2012 West Virginia Mountaineers football team

2012 West Virginia Mountaineers football
Pinstripe Bowl vs. Syracuse, L 14–38
Conference	Big 12 Conference
2012 record	7–6 (4–5 Big 12)
Head coach	Dana Holgorsen (2nd season)
Offensive coordinator	Shannon Dawson (1st as coordinator, 2nd overall 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 (60,000)
Seasons

2012 Big 12 football standings
	Conf							Overall
Team		W		L					W		L
#7 Kansas State †§		8	–	1					11	–	2
#12 Oklahoma §		8	–	1					10	–	3
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 champion § – Conference co-champions As of January 5, 2013 • Rankings from AP Poll

The 2012 West Virginia Mountaineers football team represented West Virginia University in the 2012 college 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. They finished the season 7–6, 4–5 in Big 12 play to finish in a four way tie for fifth place. They were invited to the Pinstripe Bowl where they were defeated by Syracuse.

Preseason

2012 recruiting class

2012 Recruits

Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight 40‡ Commit date Imarjaye Albury DT Miami, FL Northwestern 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) 280 lb (130 kg) – Mar 10, 2011  Scout:   Rivals:   ESPN grade: 73 Christian Brown DT Bridgeton, NJ Bridgeton Senior 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) 290 lb (130 kg) – Dec 16, 2011  Scout:   Rivals:   ESPN grade: 76 Roshard Burney RB Palm Beach Gardens, FL Palm Beach Gardens 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) 205 lb (93 kg) 4.5 Nov 28, 2011  Scout:   Rivals:   ESPN grade: 75 Ford Childress QB Houston, TX Kinkaid 6 ft 4 in (193 cm) 210 lb (95 kg) 4.8 Apr 19, 2011  Scout:   Rivals:   ESPN grade: 80 Torry Clayton RB Homestead, FL South Dade 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) 190 lb (86 kg) 4.4 Jan 17, 2012  Scout:   Rivals:   ESPN grade: 76 Travares Copeland ATH Port St. Lucie, FL Treasure Coast 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) 175 lb (79 kg) – Feb 1, 2012  Scout:   Rivals:   ESPN grade: 77 K. J. Dillon DB Apopka, FL Apopka 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) 185 lb (84 kg) 4.6 Dec 11, 2011  Scout:   Rivals:   ESPN grade: 76 John DePalma LS Cumming, GA Pinecrest Academy 6 ft 6 in (198 cm) 235 lb (107 kg) – Mar 3, 2012  Scout:N/A   Rivals:N/A   ESPN grade: – Mark Glowinski OT Scranton, PA Lackawanna C.C. 6 ft 5 in (196 cm) 290 lb (130 kg) – Jan 21, 2012  Scout:   Rivals:   ESPN grade: – Jarrod Harper DB Frostburg, MD Mountain Ridge 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) 200 lb (91 kg) 4.5 Feb 22, 2011  Scout:   Rivals:   ESPN grade: 74 Korey Harris DE Fruit Cove, FL Bartram Trail 6 ft 4 in (193 cm) 230 lb (100 kg) 5.3 Jan 19, 11  Scout:   Rivals:   ESPN grade: 76 Garrett Hope LB The Woodlands, TX The Woodlands 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) 220 lb (100 kg) 4.7 Jan 21, 2012  Scout:   Rivals:   ESPN grade: 69 Will Johnson TE Osseo, MN Osseo 6 ft 7 in (201 cm) 245 lb (111 kg) 4.8 Dec 15, 2011  Scout:   Rivals:   ESPN grade: 75 Karl Joseph DB Orlando, FL Edgewater 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) 190 lb (86 kg) – Dec 15, 2011  Scout:   Rivals:   ESPN grade: 77 Darreal Joyner WR Miami, FL Miami Central 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) 180 lb (82 kg) 4.4 Aug 1, 2011  Scout:   Rivals:   ESPN grade: 76 Eric Kinsey DE Miami, FL Northwestern 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) 240 lb (110 kg) 4.7 Feb 2, 2012  Scout:   Rivals:   ESPN grade: 78 Nana Kyeremeh DB Worthington, OH Thomas Worthington 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) 170 lb (77 kg) 4.4 Jan 16, 2012  Scout:   Rivals:   ESPN grade: 75 Josh Lambert K Garland, TX Garland 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) 180 lb (82 kg) – Feb 2, 2012  Scout:   Rivals:   ESPN grade: – Sam Lebbie LB Hyattsville, MD DeMatha 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) 240 lb (110 kg) 4.7 Jul 30, 2011  Scout:File:4 stars.svg.png   Rivals:   ESPN grade: 79 Devonte Mathis WR Miramar, FL Miramar 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) 205 lb (93 kg) 4.6 Nov 15, 2011  Scout:   Rivals:   ESPN grade: 78 Tony Matteo OL Akron, OH Manchester 6 ft 5 in (196 cm) 275 lb (125 kg) 5.3 Jul 30, 2011  Scout:   Rivals:   ESPN grade: – Deontay McManus WR Baltimore, MD Dunbar 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) 210 lb (95 kg) 4.5 Jun 27, 2011  Scout:File:4 stars.svg.png   Rivals:File:4 stars.svg.png   ESPN grade: 78 Brandon Napoleon ATH Jersey City, NJ St. Peter's Prep 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) 175 lb (79 kg) 4.5 Jun 18, 2011  Scout:   Rivals:   ESPN grade: 78 Noble Nwachukwu DE Wylie, TX Wylie 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) 240 lb (110 kg) 4.7 Jul 30, 2011  Scout:   Rivals:   ESPN grade: 78 Tyler Orlosky OL Lakewood, OH Lakewood St. Edward 6 ft 4 in (193 cm) 290 lb (130 kg) 5.1 Jul 30, 2011  Scout:File:4 stars.svg.png   Rivals:   ESPN grade: 77 Adam Pankey OL Hamilton, OH Hamilton 6 ft 5 in (196 cm) 300 lb (140 kg) 5.1 Feb 1, 2012  Scout:   Rivals:   ESPN grade: 73 Devonte Robinson WR Delray Beach, FL Village Academy 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) 175 lb (79 kg) 4.5 Jul 13, 2011  Scout:   Rivals:   ESPN grade: 78 Rick Rumph DB Daytona Beach, FL Mainland 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) 180 lb (82 kg) – Jun 15, 2012  Scout:N/A   Rivals:   ESPN grade: – Jordan Thompson WR Katy, TX Katy 5 ft 8 in (173 cm) 160 lb (73 kg) – Dec 1, 2011  Scout:   Rivals:   ESPN grade: 75 Sean Walters DB Hallandale Beach, FL Hallandale 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) 190 lb (86 kg) – Dec 11, 2011  Scout:   Rivals:   ESPN grade: 77 Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 26   Rivals: 48 ‡ Refers to 40 yard dash Note: In many cases, Scout and Rivals may conflict in their listings of height, weight and 40 time. In these cases, an average of the two was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale. Sources: "West Virginia 2012 Football Commitments". Rivals.com. http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecruiting/football/recruiting/commitments/2012/alabama-17. Retrieved August 2, 2012. "2012 West Virginia Commits". Scout.com. http://scout.scout.com/a.z?s=159&p=9&c=8&yr=2012. Retrieved August 2, 2012. "2012 Player Commitments – West Virginia". ESPN.com. http://espn.go.com/college-football/recruiting/school/_/id/277/class/2012. Retrieved August 2, 2012. "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout.com. http://scout.scout.com/a.z?s=159&p=9&c=14&yr=2012. Retrieved August 2, 2012. "2012 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. http://www.rivals.com/TeamRank.asp?type=0&sort=0&year=2012. 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. [[{{{school}}}|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 Redshirt 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 Redshirt 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 Redshirt 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 Redshirt 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 Injury – Currently Injured Redshirt – Current redshirt I* – Ineligible Official Team Roster

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent#	Rank#	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
September 1*	12:00 PM	Marshall	#11	Mountaineer Field • Morgantown, WV (Friends of Coal Bowl)	FX	W 69–34	59,120
September 15*	4:30 PM	vs. #4 (FCS) James Madison	#8	FedEx Field • Landover, MD	ROOT	W 42–12	45,511
September 22*	12:00 PM	Maryland	#7	Mountaineer Field • Morgantown, WV (Rivalry)	FX	W 31–21	58,504
September 29†	12:00 PM	#24 Baylor	#7	Mountaineer Field • Morgantown, WV (Stripe the Stadium)	FX	W 70–63	60,012
October 6	7:00 PM	at #9 Texas	#7	Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium • Austin, TX	FOX	W 48–45	101,851
October 13	3:30 PM	at Texas Tech	#4	Jones AT&T Stadium • Lubbock, TX	ABC	L 14–49	57,328
October 20	7:00 PM	#3 Kansas State	#15	Mountaineer Field • Morgantown, WV	FOX	L 14–55	60,101
November 3	3:00 PM	TCU	#19	Mountaineer Field • Morgantown, WV	FOX	L 38–39 2OT	52,322
November 10	3:30 PM	at Oklahoma State		Boone Pickens Stadium • Stillwater, OK	ABC	L 34–55	57,799
November 17	7:00 PM	#12 Oklahoma		Mountaineer Field • Morgantown, WV (Gold Rush)	FOX	L 49–50	50,238
November 23	3:30 PM	at Iowa State		Jack Trice Stadium • Ames, IA	ABC	W 31–24	53,792
December 1	2:30 PM	Kansas		Mountaineer Field • Morgantown, WV	FSN	W 59–10	51,112
December 29*	3:15 PM	vs. Syracuse		Yankee Stadium • Bronx, NY (Pinstripe Bowl)	ESPN	L 14–38	39,098
*Non-Conference Game. †Homecoming. #Rankings from Coaches Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.

Rankings

See also: 2012 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings

Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking. ██ Decrease in ranking.
NR = Not ranked. RV = Received votes. ( ) = First place 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	NR	NR	NR	RV
Coaches'	11	8	8	7	7	7	4	15	22	19	NR	NR	NR	NR
Harris	Not released						4	15	22	20	NR	NR	NR	RV	Not released
BCS	Not released							13	19	21	NR	NR	NR	NR	Not released