| Year: | 1972 |
| Team: | Northwestern Wildcats |
| Sport: | football |
| Conference: | Big Ten Conference |
| Short Conf: | Big Ten |
| Record: | 2–9 |
| Conf Record: | 1–8 |
| Head Coach: | Alex Agase |
| Hc Year: | 9th |
| Captain: | Jim Anderson[1] |
| Captain2: | Dave Dybas |
| Captain3: | Dave Glantz |
| Captain4: | Jim Lash |
| Stadium: | Dyche Stadium |
The 1972 Northwestern Wildcats team represented Northwestern University during the 1972 Big Ten Conference football season. In their ninth and final year under head coach Alex Agase, the Wildcats compiled a 2–9 record (1–8 against Big Ten Conference opponents) and finished in last place in the Big Ten Conference.[2]
The team's offensive leaders were quarterback Mitch Anderson with 1,335 passing yards, Greg Boykin with 625 rushing yards, and Jim Lash with 667 receiving yards.[3] Five Northwestern player received All-Big Ten honors. They are: (1) tight end Steve Craig (AP-1, UPI-1); (2) split end Jim Lash (UPI-1); (3) defensive back Greg Strunk (AP-2, UPI-2); (4) defensive lineman Jim Anderson (AP-2); and (5) running back Greg Boykin (AP-2).[4] [5]