1972 Arizona Western Matadors football team

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.

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

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

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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

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  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.