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 most dominant win of the year was a 60-0 victory over in which the Panthers tallied 475 rushing yards and scored nine rushing touchdowns. 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.
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. 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.
The team played its home games at Porter Field in Middlebury, Vermont.
Schedule
Personnel Players
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