| Year: | 1972 |
| Regular Season: | August–November 1972 |
| Playoffs: | November 25–December 9, 1972 |
| Championship: | Joplin, MO |
| Champions: | Missouri Southern |
The 1972 NAIA Division II football season was the 17th season of college football sponsored by the NAIA and the third season of play of the NAIA's lower division for football.
The season was played from August to November 1972 and culminated in the 1972 NAIA Division II Football National Championship, played on December 9, 1972, in Joplin, Missouri on the campus of Missouri Southern State College.[1]
The Missouri Southern Lions defeated the in the championship game, 21–14, to win their first NAIA national title. As of 2015, this was the earliest championship to feature a team that remains a NAIA member.