1972 South Dakota Coyotes football team

1972 South Dakota Coyotes football
NCC co-champion
Conference	North Central Conference
Record	9–1 (6–1 NCC)
Head coach	Joe Salem (7th season)
Home stadium	Inman Field

1972 North Central Conference football standings

	Conf							Overall
Team	W		L		T			W		L		T
North Dakota +	6	–	1	–	0			10	–	1	–	0
South Dakota +	6	–	1	–	0			9	–	1	–	0
North Dakota State +	6	–	1	–	0			8	–	2	–	0
Mankato State	3	–	4	–	0			6	–	5	–	0
Northern Iowa	3	–	4	–	0			4	–	5	–	0
South Dakota State	2	–	5	–	0			6	–	5	–	0
Morningside	1	–	6	–	0			2	–	8	–	0
Augustana (SD)	1	–	6	–	0			2	–	8	–	0
+ – Conference co-champions

The 1972 South Dakota Coyotes football team was an American football team that represented the University of South Dakota in the North Central Conference (NCC) during the 1972 NCAA College Division football season. In its seventh season under head coach Joe Salem, the team compiled a 9–1 record (6–1 against NCC opponents), tied for the NCC championship, and outscored opponents by a total of 296 to 144. The team played its home games at Inman Field in Vermillion, South Dakota.

Schedule

Date	Opponent	Site	Result
September 9	Montana		W 35–0
September 16	at Idaho State		W 35–7
September 23	at North Dakota		L 3–33
September 30	Northern Iowa		W 21–7
October 7	Drake		W 28–23
October 14	at Morningside		W 41–6
October 21	South Dakota State		W 42–27
October 28	at Augustana		W 21–14
November 4	North Dakota State		W 35–21
November 11	at Minnesota State		W 35–6