2012 Sun Belt Conference football season

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.

2012 Sun Belt Conference football season
LeagueNCAA Division I FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision)
Sportfootball
DurationAugust 30, 2012 - January 6, 2013
Number of teams10
TV partner(s)ESPN, CSS/CST
2013 NFL Draft
Top draft pickS Johnathan Cyprien, FIU
Picked byJacksonville Jaguars, 33rd overall
Regular season
Season championsArkansas State
  Runners-upLouisiana-Lafayette, Louisiana-Monroe, Middle Tennessee State
Football seasons
← 2011
2013 →
2012 Sun Belt Conference football standings
ConfOverall
Team W L  W L 
Arkansas State $ 71  103 
Louisiana–Monroe 62  85 
Middle Tennessee 62  84 
Louisiana–Lafayette * 42  54 
Western Kentucky 44  76 
Troy 35  57 
North Texas 35  48 
Florida Atlantic 26  39 
FIU 26  39 
South Alabama ** 17  211 
  • $ – 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.

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

Award watch lists

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


Doak Walker Award[2]
PlayerTeam
Kedrick RhodesFlorida International
Benny CunninghamMiddle Tennessee
Shawn SouthwardTroy


John Mackey Award[3]
PlayerTeam
Jack DoyleWestern Kentucky



Bronko Nagurski Trophy[5]
PlayerTeam
Andrew JacksonWestern Kentucky


Outland Trophy[6]
PlayerTeam
Caylin HauptmannFlorida International



Rimington Trophy[7]
PlayerTeam
Andre HuvalLouisiana–Lafayette


Davey O'Brien Award[8]
PlayerTeam
Ryan AplinArkansas State



Ray Guy Award[10]
PlayerTeam
Will AtterberryNorth Texas


Lou Groza Award[11]
PlayerTeam
Brett BaerLouisiana–Lafayette
Jake GriffinFlorida International


Sun Belt Media Day

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

PositionTeamVotesFirst-place votes
1Florida International925
2Arkansas State852
3Louisiana–Lafayette812
4Western Kentucky701
5Troy60
6Louisiana–Monroe47
7Middle Tennessee42
8North Texas36
9Florida Atlantic23
10South Alabama14

Preseason All–Conference Team

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.


Defense
PositionNameTeam
DLIsame FacianeFlorida International
DLTourek WilliamsFlorida International
DLTony DavisTroy
DLQuanterus SmithWestern Kentucky
LBAndrew JacksonWestern Kentucky
LBWinston FraserFlorida International
LBKanorris DavisTroy
DBBrynden TrawickTroy
DBJonathan CyprienFlorida International
DBDon JonesArkansas State
DBMelvin WhiteLouisiana–Lafayette


Specialists
PositionNameTeam
PKBrett BaerLouisiana–Lafayette
PWill AtterberryNorth Texas
RSJohn EvansWestern Kentucky

Coaches

NOTE: Stats shown are before the beginning of the season

TeamHead coachYears at schoolOverall recordRecord at schoolSun Belt record
Arkansas StateGus Malzahn10–00–00–0
Florida AtlanticCarl Pelini10–00–00–0
Florida InternationalMario Cristobal624–3824–3818–20
Louisiana–LafayetteMark Hudspeth275–259–46–2
Louisiana–MonroeTodd Berry338–749–157–9
Middle TennesseeRick Stockstill735–4035–4026–19
North TexasDan McCarney261–925–74–4
South AlabamaJoey Jones426–1123–40–0
TroyLarry Blakeney24163–92–1163–92–142–17
Western KentuckyWillie Taggart39–159–159–7

Sun Belt vs. BCS AQ Conference matchups

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

Regular season

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

DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendance
August 306:30 PMMcNeese StMiddle TennesseeJohnny "Red" Floyd StadiumMurfreesboro, TNESPN3L 21-2718,690
August 318:00 PMWagnerFlorida AtlanticFAU StadiumBoca Raton, FLESPN3W 7-314,510
September 111:00 AMTroyUABLegion FieldBirmingham, ALFox College SportsW 39-2928,612
September 11:00 PMUTSASouth AlabamaLadd-Peebles StadiumMobile, ALESPN3L 31-3317,144
September 16:00 PMNorth Texas#3 LSUTiger StadiumBaton Rouge, LAESPNUL 14-4192,059
September 16:00 PMAustin PeayWestern KentuckyHouchens Industries–L. T. Smith StadiumBowling Green, KYESPN3W 49-1016,327
September 16:00 PMLamarLouisiana-LafayetteCajun FieldLafayette, LAESPN3/Ragin Cajuns NetworkW 40-025,803
September 17:00 PMFlorida InternationalDukeWallace Wade StadiumDurham, NCESPN3L 26-4631,117
September 19:30 PMArkansas State#5 OregonAutzen StadiumEugene, ORESPNL 34-5756,144

Players of the week:[14]

OffensiveDefensiveSpecial teams
PlayerTeamPlayerTeamPlayerTeam
Shawn SouthwardTroyDe'Von TerryTroyBrett BaerLouisiana–Lafayette

Week 2

DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendance
September 82:30 PMWestern Kentucky#1 AlabamaBryant–Denny StadiumTuscaloosa, ALSEC NetworkL 0-35101,821
September 84:00 PMNicholls StateSouth AlabamaLadd-Peebles Stadium • Mobile, ALESPN3W 9–315,237
September 86:00 PMMemphisArkansas StateASU StadiumJonesboro, ARESPN3W 33-2828,041
September 8^6:00 PM#8 ArkansasLouisiana-MonroeWar Memorial StadiumLittle Rock, ARESPNUW 34-31 OT53,089
September 86:00 PMTexas SouthernNorth TexasApogee StadiumDenton, TXTXA21W 34-722,259
September 86:00 PMAkronFlorida InternationalFIU StadiumMiami, FLESPN3W 41-3815,685
September 86:00 PMFlorida AtlanticMiddle TennesseeJohnny "Red" Floyd Stadium • Murfreesboro, TNESPN3MT 31-1716,227
September 86:00 PMLouisiana-LafayetteTroyVeterans Memorial StadiumTroy, ALESPN3ULL 37-2417,981

^ Neutral site

Players of the week:[15]

OffensiveDefensiveSpecial teams
PlayerTeamPlayerTeamPlayerTeam
Kolton BrowningLouisiana-MonroeJemarlous MotenLouisiana-LafayetteBrett Baer (2)Louisiana-Lafayette

Week 3

DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendance
September 1511:00 AMLouisiana-MonroeAuburnJordan–Hare StadiumAuburn, ALSEC NetworkL 28-31 OT85,214
September 1511:00 AMArkansas StateNebraskaMemorial StadiumLincoln, NEESPN2L 13-4285,290
September 1511:00 AMLouisiana-LafayetteOklahoma StateBoone Pickens StadiumStillwater, OKFSNL 24-6556,062
September 154:00 PMFlorida InternationalUCFBright House Networks StadiumOrlando, FLCSSL 20-3340,478
September 155:00 PMSouth AlabamaNC StateCarter–Finley StadiumRaleigh, NCESPN3L 7-3154,132
September 156:00 PMMississippi StateTroyVeterans Memorial Stadium • Troy, ALESPN3L 24-3029,013
September 156:00 PMWestern KentuckyKentuckyCommonwealth StadiumLexington, KYESPNUW 32-31 OT53,980
September 156:00 PMMiddle TennesseeMemphisLiberty Bowl Memorial StadiumMemphis, TNW 48-3027,113
September 156:00 PMNorth Texas#15 Kansas StateBill Snyder Family Football StadiumManhattan, KSFSNL 21-3550,290
September 156:30 PMFlorida Atlantic#7 GeorgiaSanford StadiumAthens, GACSSL 20-5692,746

Players of the week:[16]

OffensiveDefensiveSpecial teams
PlayerTeamPlayerTeamPlayerTeam
Antonio AndrewsWestern KentuckyJonathan DowlingWestern KentuckyHendrix BrakefieldWestern Kentucky

Week 4

DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendance
September 217:00 PMBaylorLouisiana-MonroeMalone StadiumMonroe, LAESPN^L 42-4731,175
September 224:00 PMFlorida Atlantic#1 AlabamaBryant–Denny Stadium • Tuscaloosa, ALPPVL 7-40101,821
September 226:00 PM#18 LouisvilleFlorida InternationalFIU Stadium • Miami, FLESPN3L 21-2812,318
September 226:00 PMSouthern MissWestern KentuckyHouchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium • Bowling Green, KYESPN3W 42-1723,252
September 226:00 PMAlcorn St.Arkansas StateASU Stadium • Jonesboro, ARESPN3W 56-021,559
September 226:00 PMSouth Alabama#23 Mississippi StateDavis Wade StadiumStarkville, MSBulldog SportsL 10-3055,186
September 226:00 PMTroyNorth TexasApogee Stadium • Denton, TXESPN3Troy 14-721,823

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

Players of the week:[17]

OffensiveDefensiveSpecial teams
PlayerTeamPlayerTeamPlayerTeam
Antonio Andrews (2)Western KentuckyBrynden TrawickTroyWill ScottTroy

Week 5

DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendance
September 2911:30 AMMiddle TennesseeGeorgia TechBobby Dodd StadiumAtlanta, GAACC RSNW 49-2839,270
September 292:30 PMLouisiana-MonroeTulaneMercedes-Benz SuperdomeNew Orleans, LACSTW 63-1018,063
September 292:30 PMTroySouth AlabamaLadd-Peebles Stadium • Mobile, ALSBNTroy 31-1023,789
September 294:00 PMNorth TexasFlorida AtlanticFAU Stadium • Boca Raton, FLESPN3UNT 20-1413,888
September 296:00 PMFlorida InternationalLouisiana-LafayetteCajun Field • Lafayette, LAESPN3ULL 48-2021,109
September 296:00 PMWestern KentuckyArkansas StateASU Stadium • Jonesboro, ARESPN3WKU 26-1625,160

Players of the week:[18]

OffensiveDefensiveSpecial teams
PlayerTeamPlayerTeamPlayerTeam
Benny CunninghamMiddle TennesseeQuanterus SmithWestern KentuckyBrett Baer (3)Louisiana-Lafayette

Week 6

DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendance
October 46:30 PMArkansas StateFlorida InternationalFIU Stadium • Miami, FLESPNUASU 34-2013,612
October 62:30 PMLouisiana-MonroeMiddle TennesseeJohnny "Red" Floyd Stadium • Murfreesboro, TNSBNULM 31-1721,067
October 64:00 PMTulaneLouisiana-LafayetteCajun Field • Lafayette, LARCN/Cox4/ESPN3ULL 41-1329,758
October 66:00 PMNorth TexasHoustonRobertson StadiumHouston, TXCSSL 21-4425,476

Players of the week:[19]

OffensiveDefensiveSpecial teams
PlayerTeamPlayerTeamPlayerTeam
Kolton Browning (2)Louisiana-MonroeQushaun LeeArkansas StateBrett Baer (4)Louisiana-Lafayette

Week 7

DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendance
October 116:30 PMWestern KentuckyTroyVeterans Memorial Stadium • Troy, ALESPNUWKU 31-2616,426
October 135:00 PMMiddle TennesseeFlorida InternationalFIU Stadium • Miami, FLMT 34-3015,234
October 136:00 PMSouth AlabamaArkansas StateASU Stadium • Jonesboro, ARASU 36-2922,143
October 137:00 PMFlorida AtlanticLouisiana-MonroeMalone Stadium • Monroe, LASBN/CSSULM 35-1416,782

Players of the week:[20]

OffensiveDefensiveSpecial teams
PlayerTeamPlayerTeamPlayerTeam
Benny Cunningham (2)Middle TennesseeNathan HerroldArkansas StateMichel ChapuseauxSouth Alabama

Week 8

DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendance
October 168:00 PMLouisiana-LafayetteNorth TexasApogee Stadium • Denton, TXESPN2UNT 30-2317,055
October 2012:00 PMFlorida InternationalTroyVeterans Memorial Stadium • Troy, ALSBN/CSSTroy 38-3717,354
October 202:30 PMFlorida AtlanticSouth AlabamaLadd-Peebles Stadium • Mobile, ALUSA 37-3417,566
October 203:00 PMLouisiana-MonroeWestern KentuckyHouchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium • Bowling Green, KYESPN3ULM 43-4222,323
October 206:00 PMMiddle TennesseeMississippi StDavis Wade Stadium • Starkville, MSESPN2L 3-4555,108

Players of the week:[21]

OffensiveDefensiveSpecial teams
PlayerTeamPlayerTeamPlayerTeam
Kolton Browning (3)Louisiana-MonroeZach OrrNorth TexasPat MooreSouth Alabama

Week 9

DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendance
October 237:00 PMArkansas StateLouisiana-LafayetteCajun Field • Lafayette, LAESPN2ASU 50-2719,873
October 272:30 PMNorth TexasMiddle TennesseeJohnny "Red" Floyd Stadium • Murfreesboro, TNESPN3MT 38-2114,102
October 274:00 PMTroyFlorida AtlanticFAU Stadium • Boca Raton, FLFAU 34-2711,968
October 275:00 PMWestern KentuckyFlorida InternationalFIU Stadium • Miami, FLESPN3WKU 14-612,842
October 276:00 PMSouth AlabamaLouisiana-MonroeMalone Stadium • Monroe, LAULM 38-2414,556

Players of the week:[22]

OffensiveDefensiveSpecial teams
PlayerTeamPlayerTeamPlayerTeam
Logan KilgoreMiddle TennesseeQuanterus Smith (2)Western KentuckyBrian DavisArkansas State

Week 10

DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendance
November 18:15 PMMiddle TennesseeWestern KentuckyHouchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium • Bowling Green, KYESPNUMT 34-2917,327
November 311:00 AMTroyTennesseeNeyland StadiumKnoxville, TNSEC RegionalL 48-5584,189
November 32:30 PMFlorida AtlanticNavyNavy–Marine Corps Memorial StadiumAnnapolis, MDCBSSNL 17-2429,326
November 33:00 PMLouisiana-LafayetteLouisiana-MonroeMalone Stadium • Monroe, LASBN/ESPN3ULL 40-2420,203
November 33:30 PMFlorida InternationalSouth AlabamaLadd-Peebles Stadium • Mobile, ALFIU 28-2011,936
November 34:00 PMArkansas StateNorth TexasApogee Stadium • Denton, TXASU 37-1917,534

Players of the week:[23]

OffensiveDefensiveSpecial teams
PlayerTeamPlayerTeamPlayerTeam
Terrance BroadwayLouisiana-LafayetteJordan HuntFlorida InternationalReggie WhatleyMiddle Tennessee

Week 11

DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendance
November 86:00 PMLouisiana-MonroeArkansas StateASU Stadium • Jonesboro, ARESPNUASU 45-2330,243
November 1011:20 AMLouisiana-LafayetteFloridaBen Hill Griffin StadiumGainesville, FLSEC RegionalL 20-2786,482
November 1012:00 PMFlorida AtlanticWestern KentuckyHouchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium • Bowling Green, KYSBNFAU 37-2814,185
November 102:30 PMNavyTroyVeterans Memorial Stadium • Troy, ALESPN3W 41-3124,321
November 104:30 PMSouth AlabamaNorth TexasApogee Stadium • Denton, TXUNT 24-1415,963

Players of the week:[24]

OffensiveDefensiveSpecial teams
PlayerTeamPlayerTeamPlayerTeam
Ryan AplinArkansas StateEmeka OnyenekwuLouisiana-LafayetteWill Scott (2)Troy

Week 12

DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendance
November 167:00 PMFlorida InternationalFlorida AtlanticFAU Stadium • Boca Raton, FLESPNUFIU 34-2415,405
November 172:30 PMArkansas StateTroyVeterans Memorial Stadium • Troy, ALIMG SportsASU 41-3420,614
November 172:30 PMMiddle TennesseeSouth AlabamaLadd-Peebles Stadium • Mobile, ALMT 20-1215,087
November 173:00 PMNorth TexasLouisiana-MonroeMalone Stadium • Monroe, LAESPN3ULM 42-1614,079
November 176:00 PMWestern KentuckyLouisiana-LafayetteCajun Field • Lafayette, LAESPN3ULL 31-2720,314

Players of the week:[25]

OffensiveDefensiveSpecial teams
PlayerTeamPlayerTeamPlayerTeam
Ryan Aplin (2)Arkansas StateJajuan HarleyMiddle TennesseeRichard LeonardFlorida International

Week 13

DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendance
November 2412:00 PMNorth TexasWestern KentuckyHouchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium • Bowling Green, KYSBNWKU 25-2411,074
November 242:30 PMTroyMiddle TennesseeJohnny "Red" Floyd Stadium • Murfreesboro, TNESPN3MT 24-2118,605
November 244:00 PMSouth AlabamaLouisiana-LafayetteCajun Field • Lafayette, LARCN/ESPN3ULL 52-3020,333
November 24TBDLouisiana-MonroeFlorida InternationalFIU Stadium • Miami, FLULM 23-1712,115

Players of the week:[26]

OffensiveDefensiveSpecial teams
PlayerTeamPlayerTeamPlayerTeam
Antonio Andrews (3)Western KentuckyKevin ByardMiddle TennesseeMichel Chapuseaux (2)South Alabama

Week 14

DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendance
December 12:00 PMLouisiana-LafayetteFlorida AtlanticFAU Stadium • Boca Raton, FLULL 35-2111,522
December 12:00 PMMiddle TennesseeArkansas StateASU Stadium • Jonesboro, ARESPN3ASU 45-031,243
December 16:00 PMSouth AlabamaHawaiiAloha StadiumHonolulu, HIRootL 7-2327,865

Players of the week:[27]

OffensiveDefensiveSpecial teams
PlayerTeamPlayerTeamPlayerTeam
Ryan Aplin (3)Arkansas StateNathan Herrold (2)Arkansas StateBrian Davis (2)Arkansas State

Bowl games

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

BowlDateTimeSBC team (Record)Opponent (Record)SiteTVResultAttendance
2012 R+L Carriers New Orleans BowlDecember 2211:00 AMLouisiana-Lafayette (8–4)East Carolina (8–4)Mercedes-Benz Superdome • New Orleans, LAESPNW 43–3448,828
2012 Little Caesars Pizza BowlDecember 266:30 PMWestern Kentucky (7–5)Central Michigan (6–6)Ford FieldDetroit, MIESPNL 21–2423,310
2012 Advocare V100 Independence BowlDecember 281:00 PMLouisiana-Monroe (8–4)Ohio (8–4)Independence StadiumShreveport, LAESPNL 14–4541,853
2013 GoDaddy.com BowlJanuary 68:00 PMArkansas State (9–3)#25 Kent State (11–2)Ladd-Peebles Stadium • Mobile, ALESPNW 17–1337,913

Home attendance

TeamStadium (Capacity)Game 1Game 2Game 3Game 4Game 5Game 6TotalAverage% of Capacity
Arkansas StateLiberty Bank Stadium (30,964)28,04121,55925,16022,14330,24331,243158,38926,39885.3%
Florida AtlanticFAU Stadium (30,000)14,51013,88811,96815,40511,52267,29313,45944.9%
Florida InternationalFIU Stadium (23,500)15,68512,31813,61215,23412,84212,11581,80613,63458.0%
Louisiana–LafayetteCajun Field (31,000)25,80321,10929,75819,87320,31420,333137,19022,86573.8%
Louisiana–MonroeMalone Stadium (30,427)31,17516,78214,55620,20314,07996,79519,35963.6%
Middle TennesseeJohnny "Red" Floyd Stadium (30,788)18,69016,22721,06714,10218,60588,69117,73857.6%
North TexasApogee Stadium (30,850)22,25921,82317,05517,53415,96394,63418,92761.4%
South AlabamaLadd–Peebles Stadium (33,471)17,14415,23723,78917,56611,93615,087100,75916,79350.2%
TroyVeterans Memorial Stadium (30,000)17,98129,01316,42617,35424,32120,614125,70920,95269.8%
Western KentuckyHouchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium (22,000)16,32723,25222,32317,32714,18511,074104,48817,41579.2%

References