17–16". The Daily News Leader. October 29, 1972 – via Newspapers.com. November 4 – vs. Southern Miss Virginia Tech defeated Southern Miss 27–14 at Lane Stadium. Don Strock threw touchdown passes to Mike Scales and Bob Smith, and Tommy Barber added a rushing touchdown. Dave Strock kicked a 35-yard field goal. Attendance: 25,000. "Don Strock guides Virginia Tech to 27–14 triumph". The Danville Register. November 5, 1972 – via Newspapers.com. November 11 – vs. South Carolina Virginia Tech routed South Carolina 45–20 in Blacksburg. Don Strock threw three touchdown passes—two to Mike Scales and one to Ken Edwards—and passed for 345 yards. Tommy Barber and Andre Kendrick each scored rushing touchdowns, and Dave Strock added a 40-yard field goal. Attendance: 30,000. "Poor Gamecocks routed by 45–20". The Gastonia Gazette. November 12, 1972 – via Newspapers.com. November 18 – at No. 2 Alabama Virginia Tech suffered its worst loss of the season, falling 52–13 to No. 2 Alabama in Tuscaloosa. Don Strock threw a touchdown pass to Mike Scales and passed for 265 yards. Dave Strock kicked two field goals. Alabama rushed for six touchdowns and intercepted Strock twice. Attendance: 57,162. "Alabama cruises past Virginia Tech, 52–13". Star-Gazette. November 19, 1972 – via Newspapers.com. November 25 – at Wake Forest Virginia Tech closed the season with a 44–9 win over Wake Forest at Groves Stadium. Don Strock threw four touchdown passes—two to Mike Scales and one each to Ken Edwards and Bob Smith—and passed for 354 yards, securing the NCAA passing title. Tommy Barber added a rushing touchdown, and Dave Strock kicked a 37-yard field goal. Attendance: 6,500. "Strock wins passing title in 44–9 win over Deacons". The Charlotte Observer. November 26, 1972 – via Newspapers.com. Roster The following players were members of the 1972 football team according to the roster published in the 1973 edition of The Bugle, the Virginia Tech yearbook.Virginia Tech Bugle https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/Bugle/1973Bugle The Bugle 1973 128 1973 2019-08-28 1972 Virginia Tech roster Paul Adams Bruce Arians James William "J.B." Barber, Jr. Larry Bearekman John Bell Brent Bledsoe Morris Blueford Jack Booth Glenn Brown Mike Burnop Tom Carpenito M. Cole Nick Colobro Chris Courtney Doug Coyner Jack Crews Bobby Dabbs John Dobbins Dennis Dodson Rich Easterling Bill Ellenbogen Stephen C. Galloway Barry Garber T. Gerdy David Halstead Jim Heizer Kent Henry Peter Michael Horoszko Andy Hromyak Johnson Bob Karlsen Howard Keyes Wayne Latimer Jim Lawlor Chip Lawson Bruce Arthur Lemmert Billy Linson Steve Maguigan Charley Martin Randy McCann Lynn McCoy Bruce McDaniel Steve Pasi Chuck Perdue Vic Perez Rick Popp Barney Ratliff Don Reel Tom Reynolds Phil Rogers Ricky Scales Jerry Scharnus John William Schneider Rodney Schnurr Chuck Schoenadel Rod M. Sedwick Tom Shirley Chuck Shorter Dale Soncini John Sprenkle Don Sprouse Terry Stewart Dave Strock Don Strock Andre Tennessee Don Testerman Doug Thacker Greg Toal Tom Trice Kit Utz Craig Valentine References Virginia Tech Category:Virginia Tech Hokies football seasons Virginia Tech Gobblers football