1972 Illinois Fighting Illini football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1972 Illinois Fighting Illini football 1972 Illinois Fighting Illini football team.jpg 285 Big Ten Conference Big Ten 3–8 3–5 Bob Blackman 2nd Larry McCarren Larry Allen Larry McCarren John Wiza Memorial Stadium The 1972 Illinois Fighting Illini football team was an American football team that represented the University of Illinois as a member of the Big Ten Conference during the 1972 Big Ten season. In their second year under head coach Bob Blackman, the Illini compiled a 3–8 record (3–5 in conference games), finished in a tie for sixth place in the Big Ten, and were outscored by a total of 277 to 197.1972 Illinois Fighting Illini Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football July 26, 2025 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/illinois/1972-schedule.html The team's statistical leaders included quarterback Mike Wells with 837 passing yards, running back George Uremovich with 611 rushing yards, and wide receiver Garvin Roberson with 569 receiving yards.1972 Illinois Fighting Illini Stats Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football July 26, 2025 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/illinois/1972.html Center Larry McCarren and defensive end Larry Allen were selected as the team's most valuable players.Fighting Illini Football Record Book University of Illinois 2015 December 29, 2016 155 http://sidearm.sites.s3.amazonaws.com/fightingillini.com/documents/2015/8/3/3_History_7_30.pdf November 29, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201129040612/http://sidearm.sites.s3.amazonaws.com/fightingillini.com/documents/2015/8/3/3_History_7_30.pdf dead Wells and center Larry McCarren received first-team honors on the 1972 All-Big Ten Conference football team.Wells named to All-Big Ten team The Pantagraph (Bloomington, Illinois) November 28, 1972 https://www.newspapers.com/image/70472707/?terms=wells%2Barmstrong%2Bdupree%2B%22associated%2Bpress%22UM, State, Buckeyes Dominate UPI's All Big Ten Team Ludington Daily News (UPI story) November 28, 1972 5 https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=110&dat=19721127&id=vtJOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=G0oDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6846,4761518 The team played its home games at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois. Schedule 1972 AP September 16 l Michigan State Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL 0–24 55,493 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-herald-msu-defense-shines/181951420/ The Times Herald MSU defense shines September 17, 1972 September 28, 2025 Newspapers.com September 23 l y USC 1 Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL 20–55 61,227 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-hefty-usc-punish/181881221/ The Des Moines Register Hefty USC punishes Illinois, 55–20 September 24, 1972 September 28, 2025 Newspapers.com September 30 l y y Washington 14 Husky Stadium Seattle, WA 11–31 61,200 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sacramento-union-huskies-humble-illi/181883262/ The Sacramento Union Huskies humble Illini October 1, 1972 September 28, 2025 Newspapers.com October 7 l y Penn State 16 Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL 17–35 60,394 https://www.newspapers.com/article/jacksonville-journal-courier-penn-state/181878976/ Jacksonville Journal Courier Penn State bursts to top Illini 35–17 October 8, 1972 September 28, 2025 Newspapers.com October 14 l y Ohio State 4 Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH Illibuck 7–26 86,298 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-herald-winless-illinois-falls/181942321/ The Miami Herald Winless Illinois falls prey to Ohio State October 15, 1972 September 28, 2025 Newspapers.com October 21 l Michigan 6 Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL rivalry 7–31 64,290 U-M Rips Illinois for 6th in Row, 31–7 Detroit Free Press Curt Sylvester October 21, 1972 1E, 4E https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5511861/um_rips_illinois_for_6th_in_row_317/ Newspapers.com October 28 l y Purdue Ross–Ade Stadium West Lafayette, IN rivalry 14–20 61,784 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star-boilermakers-quiet/181950807/ The Indianapolis Star Boilermakers quiet Illi-noise, 20–14 October 29, 1972 September 28, 2025 Newspapers.com November 4 w y Northwestern Dyche Stadium Evanston, IL rivalry 43–13 35,235 https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch-illini-wells-ri/181953911/ St. Louis Post-Dispatch Illini, Wells rip N'western, 43–13 November 5, 1972 September 28, 2025 Newspapers.com November 11 w Indiana Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL rivalry 37–20 55,077 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-star-press-illinis-uremovich-leads/181953492/ The Muncie Star Illini's Uremovich leads 37–20 victory over game Hoosiers November 12, 1972 September 28, 2025 Newspapers.com November 18 w Wisconsin Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL 27–7 45,703 https://www.newspapers.com/article/southern-illinoisan-illini-trickery-do/181954010/ Southern Illinoisan Illini 'trickery' does in Badgers November 19, 1972 September 28, 2025 Newspapers.com November 25 l y Iowa Kinnick Stadium Iowa City, IA 14–15 25,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/herald-and-review-iowa-outscores-illinoi/181954112/ Herald and Review Iowa outscores Illinois 15–14 November 26, 1972 September 28, 2025 Newspapers.com Schedule/Results (1972 Illinois) https://stats.ncaa.org/teams/251552 National Collegiate Athletic Association NCAA Statistics September 28, 2025 Roster 1972 Illinois Fighting Illini f 22 So Roger Coleman HB 76 Sr Mike Dobrzeniecki OT 73 Jr Bruce Dobson OT 86 Jr Bob Dubrish TE 32 So Tom Feeheley HB FB 54 Sr Larry McCarren C y 33 So Lonnie Perrin RB y 51 Jr Gerry Sullivan T y 12 Sr Mike Wells Mike Wells (quarterback) QB y 82 Jr Mick Heinrich DE 99 So Tom Hicks Tom Hicks (American football) LB y 55 Sr John Wiza LB https://fightingillini.com/sports/2015/7/18/football_alltimerosters_1950_1974#1972 *Bob Blackman References Illinois Category:Illinois Fighting Illini football seasons Illinois Fighting Illini football