The 1972 football team at East Texas State won the program's first ever National Championship on its home field, defeating No. 2 Carson-Newman College of Tennessee 21-18 on December 9, 1972 in the NAIA Division I National Championship Bowl. Prior to the championship game, the Lions routed No. 1 Central Oklahoma 54-0. Before the season, the Lions were picked to finish no higher than third in the Lone Star Conference, but won the LSC title. Led by Lion and LSC Hall of Fame coach Ernest Hawkins, the Lions finished with a record of 10-2, winning their final four games of the year. The team finished with a conference record of 7-1, winning the program's 18th Lone Star Conference championship.
After losing the season opener 14-12 to Abilene Christian, the Lions started a six-game winning streak the next week by crushing East Central 37-14. After impressive victories over Sam Houston, Howard Payne, Texas A&I and Stephen F. Austin, the winning streak reached its peak with a 32-29 Homecoming victory over Southwest Texas before a crowd of over 10,000 East Texas exes, students and other spectators. But the Lions took a tumble the next week when Sul Ross upset East Texas by a score of 15-14. The LSC championship was decided when East Texas beat Angelo State 24-14 and a 27-6 victory over Tarleton State moved East Texas into the NAIA playoffs.
In the playoffs, East Texas met Central State Oklahoma, which had been ranked number one in the final NAIA football poll, while East Texas had been ranked sixth. The Lions showed what rankings meant by manhandling the Bronchos 54-0. The Lion “Blue Gang” defense caused six fumbles and held the Bronchos to just one pass completion. The Lion then went into the NAIA National Championship Bowl against Carson-Newman. Playing in East Texas’ Memorial Stadium, the Lions beat Carson-Newman 21-18.
Hawkins was named the LSC Coach of the Year and went on to be named National Coach of the Year. Defensive end Harvey Martin, tailback Kenneth Parks, offensive lineman Curtis Wester, safety Autry Beamon, offensive lineman Denver Crawley, safety Ricky Earle, and tight end Dudley Slice all were named All-Americans, with Martin, Parks and Wester earning First Team All-America honors. Parks was named LSC Offensive Back of the Year after rushing for 1,713 yards and 15 touchdowns. Wester was named Outstanding Lineman of the Year. 10 players were named First Team All-LSC with two Second Team All-Conference selections and five Honorable Mention All-LSC honors.
Following the Lions' 1972 National Championship in tennis and this 1972 football National Championship team, ETSU became the first NAIA school in history to win two national championships in the same calendar year.
