The 1972 NAIA Division II football season was the 17th season of
college football sponsored by the
NAIA and the third season of play of the NAIA's lower division for football.
The
Missouri Southern Lions defeated the
Northwestern Red Raiders in the championship game, 21–14, to win their first NAIA national title. As of 2015, this was the earliest championship to feature a team that remains a NAIA member.