| Year: | 1972 |
| Team: | Arizona Western Matadors |
| Sport: | football |
| Conference: | Arizona Junior College Athletic Conference |
| Short Conf: | AJCAC |
| Record: | 10–0 |
| Conf Record: | 4–0 |
| Head Coach: | Ray Butcher |
| Hc Year: | 5th |
| Champion: | NJCAA champion AJCAC champion El Toro Bowl champion |
| Bowl: | El Toro Bowl |
| Bowl Result: | W 36–8 vs. |
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 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]