2012 West Virginia Mountaineers football team

The 2012 West Virginia Mountaineers football team represented West Virginia University in the 2012 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The season marked the Mountaineers' first season as members of the Big 12 Conference. In addition, the 2012 season was the first for the team since 1942 without a Backyard Brawl matchup against their top rival Pittsburgh due to their exit from the Big East Conference after the 2011 season. The Mountaineers were led by Dana Holgorsen in his second season as head coach. Joe DeForest and Keith Patterson served as co-defensive coordinators in their first season at WVU, while Shannon Dawson was elevated to offensive coordinator after serving as the team's receivers coach in the 2011 season. West Virginia played its home games on Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium in Morgantown, West Virginia.

2012 West Virginia Mountaineers football
Pinstripe Bowl, L 14–38 vs. Syracuse
Conference	Big 12 Conference
Record	7–6 (4–5 Big 12)
Head coach	Dana Holgorsen (2nd season)
Offensive coordinator	Shannon Dawson (1st season)
Offensive scheme	Spread
Defensive coordinator	Joe DeForest (1st season)
Co-defensive coordinator	Keith Patterson (1st season)
Base defense	3–4
Home stadium	Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium
Seasons ← 2011 2013 →

2012 Big 12 Conference football standings

v t e	Conf							Overall
Team		W		L					W		L
No. 12 Kansas State $+		8	–	1					11	–	2
No. 15 Oklahoma +		8	–	1					10	–	3
No. 19 Texas		5	–	4					9	–	4
Oklahoma State		5	–	4					8	–	5
Baylor		4	–	5					8	–	5
TCU		4	–	5					7	–	6
Texas Tech		4	–	5					8	–	5
West Virginia		4	–	5					7	–	6
Iowa State		3	–	6					6	–	7
Kansas		0	–	9					1	–	11
$ – BCS representative as conference champion + – Conference co-champions Rankings from AP Poll

West Virginia, entered the 2012 season ranked 11th in AP Poll and were projected to contend with Oklahoma for the Big 12 in their first season in the conference. The Mountaineers won their first five games of the season, which included a shootout win over #25 Baylor on homecoming, and a high-scoring affair with #11 Texas. The Mountaineers who had risen up to #5 in the AP Poll, went on the road to face the Texas Tech, a game which they fell behind 35–7, and would ultimately lose 49–14. The Texas Tech loss was the start of 5–game losing streak, which saw the Mountaineers fall completely out the AP Poll, and out of Big 12 title contention. The Mountaineers recovered and won their final two games, to finish out the regular season with an 7–5 record, 4–5 in Big 12 play to finish in a four-way tie for fourth place. They were invited to the Pinstripe Bowl where they were defeated by longtime rival Syracuse.

Preseason

2012 recruiting class

College recruiting information (2012)
Name	Hometown	High school / college	Height	Weight	40‡	Commit date
Imarjaye Albury DT	Miami, FL	Northwestern	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	280 lb (130 kg)	–	Mar 10, 2011
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 73
Christian Brown DT	Bridgeton, NJ	Bridgeton Senior	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	290 lb (130 kg)	–	Dec 16, 2011
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 76
Roshard Burney RB	Palm Beach Gardens, FL	Palm Beach Gardens	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)	205 lb (93 kg)	4.5	Nov 28, 2011
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 75
Ford Childress QB	Houston, TX	Kinkaid	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	210 lb (95 kg)	4.8	Apr 19, 2011
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 80
Torry Clayton RB	Homestead, FL	South Dade	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)	190 lb (86 kg)	4.4	Jan 17, 2012
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 76
Travares Copeland ATH	Port St. Lucie, FL	Treasure Coast	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)	175 lb (79 kg)	–	Feb 1, 2012
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 77
K. J. Dillon DB	Apopka, FL	Apopka	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	185 lb (84 kg)	4.6	Dec 11, 2011
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 76
John DePalma LS	Cumming, GA	Pinecrest Academy	6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)	235 lb (107 kg)	–	Mar 3, 2012
	Star ratings: Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: –
Mark Glowinski OT	Scranton, PA	Lackawanna C.C.	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)	290 lb (130 kg)	–	Jan 21, 2012
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: –
Jarrod Harper DB	Frostburg, MD	Mountain Ridge	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	200 lb (91 kg)	4.5	Feb 22, 2011
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 74
Korey Harris DE	Fruit Cove, FL	Bartram Trail	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	230 lb (100 kg)	5.3	Jan 19, 2011
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 76
Garrett Hope LB	The Woodlands, TX	The Woodlands	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	220 lb (100 kg)	4.7	Jan 21, 2012
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 69
Will Johnson TE	Osseo, MN	Osseo	6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)	245 lb (111 kg)	4.8	Dec 15, 2011
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 75
Karl Joseph DB	Orlando, FL	Edgewater	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)	190 lb (86 kg)	–	Dec 15, 2011
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 77
Darreal Joyner WR	Miami, FL	Miami Central	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)	180 lb (82 kg)	4.4	Aug 1, 2011
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 76
Eric Kinsey DE	Miami, FL	Northwestern	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	240 lb (110 kg)	4.7	Feb 2, 2012
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 78
Nana Kyeremeh DB	Worthington, OH	Thomas Worthington	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)	170 lb (77 kg)	4.4	Jan 16, 2012
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 75
Josh Lambert K	Garland, TX	Garland	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)	180 lb (82 kg)	–	Feb 2, 2012
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: –
Sam Lebbie LB	Hyattsville, MD	DeMatha	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	240 lb (110 kg)	4.7	Jul 30, 2011
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 79
Devonte Mathis WR	Miramar, FL	Miramar	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	205 lb (93 kg)	4.6	Nov 15, 2011
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 78
Tony Matteo OL	Akron, OH	Manchester	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)	275 lb (125 kg)	5.3	Jul 30, 2011
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: –
Deontay McManus WR	Baltimore, MD	Dunbar	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	210 lb (95 kg)	4.5	Jun 27, 2011
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 78
Brandon Napoleon ATH	Jersey City, NJ	St. Peter's Prep	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	175 lb (79 kg)	4.5	Jun 18, 2011
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 78
Noble Nwachukwu DE	Wylie, TX	Wylie	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	240 lb (110 kg)	4.7	Jul 30, 2011
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 78
Tyler Orlosky OL	Lakewood, OH	Lakewood St. Edward	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	290 lb (130 kg)	5.1	Jul 30, 2011
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 77
Adam Pankey OL	Hamilton, OH	Hamilton	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)	300 lb (140 kg)	5.1	Feb 1, 2012
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 73
Devonte Robinson WR	Delray Beach, FL	Village Academy	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	175 lb (79 kg)	4.5	Jul 13, 2011
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 78
Rick Rumph DB	Daytona Beach, FL	Mainland	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)	180 lb (82 kg)	–	Jun 15, 2012
	Star ratings: Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: –
Jordan Thompson WR	Katy, TX	Katy	5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)	160 lb (73 kg)	–	Dec 1, 2011
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 75
Sean Walters DB	Hallandale Beach, FL	Hallandale	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	190 lb (86 kg)	–	Dec 11, 2011
	Star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 77
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 26   Rivals: 48
‡ Refers to 40 yard dash Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height, weight and 40 time. In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale. Sources: "West Virginia 2012 Football Commitments". Rivals.com. Retrieved August 2, 2012. "2012 West Virginia Commits". Scout.com. Retrieved August 2, 2012. "2012 Player Commitments – West Virginia". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 2, 2012. "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout.com. Retrieved August 2, 2012. "2012 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved August 2, 2012.

Big 12 media poll

1. Oklahoma (32), 396
2. West Virginia (7), 339
3. Texas 291
4. Oklahoma State, 267
5. TCU (1), 260
6. Kansas State (1), 257
7. Baylor, 162
8. Iowa State, 121
9. Texas Tech, 116
10. Kansas, 46

Awards candidates

Heisman Trophy Tavon Austin Geno Smith Fred Biletnikoff Award Tavon Austin Stedman Bailey Walter Camp Award Tavon Austin Geno Smith Lou Groza Award Tyler Bitancurt

Paul Hornung Award Tavon Austin Lombardi Award Joe Madsen Manning Award Geno Smith Maxwell Award Geno Smith Tavon Austin

Davey O'Brien Award Geno Smith Rimington Trophy Joe Madsen Johnny Unitas Award Geno Smith

Coaching staff

2012 Coaching Staff
	Head coach Dana Holgorsen Offensive coaches Bill Bedenbaugh - Offensive line Shannon Dawson – Offensive coordinator/Receivers Robert Gillespie - Running backs Jake Spavital – Quarterbacks Defensive coaches Joe DeForest - Defensive coordinator/safeties Keith Patterson - Co-defensive coordinator/linebackers Daron Roberts - Cornerbacks Erik Slaughter - Defensive line			Special teams coaches Steve Dunlap - Special teams coordinator Support staff Ryan Dorchester - Recruiting coordinator Alex Hammond - Director of Football Operations Mike Joseph - Strength and Conditioning Coach Dave Kerns - Head Athletic Trainer Dan Nehlen - Equipment Manager Quincy Wilson - Assistant Director of Football Operations

Roster

2012 West Virginia Mountaineers
Quarterbacks 7 Ford Childress – Freshman 11 Travis Maraney – Freshman 14 Paul Millard – Sophomore 16 Logan Moore – Junior 12 Geno Smith – Senior Running backs 20 Shawne Alston – Senior 28 D'Vontis Arnold – Freshman 13 Andrew Buie – Sophomore 32 Ryan Clarke – RS Senior 88 Cody Clay – RS Freshman 29 Dustin Garrison – Sophomore 35 Anthony Gutta – RS Freshman 27 D. J. Hunt – Freshman 33 Nate Majnaric – RS Junior 30 Donovan Miles – RS Senior 36 Chris Smelley – RS Freshman Receivers 83 Connor Arlia – Sophomore 1 Tavon Austin – Senior 3 Stedman Bailey – RS Junior 23 Dustin Brown – RS Sophomore 15 Dante Campbell – RS Freshman 17 Sam Eggleston – Freshman 18 Terrence Gourdine – RS Sophomore 89 Will Johnson – Freshman 82 Devonte Mathis – Freshman 5 Ivan McCartney – Junior 19 K. J. Myers – RS Freshman 80 Ryan Nehlen – RS Senior 85 Devonte Robinson – Freshman 10 Jordan Thompson – Freshman 81 J. D. Woods – RS Senior		Offensive linemen 60 John Bassler – RS Senior 57 Jeff Braun -RS Senior 63 Michael Calicchio – Junior 76 Pat Eger – RS Junior 62 Curtis Feight – RS Junior 64 Mark Glowinski – Junior 73 Russell Haughton-James – RS Freshman 70 Brandon Jackson – RS Freshman 77 Josh Jenkins – RS Senior 79 Nick Kindler – RS Junior 78 Marquis Lucas – RS Freshman 74 Joe Madsen – RS Senior 69 Tony Matteo – Freshman 65 Tyler Orlosky – Freshman 58 Adam Pankey – Freshman 67 Quinton Spain – RS Sophomore Defensive linemen 94 Imarjaye Albury – Freshman 95 Christian Brown – Freshman 98 Will Clarke – RS Junior 92 Trevor Demko – RS Sophomore 17 Dozie Ezemma – RS Junior 70 James Gayeski – RS Freshman 95 Korey Harris – Freshman 42 Garrett Hope – Freshman 45 Eric Kinsey – Freshman 91 J. B. Lageman – RS Senior 97 Noble Nwachukwu – Freshman 93 Kyle Rose – RS Freshman 90 Shaq Rowell – Senior 56 Jewone Snow – RS Sophomore 99 Jorge Wright – RS Senior		Linebackers 53 Tyler Anderson – RS Junior 48 Justin Arndt – Freshman 33 Jared Barber – Sophomore 31 Isaiah Bruce – RS Freshman 40 Austin Copeland – Freshman 4 Josh Francis – Senior 28 Terence Garvin – Senior 49 Troy Gloster – RS Sophomore 35 Nick Kwiatkoski – RS Freshman 36 Shaq Petteway – Sophomore 50 Taige Redman – RS Junior 47 Doug Rigg – Junior 41 Curtis Smelley – RS Freshman 37 Wes Tonkery – RS Sophomore 11 Sean Walters – Freshman Cornerbacks 16 Terrell Chestnut – RS Freshman 3 Vernon Davis – Freshman 23 Brodrick Jenkins – RS Junior 7 Nana Kyeremeh – Freshman 24 Cecil Level – RS Senior 12 Mikal Mayo – RS Freshman 6 Pat Miller – Junior 20 Brandon Napoleon – Freshman 15 Ricky Rumph – Freshman 14 Nana Twum Agyire – RS Freshman 19 Anthony Vecchio – RS Sophomore 22 Avery Williams – Sophomore		Safeties 34 Ishmael Banks – RS Sophomore 26 Travis Bell – Junior 39 Nick Cadwell – RS Senior 25 Darwin Cook – RS Junior 9 K. J. Dillon – Freshman 32 Mike Hall – Freshman 43 Jarrod Harper – Freshman 8 Karl Joseph – Freshman 27 William Marable – RS Junior 46 Matt Moro – Senior 18 Ishmail Showell – RS Freshman Specialists 40 Tyler Bitancurt – RS Senior (K) 69 Jerry Cooper – RS Sophomore (LS) 87 John DePalma – Freshman (LS) 38 Josh Lambert – Freshman (K/P) 46 Michael Molinari – RS Sophomore (K) 44 Corey Smith – RS Senior (K/P) Key – Currently Injured – Current redshirt I* – Ineligible Official Team Roster

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent	Rank	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
September 1	Noon	Marshall*	No. 11	Mountaineer Field Morgantown, WV (Friends of Coal Bowl)	FX	W 69–34	59,120[1]
September 15	4:30 p.m.	vs. No. 4 (FCS) James Madison*	No. 9	FedExField Landover, MD	ROOT	W 42–12	45,511[2]
September 22	Noon	Maryland*	No. 8	Mountaineer Field Morgantown, WV (rivalry)	FX	W 31–21	58,504[3]
September 29	Noon	No. 25 Baylor	No. 9	Mountaineer Field Morgantown, WV (Stripe the Stadium)	FX	W 70–63	60,012[4]
October 6	7:00 p.m.	at No. 11 Texas	No. 8	Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium Austin, TX	FOX	W 48–45	101,851[5]
October 13	3:30 p.m.	at Texas Tech	No. 5	Jones AT&T Stadium Lubbock, TX	ABC	L 14–49	57,328[6]
October 20	7:00 p.m.	No. 4 Kansas State	No. 13	Mountaineer Field Morgantown, WV	FOX	L 14–55	60,101[7]
November 3	3:00 p.m.	TCU	No. 21	Mountaineer Field Morgantown, WV	FOX	L 38–39 2OT	52,322[8]
November 10	3:30 p.m.	at Oklahoma State		Boone Pickens Stadium Stillwater, OK	ABC	L 34–55	57,799[9]
November 17	7:00 p.m.	No. 12 Oklahoma		Mountaineer Field Morgantown, WV (Gold Rush)	FOX	L 49–50	50,238[10]
November 23	3:30 p.m.	at Iowa State		Jack Trice Stadium Ames, IA	ABC	W 31–24	53,792[11]
December 1	2:30 p.m.	Kansas		Mountaineer Field Morgantown, WV	FSN	W 59–10	51,112[12]
December 29	3:15 p.m.	vs. Syracuse*		Yankee Stadium Bronx, NY (Pinstripe Bowl, rivalry)	ESPN	L 14–38	39,098
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from AP Poll and BCS Standings after October 14 released prior to game All times are in Eastern time

Game summaries

Marshall

See also: 2012 Marshall Thundering Herd football team

	1	2	3	4	Total
Thundering Herd	0	10	10	14	34
#11 Mountaineers	13	21	21	14	69

James Madison

See also: 2012 James Madison Dukes football team

	1	2	3	4	Total
#4 (FCS) Dukes	0	3	2	7	12
#9 Mountaineers	21	7	7	7	42

Maryland

See also: 2012 Maryland Terrapins football team and Maryland–West Virginia football rivalry

	1	2	3	4	Total
Terrapins	7	7	0	7	21
#8 Mountaineers	14	10	0	7	31

#25 Baylor

See also: 2012 Baylor Bears football team

	1	2	3	4	Total
#25 Bears	14	21	7	21	63
#9 Mountaineers	14	21	21	14	70

#11 Texas

See also: 2012 Texas Longhorns football team

	1	2	3	4	Total
#8 Mountaineers	14	13	7	14	48
#11 Longhorns	7	21	10	7	45

Texas Tech

See also: 2012 Texas Tech Red Raiders football team

	1	2	3	4	Total
#5 Mountaineers	7	0	0	7	14
Red Raiders	14	21	7	7	49

#4 Kansas State

See also: 2012 Kansas State Wildcats football team

	1	2	3	4	Total
#4 Wildcats	10	21	21	3	55
#17 Mountaineers	0	7	0	7	14

TCU

See also: 2012 TCU Horned Frogs football team

	1	2	3	4	OT	2OT	Total
Horned Frogs	7	7	7	10	0	8	39
#23 Mountaineers	0	21	3	7	0	7	38

Oklahoma State

See also: 2012 Oklahoma State Cowboys football team

	1	2	3	4	Total
Mountaineers	7	10	17	0	34
Cowboys	21	10	10	14	55

#13 Oklahoma

See also: 2012 Oklahoma Sooners football team

	1	2	3	4	Total
#13 Sooners	10	21	7	12	50
Mountaineers	3	14	13	19	49

Iowa State

See also: 2012 Iowa State Cyclones football team

	1	2	3	4	Total
Mountaineers	3	14	3	11	31
Cyclones	0	14	7	3	24

Kansas

See also: 2012 Kansas Jayhawks football team

	1	2	3	4	Total
Jayhawks	0	7	0	3	10
Mountaineers	14	21	17	7	59

Syracuse–Pinstripe Bowl

See also: 2012 Syracuse Orange football team, 2012 Pinstripe Bowl, and Syracuse–West Virginia football rivalry

	1	2	3	4	Total
Mountaineers	0	7	7	0	14
Orange	3	9	23	3	38

Rankings

See also: 2012 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings

Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes

	Week
Poll	Pre	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	Final
AP	11	9	9	8	9	8	5	17	25	23	—	—	—	—	RV	—
Coaches	11	8	8	7	7	7	4	15	22	19	RV	—	—	—	—	—
Harris	Not released						4	15	22	20	RV	—	—	—	RV	Not released
BCS	Not released							13	19	21	—	—	—	—	—	Not released

References

1. "Marshall Thundering Herd vs. West Virginia Mountaineers - Box Score - September 01, 2012". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 1, 2012.
2. "James Madison Dukes vs. West Virginia Mountaineers - Box Score - September 15, 2012". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 15, 2012.
3. "Maryland Terrapins vs. West Virginia Mountaineers - Box Score - September 22, 2012". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 22, 2012.
4. "Baylor Bears vs. West Virginia Mountaineers - Box Score - September 29, 2012". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 29, 2012.
5. "West Virginia Mountaineers vs. Texas Longhorns - Box Score - October 6, 2012". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 7, 2012.
6. "West Virginia Mountaineers vs. Texas Tech Raiders - Box Score - October 13, 2012 - ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 13, 2012.
7. "Kansas State Wildcats vs. West Virginia Mountaineers - Box Score - October 20, 2012 - ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 21, 2012.
8. "TCU Horned Frogs vs. West Virginia Mountaineers - Box Score - November 03, 2012 - ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved November 4, 2012.
9. "West Virginia Mountaineers vs. Oklahoma State Cowboys - Box Score - November 10, 2012 - ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved November 11, 2012.
10. "Oklahoma Sooners vs. West Virginia Mountaineers - Box Score - November 17, 2012 - ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved November 17, 2012.
11. "West Virginia Mountaineers vs. Iowa State Cyclones - Box Score - November 23, 2012 - ESPN". ESPN.com. November 23, 2012.
12. "Kansas Jayhawks vs. West Virginia Mountaineers - Box Score - December 1, 2012 - ESPN". ESPN.com. December 1, 2012.