2012 Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks football team

The 2012 Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks football team represented Stephen F. Austin State University in the 2012 NCAA Division I FCS football season. The Lumberjacks were led by sixth-year head coach J. C. Harper and played their home games at Homer Bryce Stadium. They were a member of the Southland Conference. They finished the season 5–6, 4–3 in Southland play to finish in a tie for fourth place.

2012 Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks football
Conference	Southland Conference
Record	5–6 (4–3 Southland)
Head coach	J. C. Harper (6th season)
Offensive coordinator	Richard Olin (1st season)
Defensive coordinator	David Gibbs (5th season)
Home stadium	Homer Bryce Stadium
Seasons ← 2011 2013 →

2012 Southland Conference football standings

v t e	Conf							Overall
Team		W		L					W		L
No. 10 Central Arkansas +^		6	–	1					9	–	3
No. 2 Sam Houston State +^		6	–	1					11	–	4
Southeastern Louisiana		5	–	2					5	–	6
McNeese State		4	–	3					7	–	4
Stephen F. Austin		4	–	3					5	–	6
Northwestern State		2	–	5					4	–	7
Lamar		1	–	6					4	–	8
Nicholls State		0	–	7					1	–	10
+ – Conference co-champions ^ – FCS playoff participant Rankings from The Sports Network poll

Before the season

CFPA nominees

Senior wide outs Gralyn Crawford and Cordell Roberson were both named to the 2012 College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) watch list.^[1] Senior quarterback Brady Attaway was also named to the watch list.^[2]

2012 recruits

US college sports recruiting information for 2012 recruits
Name	Hometown	High school / college	Height	Weight	Commit date
Marshall Williams QB	Flower Mound, TX	Flower Mound	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)	195 lb (88 kg)
	Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Avery Henderson S	Tyler, TX	Chapel Hill	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)	190 lb (86 kg)
	Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Anthony Kincade CB	Tyler, TX	Chapel Hill	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)	160 lb (73 kg)
	Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Hunter Taylor QB	Whitehouse, TX	Whitehouse	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	180 lb (82 kg)
	Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Artrez Price DE	Killeen, TX	Killeen	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	225 lb (102 kg)
	Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Sam Schomp OL	Lindale, TX	Lindale	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	295 lb (134 kg)
	Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Demundre Freeman CB	Cedar Hill, TX	Cedar Hill	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)	175 lb (79 kg)
	Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
J. C. Franklin S	Cedar Hill, TX	Cedar Hill	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)	260 lb (120 kg)
	Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Travis Wiggins OL	Grand Prairie, TX	South Grand Prairie	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	280 lb (130 kg)
	Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Jordan Burton LB	Longview, TX	Longview	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	200 lb (91 kg)
	Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Byron Williams OL	Dickinson, TX	Dickinson	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	285 lb (129 kg)
	Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Corey Clark DT	Lufkin, TX	Lufkin	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	250 lb (110 kg)
	Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Jamarcus Walker RB	Lufkin, TX	Lufkin	5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)	170 lb (77 kg)
	Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
De'Vante Lacy WR	Grand Prairie, TX	Grand Prairie	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)	180 lb (82 kg)
	Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Lamarcus Brown WR	Henderson, TX	Henderson	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)	170 lb (77 kg)
	Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Trevor Holmes LB	Newton, TX	Newton	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	215 lb (98 kg)
	Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Patrick Martin CB	Spring, TX	Dekaney	6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)	170 lb (77 kg)
	Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Garrett Muehlstein ATH	Decatur, TX	Decatur	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	215 lb (98 kg)
	Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Kedrick Harrison DE	Coldspring, TX	Coldspring-Oakhurst	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	220 lb (100 kg)
	Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Nick Bruno PK/ P	Garland, TX	Rowlett	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)	185 lb (84 kg)
	Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Terran Vaughn OL	Beaumont, TX	Ozen	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	290 lb (130 kg)
	Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: Not Ranked   Rivals: Not Ranked  ESPN: Not Ranked
Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight. In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale. Sources: "2012 Player Commitments - Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks". ESPN.com. "2012 Team Ranking". Rivals.com.

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent	Rank	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
August 31	6:00 pm	Southwestern Oklahoma State*	No. 20	Homer Bryce Stadium Nacogdoches, TX	Lumberjack TV	W 49–14	1,149
September 8	2:30 pm	at SMU*	No. 19	Gerald J. Ford Stadium University Park, TX	TWC Texas	L 0–52	20,122
September 15	2:30 pm	at No. 3 Montana State*	No. 23	Bobcat Stadium Bozeman, MT	KCEB	L 35–43	17,147
September 22	6:00 pm	at Texas State*		Bobcat Stadium San Marcos, TX		L 37–41	17,188
September 29	6:00 pm	No. 16 Central Arkansas		Homer Bryce Stadium Nacogdoches, TX	Lumberjack TV	W 42–37	7,324
October 6	3:00 pm	vs. No. 9 Sam Houston State		Reliant Stadium Houston, TX (Battle of the Piney Woods)	SLC TV	L 43–51	26,185
October 20	3:00 pm	Nicholls State		Homer Bryce Stadium Nacogdoches, TX	SLC TV	W 44–10	12,310
October 27	7:00 pm	at McNeese State		Cowboy Stadium Lake Charles, LA	SLC TV	L 24–35	12,213
November 3	6:00 pm	Lamar		Homer Bryce Stadium Nacogdoches, TX	Lumberjack TV	W 40–26	4,421
November 10	7:00 pm	at Southeastern Louisiana		Strawberry Stadium Hammond, LA	Southeastern Channel	L 27–42	4,183
November 17	6:00 pm	Northwestern State		Homer Bryce Stadium Nacogdoches, TX (Chief Caddo)		W 34–17	8,341
*Non-conference game Rankings from The Sports Network Poll released prior to the game All times are in Central time

^[3]

Game summaries

Southwestern Oklahoma State

Southwestern Oklahoma State at #20 Stephen F. Austin

1 2 3 4 Total Bulldogs 0 0 0 14 14 • Lumberjacks 14 14 14 7 49 Date: August 31 Location: Homer Bryce Stadium Nacogdoches, TX Game start: 6:00 CST Elapsed time: 3:08 Game attendance: 1,149 Game weather: 90 °F (32 °C), Cloudy and Muggy, Winds SSE 8-12mph Referee: Buddy Gingras TV announcers (Lumberjack TV): Rob Meyers and Max Holmes Sources:[4]

See also: 2012 Southwestern Oklahoma Bulldogs football team

The Lumberjacks open the season with their lone non-conference home game against the Division II Bulldogs. This will be the first ever meeting between Stephen F. Austin and Southwestern Oklahoma State.

---

SMU

See also: 2012 SMU Mustangs football team

The Mustangs and Lumberjacks meet each other for the second time in school history. In the previous match, in 2009, SMU managed to sneak away with a 31–23 win.^[5]

#19 Stephen F. Austin at SMU

1 2 3 4 Total Lumberjacks 0 0 0 0 0 • Mustangs 0 21 14 17 52 Date: September 8 Location: Gerald J. Ford Stadium University Park, TX Game start: 7:05 PM CST Elapsed time: 3:30 Game attendance: 20,122 Game weather: 84 °F (29 °C), Clear, winds NE at 10mph Referee: Steve Barth TV announcers (TWC Texas): John Nelson, Pete Stein, and Dave Michaels Sources:

---

Montana State

See also: 2012 Montana State Bobcats football team

The only FCS tuneup before SLC play starts takes place between Montana State and the Lumberjacks. The 2012 meeting will be the fifth meeting between the two squads with Montana State holding a 3–1 advantage.^[6]

#23 Stephen F. Austin at #3 Montana State

1 2 3 4 Total Lumberjacks 10 10 3 12 35 • Bobcats 14 7 7 15 43 Date: September 15 Location: Bobcat Stadium Bozeman, MT Game start: 2:37 PM CST Elapsed time: 3:36 Game attendance: 17,147 Game weather: 74 °F (23 °C), Sunny and very smokey, winds WNW at 0-15mph Referee: Jim Crowley TV announcers (KCEB): Chris Byers, Mike Callaghan, and Jeff Ebrie Sources:

---

Texas State

See also: 2012 Texas State Bobcats football team

The team that has typically handled the Lumberjacks the easiest is the Bobcats. Stephen F. Austin enters the 2012 contest with a 29-56-1 record against Texas State. The Bobcats have won 5 contests in a row and 7 of the last 8 against the Lumberjacks.^[7]

Stephen F. Austin at Texas State

1 2 3 4 Total Lumberjacks 10 7 14 6 37 • Bobcats 17 10 14 0 41 Date: September 22 Location: Bobcat Stadium San Marcos, TX Game start: 6:00 PM CST Game attendance: 17,188 Game weather: 87 °F (31 °C), Sunny, winds ESE at 6mph Referee: Jim Farmer TV announcers (Txstatebobcats.com): Brent Freeman and Bill Culhane Sources:

---

Central Arkansas

See also: 2012 Central Arkansas Bears football team

The Bears and Lumberjacks open SLC play for the sixth consecutive year with the Bears holding a slim 4–2 advantage over the Lumberjacks. After losing in 2011, the Lumberjacks attempted to win their third game in 4 years against the Bears.^[8]

Central Arkansas at Stephen F. Austin

1 2 3 4 Total Bears 21 0 7 9 37 • Lumberjacks 15 20 0 7 42 Date: September 29 Location: Homer Bryce Stadium Nacogdoches, TX Game start: 6:00 PM CST Elapsed time: 3:42 Game attendance: 7,324 Game weather: 73 °F (23 °C), Raining Referee: Randy Christal TV announcers (Lumberjack TV): Rob Meyers and Max Holmes Sources:

---

Sam Houston State

See also: 2012 Sam Houston State Bearkats football team

The Battle of the Piney Woods returns to Reliant Stadium for a third consecutive season. The Lumberjacks will try to end a 1-game losing streak against the Bearkats and cut into the deficit record they have against the Bearkats of 35-49-2.^[9]

#9 Sam Houston State vs. Stephen F. Austin

1 2 3 4 Total • Bearkats 3 20 21 7 51 Lumberjacks 7 7 14 15 43 Date: October 6 Location: Reliant Stadium Houston, TX Game start: 3:00 PM CST Elapsed time: 3:44 Game attendance: 26,185 Game weather: Indoors Referee: Tom Walker TV announcers (SLC TV): Randy McIlvoy, Shea Walker, and Brooke Bentley Sources:

---

Nicholls State

See also: 2012 Nicholls State Colonels football team

The Lumberjacks have had their most success in the SLC against the Colonels. The 29th meeting finds the Lumberjacks 21–7 against the Colonels, having won 4 straight and 6 of the past 7. That lone set back was by 1 point in 2007 (17-16).^[10]

Nicholls State at Stephen F. Austin

1 2 3 4 Total Colonels 0 0 3 7 10 • Lumberjacks 10 21 3 10 44 Date: October 20 Location: Homer Bryce Stadium Nacogdoches, TX Game start: 3:00 PM CST Elapsed time: 3:22 Game attendance: 12,310 Game weather: 82 °F (28 °C), Clear & Sunny, Winds S at 9-12mph Referee: Ross Smith TV announcers (SLC TV): Randy McIlvoy, Shea Walker, and Brooke Bentley Sources:

---

McNeese State

See also: 2012 McNeese State Cowboys football team

This 2012 contest returns to Lake Charles where the Lumberjacks are 7–7 against the Cowboys. Overall this will be the 32nd meeting between the two schools. The Cowboys lead the overall series 16-13-2, but the Lumberjacks have won the past 3 meetings.^[11]

Stephen F. Austin at McNeese State

1 2 Total Lumberjacks 0 Cowboys 0 Date: October 27 Location: Cowboy Stadium Lake Charles, LA TV announcers (SLC TV): Lyn Rollins, Rene Nadeau, and Erin Cofiell Sources:

---

Lamar

See also: 2012 Lamar Cardinals football team

The Lumberjacks have won four consecutive against the Cardinals and five of the last six meetings, but overall they trail the series 10-18-2.^[12]

Lamar at Stephen F. Austin

1 2 Total Cardinals 0 Lumberjacks 0 Date: November 3 Location: Homer Bryce Stadium Nacogdoches, TX Sources:

---

Southeastern Louisiana

See also: 2012 Southeastern Louisiana Lions football team

The Lumberjacks final road game finds them trying to build on their recent dominance of the Lions. The Lumberjacks have won four in a row in the series and five of the past six. Overall, the Lumberjacks lead the series 9-5-1.^[13]

Stephen F. Austin at Southeastern Louisiana

1 2 Total Lumberjacks 0 Lions 0 Date: November 10 Location: Strawberry Stadium Hammond, LA Sources:

---

Northwestern State

See also: 2012 Northwestern State Demons football team

The Lumberjacks end the regular season at home as they try for their fourth consecutive win over the Demons in the annual Battle for Chief Caddo. Overall, the Demons lead the series against the Lumberjacks 42-23-3.^[14]

Northwestern State at Stephen F. Austin

1 2 Total Demons 0 Lumberjacks 0 Date: November 17 Location: Homer Bryce Stadium Nacogdoches, TX Sources:

Roster

2012 Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks football team roster
Players			Coaches
Offense Pos. # Name Class C 69 Garrick Smitherman Fr QB, WR 20 Garrett Muehlstein Fr QB 8 Brady Attaway Jr QB 10 Joe Minden  Fr QB 5 Colt Plaster  So QB 18 Hunter Taylor Fr RB 11 Jeremy Barnes Sr RB 12 Fred Ford So RB 6 Gus Johnson So RB 22 Keith Lawson Jr RB 25 Jamarcus Walker Fr WR 83 Braxton Bearden Fr WR 1 Tyler Boyd So WR 2 Mike Brooks Jr WR 87 Lamarcus Brown Fr WR 82 Dominique Carroll So WR 17 Gralyn Crawford Sr WR 86 Steven Cunnigan So WR 19 Anthony Foster  Jr WR 84 Ryan Gambel Sr WR 85 Calib Hadnot So WR 88 De'Vante Lacy Fr WR 3 Kris Lott Jr WR 4 Marquis Mosley So WR 80 Cordell Roberson Sr WR 81 Aaron Thomas Fr	Defense Pos. # Name Class	Special teams Pos. # Name Class DS 59 Bryan West Jr K 42 Jordan Wiggs So K, P 45 Nick Bruno Fr	Head coach J. C. Harper (Clemson) Coordinators/assistant coaches David Gibbs (Stephen F. Austin) Defensive coordinator/safeties Arlington Nunn (Clemson) Asst. Head coach/cornerbacks Richard Olin (Northern Iowa) Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks Kevin Carberry (Ohio) Defensive ends Troy Rogers (Stephen F. Austin) Outside Receivers Jeremy Moses (Stephen F. Austin) Inside Receivers Nathan Schneider (LSU) Running backs/Director of Football Operations Devin Ducote (Stephen F. Austin) Linebackers Dan Eason (Missouri State) Strength & Conditioning Jake Morrison (McNeese State) Defensive tackles Chris Truax (LSU) Recruiting coordinator/offensive line C. J. Bolton (Stephen F. Austin) Student Manager Jose Castaneda (Stephen F. Austin) Student Manager Forrest Cox (Stephen F. Austin) Student Manager Dale Griffith (Stephen F. Austin) Student Manager Jacob Jeffries (Stephen F. Austin) Student Manager Sandy Miller (Nebraska) Head Athletic Trainer Matt O'Brien (Stephen F. Austin) Student Manager [15] Legend (C) Team captain (S) Suspended (I) Ineligible Injured Redshirt Roster

Ranking movements

Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
RV = Received votes

	Week
Poll	Pre	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	Final
Sports Network	20	19	23			RV
Coaches	24	22

References

1. "SFA duo lands on watch list". Daily Sentinel. Retrieved May 15, 2012.
2. "Attaway Named to Preseason Watch List". sfajacks.cstv.com. Retrieved May 2, 2012.
3. "Stephen F. Austin sets Challenging 2012 football schedule". WKYC. Retrieved December 20, 2011.
4. "Southwestern Oklahoma State Bulldogs vs. Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks". CBS Interactive. Retrieved August 31, 2012.
5. "Stephen F. Austin vs. SMU All-time results". College Football reference. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved May 9, 2012.
6. "Stephen F. Austin vs. Montana State All-time results". College Football reference. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved May 9, 2012.
7. "Stephen F. Austin vs. Texas State All-time results". College Football reference. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved May 9, 2012.
8. "Stephen F. Austin vs. Central Arkansas All-time results". College Football reference. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved May 9, 2012.
9. "Stephen F. Austin vs. Sam Houston State All-time results". College Football reference. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved May 9, 2012.
10. "Stephen F. Austin vs. Nicholls State All-time results". College Football reference. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved May 9, 2012.
11. "Stephen F. Austin vs. McNeese State All-time results". College Football reference. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved May 9, 2012.
12. "Stephen F. Austin vs. Lamar All-time results". College Football reference. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved May 9, 2012.
13. "Stephen F. Austin vs. Southeastern Louisiana All-time results". College Football reference. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved May 9, 2012.
14. "Stephen F. Austin vs. Northwestern State All-time results". College Football reference. Archived from the original on April 14, 2016. Retrieved May 9, 2012.
15. "Stephen F. Austin Men's Football Staff". sfajacks.cstv.com.