1972 Virginia Tech Gobblers football team

1972 Virginia Tech Gobblers football
ConferenceIndependent
Record6–4–1
Head coach
Home stadiumLane Stadium
1972 NCAA University Division independents football records
Conf. Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
No. 10 Penn State   –   10 – 2 – 0
No. 14 Notre Dame   –   8 – 3 – 0
Utah State   –   8 – 3 – 0
West Virginia   –   8 – 4 – 0
Florida State   –   7 – 4 – 0
Northern Illinois   –   7 – 4 – 0
Rutgers   –   7 – 4 – 0
No. 20 Georgia Tech   –   7 – 4 – 1
Air Force   –   6 – 4 – 0
Army   –   6 – 4 – 0
Virginia Tech   –   6 – 4 – 1
Houston   –   6 – 4 – 1
Tulane   –   6 – 5 – 0
Temple   –   5 – 4 – 0
Colgate   –   5 – 4 – 1
Holy Cross   –   5 – 4 – 1
Syracuse   –   5 – 6 – 0
Miami (FL)   –   5 – 6 – 0
Dayton   –   4 – 6 – 1
Boston College   –   4 – 7 – 0
Navy   –   4 – 7 – 0
South Carolina   –   4 – 7 – 0
Southern Miss   –   3 – 7 – 1
Xavier   –   3 – 8 – 0
Marshall   –   2 – 8 – 0
Cincinnati   –   2 – 9 – 0
Villanova   –   2 – 9 – 0
Pittsburgh   –   1 – 10 – 0
Rankings from AP Poll

The 1972 Virginia Tech Gobblers football team was an American football team that represented Virginia Tech as an independent during the 1972 NCAA University Division football season. In their second year under head coach Charlie Coffey, the Gobblers compiled an overall record of 6–4–1.[1]

The 1972 Virginia Tech Gobblers football team represented Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University as an independent during the 1972 NCAA University Division football season. Led by second-year head coach Charlie Coffey, the Gobblers played their home games at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, Virginia. Virginia Tech finished the season with a record of 6–4–1. Virginia Tech opened the season with consecutive road losses to Virginia (24–20) and No. 17 Florida State (27–15). The team rebounded with a 13–10 home win over SMU and a 27–27 tie against Houston. In midseason, the Gobblers won three straight games, including a 34–32 victory over Oklahoma State and a 53–21 road win at Ohio. A narrow 17–16 loss to William & Mary ended the streak, but Tech closed the season with wins over Southern Mississippi (27–14), South Carolina (45–20), and Wake Forest (44–9), offset by a 52–13 loss at Alabama. Quarterback Don Strock led the nation in passing yards with 3,243, completing 63.1% of his passes for 21 touchdowns. Wide receiver Mike Scales recorded 826 receiving yards, while fullback Tommy Barber led the team in rushing with 624 yards. Virginia Tech averaged 27.9 points per game and ranked first nationally in passing offense, totaling 3,348 yards through the air. Defensively, the Gobblers allowed 23.0 points per game and 253 total points on the season. Linebacker Mike Widger and defensive back Ron Davidson were among the team’s top tacklers. Virginia Tech outgained opponents by over 495 total yards and finished with a +54 point differential. The 1972 season marked a statistical high point for the program’s passing attack and helped establish Lane Stadium as a growing venue for major college football.

Schedule

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 16at Virginia
L 20–2431,300[2]
September 23at No. 17 Florida State
L 15–2736,400[3]
September 30SMU
W 13–1026,000[4]
October 7Houston
  • Lane Stadium
  • Blacksburg, VA
T 27–2726,000[5]
October 14No. 19 Oklahoma State
  • Lane Stadium
  • Blacksburg, VA
W 34–3236,000[6]
October 21at Ohio
W 53–2113,344[7]
October 28vs. William & Mary
L 16–1722,000[8]
November 4Southern Miss
  • Lane Stadium
  • Blacksburg, VA
W 27–1425,000[9]
November 11South Carolina
  • Lane Stadium
  • Blacksburg, VA
W 45–2030,000[10]
November 18at No. 2 Alabama
L 13–5257,162[11]
November 25at Wake Forest
W 44–96,500[12]
  • Homecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game

Game summaries

September 16 – at Virginia

Virginia Tech opened the season with a 24–20 loss to in-state rival Virginia at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville. Quarterback Don Strock threw touchdown passes to Mike Scales and Ken Edwards, finishing with 287 yards through the air. The Gobblers led 20–17 entering the fourth quarter, but Virginia scored the game-winning touchdown with under five minutes remaining. Attendance: 31,300. [13]

September 23 – at No. 17 Florida State

Virginia Tech fell 27–15 to No. 17 Florida State in Tallahassee. Don Strock threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to Mike Scales and completed 27 of 45 passes for 312 yards. Dave Strock added a 32-yard field goal. Florida State capitalized on two Tech turnovers and controlled the second half. Attendance: 36,400. [14]

September 30 – vs. SMU

Virginia Tech earned its first win of the season with a 13–10 victory over SMU at Lane Stadium. Don Strock threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to Mike Scales and passed for 278 yards. Dave Strock kicked two field goals, including the game-winner from 27 yards out in the fourth quarter. Attendance: 26,000. [15]

October 7 – vs. Houston

Virginia Tech and Houston played to a 27–27 tie in Blacksburg. Don Strock threw three touchdown passes—two to Mike Scales and one to Ken Edwards—and finished with 407 passing yards. Dave Strock added a 24-yard field goal. Houston tied the game with a late touchdown drive. Attendance: 26,000. [16]

October 14 – vs. No. 19 Oklahoma State

Virginia Tech upset No. 19 Oklahoma State 34–32 at Lane Stadium. Don Strock threw touchdown passes to Mike Scales, Ken Edwards, and tight end Bob Smith, totaling 336 passing yards. Dave Strock kicked two field goals, including the game-winner from 38 yards with under a minute remaining. Attendance: 36,000. [17]

October 21 – at Ohio

Virginia Tech routed Ohio 53–21 in Athens. Don Strock threw four touchdown passes—two to Mike Scales and one each to Ken Edwards and Bob Smith—and passed for 310 yards. Tommy Barber added a rushing touchdown, and Dave Strock kicked a 42-yard field goal. Attendance: 13,344. [18]

October 28 – vs. William & Mary (Tobacco Bowl)

Virginia Tech fell 17–16 to William & Mary in the Tobacco Bowl at City Stadium in Richmond. Don Strock threw touchdown passes to Mike Scales and Ken Edwards, but Dave Strock missed a potential game-winning field goal in the final minute. Attendance: 22,000. [19]

November 4 – vs. Southern Miss

Virginia Tech defeated Southern Miss 27–14 at Lane Stadium. Don Strock threw touchdown passes to Mike Scales and Bob Smith, and Tommy Barber added a rushing touchdown. Dave Strock kicked a 35-yard field goal. Attendance: 25,000. [20]

November 11 – vs. South Carolina

Virginia Tech routed South Carolina 45–20 in Blacksburg. Don Strock threw three touchdown passes—two to Mike Scales and one to Ken Edwards—and passed for 345 yards. Tommy Barber and Andre Kendrick each scored rushing touchdowns, and Dave Strock added a 40-yard field goal. Attendance: 30,000. [21]

November 18 – at No. 2 Alabama

Virginia Tech suffered its worst loss of the season, falling 52–13 to No. 2 Alabama in Tuscaloosa. Don Strock threw a touchdown pass to Mike Scales and passed for 265 yards. Dave Strock kicked two field goals. Alabama rushed for six touchdowns and intercepted Strock twice. Attendance: 57,162. [22]

November 25 – at Wake Forest

Virginia Tech closed the season with a 44–9 win over Wake Forest at Groves Stadium. Don Strock threw four touchdown passes—two to Mike Scales and one each to Ken Edwards and Bob Smith—and passed for 354 yards, securing the NCAA passing title. Tommy Barber added a rushing touchdown, and Dave Strock kicked a 37-yard field goal. Attendance: 6,500. [23]

Roster

The following players were members of the 1972 football team according to the roster published in the 1973 edition of The Bugle, the Virginia Tech yearbook.[24]

1972 Virginia Tech roster
  • Paul Adams
  • Bruce Arians
  • James William "J.B." Barber, Jr.
  • Larry Bearekman
  • John Bell
  • Brent Bledsoe
  • Morris Blueford
  • Jack Booth
  • Glenn Brown
  • Mike Burnop
  • Tom Carpenito
  • M. Cole
  • Nick Colobro
  • Chris Courtney
  • Doug Coyner
  • Jack Crews
  • Bobby Dabbs
  • John Dobbins
  • Dennis Dodson
  • Rich Easterling
  • Bill Ellenbogen
  • Stephen C. Galloway
  • Barry Garber
  • T. Gerdy
  • David Halstead
  • Jim Heizer
  • Kent Henry
  • Peter Michael Horoszko
  • Andy Hromyak
  • Johnson
  • Bob Karlsen
  • Howard Keyes
  • Wayne Latimer
  • Jim Lawlor
  • Chip Lawson
  • Bruce Arthur Lemmert
  • Billy Linson
  • Steve Maguigan
  • Charley Martin
  • Randy McCann
  • Lynn McCoy
  • Bruce McDaniel
  • Steve Pasi
  • Chuck Perdue
  • Vic Perez
  • Rick Popp
  • Barney Ratliff
  • Don Reel
  • Tom Reynolds
  • Phil Rogers
  • Ricky Scales
  • Jerry Scharnus
  • John William Schneider
  • Rodney Schnurr
  • Chuck Schoenadel
  • Rod M. Sedwick
  • Tom Shirley
  • Chuck Shorter
  • Dale Soncini
  • John Sprenkle
  • Don Sprouse
  • Terry Stewart
  • Dave Strock
  • Don Strock
  • Andre Tennessee
  • Don Testerman
  • Doug Thacker
  • Greg Toal
  • Tom Trice
  • Kit Utz
  • Craig Valentine

References

  1. ^ "1972 Virginia Tech Hokies". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
  2. ^ "Virginia turns back Virginia Tech by 24 to 20 count". The Danville Register. September 17, 1972. Retrieved December 14, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ "Florida State whips Virginia Tech 27–15". News-Press. September 24, 1972. Retrieved December 14, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "Mustangs saddled by Virginia Tech". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. October 1, 1972. Retrieved December 14, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "Houston earns tie with VPI". San Antonio Express and News. October 8, 1972. Retrieved December 14, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Virginia Tech upsets Oklahoma St. on FG". The Journal News. October 15, 1972. Retrieved December 14, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "Virginia Tech drubs Ohio U." The Philadelphia Inquirer. October 22, 1972. Retrieved December 14, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "Indians shock Gobblers 17–16". The Daily News Leader. October 29, 1972. Retrieved December 14, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "Don Strock guides Virginia Tech to 27–14 triumph". The Danville Register. November 5, 1972. Retrieved March 23, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ "Poor Gamecocks routed by 45–20". The Gastonia Gazette. November 12, 1972. Retrieved December 14, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ "Alabama cruises past Virginia Tech, 52–13". Star-Gazette. November 19, 1972. Retrieved December 14, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ "Strock wins passing title in 44–9 win over Deacons". The Charlotte Observer. November 26, 1972. Retrieved December 14, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ "Virginia turns back Virginia Tech by 24 to 20 count". The Danville Register. September 17, 1972 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ "Florida State whips Virginia Tech 27–15". News-Press. September 24, 1972 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ^ "Mustangs saddled by Virginia Tech". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. October 1, 1972 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ "Houston earns tie with VPI". San Antonio Express and News. October 8, 1972 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ^ "Virginia Tech upsets Oklahoma St. on FG". The Journal News. October 15, 1972 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. ^ "Virginia Tech drubs Ohio U." The Philadelphia Inquirer. October 22, 1972 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. ^ "Indians shock Gobblers 17–16". The Daily News Leader. October 29, 1972 – via Newspapers.com.
  20. ^ "Don Strock guides Virginia Tech to 27–14 triumph". The Danville Register. November 5, 1972 – via Newspapers.com.
  21. ^ "Poor Gamecocks routed by 45–20". The Gastonia Gazette. November 12, 1972 – via Newspapers.com.
  22. ^ "Alabama cruises past Virginia Tech, 52–13". Star-Gazette. November 19, 1972 – via Newspapers.com.
  23. ^ "Strock wins passing title in 44–9 win over Deacons". The Charlotte Observer. November 26, 1972 – via Newspapers.com.
  24. ^ "The Bugle 1973". Virginia Tech Bugle. 1973. p. 128. Retrieved August 28, 2019.
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