2012 Sun Belt Conference football season

Sports season

2012 Sun Belt Conference football season

League| NCAA Division I FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision)
Sport| football
Duration| August 30, 2012 - January 6, 2013
Number of teams| 10
TV partner(s)| ESPN, CSS/CST
2013 NFL Draft
Top draft pick| S Johnathan Cyprien, FIU
Picked by| Jacksonville Jaguars, 33rd overall
Regular season
Season champions| Arkansas State
Runners-up| Louisiana-Lafayette, Louisiana-Monroe, Middle Tennessee State
Football seasons

← 2011

2013 →

2012 Sun Belt Conference football standings

* v
* t
* e

| Conf. |  |  | Overall

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Team |   | W |   | L |   |  |  |   | W |   | L |
Arkansas State $  |   | 7  | – | 1  |   |  |  |   | 10  | – | 3  |
Louisiana–Monroe |   | 6  | – | 2  |   |  |  |   | 8  | – | 5  |
Middle Tennessee |   | 6  | – | 2  |   |  |  |   | 8  | – | 4  |
Louisiana–Lafayette *  |   | 4  | – | 2  |   |  |  |   | 5  | – | 4  |
Western Kentucky |   | 4  | – | 4  |   |  |  |   | 7  | – | 6  |
Troy |   | 3  | – | 5  |   |  |  |   | 5  | – | 7  |
North Texas |   | 3  | – | 5  |   |  |  |   | 4  | – | 8  |
Florida Atlantic |   | 2  | – | 6  |   |  |  |   | 3  | – | 9  |
FIU |   | 2  | – | 6  |   |  |  |   | 3  | – | 9  |
South Alabama **  |   | 1  | – | 7  |   |  |  |   | 2  | – | 11  |

* $ – Conference champion
* * – Louisiana–Lafayette vacated 4 wins due to NCAA violations.
** – South Alabama was ineligible for the conference title or a bowl game as part of their transition to the FBS.

The 2012 Sun Belt Conference football season was the 12th season of college football play for the Sun Belt Conference. The season began August 30, 2012 and concluded January 6, 2013 as part of the 2012-13 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Ten teams participated in the competition: Arkansas State, Florida Atlantic, Florida International, Louisiana–Lafayette, Louisiana–Monroe, Middle Tennessee State, North Texas, South Alabama, Troy and Western Kentucky.

South Alabama competed in the Sun Belt for the first time and became the conference's tenth team. Due to NCAA transitional rules, South Alabama was not eligible for a conference championship or postseason play.

## Preseason

[edit]

### Award watch lists

[edit]

The following Sun Belt players were named to preseason award watch lists:

| Walter Camp Award[1]

Player  | Team
Ryan Aplin  | Arkansas State

| Doak Walker Award[2]

Player  | Team
Kedrick Rhodes  | Florida International
Benny Cunningham  | Middle Tennessee
Shawn Southward  | Troy

| John Mackey Award[3]

Player  | Team
Jack Doyle  | Western Kentucky

| Manning Award[4]

Player  | Team
Ryan Aplin  | Arkansas State
Blaine Gautier  | Louisiana–Lafayette

| Bronko Nagurski Trophy[5]

Player  | Team
Andrew Jackson  | Western Kentucky

| Outland Trophy[6]

Player  | Team
Caylin Hauptmann | Florida International

| Lombardi Award

Player  | Team
Adam Smith  | Western Kentucky
Andrew Jackson  | Western Kentucky
Winston Fraser  | Florida International

| Rimington Trophy[7]

Player  | Team
Andre Huval  | Louisiana–Lafayette

| Davey O'Brien Award[8]

Player  | Team
Ryan Aplin  | Arkansas State

| Jim Thorpe Award[9]

Player  | Team
Brynden Trawick  | Troy
Jonathan Cyprien  | Florida International

| Ray Guy Award[10]

Player  | Team
Will Atterberry  | North Texas

| Lou Groza Award[11]

Player  | Team
Brett Baer  | Louisiana–Lafayette
Jake Griffin  | Florida International

### Sun Belt Media Day

[edit]

The Sun Belt media day was held on 16 July, in New Orleans, Louisiana. Florida International received five first place votes and were selected by the coaches as the favorites to win the conference.[12] Arkansas State and Louisiana-Lafayette each received two first place votes, while Western Kentucky received one.

#### Coaches Poll

[edit]

Position | Team | Votes | First-place votes

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1  | Florida International | 92  | 5
2  | Arkansas State | 85  | 2
3  | Louisiana–Lafayette | 81  | 2
4  | Western Kentucky | 70  | 1
5  | Troy | 60  |
6  | Louisiana–Monroe | 47  |
7  | Middle Tennessee | 42  |
8  | North Texas | 36  |
9  | Florida Atlantic | 23  |
10  | South Alabama | 14  |

#### Preseason All–Conference Team

[edit]

The head coaches of the competing teams selected their All–Conference Team.[13] The coaches also selected Ryan Aplin of Arkansas State as the preseason offensive player of the year, and Tourek Williams of Florida International as the preseason defensive player of the year.

Offense
| Position  | Name  | Team

|
|

QB  | Ryan Aplin  | Arkansas State
RB  | Kedrick Rhodes  | Florida International
RB  | Alonzo Harris  | Louisiana–Lafayette
WR  | Josh Jarboe  | Arkansas State
WR  | Javone Lawson  | Louisiana–Lafayette
WR  | Eric Thomas  | Troy
TE  | Jack Doyle  | Western Kentucky
OL  | Zack McKnight  | Arkansas State
OL  | Rupert Bryan  | Florida International
OL  | Caylin Hauptmann  | Florida International
OL  | Leonardo Bates  | Louisiana–Lafayette
OL  | Cyril Lemon  | North Texas

Defense
| Position  | Name  | Team

|
|

DL  | Isame Faciane | Florida International
DL  | Tourek Williams  | Florida International
DL  | Tony Davis  | Troy
DL  | Quanterus Smith | Western Kentucky
LB  | Andrew Jackson  | Western Kentucky
LB  | Winston Fraser  | Florida International
LB  | Kanorris Davis  | Troy
DB  | Brynden Trawick  | Troy
DB  | Jonathan Cyprien  | Florida International
DB  | Don Jones  | Arkansas State
DB  | Melvin White  | Louisiana–Lafayette

Specialists
| Position  | Name  | Team

|
|

PK  | Brett Baer  | Louisiana–Lafayette
P  | Will Atterberry  | North Texas
RS  | John Evans  | Western Kentucky

## Coaches

[edit]

NOTE: Stats shown are before the beginning of the season

Team  | Head coach  | Years at school  | Overall record  | Record at school  | Sun Belt record

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Arkansas State  | Gus Malzahn | 1  | 0–0  | 0–0  | 0–0
Florida Atlantic  | Carl Pelini | 1  | 0–0  | 0–0  | 0–0
Florida International  | Mario Cristobal | 6  | 24–38  | 24–38  | 18–20
Louisiana–Lafayette  | Mark Hudspeth | 2  | 75–25  | 9–4  | 6–2
Louisiana–Monroe  | Todd Berry | 3  | 38–74  | 9–15  | 7–9
Middle Tennessee  | Rick Stockstill | 7  | 35–40  | 35–40  | 26–19
North Texas  | Dan McCarney | 2  | 61–92  | 5–7  | 4–4
South Alabama  | Joey Jones | 4  | 26–11  | 23–4  | 0–0
Troy  | Larry Blakeney | 24  | 163–92–1  | 163–92–1  | 42–17
Western Kentucky  | Willie Taggart | 3  | 9–15  | 9–15  | 9–7

## Sun Belt vs. BCS AQ Conference matchups

[edit]

Date | Visitor | Home | Notes

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September 1  | Arkansas State 34  | #5 Oregon 57  |
September 1  | North Texas 14  | #3 LSU 41  |
September 1  | Florida International 26  | Duke 46  |
September 8^  | #8 Arkansas 31  | Louisiana–Monroe 34  | Played in Little Rock, AR. First SBC win over Top 10 team in history
September 8  | Western Kentucky 0  | #1 Alabama 35  |
September 15  | Arkansas State 13  | Nebraska 42  |
September 15  | Louisiana–Lafayette 24  | Oklahoma State 65  |
September 15  | Louisiana–Monroe 28  | Auburn 31  |
September 15  | South Alabama 7  | NC State 31  |
September 15  | Mississippi State 30  | Troy 24  |
September 15  | North Texas 21  | Kansas State 35  |
September 15  | Western Kentucky 32  | Kentucky 31  | WKU's first win over SEC competition
September 15  | Florida Atlantic 20  | Georgia 56  |
September 21  | Baylor 47  | Louisiana–Monroe 42  |
September 22  | Florida Atlantic 7  | Alabama 40  |
September 22  | Louisville 28  | Florida International 21  |
September 22  | South Alabama 10  | Mississippi State 30  |
September 29  | Middle Tennessee 49  | Georgia Tech 28  |
October 20  | Middle Tennessee 3  | #15 Mississippi State 45  |
November 3  | Troy 48  | Tennessee 55  |
November 10  | Louisiana-Lafayette 20  | #7 Florida 27  |
^Denotes neutral site game

## Regular season

[edit]

Index to colors and formatting

Sun Belt member won
Sun Belt member lost
Sun Belt teams in bold

The Sun Belt has teams in two different time zones. Times reflect start time in respective time zone of each team (all teams central time except for Florida Atlantic and Florida International which are in eastern time). Conference games start times are that of the home team.

Rankings reflect that of the USA Today Coaches poll for that week, until week eight when the BCS poll was used.

### Week 1

[edit]

Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance

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August 30 | 6:30 p.m. | McNeese St | Middle Tennessee | Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium • Murfreesboro, TN | ESPN3 | L 21-27 | 18,690
August 31 | 8:00 p.m. | Wagner | Florida Atlantic | FAU Stadium • Boca Raton, FL | ESPN3 | W 7-3 | 14,510
September 1 | 11:00 a.m. | Troy | UAB | Legion Field • Birmingham, AL | Fox College Sports | W 39-29 | 28,612
September 1 | 1:00 p.m. | UTSA | South Alabama | Ladd-Peebles Stadium • Mobile, AL | ESPN3 | L 31-33 | 17,144
September 1 | 6:00 p.m. | North Texas | #3 LSU | Tiger Stadium • Baton Rouge, LA | ESPNU | L 14-41 | 92,059
September 1 | 6:00 p.m. | Austin Peay | Western Kentucky | Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium • Bowling Green, KY | ESPN3 | W 49-10 | 16,327
September 1 | 6:00 p.m. | Lamar | Louisiana-Lafayette | Cajun Field • Lafayette, LA | ESPN3/Ragin Cajuns Network | W 40-0 | 25,803
September 1 | 7:00 p.m. | Florida International | Duke | Wallace Wade Stadium • Durham, NC | ESPN3 | L 26-46 | 31,117
September 1 | 9:30 p.m. | Arkansas State | #5 Oregon | Autzen Stadium • Eugene, OR | ESPN | L 34-57 | 56,144

Players of the week:[14]

Offensive  | Defensive  | Special teams

|
|

Player  | Team  | Player  | Team  | Player  | Team
Shawn Southward  | Troy  | De'Von Terry  | Troy  | Brett Baer  | Louisiana–Lafayette

### Week 2

[edit]

Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance

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September 8 | 2:30 p.m. | Western Kentucky | #1 Alabama | Bryant–Denny Stadium • Tuscaloosa, AL | SEC Network | L 0-35 | 101,821
September 8 | 4:00 p.m. | Nicholls State | South Alabama | Ladd-Peebles Stadium • Mobile, AL | ESPN3 | W 9–3 | 15,237
September 8 | 6:00 p.m. | Memphis | Arkansas State | ASU Stadium • Jonesboro, AR | ESPN3 | W 33-28 | 28,041
September 8^ | 6:00 p.m. | #8 Arkansas | Louisiana-Monroe | War Memorial Stadium • Little Rock, AR | ESPNU | W 34-31 OT | 53,089
September 8 | 6:00 p.m. | Texas Southern | North Texas | Apogee Stadium • Denton, TX | TXA21 | W 34-7 | 22,259
September 8 | 6:00 p.m. | Akron | Florida International | FIU Stadium • Miami, FL | ESPN3 | W 41-38 | 15,685
September 8 | 6:00 p.m. | Florida Atlantic | Middle Tennessee | Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium • Murfreesboro, TN | ESPN3 | MT 31-17 | 16,227
September 8 | 6:00 p.m. | Louisiana-Lafayette | Troy | Veterans Memorial Stadium • Troy, AL | ESPN3 | ULL 37-24 | 17,981

^ Neutral site

Players of the week:[15]

Offensive  | Defensive  | Special teams

|
|

Player  | Team  | Player  | Team  | Player  | Team
Kolton Browning | Louisiana-Monroe  | Jemarlous Moten  | Louisiana-Lafayette  | Brett Baer (2)  | Louisiana-Lafayette

### Week 3

[edit]

Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance

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September 15 | 11:00 a.m. | Louisiana-Monroe | Auburn | Jordan–Hare Stadium • Auburn, AL | SEC Network | L 28-31 OT | 85,214
September 15 | 11:00 a.m. | Arkansas State | Nebraska | Memorial Stadium • Lincoln, NE | ESPN2 | L 13-42 | 85,290
September 15 | 11:00 a.m. | Louisiana-Lafayette | Oklahoma State | Boone Pickens Stadium • Stillwater, OK | FSN | L 24-65 | 56,062
September 15 | 4:00 p.m. | Florida International | UCF | Bright House Networks Stadium • Orlando, FL | CSS | L 20-33 | 40,478
September 15 | 5:00 p.m. | South Alabama | NC State | Carter–Finley Stadium • Raleigh, NC | ESPN3 | L 7-31 | 54,132
September 15 | 6:00 p.m. | Mississippi State | Troy | Veterans Memorial Stadium • Troy, AL | ESPN3 | L 24-30 | 29,013
September 15 | 6:00 p.m. | Western Kentucky | Kentucky | Commonwealth Stadium • Lexington, KY | ESPNU | W 32-31 OT | 53,980
September 15 | 6:00 p.m. | Middle Tennessee | Memphis | Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium • Memphis, TN |  | W 48-30 | 27,113
September 15 | 6:00 p.m. | North Texas | #15 Kansas State | Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium • Manhattan, KS | FSN | L 21-35 | 50,290
September 15 | 6:30 p.m. | Florida Atlantic | #7 Georgia | Sanford Stadium • Athens, GA | CSS | L 20-56 | 92,746

Players of the week:[16]

Offensive  | Defensive  | Special teams

|
|

Player  | Team  | Player  | Team  | Player  | Team
Antonio Andrews | Western Kentucky  | Jonathan Dowling  | Western Kentucky  | Hendrix Brakefield  | Western Kentucky

### Week 4

[edit]

Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance

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September 21 | 7:00 p.m. | Baylor | Louisiana-Monroe | Malone Stadium • Monroe, LA | ESPN^ | L 42-47 | 31,175
September 22 | 4:00 p.m. | Florida Atlantic | #1 Alabama | Bryant–Denny Stadium • Tuscaloosa, AL | PPV | L 7-40 | 101,821
September 22 | 6:00 p.m. | #18 Louisville | Florida International | FIU Stadium • Miami, FL | ESPN3 | L 21-28 | 12,318
September 22 | 6:00 p.m. | Southern Miss | Western Kentucky | Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium • Bowling Green, KY | ESPN3 | W 42-17 | 23,252
September 22 | 6:00 p.m. | Alcorn St. | Arkansas State | ASU Stadium • Jonesboro, AR | ESPN3 | W 56-0 | 21,559
September 22 | 6:00 p.m. | South Alabama | #23 Mississippi State | Davis Wade Stadium • Starkville, MS | Bulldog Sports | L 10-30 | 55,186
September 22 | 6:00 p.m. | Troy | North Texas | Apogee Stadium • Denton, TX | ESPN3 | Troy 14-7 | 21,823

^ULM-Baylor game was most watched Sun Belt game on ESPN in history.

Players of the week:[17]

Offensive  | Defensive  | Special teams

|
|

Player  | Team  | Player  | Team  | Player  | Team
Antonio Andrews (2)  | Western Kentucky  | Brynden Trawick  | Troy  | Will Scott  | Troy

### Week 5

[edit]

Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance

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September 29 | 11:30 a.m. | Middle Tennessee | Georgia Tech | Bobby Dodd Stadium • Atlanta, GA | ACC RSN | W 49-28 | 39,270
September 29 | 2:30 p.m. | Louisiana-Monroe | Tulane | Mercedes-Benz Superdome • New Orleans, LA | CST | W 63-10 | 18,063
September 29 | 2:30 p.m. | Troy | South Alabama | Ladd-Peebles Stadium • Mobile, AL | SBN | Troy 31-10 | 23,789
September 29 | 4:00 p.m. | North Texas | Florida Atlantic | FAU Stadium • Boca Raton, FL | ESPN3 | UNT 20-14 | 13,888
September 29 | 6:00 p.m. | Florida International | Louisiana-Lafayette | Cajun Field • Lafayette, LA | ESPN3 | ULL 48-20 | 21,109
September 29 | 6:00 p.m. | Western Kentucky | Arkansas State | ASU Stadium • Jonesboro, AR | ESPN3 | WKU 26-16 | 25,160

Players of the week:[18]

Offensive  | Defensive  | Special teams

|
|

Player  | Team  | Player  | Team  | Player  | Team
Benny Cunningham  | Middle Tennessee  | Quanterus Smith  | Western Kentucky  | Brett Baer (3)  | Louisiana-Lafayette

### Week 6

[edit]

Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance

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October 4 | 6:30 p.m. | Arkansas State | Florida International | FIU Stadium • Miami, FL | ESPNU | ASU 34-20 | 13,612
October 6 | 2:30 p.m. | Louisiana-Monroe | Middle Tennessee | Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium • Murfreesboro, TN | SBN | ULM 31-17 | 21,067
October 6 | 4:00 p.m. | Tulane | Louisiana-Lafayette | Cajun Field • Lafayette, LA | RCN/Cox4/ESPN3 | ULL 41-13 | 29,758
October 6 | 6:00 p.m. | North Texas | Houston | Robertson Stadium • Houston, TX | CSS | L 21-44 | 25,476

Players of the week:[19]

Offensive  | Defensive  | Special teams

|
|

Player  | Team  | Player  | Team  | Player  | Team
Kolton Browning (2)  | Louisiana-Monroe  | Qushaun Lee  | Arkansas State  | Brett Baer (4)  | Louisiana-Lafayette

### Week 7

[edit]

Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance

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October 11 | 6:30 p.m. | Western Kentucky | Troy | Veterans Memorial Stadium • Troy, AL | ESPNU | WKU 31-26 | 16,426
October 13 | 5:00 p.m. | Middle Tennessee | Florida International | FIU Stadium • Miami, FL |  | MT 34-30 | 15,234
October 13 | 6:00 p.m. | South Alabama | Arkansas State | ASU Stadium • Jonesboro, AR |  | ASU 36-29 | 22,143
October 13 | 7:00 p.m. | Florida Atlantic | Louisiana-Monroe | Malone Stadium • Monroe, LA | SBN/CSS | ULM 35-14 | 16,782

Players of the week:[20]

Offensive  | Defensive  | Special teams

|
|

Player  | Team  | Player  | Team  | Player  | Team
Benny Cunningham (2)  | Middle Tennessee  | Nathan Herrold  | Arkansas State  | Michel Chapuseaux  | South Alabama

### Week 8

[edit]

Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance

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October 16 | 8:00 p.m. | Louisiana-Lafayette | North Texas | Apogee Stadium • Denton, TX | ESPN2 | UNT 30-23 | 17,055
October 20 | 12:00 p.m. | Florida International | Troy | Veterans Memorial Stadium • Troy, AL | SBN/CSS | Troy 38-37 | 17,354
October 20 | 2:30 p.m. | Florida Atlantic | South Alabama | Ladd-Peebles Stadium • Mobile, AL |  | USA 37-34 | 17,566
October 20 | 3:00 p.m. | Louisiana-Monroe | Western Kentucky | Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium • Bowling Green, KY | ESPN3 | ULM 43-42 | 22,323
October 20 | 6:00 p.m. | Middle Tennessee | Mississippi St | Davis Wade Stadium • Starkville, MS | ESPN2 | L 3-45 | 55,108

Players of the week:[21]

Offensive  | Defensive  | Special teams

|
|

Player  | Team  | Player  | Team  | Player  | Team
Kolton Browning (3)  | Louisiana-Monroe  | Zach Orr  | North Texas  | Pat Moore  | South Alabama

### Week 9

[edit]

Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance

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October 23 | 7:00 p.m. | Arkansas State | Louisiana-Lafayette | Cajun Field • Lafayette, LA | ESPN2 | ASU 50-27 | 19,873
October 27 | 2:30 p.m. | North Texas | Middle Tennessee | Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium • Murfreesboro, TN | ESPN3 | MT 38-21 | 14,102
October 27 | 4:00 p.m. | Troy | Florida Atlantic | FAU Stadium • Boca Raton, FL |  | FAU 34-27 | 11,968
October 27 | 5:00 p.m. | Western Kentucky | Florida International | FIU Stadium • Miami, FL | ESPN3 | WKU 14-6 | 12,842
October 27 | 6:00 p.m. | South Alabama | Louisiana-Monroe | Malone Stadium • Monroe, LA |  | ULM 38-24 | 14,556

Players of the week:[22]

Offensive  | Defensive  | Special teams

|
|

Player  | Team  | Player  | Team  | Player  | Team
Logan Kilgore | Middle Tennessee  | Quanterus Smith (2)  | Western Kentucky  | Brian Davis  | Arkansas State

### Week 10

[edit]

Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance

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November 1 | 8:15 p.m. | Middle Tennessee | Western Kentucky | Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium • Bowling Green, KY | ESPNU | MT 34-29 | 17,327
November 3 | 11:00 a.m. | Troy | Tennessee | Neyland Stadium • Knoxville, TN | SEC Regional | L 48-55 | 84,189
November 3 | 2:30 p.m. | Florida Atlantic | Navy | Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium • Annapolis, MD | CBSSN | L 17-24 | 29,326
November 3 | 3:00 p.m. | Louisiana-Lafayette | Louisiana-Monroe | Malone Stadium • Monroe, LA | SBN/ESPN3 | ULL 40-24 | 20,203
November 3 | 3:30 p.m. | Florida International | South Alabama | Ladd-Peebles Stadium • Mobile, AL |  | FIU 28-20 | 11,936
November 3 | 4:00 p.m. | Arkansas State | North Texas | Apogee Stadium • Denton, TX |  | ASU 37-19 | 17,534

Players of the week:[23]

Offensive  | Defensive  | Special teams

|
|

Player  | Team  | Player  | Team  | Player  | Team
Terrance Broadway | Louisiana-Lafayette  | Jordan Hunt  | Florida International  | Reggie Whatley  | Middle Tennessee

### Week 11

[edit]

Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance

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November 8 | 6:00 p.m. | Louisiana-Monroe | Arkansas State | ASU Stadium • Jonesboro, AR | ESPNU | ASU 45-23 | 30,243
November 10 | 11:20 a.m. | Louisiana-Lafayette | Florida | Ben Hill Griffin Stadium • Gainesville, FL | SEC Regional | L 20-27 | 86,482
November 10 | 12:00 p.m. | Florida Atlantic | Western Kentucky | Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium • Bowling Green, KY | SBN | FAU 37-28 | 14,185
November 10 | 2:30 p.m. | Navy | Troy | Veterans Memorial Stadium • Troy, AL | ESPN3 | W 41-31 | 24,321
November 10 | 4:30 p.m. | South Alabama | North Texas | Apogee Stadium • Denton, TX |  | UNT 24-14 | 15,963

Players of the week:[24]

Offensive  | Defensive  | Special teams

|
|

Player  | Team  | Player  | Team  | Player  | Team
Ryan Aplin  | Arkansas State  | Emeka Onyenekwu  | Louisiana-Lafayette  | Will Scott (2)  | Troy

### Week 12

[edit]

Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance

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November 16 | 7:00 p.m. | Florida International | Florida Atlantic | FAU Stadium • Boca Raton, FL | ESPNU | FIU 34-24 | 15,405
November 17 | 2:30 p.m. | Arkansas State | Troy | Veterans Memorial Stadium • Troy, AL | IMG Sports | ASU 41-34 | 20,614
November 17 | 2:30 p.m. | Middle Tennessee | South Alabama | Ladd-Peebles Stadium • Mobile, AL |  | MT 20-12 | 15,087
November 17 | 3:00 p.m. | North Texas | Louisiana-Monroe | Malone Stadium • Monroe, LA | ESPN3 | ULM 42-16 | 14,079
November 17 | 6:00 p.m. | Western Kentucky | Louisiana-Lafayette | Cajun Field • Lafayette, LA | ESPN3 | ULL 31-27 | 20,314

Players of the week:[25]

Offensive  | Defensive  | Special teams

|
|

Player  | Team  | Player  | Team  | Player  | Team
Ryan Aplin (2)  | Arkansas State  | Jajuan Harley  | Middle Tennessee  | Richard Leonard  | Florida International

### Week 13

[edit]

Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance

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November 24 | 12:00 p.m. | North Texas | Western Kentucky | Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium • Bowling Green, KY | SBN | WKU 25-24 | 11,074
November 24 | 2:30 p.m. | Troy | Middle Tennessee | Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium • Murfreesboro, TN | ESPN3 | MT 24-21 | 18,605
November 24 | 4:00 p.m. | South Alabama | Louisiana-Lafayette | Cajun Field • Lafayette, LA | RCN/ESPN3 | ULL 52-30 | 20,333
November 24 | TBD | Louisiana-Monroe | Florida International | FIU Stadium • Miami, FL |  | ULM 23-17 | 12,115

Players of the week:[26]

Offensive  | Defensive  | Special teams

|
|

Player  | Team  | Player  | Team  | Player  | Team
Antonio Andrews (3)  | Western Kentucky  | Kevin Byard  | Middle Tennessee  | Michel Chapuseaux (2)  | South Alabama

### Week 14

[edit]

Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance

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December 1 | 2:00 p.m. | Louisiana-Lafayette | Florida Atlantic | FAU Stadium • Boca Raton, FL |  | ULL 35-21 | 11,522
December 1 | 2:00 p.m. | Middle Tennessee | Arkansas State | ASU Stadium • Jonesboro, AR | ESPN3 | ASU 45-0 | 31,243
December 1 | 6:00 p.m. | South Alabama | Hawaii | Aloha Stadium • Honolulu, HI | Root | L 7-23 | 27,865

Players of the week:[27]

Offensive  | Defensive  | Special teams

|
|

Player  | Team  | Player  | Team  | Player  | Team
Ryan Aplin (3)  | Arkansas State  | Nathan Herrold (2)  | Arkansas State  | Brian Davis (2)  | Arkansas State

## Bowl games

[edit]

The Sun Belt placed four teams in bowl games with five teams bowl eligible in 2012. This was the highest number of SBC bowl teams in the conference's history. Only Middle Tennessee was not selected for a bowl.[28] Two Sun Belt teams made their first bowl games in school history: Western Kentucky and Louisiana-Monroe.

NOTE: All times are local

Bowl | Date | Time | SBC team (Record) | Opponent (Record) | Site | TV | Result | Attendance

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|

2012 R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl | December 22 | 11:00 a.m. | Louisiana-Lafayette (8–4) | East Carolina (8–4) | Mercedes-Benz Superdome • New Orleans, LA | ESPN | W 43–34 | 48,828
2012 Little Caesars Pizza Bowl | December 26 | 6:30 p.m. | Western Kentucky (7–5) | Central Michigan (6–6) | Ford Field • Detroit, MI | ESPN | L 21–24 | 23,310
2012 Advocare V100 Independence Bowl | December 28 | 1:00 p.m. | Louisiana-Monroe (8–4) | Ohio (8–4) | Independence Stadium • Shreveport, LA | ESPN | L 14–45 | 41,853
2013 GoDaddy.com Bowl | January 6 | 8:00 p.m. | Arkansas State (9–3) | #25 Kent State (11–2) | Ladd-Peebles Stadium • Mobile, AL | ESPN | W 17–13 | 37,913

## Players of the Year

[edit]

Main article: Sun Belt Conference football individual awards

2012 Sun Belt Player of the Year awards[29]

Award  | Player  | School

|
|

Player of the Year  | Ryan Aplin  | Arkansas State
Offensive Player of the Year  | Kolton Browning | Louisiana-Monroe
Defensive Player of the Year  | Quanterus Smith | Western Kentucky
Freshman of the Year  | J. D. McKissic | Arkansas State
Coach of the Year  | Todd Berry | Louisiana-Monroe

## All-Sun Belt Team

[edit]

Coaches All-Conference Selections[29]

| Position  | Player  | Class  | Team

|
|
|

First Team Offense
QB  | Ryan Aplin  | SR  | Arkansas State
RB  | David Oku  | JR  | Arkansas State
RB  | Antonio Andrews | SR  | Western Kentucky
WR  | Brent Leonard  | SR  | Louisiana-Monroe
WR  | Anthony Amos  | SR  | Middle Tennessee
WR  | Chip Reeves  | SR  | Troy
TE  | Jack Doyle | SR  | Western Kentucky
OL  | Zack McKnight  | SR  | Arkansas State
OL  | Micah James  | SR  | Middle Tennessee
OL  | Aaron Fortenberry  | SS  | North Texas
OL  | Kyle Wilborn  | SR  | Troy
OL  | Adam Smith | SR  | Western Kentucky
First Team Defense
DL  | Ryan Carrethers | JR  | Arkansas State
DL  | Tourek Williams | SR  | Florida International
DL  | Emeka Onyenekwu  | SR  | Louisiana-Lafayette
DL  | Quanterus Smith | SR  | Western Kentucky
LB  | Nathan Herrold  | SR  | Arkansas State
LB  | Jake Johnson  | SR  | South Alabama
LB  | Andrew Jackson  | JR  | Western Kentucky
DB  | Johnathan Cyprien | SR  | Florida International
DB  | Jemarlous Moten  | SR  | Louisiana-Lafayette
DB  | Brynden Trawick | SR  | Troy
DB  | Jonathan Dowling | SO  | Western Kentucky
First Team Special Teams
PK  | Brett Baer  | SR  | Louisiana-Lafayette
P  | Brett Baer  | SR  | Louisiana-Lafayette
RS  | Reggie Whatley  | SO  | Middle Tennessee
AP  | Antonio Andrews  | JR  | Western Kentucky
| Position  | Player  | Class  | Team

|
|
|

Second Team Offense
QB  | Kolton Browning | JR  | Louisiana-Monroe
RB  | Benny Cunningham | SR  | Middle Tennessee
RB  | Shawn Southward  | SR  | Troy
WR  | J. D. McKissic | FR  | Arkansas State
WR  | William Dukes  | SO  | Florida Atlantic
WR  | Harry Peoples  | SR  | Louisiana-Lafayette
TE  | Nexon Dorvilus  | JR  | Florida Atlantic
OL  | Caylin Hauptmann | SR  | Florida International
OL  | Leonardo Bates | SR  | Louisiana-Lafayette
OL  | Jonathon Gill  | SR  | Louisiana-Monroe
OL  | Andre Huval  | JR  | Louisiana-Lafayette
OL  | Josh Allen  | JR  | Louisiana-Monroe
Second Team Defense
DL  | Tim Starson  | SR  | Arkansas State
DL  | Omar McLendon  | SR  | Middle Tennessee
DL  | Alex Page  | JR  | South Alabama
DL  | Tony Davis  | SR  | Troy
LB  | R. J. Young  | SR  | Louisiana-Monroe
LB  | Zach Orr | JR  | North Texas
LB  | Kanorris Davis | SR  | Troy
DB  | Brent Harstad  | SR  | Florida Atlantic
DB  | Isaiah Newsome  | JR  | Louisiana-Monroe
DB  | Kevin Byard | FR  | Middle Tennessee
DB  | Zac Whitfield  | FR  | North Texas
Second Team Special Teams
PK  | Brian Davis  | JR  | Arkansas State
P  | Will Atterberry  | SR  | North Texas
RS  | Antonio Andrews  | JR  | Western Kentucky
AP  | Deon Anthony  | JR  | Troy

## Home attendance

[edit]

Team  | Stadium (Capacity)  | Game 1  | Game 2  | Game 3  | Game 4  | Game 5  | Game 6  | Total  | Average  | % of Capacity

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Arkansas State  | Liberty Bank Stadium (30,964)  | 28,041  | 21,559  | 25,160  | 22,143  | 30,243  | 31,243  | 158,389  | 26,398  | 85.3%
Florida Atlantic  | FAU Stadium (30,000)  | 14,510  | 13,888  | 11,968  | 15,405  | 11,522  |  | 67,293  | 13,459  | 44.9%
Florida International  | FIU Stadium (23,500)  | 15,685  | 12,318  | 13,612  | 15,234  | 12,842  | 12,115  | 81,806  | 13,634  | 58.0%
Louisiana–Lafayette  | Cajun Field (31,000)  | 25,803  | 21,109  | 29,758  | 19,873  | 20,314  | 20,333  | 137,190  | 22,865  | 73.8%
Louisiana–Monroe  | Malone Stadium (30,427)  | 31,175  | 16,782  | 14,556  | 20,203  | 14,079  |  | 96,795  | 19,359  | 63.6%
Middle Tennessee  | Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium (30,788)  | 18,690  | 16,227  | 21,067  | 14,102  | 18,605  |  | 88,691  | 17,738  | 57.6%
North Texas  | Apogee Stadium (30,850)  | 22,259  | 21,823  | 17,055  | 17,534  | 15,963  |  | 94,634  | 18,927  | 61.4%
South Alabama  | Ladd–Peebles Stadium (33,471)  | 17,144  | 15,237  | 23,789  | 17,566  | 11,936  | 15,087  | 100,759  | 16,793  | 50.2%
Troy  | Veterans Memorial Stadium (30,000)  | 17,981  | 29,013  | 16,426  | 17,354  | 24,321  | 20,614  | 125,709  | 20,952  | 69.8%
Western Kentucky  | Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium (22,000)  | 16,327  | 23,252  | 22,323  | 17,327  | 14,185  | 11,074  | 104,488  | 17,415  | 79.2%

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "News and Events | 2012 Walter Camp Player of the Year Preseason "Watch List" | Walter Camp Football Foundation". Waltercamp.org. July 20, 2012. Archived from the original on July 25, 2012. Retrieved October 3, 2012.
2. ^ "Walker Award Watch List released". NCAA.com. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved October 3, 2012.
3. ^ "2012 John Mackey Award Preseason Watch List" (PDF). Nassausports.org. Retrieved October 3, 2012.
4. ^ Casey Bienvenu (January 9, 2012). "Manning Award Watch List, 2012-13 / Allstate Sugar Bowl". Allstatesugarbowl.org. Retrieved October 3, 2012.
5. ^ "FWAA > News > Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List". Sportswriters.net. July 12, 2012. Retrieved October 3, 2012.
6. ^ "FWAA > News > Outland Trophy Watch List". Sportswriters.net. July 12, 2012. Retrieved October 3, 2012.
7. ^ "Rimington Trophy". Rimington Trophy. Retrieved October 3, 2012.
8. ^ "2012 Davey O'Brien Award Watch List Announced - Davey O'Brien". Blog.daveyobrien.org. July 18, 2012. Archived from the original on December 20, 2012. Retrieved October 3, 2012.
9. ^ "2012 Thorpe Award Preseason Watch List Announced | The Jim Thorpe Association and Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame". Jimthorpeassoc.org. Archived from the original on July 25, 2012. Retrieved October 3, 2012.
10. ^ Carly (February 22, 1999). "ASC announces 2012 Ray Guy Award preseason watch list". Augusta Sports Council. Archived from the original on November 28, 2012. Retrieved October 3, 2012.
11. ^ "Current Watch List | PB Sports Commission - Lou Groza". Lougrozaaward.com. September 19, 2009. Archived from the original on August 17, 2009. Retrieved October 3, 2012.
12. ^ "Florida International Voted Preseason Favorite At Sun Belt Football Media Day". Sportsnola.com. July 16, 2012. Archived from the original on October 5, 2012. Retrieved October 3, 2012.
13. ^ "Preseason All-Sun Belt Conference Team". Archived from the original on March 28, 2012. Retrieved September 11, 2012.
14. ^ "Week One Sun Belt Conference Football Players of the Week > Sun Belt Conference > Football". Sunbeltsports.org. Archived from the original on April 16, 2013. Retrieved October 3, 2012.
15. ^ "Week Two Sun Belt Conference Football Players of the Week > Sun Belt Conference > Football". Sunbeltsports.org. Archived from the original on April 15, 2013. Retrieved October 3, 2012.
16. ^ "Week Three Sun Belt Conference Football Players of the Week > Sun Belt Conference > Football". Sunbeltsports.org. September 17, 2012. Archived from the original on September 20, 2012. Retrieved October 3, 2012.
17. ^ "Week Four Sun Belt Conference Football Players of the Week > Sun Belt Conference > Football". Sunbeltsports.org. September 24, 2012. Archived from the original on April 16, 2013. Retrieved October 3, 2012.
18. ^ "Week Five Sun Belt Conference Football Players of the Week > Sun Belt Conference > Football". Sunbeltsports.org. October 1, 2012. Archived from the original on April 16, 2013. Retrieved October 3, 2012.
19. ^ "Week Six Sun Belt Conference Football Players of the Week > Sun Belt Conference > Football". Sunbeltsports.org. October 8, 2012. Retrieved October 8, 2012.[permanent dead link]
20. ^ "Week Seven Sun Belt Conference Football Players of the Week > Sun Belt Conference > Football". Sunbeltsports.org. October 15, 2012. Archived from the original on April 15, 2013. Retrieved October 18, 2012.
21. ^ "Week Eight Sun Belt Conference Football News and Notes > Sun Belt Conference > Football". Sunbeltsports.org. October 22, 2012. Archived from the original on April 15, 2013. Retrieved October 22, 2012.
22. ^ "Week Nine Sun Belt Conference Football News and Notes > Sun Belt Conference > Football". Sunbeltsports.org. October 29, 2012. Archived from the original on April 15, 2013. Retrieved October 29, 2012.
23. ^ "Week Ten Sun Belt Conference Football News and Notes > Sun Belt Conference > Football". Sunbeltsports.org. November 5, 2012. Archived from the original on April 15, 2013. Retrieved November 5, 2012.
24. ^ "Week Eleven Sun Belt Conference Football News and Notes > Sun Belt Conference > Football". Sunbeltsports.org. November 12, 2012. Archived from the original on April 15, 2013. Retrieved November 12, 2012.
25. ^ "Week Twelve Sun Belt Conference Football News and Notes > Sun Belt Conference > Football". Sunbeltsports.org. November 19, 2012. Archived from the original on April 16, 2013. Retrieved November 19, 2012.
26. ^ "Week Thirteen Sun Belt Conference Football Players of the Week > Sun Belt Conference > Football". Sunbeltsports.org. November 26, 2012. Archived from the original on April 16, 2013. Retrieved November 26, 2012.
27. ^ "Week Fourteen Sun Belt Conference Football Players of the Week > Sun Belt Conference > Football". Sunbeltsports.org. December 3, 2012. Archived from the original on December 3, 2012. Retrieved December 3, 2012.
28. ^ "Week Fourteen Sun Belt Conference Weekly News and Notes > Sun Belt Conference > Football". Sunbeltsports.org. December 3, 2012. Archived from the original on April 15, 2013. Retrieved December 3, 2012.
29. ^ a b "2012 Sun Belt All-Conference Team". Retrieved December 3, 2024.

* v
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Sun Belt Conference football

East Division|

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West Division|

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All-Americans|

2012 College Football All-America Team
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