1972 Arizona Western Matadors football team

1972 Arizona Western Matadors football
NJCAA champion
AJCAC champion
El Toro Bowl champion
El Toro Bowl, W 36–8 vs. Fort Scott
ConferenceArizona Junior College Athletic Conference
Record10–0 (4–0 AJCAC)
Head coach
Seasons
← 1971
1973 →
1972 Arizona Junior College Athletic Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
Arizona Western $ 4 – 0 – 0 10 – 0 – 0
Phoenix 3 – 1 – 0 7 – 1 – 1
Mesa (AZ) 2 – 2 – 0 8 – 2 – 0
Eastern Arizona 1 – 3 – 0 4 – 5 – 0
Glendale (AZ) 0 – 4 – 0 1 – 8 – 0
  • $ – Conference champion

The 1972 Arizona Western Matadors football team was an American football team that represented Arizona Western College as a member of the Arizona Junior College Athletic Conference (AJCAC) during the 1972 junior college football season. In their fifth year under head coach Ray Butcher, the team compiled a perfect 10–0 record, won the NJCAA National Football Championship, and defeated Fort Scott in the El Toro Bowl.

Arizona placed nine players on the 1972 AJCAC all-conference football team. Five players were honored on the offensive unit: running back Larry Bates; tight end Brian Adam; guards Bill Moody and John Segreti and tackle Steve Garcia. Four from the defensive unit were also honored: defensive end Charles Haynes; defensive tackle John Trujillo; linebacker Ron Davis and defensive back Reggie Pierson. Butcher was also named AJCC coach of the year.[1]

Schedule

DateOpponentSiteResultSource
September 9Eastern Arizona*Yuma, AZW 20–8[2]
September 16at New Mexico Military*Roswell, NMW 41–14
September 23San Diego Mesa*W 26–13[3]
September 30at Eastern ArizonaThatcher, AZW 28–23
October 7Mesa (AZ)Yuma, AZW 19–14[4]
October 21Air Force junior varsity*W 47–27
October 28PhoenixYuma, AZW 24–0[5]
November 3Glendale (AZ)W 28–6
November 11Grossmont*Yuma, AZW 18–6[6]
November 25Fort Scott*Yuma, AZ (El Toro Bowl)W 36–8[7]
  • *Non-conference game

References

  1. ^ "Juco all-staters list all-around strength". The Arizona Republic. November 26, 1972. p. D3 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ "Western opens year beating EA, 20-8". The Arizona Republic. September 10, 1972. p. 2D – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ Vic Royce (September 22, 1972). "Western's Win Streak Challenged". The Arizona Daily Star. p. D7 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ Hardy Price (October 8, 1972). "Mesa's closing bid stalled; AWC wins". The Arizona Republic. p. D7 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ Hardy Price (October 29, 1972). "Western throttles Phoenix, 24-0, to remain undefeated". The Arizona Republic. p. D9 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Western Bound For Bowl". The Arizona Daily Star. November 13, 1972. p. 4B – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "Matadors triumph in El Toro Bowl". The Arizona Republic. November 26, 1972. pp. D1, D3 – via Newspapers.com.