The 1972 Penn Quakers football team represented the University of Pennsylvania as a member of the Ivy League during the 1972 NCAA University Division football season. In their second year under head coach Harry Gamble, the Quakers compiled an overall record of 6–3 with a mark of 4–3 in conference play, tying for third place in the Ivy League. Jim Bumgardner and Joe Italiano were the team captains. Penn played home games at Franklin Field, adjacent to the university's campus in Philadelphia.