1972 Middlebury Panthers football team

American college football season March 2026 January 2025 1972 Middlebury Panthers football 1972 Middlebury Panthers football team.png 280px New England Small College Athletic Conference NESCAC 8–0 5–0 John W. Anderson 4th Porter Field NESCAC champion The 1972 Middlebury Panthers football team, competing in the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC), represented Middlebury College during the 1972 NCAA College Division football season. The team had a strong season with notable players and a competitive record. In their fourth and final year under head coach John W. Anderson, the Panthers compiled a perfect 8–0 record, won the NESCAC championship, and outscored opponents by a total of 284 to 81.The Making of a Champ, Middlebury Style The Burlington Free Press November 22, 1972 15 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-burlington-free-press-the-making-of/142590432/ Newspapers.com The most dominant win of the year was a 60-0 victory over 1972 Hamilton Continentals Hamilton in which the Panthers tallied 475 rushing yards and scored nine rushing touchdowns.Panthers 5-0 After Rout Of Hapless Hamilton, 60-0 The Burlington Free Press Wally Johnson October 23, 1972 3 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-burlington-free-press-panthers-5-0-a/165742451/ Newspapers.com Middlebury's 1972 season was the second undefeated season in Middlebury's 80-year football history and the first since 1936. Senior halfback and tri-captain Phil Pope led the team in rushing for the third consecutive year. For the 1971 season, he tallied 885 rushing yards and 112 points scored on 18 touchdowns and two two-point conversions. Pope, a geology major, set 11 single-season and career records and was named offensive player of the year in voting by College Division coaches in New England.Pope (Middlebury), Hincks (Norwich) Top N.E. Players The Brattleboro Reformer December 13, 1972 12 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brattleboro-reformer-pope-middlebur/165744401/ Newspapers.comPhil Pope as Hard as the Rocks He Studies Rutland Daily Herald November 11, 1972 6 https://www.newspapers.com/article/rutland-daily-herald-phil-pope-as-hard-a/165745091/ Newspapers.com At quarterback, the team was led by juniors Doug Cramphin (547 passing yards, 148 rushing yards) and Peter Mackey (610 passing yards). Senior end Terry McGuirk was the leading receiver with 20 receptions for 284 yards.Final 1972 Cumulative Football Statistics Report (Middlebury) NCAA February 16, 2025 https://stats.ncaa.org/team/420/stats/13168 On defense, the team gave up only one touchdown pass and held opponents to an average of only 67 passing yards per game. One month after the season ended, coach John Anderson left Middlebury to become the head football coach at Brown.Panthers' John Anderson Accepts Brown University Head Football Post The Burlington Free Press December 20, 1972 24 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-burlington-free-press-panthers-john/142587979/ Newspapers.com The team played its home games at Porter Field in Middlebury, Vermont. Schedule y y September 23 at 1972 Bates Bobcats Bates Lewiston, ME W 42-7 2,200 Middlebury Belts Bates Rutland Daily Herald Dave Morse September 25, 1972 15 https://www.newspapers.com/article/rutland-daily-herald-middlebury-belts-ba/142596348/ Newspapers.com September 30 1972 Wesleyan Cardinals Wesleyan Porter Field Middlebury, VT W 18-6 4,200 Middlebury Runs Over Wesleyan The Hartford Courant October 1, 1972 10C https://www.newspapers.com/article/hartford-courant-middlebury-runs-over-we/165741186/ Newspapers.com October 7 1972 WPI Engineers WPI<ncg><hc> Porter Field Middlebury, VT W 28-20 2,500 Middlebury tips WPI, 28-20 The Boston Globe October 8, 1972 65 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-boston-globe-middlebury-tips-wpi-28/165741601/ Newspapers.com October 14 at 1972 Williams Ephs Williams Weston Field Williamstown, MA W 23-13 4,700 Middlebury Uses Wishbone to End Williams' 12-Year Streak: Panthers Pick Up Fourth Straight Win Rutland Daily Herald Dave Morse October 16, 1972 14 https://www.newspapers.com/article/rutland-daily-herald-middlebury-uses-wis/142595773/ Newspapers.com October 21 at 1972 Hamilton Continentals Hamilton Clinton, NY W 60-0 2,000 October 28 1997 RPI Engineers RPI<ncg> Porter Field Middlebury, VT W 29-21 3,000 Norwich-Middlebury Classic Next as Panthers Rally to Beat RPI, 29-21 The Burlington Free Press Wally Johnson October 30, 1972 4 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-burlington-free-press-norwich-middle/165743180/ Newspapers.com November 4 1997 Norwich Cadets Norwich<ncg> Porter Field Middlebury, VT W 49-0 3,100 Panthers Roll Over Cadets Rutland Daily Herald Max Peterson November 6, 1972 20 https://www.newspapers.com/article/rutland-daily-herald-panthers-roll-over/142586719/ Newspapers.comSeven Down, One To Go for Unbeaten Panthers After 49-0 Win Over Cadets The Burlington Free Press Wally Johnson November 6, 1972 21 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-burlington-free-press-seven-down-on/142587222/ Newspapers.com November 11 at 1972 Union Dutchmen Union (NY) Alexander Field Schenectady, NY W 35-14 1,200-3,500 Panthers complete 1st Undefeated Season Since 1936, Rip Union, 35-14 The Burlington Free Press Wally Johnson November 13, 1972 16, 21 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-burlington-free-press-panthers-compl/142585654/ Newspapers.comMiddlebury College Completes Unbeaten Football Season Rutland Daily Herald Dave Morse November 13, 1972 16 https://www.newspapers.com/article/rutland-daily-herald-middlebury-college/142589370/ Newspapers.comMiddlebury, 8-0, ends undefeated The Boston Globe Associated Press November 12, 1972 102 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-boston-globe-middlebury-8-0-ends-u/142586193/ Newspapers.com Personnel Players 30em George Antonakos, linebacker Jim Barrington Bruce Bertkau, receiver Pete Brakeley Keith Brown Junior Coleman Dave Cook, line Frank Cooper, fullback Doug Cramphin, quarterback John Cruise, defensive back Kevin Donahue, line Jay Flickinger Bob Garvie, defensive back Goldberger, safety Mike Goldfarb, line Jack Goulet, defensive back Bob Hanbury Bob Keller, defensive back Jim Kelly, rover Pete Mackey, quarterback Terry McGuirk, receiver Tom McNeil, linebacker/rover Howard Meny, line Tom O'Connor, back Charlie O'Sullivan Phil Pope, halfback Tom Pepin, defensive back Bob Screen, defensive back Chip Shearer, line Mark Uppendahl, linebacker Dave Uryus, tackle Pete Viani Dave Webster Jimmy Williams, back Fred Zinober, rover Coaches Head coach - John W. Anderson Assistant coaches - Charlie Brush (line) References Middlebury Category:Middlebury Panthers football seasons Category:College football undefeated seasons Middlebury Panthers football