The 1972 Northern Iowa Panthers football team represented the University of Northern Iowa as a member of the North Central Conference (NCC) during the 1972 NCAA College Division football season .
Led by 13th-year head coach Stan Sheriff, the Panthers compiled an overall record of 4–5 with a mark of 3–4 in conference play, tying for fourth place in the NCC.
Northern Iowa played home games at O. R. Latham Stadium in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
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