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2012 BYU Cougars football team

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2012 BYU Cougars football
Poinsettia Bowl champion
ConferenceIndependent
Record8–5
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorBrandon Doman (2nd season)
Offensive schemeWest Coast
Base defense3–4
Captains
  • David Foote
  • Riley Nelson
  • Brandon Ogletree
Home stadiumLaVell Edwards Stadium
Seasons
← 2011
2013 →
2012 NCAA Division I FBS independents football records
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
BYU           8 5  
Navy           8 5  
Army           2 10  
No. 4 Notre Dame  %         0* 0  
  • % – BCS at-large representative
  • *All wins and national championship appearance for Notre Dame (12–1) in the 2012 season were vacated
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2012 BYU Cougars football team represented Brigham Young University in the 2012 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Cougars, led by head coach Bronco Mendenhall, played their home games at LaVell Edwards Stadium. This was the second year BYU competed as an independent. They finished the season 8–5. They were invited to the Poinsettia Bowl where they defeated San Diego State.

Before the season

[edit]

2012 Recruits

[edit]

As the home of the Cougars, BYUtv would sponsor their own National Letter of Intent Day signing day special. The special aired on Wednesday, February 1 at 7 PM MT and was rebroadcast that night at 10 PM MT and Thursday morning at 1 AM MT. Additionally a signing day press conference was broadcast on BYUtvsports.com live at 1:30 PM MT. The following athletes signed letters of intent to play for BYU in the coming seasons.[1]

US college sports recruiting information for 2012 recruits
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Philip Amone
LB
Orlando, FL Dr. Phillips 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 230 lb (100 kg) Jun 4, 2011 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: 72
Dylan Collie
WR
El Dorado Hills, CA Oak Ridge 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 175 lb (79 kg) May 24, 2011 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: 70
Matt Hadley
DB
Connell, WA Connell 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 190 lb (86 kg) Oct 29, 2010 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: 74
Micah Hannemann
DB
Alpine, UT Lone Peak 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 190 lb (86 kg) Jun 30, 2011 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: 72
Taysom Hill
QB
Pocatello, ID Highland 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 210 lb (95 kg) Feb 1, 2012 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: 75
Troy Hinds
LB
Kaysville, UT Davis 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 235 lb (107 kg) Aug 8, 2011 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: 79
Austin Hoyt
OL
Jackson, CA Argonaut 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 265 lb (120 kg) Jun 4, 2011 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: 75
Marques Johnson
DL
Los Angeles El Camino CC 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 310 lb (140 kg) Feb 1, 2012 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: JC
Theodore King
DL
San Jose, CA Valley Christian 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 235 lb (107 kg) Jan 30, 2012 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: 45
Jherremya Leuta-Douyere
LB
Garden Grove, CA Servite 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 235 lb (107 kg) Jun 30, 2011 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: 74
Tanner Mangum
QB
Eagle, ID Eagle 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 195 lb (88 kg) Apr 7, 2011 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: 80
Ammon Olsen
QB
Draper, UT Southern Utah 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 198 lb (90 kg) Feb 1, 2012 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: TR
Butch Pau'u
LB
Anaheim, CA Servite 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 225 lb (102 kg) Jun 30, 2011 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: 79
Sawyer Powell
LB
Richland, WA Richland 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 205 lb (93 kg) Aug 14, 2011 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: 75
Steven Richards
DL
Sandy, UT Alta 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 240 lb (110 kg) Jun 14, 2011 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: 74
Rhett Sandlin
LB
Sandy, UT Alta 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 225 lb (102 kg) Oct 29, 2010 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: 73
Taumata Tofi
DL
Perris, CA Perris 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 270 lb (120 kg) Mar 2, 2012 
Recruiting star ratings: RivalsN/A   247SportsN/A
Josh Weeks
WR
Show Low, AZ Show Low 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 200 lb (91 kg) Dec 18, 2010 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: 78
Jamaal Williams
RB
Fontana, CA Summit 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 193 lb (88 kg) Jul 7, 2011 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: 72
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 60   Rivals: 61  ESPN: Not Ranked Top 25
  • 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:

  • "BYU 2012 Football Commitments". Rivals.com. Retrieved February 1, 2012.
  • "2012 BYU Football Commits". Scout.com. Retrieved February 1, 2012.
  • "2012 Player Commits". ESPN.com. Retrieved February 1, 2012.
  • "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout.com. Retrieved February 1, 2012.
  • "2012 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved February 1, 2012.

6 of the Cougar commitments (Amone, Hannemann, Hinds, Mangum, Richards, and Weeks) plan to serve full-time church missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints before joining the BYU team. 3 Cougars commitments (Hill, Johnson, and Olsen) were mid-year enrollees. Powell graduated High School in winter 2011 and was already taking classes at BYU, so there was no letter of intent for him to sign. He plans to grey-shirt before going on a church mission. With 6 other QB's on the roster, Mangum also chose to grey-shirt the 2012 season.

2012 Return Missionary Commitments

[edit]

BYU also announced a large list of return missionaries that would help bolster their roster this season. Commit dates in this section are dates in which it was announced these players would return to BYU, not when they actually first signed with BYU.

US college sports recruiting information for 2012 recruits
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Terrence Alletto
OL
Parker, CO Ponderosa 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 287 lb (130 kg) Feb 1, 2012 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: 80
Trevor Bateman
DB
Palm Desert, CA Palm Desert 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) 178 lb (81 kg) Feb 1, 2012 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: 74
Craig Bills
DB
Provo, UT Timpview 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 209 lb (95 kg) Feb 1, 2012 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: 74
Tui Crichton
DL
Orem, UT Timpview 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 357 lb (162 kg) Feb 1, 2012 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: 74
Jacob Hannemann
DB
Highland, UT Lone Peak 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 190 lb (86 kg) Feb 1, 2012 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: 40
Bronson Kaufusi
DL
Provo, UT Timpview 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 220 lb (100 kg) Feb 1, 2012 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: 80
Mitch Mathews
WR
Beaverton, OR Southridge 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 202 lb (92 kg) Feb 1, 2012 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: 75
Remington Peck
DL
South Jordan, UT Bingham 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 240 lb (110 kg) Feb 1, 2012 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: 74
Brett Thompson
WR
El Dorado Hills, CA Oak Ridge 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 216 lb (98 kg) Feb 1, 2012 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: 69
Russell Tialavea
DL
Oceanside, CA Oceanside 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 266 lb (121 kg) Feb 1, 2012 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: Committed before ESPN started giving scores
Fono Vialavea
OL
Bryan, TX Bryan 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 340 lb (150 kg) Feb 1, 2012 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: No Score
Brad Wilcox
OL
Edmond, OK North 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 265 lb (120 kg) Feb 1, 2012 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: 77
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 60   Rivals: 61  ESPN: Not Ranked Top 25
  • 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 Departures

[edit]

The following Cougars graduated, transferred, or chose to serve two-year Church Missions after the 2011 season and didn't return to the team in 2012.

Name Number Pos. Height Weight Year Hometown Notes
JJ Di Luigi 10 RB 5'9" 185 Senior Santa Clarita, CA Graduated
Bryan Kariya 33 RB 6'0" 217 Senior Kaysville, UT Graduated
Terence Brown 60 C 6'4" 318 Senior Summerville, SC Graduated ; NFL Free agent signee with the Miami Dolphins[2]
Marco Thorson 62 OG 6'6" 210 Senior Ramona, CA Graduated
Matt Reynolds 70 OT 6'6" 305 Senior Provo, UT Graduated ; NFL Free agent signee with the Carolina Panthers[2]
McKay Jacobson 06 WR 5'11" 199 Senior Southlake, TX Graduated ; NFL Free agent signee with the Philadelphia Eagles[3]
Matt Marshall 19 WR 5'10" 171 Senior Salt Lake City, UT Graduated
Spencer Hafoka 83 WR 6'0" 201 Senior Kahuku, HI Graduated
Matthew Edwards 89 TE 6'3" 214 Senior Salt Lake City, UT Graduated
Matt Putnam 41 DE 6'6" 271 Senior Brigham City, UT Graduated ; Invited to NFL's Green Bay Packers minicamp [4]
Ian Dulan 65 DT 6'1" 270 Senior Hilo, HI Graduated
Hebron Fangupo 91 DT 6'1" 331 Senior Santa Ana, CA Graduated ; NFL Free agent signee with the Houston Texans[2]
Simote Vea 93 DE 5'11" 270 Senior Hau'ula, HI Graduated
Jordan Pendleton 01 LB 6'3" 238 Senior South Jordan, UT Graduated
Aveni Leung-Wai 31 LB 6'1" 227 Senior Aiea, HI Graduated
Jameson Frazier 48 LB 6'2" 230 Senior Draper, UT Graduated ; Invited to NFL's Philadelphia Eagles minicamp
Jadon Wagner 49 LB 6'4" 245 Senior Lethbridge, Alberta Graduated
Travis Uale 23 DB 6'2" 199 Senior Hawaii Kai, HI Graduated
Corby Eason 25 DB 5'8" 173 Senior Columbus, GA Graduated
Jake Heaps 09 QB 6'1" 200 Sophomore Issaquah, WA Transferred- University of Kansas[5]
Ryan Folsom 30 RB 5'10" 195 Sophomore Medford, OR
Austin Heder 41 RB 6'1" 241 Freshman Pleasant Grove, UT LDS mission (returning in 2014)
Grant James 92 TE 6'5" 190 Freshman Concord, CA
Stehly Reden 90 TE 6'4" 254 Freshman Valley Center, CA LDS mission (returning in 2014)
Manu Mulitalo 66 OL 6'2" 340 Freshman West Valley City, UT LDS mission (returning in 2014)
Austin Nielsen 68 OL 6'0" 277 Junior Glendale, CA
Devon Smith OL 6'2" 275 Freshman Beaverton, OR LDS mission (returning in 2014)
Carter Mees 15 DB 6'0" 190 Junior St. George, UT
Gavin Fowler 16 DB 5'11" 190 Freshman Kaysville, UT LDS mission (returning in 2014)
Logan Obering 17 DB N/A N/A Freshman Cedar City, UT
Kori Gaines 19 DB 5'8" 162 Freshman Loganville, GA Transferred- College of the Canyons
Baker Pritchard 43 DL 6'3" 277 Freshman South Jordan, UT LDS mission (returning in 2014)
Graham Rowley 92 DL 6'4" 280 Sophomore Waialua, HI LDS mission (returning in 2014)
Travis Tuiloma 97 DL 6'2" 320 Freshman Topeka, KS LDS mission (returning in 2014)
Zach Newman 42 LB 6'3" 215 Freshman Alpine, UT LDS mission (returning in 2014)
Cody Monsen 52 LB 6'2" 215 Freshman Brownwood, TX
Va'a Niumatalolo 59 LB 6'1" 227 Freshman Annapolis, MD LDS mission (returning in 2014)
Josh Quezada 20 RB 5'11" 225 Junior La Habra, CA Transferred – Fresno State[6]
Jordan Richardson 94 DL 6'4" 270 Junior La Habra, CA Injured- Will miss senior season with injury; Moved to a Student Assistant
Rhen Brown 87 WR 5'10" 178 Junior Summerville, South Carolina Will miss senior season with injury
Jray Galea'i 16 DB 6'0" 196 Junior Laie, HI Will miss senior season with injury; Moved to a Student Assistant
O'Neill Chambers 15 DB 6'2" 225 RS Senior Harmony, FL In bad standing with program and not allowed to practice; Transferred to University of Nebraska at Kearney[7]

Spring Game

[edit]

The BYU 2012 Spring game was held on March 24, 2012. Due to a high number of injuries in spring football, it was downgraded to a scrimmage. All the starters were benched. Each of the remaining 4 quarterbacks got 2 series to play against selected defensive players. The scrimmage would end in a scoreless fashion at 0–0. However Coach Bronco Mendenhall said the game accomplished what he wanted it to. He was able to find a set of players that would be beneficial to the team this fall as starters or backups.[8]

Transfers

[edit]

Controversy arose with the BYU football team in April 2012 when it was revealed that Michael Wadsworth, a defensive back, had requested a transfer from Hawaiʻi while on his church mission. The reason he gave stated he wanted to play closer to his home in Orem, Utah. Hawaiʻi denied his request and asked him to complete one more season. Despite appeals to the coach, Greg McMackin, and others higher up at the university, Wadsworth was denied his attempt to transfer. When Norm Chow became the new coach of the Warriors, he was contacted by the Wadsworth's about the possible transfer. Chow said Wadsworth could transfer to any school except BYU. Despite being a former offensive coordinator at BYU, Chow claimed it was his belief that BYU had an unfair recruiting advantage with missionaries. Bronco Mendenhall and the staff have made it clear that they don't contact any missionaries in the field for recruiting purposes, and they have not made any contact with the Wadsworth family.[9] At this time Wadsworth plans on go to BYU in the fall, but he won't be able to play football with BYU or even talk to the coaches about possibly playing football with them until June 2013.[10]

On May 2, BYU learned that Colorado State transfer Drew Reilly would come to BYU. Reilly was a starting safety for the Rams 2011 season. Reilly's reasons for transferring were solely to seek a better atmosphere for his LDS beliefs. As is required, Reilly will sit out the 2012 season, but he will become a full scholarship student at BYU in January 2013 and be able to participate in spring ball in April 2013.[11]

Pre-season honors

[edit]

1 BYU Cougar was selected as a 2012 All-American participant, and 16 BYU Cougars were selected to the Phil-Steele All-Independent team to begin 2012 (Cody Hoffman was selected for two different positions).[12]

Name Number Pos. Height Weight Year Hometown Notes
Braden Hansen 76 OG 6'3" 303 Senior Sandy, UT Phil-Steele 3rd Team All American
Riley Nelson 13 QB 6'0" 196 Senior Logan, UT Phil-Steele 1st Team All-Independent; 2012 Maxwell Award Pre-season watch list [13]
Cody Hoffman 2 WR 6'4" 208 Junior Crescent City, CA Phil-Steele 1st Team All-Independent
Braden Hansen 76 OG 6'3" 303 Senior Sandy, UT Phil-Steele 1st Team All Independent; 2012 Outland Trophy Pre-season watch list
Braden Brown 75 OT 6'6" 301 Senior Salt Lake City, UT Phil-Steele 1st Team All Independent
Brandon Ogletree 44 LB 5'11" 228 Senior McKinney, TX Phil-Steele 1st Team All Independent
Kyle Van Noy 3 LB 6'3" 235 Junior Reno, NV Phil-Steele 1st Team All Independent; 2012 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Pre-season watch list
Preston Hadley 7 CB 6'0" 200 Senior Pleasant Grove, UT Phil-Steele 1st Team All Independent
Daniel Sorensen 9 S 6'2" 206 Junior Colton, CA Phil-Steele 1st Team All Independent
Justin Sorensen 37 PK 6'1" 232 Junior South Jordan, UT Phil-Steele 1st Team All Independent
Riley Stephenson 99 P 6'0" 196 Senior St. George, UT Phil-Steele 1st Team All Independent and Ray Guy Award Pre-season Watchlist
JD Falslev 12 PR 5'8" 184 Junior Smithfield, UT Phil-Steele 1st Team All Independent
Ross Apo 1 WR 6'3" 206 Sophomore Arlington, TX Phil-Steele 2nd Team All Independent
Marcus Mathews 80 TE 6'4" 208 Junior Beaverton, OR Phil-Steele 2nd Team All Independent
Houston Reynolds 1 C 6'2" 296 Junior Provo, UT Phil-Steele 2nd Team All Independent
Eathyn Manumaleuna 55 DL 6'2" 294 Senior Anchorage, AK Phil-Steele 2nd Team All Independent
Romney Fuga 98 DL 6'2" 321 Senior Huntington Beach, CA Phil-Steele 2nd Team All Independent
Uona Kaveinga 4 LB 5'11" 236 Senior Hawthorne, CA Phil-Steele 2nd Team All Independent
Cody Hoffman 2 KR 6'4" 208 Junior Crescent City, CA Phil-Steele 2nd Team All-Independent

Media

[edit]

2012 Media Day

[edit]

On the BYU Spring Football Special aired April 2, 2012, it was announced that BYUtv would provide coverage of the national media day, probably sometime in July. On May 7 it was announced that BYU Football National Media Day would take place on Wednesday, June 27, 2012 from the BYU Broadcasting Center.

For football Media Day Dave McCann, Bronco Mendenhall, Tom Holmoe, and Trevor Matich discussed what the Cougars goals were for the 2012 season during the State of the Program discussion. They also discussed the new playoff format that will begin in 2014.

One of the hot topics was the BYU-Utah rivalry and if 2012 would be the last year for this traditional rivalry. Both Holmoe and Mendenhall said they want the rivalry to continue and that it is up in the hands of Utah's board. However, they hoped that with Strength of Schedule being one of the factors in the new playoff system, it should provide extra incentive for Utah to want to continue the rivalry.

Another topic discussed was moving the Utah State- BYU game from conference weekend back to November. Mendenhall said he liked the idea of having a traditional rival as the final game, and with the improvements Gary Andersen continued to make at Utah State, it would be a desirable outcome if both schools could make it happen.

Finally the discussion of realignment and the BYU–Notre Dame alliance was discussed. Holmoe made it clear that Independence is the course that BYU will continue to take at this time, and they thanked Notre Dame football for providing a voice for BYU and Notre Dame in scheduling this new playoff format. He admitted BYU would keep an eye on the continuing changes of the college football landscape, but BYU and Notre Dame will continue to be partners in Independence for the foreseeable future.

The second program on Media Day was a True Blue 2012 Football Season Preview. Brandon Doman, Riley Nelson, Kyle Van Noy, and others were brought in to discuss what the coaches, offensive players, and defensive players are doing to get ready for the 2012 season. They also stated their goals. Bruce Binkowski, the Poinsettia Bowl and Holiday Bowl GM Association Executive Director, attended the show and discussed why the Poinsettia Bowl had signed BYU up for the 2012 season. He also revealed the ideal match for the 2012 Poinsettia Bowl would be BYU vs. San Diego State, a match-up which eventually came to fruition.

The third program held was a round table discussion. It focused on how Bronco Mendenhall has focused on changing the offense and defense at BYU since he became the head coach. John Beck, Curtis Brown, Vic So'oto, Max Hall, Austin Collie, and Dennis Pitta came back to discuss how playing at BYU has prepared them for the NFL, what their favorite moments were at BYU, and how Mendenhall changed the program into the 6th most winning program in NCAA Football during his 7 years at BYU.

Throughout the day Robbie Bullough also had live chats online with current BYU players and coaches.

BYU Radio Sports Network Affiliates

[edit]

[14]

KSL 102.7 FM and 1160 AM- Flagship Station (Salt Lake City/ Provo, UT and ksl.com)
BYU Radio- Nationwide (Dish Network 980, Sirius XM 143, and byuradio.org)
KIDO- Boise, ID [football only]
KTHK- Blackfoot/ Idaho Falls/ Pocatello/ Rexburg, ID
KMGR- Manti, UT
KSUB- Cedar City, UT
KDXU- St. George, UT
KSHP- Las Vegas, NV [football only]

Roster

[edit]
2012 BYU Cougars football team roster
Players Coaches
Offense
Pos. # Name Class
QB 4 Taysom Hill Injured Fr
QB 7 Alex Kuersa Fr
QB 3 James Lark Sr
QB 11 Jason Munns Jr
QB 13 Riley Nelson (C) Sr
QB 15 Ammon Olsen So
RB 42 Michael Alisa Injured Jr
RB 24 Brayden El-Bakri  Fr
RB 34 Bryan Engstrom Fr
RB 27 David Foote (C) Sr
RB 22 Adam Hine Fr
RB 33 Paul Lasike So
RB 35 Zed Mendenhall Sr
RB 5 Iona Pritchard So
RB 28 Levi Te'o Fr
RB 21 Jamaal Williams Fr
TE 93 Trevor Brown Fr
TE 83 Mike Edmunds Fr
TE 82 Kaneakua Friel Jr
TE 88 Austin Holt Jr
TE 84 Devin Mahina So
TE 80 Marcus Mathews Jr
TE 83 Stehly Reden Fr
TE 89 Darin Tuttle Fr
TE 18 Richard Wilson Jr
WR 1 Ross Apo So
WR 9 Dylan Collie  Fr
WR 85 Dallin Cutler Jr
WR 12 JD Falslev Jr
WR 25 Kurt Henderson Fr
WR 2 Cody Hoffman Jr
WR 11 Terenn Houk Fr
WR 10 Mitch Mathews Fr
WR 31 Cody Raymond Fr
WR 29 Skyler Ridley Jr
WR 23 Jordan Smith Jr
WR 19 Brett Thompson So
OL 70 Terrance Alletto Fr
OL 56 Famika Anae Injured So
OL 75 Braden Brown Sr
OL 94 Tui Crichton Fr
OL 64 Quin Ficklin  Fr
OL 50 Ryan Freeman Sr
OL 76 Braden Hansen Sr
OL 66 Austin Hoyt  Fr
OL 67 Kyle Johnson  Fr
OL 73 Solomone Kafu So
OL 71 Walter Kahaiali'i Sr
OL 67 Quinn Lawlor So
OL 72 Ryker Mathews Fr
OL 78 Houston Reynolds Injured Jr
OL 74 Brock Stringham So
OL 54 Blair Tushaus So
OL 79 Manaaki Vaitai Jr
OL 65 Fono Vakalahi So
OL 68 Brad Wilcox  Fr
OL 77 Michael Yeck So
Defense
Pos. # Name Class
DB 18 Craig Bills Injured So
DB 26 Robbie Buckner Sr
DB 24 Cameron Comer So
DB 21 DeQuan Everett Sr
DB 17 Matt Hadley Fr
DB 7 Preston Hadley Sr
DB 32 Mike Hague  Sr
DB 30 Micah Hannemann Fr
DB 16 Adam Hogan Jr
DB 6 Jordan Johnson So
DB 23 Blake Morgan Jr
DB 29 Skye PoVey  Jr
DB 28 Sawyer Powell  Fr
DB 36 Drew Reilly So
DB 1 Joe Sampson (S) Sr
DB 9 Daniel Sorensen Jr
DB 18 Morgan Unga  Fr
DL 62 Roman Andrus Fr
DL 58 Justin Blackmore So
DL 57 Tyson Brook Fr
DL 92 Michael Doman Fr
DL 39 Ian Dulan Sr
DL 98 Romney Fuga Sr
DL 91 Marques Johnson Jr
DL 90 Bronson Kaufusi Fr
DL 97 Theodore King Fr
DL 56 Jheremmya Leuta-Douyere Fr
DL 55 Eathyn Manumaleuna Injured  Sr
DL 95 Mike Muehlmann Jr
DL 50 Remington Peck Fr
DL 52 Russell Tialavea Sr
DL 93 Simote Vea Sr
LB 47 Ezekiel Ansah Sr
LB 45 Tyler Beck Jr
LB 46 Kevan Bills Fr
LB 53 Tanner Cox So
LB 5 Alani Fua So
LB 2 Spencer Hadley Jr
LB 34 Austen Jorgensen Sr
LB 27 Teu Kautai Fr
LB 4 Uona Kaveinga Sr
LB 51 Lene Lesatele Fr
LB 44 Brandon Ogeltree (C) Sr
LB 38 Butch Pau'u  Fr
LB 22 Manoa Pikula Fr
LB 48 Nate Sampson  So
LB 43 Rhett Sandlin  Fr
LB 10 Zac Stout (S) So
LB 41 Uani 'Unga Jr
LB 3 Kyle Van Noy Jr
Special teams
Pos. # Name Class
DS 96 Reed Hornung Sr
PK 37 Justin Sorensen Jr
PK, P 99 Riley Stephenson Sr
P 28 Scott Arellano So
KR 2 Cody Hoffman Jr
KR 32 Mike Hague Sr
PR 12 JD Falslev Jr
H 3 James Lark Sr
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches

[15]


Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • Injured Injured
  • Redshirt Redshirt

Roster

Depth chart

[edit]

[16]

Rankings

[edit]
Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes
Week
PollPre1234567891011121314Final
APRVRV25
CoachesRVRVRVRV
HarrisNot releasedNot released
BCSNot releasedNot released

Schedule

[edit]
DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
August 308:15 p.m.Washington StateESPN[17]W 30–657,045
September 81:00 p.m.Weber State
  • LaVell Edwards Stadium
  • Provo, UT
BYUtv[17]W 45–1360,314
September 158:00 p.m.at UtahNo. 25ESPN2[18]L 21–2445,653
September 207:00 p.m.at No. 24 Boise StateESPN[19]L 6–736,864
September 286:00 p.m.Hawaii
  • LaVell Edwards Stadium
  • Provo, UT
ESPN[17]W 47–062,022
October 58:15 p.m.Utah State
ESPN[17]W 6–363,086
October 131:30 p.m.No. 10 Oregon Statedagger
  • LaVell Edwards Stadium
  • Provo, UT
ABC/ESPN3L 24–4263,489
October 201:30 p.m.at No. 5 Notre DameNBCL 14–1780,795
October 271:00 p.m.at Georgia TechROOT via ACC Regional Network/ESPN3W 41–1750,103
November 108:15 p.m.Idaho
  • LaVell Edwards Stadium
  • Provo, UT (Senior Day)
ESPNUW 52–1361,009
November 178:30 p.m.at San Jose StateESPN2L 14–2015,494
November 241:30 p.m.at New Mexico StateESPN3W 50–1412,571
December 206:00 p.m.at San Diego StateESPNW 23–635,442

[20]

Game summaries

[edit]

Washington State

[edit]
Washington State at BYU
1 234Total
WSU Cougars 0 600 6
BYU Cougars 7 1760 30
Sources:[21]

BYU alum Mike Leach returned to Provo with a football team for the first time since he got his bachelor's when Washington State came to Provo. Leach didn't play or coach football while at BYU, so it was his first time on the field at LaVell Edwards Stadium. It was the first of a two-year home-and-home series between the schools and the fourth time they had met overall. BYU led the series 2–1.[22]

After the game, Riley Nelson and Kaneakua Friel were announced as Co-Offensive FBS Independent Players of the Week. Riley Stephenson was announced as the Special Teams player of the Week. It was Nelson's fifth FBS Independent Player of the Week award while it was a first for both Stephenson and Friel. BYU's performance in the game led Mark Schlabach and Jesse Palmer to compare Riley Nelson with Tim Tebow while also announcing that BYU's defense was one of the most underrated groups in all of college football.[23]


Weber State

[edit]
Weber State at BYU
1 234Total
Wildcats 0 067 13
Cougars 7 141014 45
  • Date: September 8
  • Location: LaVell Edwards Stadium
    Provo, UT
  • Game start: 1:05 PM MDT
  • Elapsed time: 3:13
  • Game attendance: 60,314
  • Game weather: 74 °F (23 °C), Clear, winds SW at 6mph
  • Referee: Cooper Castleberry
  • TV announcers (BYUtv): Dave McCann, Blaine Fowler, and Robbie Bullough
Sources:[24]

For only the third time in the schools histories, BYU and Weber State will meet in a collegiate football game. The series has been rather lopsided in BYU's favor. In the first meeting in 1973 BYU won 45–14. In the second meeting in 1979 BYU again prevailed 48–3.[22]

Thanks to an average of 53.2 yards per punt, BYU punter Riley Stephenson was named the FBS Independents Special Teams player of the week. Stephenson punted 5 times during the game with a long punt of 61 yards occurring.[25]


Utah

[edit]
#25 BYU at Utah
1 234Total
#25 Cougars 0 7014 21
Utes 7 0170 24
Sources:[26]

The sixth year of the Deseret First Duel returns to Salt Lake City for the 2012 football match-up between BYU and Utah. It's the 88th meeting between the two schools since Brigham Young Academy became BYU. Utah leads the series 52–31–4 and has a current two game winning streak. Utah has a 4–3 record against current coach Bronco Mendenhall. BYU will look to end Utah's winning streak at Rice-Eccles against the Cougs, as the Utes have won 2 straight and 4 of the last 5 at Rice-Eccles.[22]


#24 Boise State

[edit]
BYU at #24 Boise State
1 234Total
Cougars 0 006 6
#24 Broncos 0 070 7
Sources:[27]

The Cougars and Broncos begin the first of a 12-year football series with this 2012 match. Boise State leads the all-time series 2–0, having won previous matches in 2003 and 2004.[22]

Despite the loss, Stephenson was once again awarded the FBS Independents Special Teams Player of the Week award. Stephenson punted 6 times during the game, with an average of 47 yards per punt, but what was impressive were his consistent 50+ yard punts: 52, 55, 56, and 57. On four of the six punts, Boise State had to start the next possession inside their own 20 yard line.[28]


Hawaii

[edit]
Hawaii at BYU
1 234Total
Warriors 0 000 0
Cougars 7 13207 47
Sources:[29]

Hawaii returns to Provo for the first time since 2002 to continue their rivalry with BYU. It will be the 29th meeting overall, with BYU holding a 20–8 advantage. It will be the first time former BYU offensive coordinator Norm Chow faces his old school as a head coach.[22]

The following Monday QB Taysom Hill was awarded the FBS Independent Offensive Player of the Week award and CB Preston Hadley was awarded the FBS Independent Defensive Player of the Week award.[30]


Utah State

[edit]
Utah State at BYU
1 234Total
Aggies 3 000 3
Cougars 0 600 6
Sources:[31]

BYU looks for their second straight win in the Battle for the Old Wagon Wheel as BYU and Utah State meet for the 82nd time. BYU owns a 44–34–3 record overall against Utah State and a 26–16–1 record in matches in Provo.[22]


#10 Oregon State

[edit]
#10 Oregon State at BYU
1 234Total
#10 Beavers 14 0721 42
Cougars 7 773 24
Sources:[32]

Bronco Mendenhall meets his alma mater for the second consecutive season and the third time in four years as coach at BYU. The winner of the game will take the lead in the series all time, which is even at 5–5. BYU is 2–1 in meetings in Provo. BYU is looking for their fourth straight win over Oregon State having won games in 1986, 2009, and 2011.[22]


#5 Notre Dame

[edit]
BYU at #5 Notre Dame
1 234Total
Cougars 0 1400 14
#5 Fighting Irish 7 037 17
Sources:[33]

The first of 6 matches between the Cougars and Irish before 2020 begins what most people believe is BYU's hardest road stretch of the year. BYU looks to cut into the 4–2 record Notre Dame has against the Cougars.[22]


Georgia Tech

[edit]
BYU at Georgia Tech
1 234Total
Cougars 7 17710 41
Yellow Jackets 7 730 17
Sources:[34]

The first game in a 4-game series against Georgia Tech (that is expected to be cut to two games) continues BYU's road stretch in ACC country. The two schools have met twice before, in a home-and-home series in 2002 and 2003, in which each school prevailed at home.[22]


Idaho

[edit]
Idaho at BYU
1 234Total
Vandals 7 033 13
Cougars 28 14010 52
  • Date: November 10
  • Location: LaVell Edwards Stadium
    Provo, UT
  • Game start: 8:22 PM MST
  • Elapsed time: 3:13
  • Game attendance: 61,009
  • Game weather: 27 °F (−3 °C), Overcast w/ snow likely, winds NW at 1mph
  • Referee: Tom Walker
  • TV announcers (ESPNU/BYUtv): Joe Davis and Jay Walker (ESPNU)
    Dave McCann, Gary Sheide, and Robbie Bullough (BYUtv)
Sources:[35]

BYU finishes their home schedule with the first of 3 consecutive games against the Western Athletic Conference. BYU and Idaho meet for the fifth time with a 2–2 record against each other.[22]


San Jose State

[edit]
BYU at San Jose State
1 234Total
Cougars 7 007 14
Spartans 13 700 20
Sources:[36]

BYU begins their final road trip in San Jose to face off with the Spartans and try to cut down the deficit record they have against the Spartans all-time: 6–9.[22]


New Mexico State

[edit]
BYU at New Mexico State
1 234Total
Cougars 0 201020 50
Aggies 0 770 14
  • Date: November 24
  • Location: Aggie Memorial Stadium
    Las Cruces, NM
  • Game start: 1:34 PM MST
  • Elapsed time: 3:10
  • Game attendance: 12,571
  • Game weather: 66 °F (19 °C), Clear, winds SSE 3 mph
  • Referee: Cooper Castleberry
  • TV announcers (ESPN3): Peter Young and John Fina
Sources:[37]

The Cougars end their regular season with their first trip to Las Cruces for a football game. The Cougars and Aggies meet for the second-straight year with the Cougars owning a 1–0 record in the all-time series.[22]

Poinsettia Bowl

[edit]
BYU at San Diego State
1 234Total
Cougars 0 3020 23
Aztecs 3 300 6
Sources:[38]

References

[edit]
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  2. ^ a b c Drew, Jay (April 28, 2012). "BYU Shut Out of NFL Draft". Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved April 28, 2012.
  3. ^ Drew, Jay (April 29, 2012). "Jacobson Becomes Fourth Undrafted Cougar to Ink a Free-Agent Deal". Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved April 29, 2012.
  4. ^ "Blue Roundup: Runner Takes Steeplechase Mishap in Stride". Deseret News. Salt Lake City. May 2, 2012. Retrieved May 2, 2012.
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  22. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "BYU Cougars Release 2012 Football Schedule". NewsUtah.org. February 14, 2012. Archived from the original on February 21, 2012. Retrieved February 14, 2012.
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  27. ^ "Boise State Broncos vs. BYU Cougars" (PDF). BYU Athletics. Retrieved September 21, 2012.
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  29. ^ "Hawaii Warriors vs. BYU Cougars". Statbroadcast.com. Retrieved September 28, 2012.
  30. ^ Lloyd, Jared (October 1, 2012). "Taysom Hill, Preston Hadley Earn Independent Player of the Week Honors". Provo Daily Herald. Retrieved October 1, 2012.
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  35. ^ "Idaho Vandals vs. BYU Cougars". Stat Broadcast. Retrieved November 10, 2012.
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  37. ^ "New Mexico State Aggies vs. BYU Cougars". NeuLion. Archived from the original on October 21, 2013. Retrieved November 24, 2012.
  38. ^ "Poinsettia Bowl: San Diego State Aztecs vs. BYU Cougars". Stat Broadcast. Retrieved December 20, 2012.