1972 Air Force Falcons football team

The 1972 Air Force Falcons football team represented the United States Air Force Academy as an independent during the 1971 NCAA University Division football season. Led by 15th-year head coach Ben Martin, the Falcons compiled a record of 6–4 and outscored their opponents 303–183. Air Force played their home games at Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

1972 Air Force Falcons football
Conference	Independent
Record	6–4
Head coach	Ben Martin (15th season)
Captain	Brian Bream, John Greenlaw
Home stadium	Falcon Stadium

1972 NCAA University Division independents football records

	Conf							Overall
Team	W		L		T			W		L		T
No. 10 Penn State			–					10	–	2	–	0
No. 14 Notre Dame			–					8	–	3	–	0
Utah State			–					8	–	3	–	0
West Virginia			–					8	–	4	–	0
Florida State			–					7	–	4	–	0
Northern Illinois			–					7	–	4	–	0
Rutgers			–					7	–	4	–	0
No. 20 Georgia Tech			–					7	–	4	–	1
Air Force			–					6	–	4	–	0
Army			–					6	–	4	–	0
Virginia Tech			–					6	–	4	–	1
Houston			–					6	–	4	–	1
Tulane			–					6	–	5	–	0
Temple			–					5	–	4	–	0
Colgate			–					5	–	4	–	1
Holy Cross			–					5	–	4	–	1
Syracuse			–					5	–	6	–	0
Miami (FL)			–					5	–	6	–	0
Dayton			–					4	–	6	–	1
Boston College			–					4	–	7	–	0
Navy			–					4	–	7	–	0
South Carolina			–					4	–	7	–	0
Southern Miss			–					3	–	7	–	1
Xavier			–					3	–	8	–	0
Marshall			–					2	–	8	–	0
Cincinnati			–					2	–	9	–	0
Villanova			–					2	–	9	–	0
Pittsburgh			–					1	–	10	–	0
Rankings from AP Poll

This was first season of competition for the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy, which matched the three military academies annually. The Falcons lost both games, and Army beat Navy in December to take the first title. Previously, Air Force played Navy in even years and Army in odd years.

Schedule

Date	Opponent	Rank	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 16	Wyoming		Falcon Stadium Colorado Springs, CO	W 45–14	38,809
September 23	Pittsburgh		Falcon Stadium Colorado Springs, CO	W 41–13
September 30	Davidson		Falcon Stadium Colorado Springs, CO	W 68–6	33,601
October 7	at Colorado State	No. 19	Hughes Stadium Fort Collins, CO (rivalry)	W 52–13	23,221
October 14	at Boston College	No. 16	Alumni Stadium Chestnut Hill, MA	W 13–9
October 21	Navy	No. 16	Falcon Stadium Colorado Springs, CO (Commander-in-Chief's Trophy)	L 17–21
October 28	at No. 16 Arizona State		Sun Devil Stadium Tempe, AZ	W 39–31	47,091
November 4	at Army	No. 19	Michie Stadium West Point, NY (Commander-in-Chief's Trophy)	L 14–17
November 11	No. 12 Notre Dame		Falcon Stadium Colorado Springs, CO (rivalry)	L 7–21	48,671
November 18	No. 15 Colorado		Falcon Stadium Colorado Springs, CO	L 7–38	47,191
Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game

Personnel

1972 Air Force Falcons football team roster
Players			Coaches
Offense Pos. # Name Class C Orderia Mitchell (C) Sr	Defense Pos. # Name Class DL Eugene Ogilvie (C) Sr	Special teams Pos. # Name Class	Head coach Ben Martin Coordinators/assistant coaches Legend (C) Team captain (S) Suspended (I) Ineligible Injured Redshirt

Awards and honors

• Orderia Mitchell, 2nd Team All-American (AP)