2012 Abilene Christian Wildcats football team
American college football season
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The 2012 Abilene Christian Wildcats football team represented Abilene Christian University as a member of the Lone Star Conference (LSC) during the 2012 NCAA Division II football season. Led by first-year head coach Ken Collums, the Wildcats compiled an overall record of 7–4 with a mark of 4–4 in conference play, tying for fifth place in the LSC. The team played home games at Shotwell Stadium in Abilene, Texas.
- Ken Collums (1st season)
| 2012 Abilene Christian Wildcats football | |
|---|---|
| Conference | Lone Star Conference |
| Record | 7–4 (4–4 LSC) |
| Head coach |
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| Offensive scheme | Spread |
| Defensive coordinator | Darian Dulin (1st season) |
| Base defense | 3–4 |
| Captains |
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| Home stadium | Shotwell Stadium |
| Conf. | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Team | W | L | W | L | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 16 Midwestern State +^ | 7 | – | 1 | 9 | – | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 4 West Texas A&M +^ | 7 | – | 1 | 12 | – | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tarleton State | 5 | – | 3 | 6 | – | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Texas A&M–Kingsville # | 5 | – | 3 | 6 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abilene Christian | 4 | – | 4 | 7 | – | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Angelo State | 4 | – | 4 | 5 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Eastern New Mexico † | 2 | – | 6 | 3 | – | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Incarnate Word | 1 | – | 7 | 2 | – | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Texas A&M–Commerce | 1 | – | 7 | 1 | – | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Abilene Christian became just third program to have three consecutive 12,000-yard passers after Hawaii and Houston.[1] The Wildcats had also the best punt returning in college football averaging 25.2 yards per return.[2]
Preseason
Abilene Christian was ranked No. 10 in the American Football Coaches' Association pre-season poll and No. 13 by Lindy's magazine.[3][4] The ACU Wildcats were picked to finish 2nd in the conference behind Midwest State.
Mitchell Gale was not only awarded Lone Star Conference pre-season player of the year but also chosen pre-season NCAA DII offensive player of the year by Lindy's. Mitchell Gale and Morgan Lineberry (placekicker) were selected first team All-American and Taylor Gabriel (WR) made the third-team.[5]
Transfers
Will Latu, offensive lineman, transferred from Oklahoma.
Recruiting
Abilene Christian signed 13 new players on national signing day[6]
| College recruiting (2012) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Hometown | School | Height | Weight | Commit date | |
| Keith Barnett CB |
Converse, Texas | Converse Judson High School | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | ||
| Recruit ratings: No ratings found | ||||||
| Josh Bloom DT |
Kingwood, Texas | Kingwood Park High School | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 300 lb (140 kg) | ||
| Recruit ratings: No ratings found | ||||||
| Tyler Chapa CB |
San Antonio, Texas | Warren High School | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | ||
| Recruit ratings: No ratings found | ||||||
| Robbie Goldschmidt LB |
The Woodlands, Texas | The Woodlands High School | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 230 lb (100 kg) | ||
| Recruit ratings: No ratings found | ||||||
| Chukwuma Oputa LB |
Dallas, Texas | Woodrow Wilson High School | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 230 lb (100 kg) | ||
| Recruit ratings: No ratings found | ||||||
| Parker McKenzie QB |
Spring Branch, Texas | Smithson Valley High School | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | ||
| Recruit ratings: No ratings found | ||||||
| Chad Quisenberry TE |
Wolfforth, Texas | Frenship High School | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 235 lb (107 kg) | ||
| Recruit ratings: No ratings found | ||||||
| Christian Rodriguez OL |
Los Fresnos, Texas | Los Fresnos High School | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 270 lb (120 kg) | ||
| Recruit ratings: No ratings found | ||||||
| Cade Stone QB |
North Richland Hills, Texas | Fort Worth Christian High School | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | ||
| Recruit ratings: No ratings found | ||||||
| Garrett Langthorp OL |
Conroe, Texas | Blinn College | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 290 lb (130 kg) | ||
| Recruit ratings: No ratings found | ||||||
| Melvin Shead DL |
Cayuga, Texas | Kilgore College | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 290 lb (130 kg) | ||
| Recruit ratings: No ratings found | ||||||
| Eric Frain CB |
Union, New Jersey | Los Angeles Pierce College | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 205 lb (93 kg) | ||
| Recruit ratings: No ratings found | ||||||
| Nick Finney DL |
Santa Fe Springs, California | Fullerton College | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 300 lb (140 kg) | ||
| Recruit ratings: No ratings found | ||||||
| Overall recruit ranking: | ||||||
Sources: | ||||||
Schedule
| Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 1 | 6:00 p.m. | McMurry* | No. 10 | W 51–0 | 11,337 | [7][8] | ||
| September 7 | 6:00 p.m. | No. 24 Texas A&M–Kingsville | No. 9 |
| KRBC-TV | L 13–16 | 7,435 | [9] |
| September 15 | 4:00 p.m. | vs. Tarleton State | No. 20 | W 34–31 | 19,134 | [10] | ||
| September 22 | 6:00 p.m. | at Angelo State | No. 19 | L 23–28 | 7,320 | [11] | ||
| September 27 | 6:36 p.m. | at Delta State* | W 34–28 | 5,123 | [12] | |||
| October 6 | 6:00 p.m. | Eastern New Mexico |
| W 59–17 | 3,576 | [13] | ||
| October 13 | 6:00 p.m. | at No. 20 West Texas A&M | FoxSportsSouthwest.com | L 0–36 | 13,019 | [14] | ||
| October 20 | 2:00 p.m. | No. 12 Midwestern State |
| L 31–35 | 7,212 | [15] | ||
| October 27 | 2:00 p.m. | at Texas A&M–Commerce | W 24–17 | 5,224 | [16] | |||
| November 3 | 12:00 p.m. | No. 13 West Alabama* |
| W 22–16 | 3,517 | [17] | ||
| November 10 | 7:00 p.m. | at Incarnate Word | W 24–12 | 2,649 | [18] | |||
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Game summaries
McMurry
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| War Hawks | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| • Wildcats | 0 | 21 | 23 | 7 | 51 |
- Date: September 1
- Location: Shotwell Stadium
Abilene, TX - Game start: 6:00 p.m.
- Elapsed time: 2:57
- Game attendance: 11,337
- Game weather: 96 °F (36 °C), Wind: SSE 10mph, Sunny
- Referee: Andy Dunkin; Darrell Boyd (Umpire); Joe Stahmer(Linesman); Carlos Owens (Line judge); Jerry Bissett (Back judge); M. Rodriguez (Field judge); Michael Graham (Side judge); Chris Macaluso (Scorer)
- Sources:[22]
| 2 | 7:20 | ACU | Charcandrick West 13 yd run (Morgan Lineberry kick) ) | ACU 7–0 |
| 2 | 2:30 | ACU | Travis Tarver II 2 yd run (Morgan Lineberry kick) | ACU 14–0 |
| 2 | 0:48 | ACU | Taylor Gabriel 9 yd pass from Mitchell Gale (Morgan Lineberry kick) | ACU 21–0 |
| 3 | 8:30 | ACU | Morgan Lineberry 25 yd field goal | ACU 24–0 |
| 3 | 6:42 | ACU | Taylor Gabriel 7 yd run (Morgan Lineberry kick) | ACU 31–0 |
| 3 | 1:55 | ACU | Marcel Threat 8 yd run (Morgan Lineberry kick failed) | ACU 37–0 |
| 3 | 0:35 | ACU | Travis Tarver II 5 yd run (Morgan Lineberry kick) | ACU 44–0 |
| 4 | 8:44 | ACU | Marcel Threat 12 yd run (Morgan Lineberry kick) | ACU 51–0 |
In the season, opener Abilene Christian played the NCAA Division II-newcomer and crosstown-rival McMurry Warhawks. It was the first game as head coach for Ken Collums. The wildcats enter the season ranked No. 10 ranked team while McMurry had one of the best offenses in NCAA Division III the previous season.[23]
Defensive end Nick Richardson tied the school record with six sacks in Abilene Christian's first shutout since 2006.[24][25]
Mitchell Gale completed 19 out of 28 passes for 290 yards and one touchdown. Marcel Threat ran for 88 yards on 14 carries, averaging 6.3 yards per carries, and scored two touchdowns. Taylor Gabriel caught seven passes for 108 yards and one touchdown.
Stats
| Statistics | ACU | MCMURRY |
|---|---|---|
| Points | 51 | 0 |
| Total Plays | 68 | 90 |
| First downs | 27 | 21 |
| First downs from Rushing | 11 | 2 |
| First downs from Passing | 13 | 15 |
| First downs from Penalties | 3 | 4 |
| Total yards | 461 | 301 |
| Rushing yards | 165 | 29 |
| Passing yards | 296 | 289 |
| Rushing plays | 39 | 29 |
| Passing plays | 29 | 61 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 20-29-1 | 38-61-1 |
| Time of possession | 30:12 | 29:48 |
| Average Punt | 32 | 28.3 |
| 3rd down conversion | 5/10 (50%) | 3/19 (16%) |
| 4th down conversion | 2/11 (18%) | 0/0 |
| Sacks | 10 | 1 |
| Red zone | 0-2 | 8-8 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abilene Christian | Passing | Mitchell Gale | 19/28, 290 yards, 1 TD |
| Rushing | Marcel Threat | 14 carries, 88 yards, 2 TD | |
| Receiving | Taylor Gabriel | 7 receptions, 108 yards, 1 TD | |
| McMurry | Passing | Jake Mullin | 37/59, 288 yards, 0 TD |
| Rushing | Chris Simpson | 8 carries, 35 yards, 0 TD | |
| Receiving | Eric Shaffer | 7 receptions, 55 yards | |
Texas A&M–Kingsville
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| • Javelinas | 0 | 10 | 3 | 3 | 16 |
| Wildcats | 6 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 13 |
- Date: September 8
- Location: Shotwell Stadium
Abilene, TX - Game start: 6:00 p.m.
- Elapsed time: 3:13
- Game attendance: 7,435
- Game weather: 84 °F (29 °C), Wind: NNE 14mph, Mostly Sunny
- Referee: Dwayne McKee; Stephen Borgman (Umpire); Brad Morrow (Linesman); Edgar Reed (Line judge); Keith Schoby (Back judge); Charles Colston (Field judge); Cory Hord (Side judge); Chris Macaluso (Scorer)
- Television network: KRBC-TV
- Sources:[26]
| 1 | 0:00 | ACU | Taylor Gabriel 7 yd run (Morgan Lineberry kick failed) | ACU 6–0 |
| 2 | 9:31 | TAMUK | R. Armstrong 22 yd pass from Nate Poppell (Matt Stoll kick) | TAMUK 7–6 |
| 2 | 1:09 | TAMUK | Matt Stoll 35 yd field goal | TAMUK 10–6 |
| 3 | 7:06 | TAMUK | Matt Stoll 29 yd field goal | TAMUK 13–6 |
| 4 | 14:57 | TAMUK | Matt Stoll 31 yd field goal | TAMUK 16–6 |
| 4 | 14:45 | ACU | Darr. Cantu-Harkless 65 yd run (Morgan Lineberry kick) | TAMUK 16–13 |
Both team enter the game ranked, ACU 9th and Texas A&M-Kingsville 24th, and with 1–0 record. ACU had won 8 straight against Javelinas. The Wildcats were without starting outside linebacker Chris Summers who suffered a right knee injury against McMurry and was out for the season.[27]
Mitchell Gale arguably had his worst game in his college career with only 13 completed passes out of 31 for only 137 yards and his 23-game streak with a least one touchdown throw was snapped. A touchdown and three field goals was enough for Texas A&M-Kingsville to come away from Shotwell Stadium with a victory. This was the first time the Wildcats lost a home game in the regular season since 2009.[28][29]
Darr. Cantu-Harkless rann for 70 yards in only 4 carries while catching 4 passes for 36 yards.[30]
Tarleton State
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texans | 14 | 6 | 0 | 11 | 31 |
| • Wildcats | 7 | 3 | 14 | 10 | 34 |
- Date: September 15
- Location: Cowboys Stadium
Arlington, TX - Game start: 4:00 p.m.
- Elapsed time: 3:03
- Game attendance: 19,134
- Game weather: 72 °F (22 °C), Wind: None, Indoors
- Referee: Dan Rankin; Erick Chapman (Umpire); Brad Morrow (Linesman); Eric Camouche (Line judge); Matt Horn (Back judge); Rory Bernard (Field judge); Jesse Mendoza (Side judge); Daniel Young (Scorer)
- Sources:[31]
| 1 | 08:37 | ACU | Charcandrick West 1 yd run (Morgan Lineberry kick) | ACU 7–0 |
| 1 | 05:26 | TARLETON | Jerome Regal 16 yd pass from Aaron Doyle (Blake Barnes kick) | 7–7 |
| 1 | 00:27 | TARLETON | Vaughn Smith 10 yd pass from Aaron Doyle (Blake Barnes kick) | TARLETON 14–7 |
| 2 | 12:17 | TARLETON | Blake Barnes 28 yd field goal | TARLETON 17-7 |
| 2 | 04:24 | TARLETON | Blake Barnes 41 yd field goal | TARLETON 20–7 |
| 2 | 01:53 | ACU | Morgan Lineberry 27 yd field goal | TARLETON 20–10 |
| 3 | 08:29 | ACU | Travis Tarver II 7 yd run (Morgan Lineberry kick) | TARLETON 20–17 |
| 3 | 04:03 | ACU | Taylor Gabriel 6 yd pass from Mitchell Gale (Morgan Lineberry kick) | ACU 24–20 |
| 4 | 12:00 | ACU | Morgan Lineberry 30 yd field goal | ACU 27–20 |
| 4 | 09:35 | TARLETON | Blake Barnes 25 yd field goal | ACU 27–23 |
| 4 | 03:12 | ACU | Taylor Gabriel 16 yd pass from Mitchell Gale (Morgan Lineberry kick) | ACU 34–23 |
| 4 | 01:02 | TARLETON | Aaron Doyle 1 yd run (Will McLane pass from A. Doyle) | ACU 34–31 |
ACU had won six of the last eight meetings between the teams. The Wildcats enter the game 0–1 in the conference and 1-1 overall while Tarleton was still unbeaten after a win on opening day against Midwest State.[32]
Despite being down 10 at half, the Wildcats clawed themselves back into the game and were able to take the lead late in the third quarter thanks to some great puntreturns and kept it for the rest of the game.[33] ACU became only fourth team from the state of Texas to have won both in the Cowboys Stadium and the Cotton bowl. ACU and Gale have the most passing yards of any college teams and players in the Cowboys Stadium and Taylor Gabriel is the leading college wide receiver in the stadium in points (24).[34]
Mitchell Gale was 27 out of 42 for 279 yards and 2 touchdowns. Mitchell Gale rushed for 38 yards in 11 carries and Darian Hogg did catch 8 balls for 67 yards.
Angelo State
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wildcats | 9 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 23 |
| • Rams | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 28 |
- Date: September 22
- Location: San Angelo Stadium
San Angelo, TX - Game start: 6:00 p.m.
- Elapsed time: 3:10
- Game attendance: 7,320
- Game weather: 93 °F (34 °C), Wind: SE 5, Clear skies
- Referee: Dwayne Mckee; Stephen Borgman (Umpire); Brad Morrow (Linesman); Cody Hord (Line judge); Matt Horn (Back judge); Rory Bernard (Field judge); Jesse Mendoza (Side judge); ASU Athletics (Scorer)
- Sources:[35]
| 1 | 13:16 | ACU | Demarcus Thompson 33 yd pass from Mitchell Gale (Morgan Lineberry kick failed) | ACU 6–0 |
| 1 | 09:21 | ACU | Morgan Lineberry 32 yd field goal | ACU 9–0 |
| 1 | 06:22 | ASU | Blake Hamblin 1 yd run (Jarred Martin kick) | ACU 9–7 |
| 2 | 4:14 | ASU | Donavan Roberts 8 yd run (Jarred Martin kick) | ASU 14-9 |
| 3 | 01:50 | ASU | Blake Hamblin 3 yd run (Jarred Martin kick) | ASU 21–9 |
| 4 | 14:48 | ACU | Elton Crochran 33 yd pass from Mitchell Gale (Morgan Lineberry kick) | ASU 21–16 |
| 4 | 09:11 | ASU | Joey Knight 13 yd pass from Blake Hamblin (Jarred Martin kick) | ASU 28–16 |
| 4 | 07:55 | ACU | Taylor Gabriel 17 yd pass from Mitchell Gale (Morgan Lineberry kick) | ASU 28–23 |
The first true road trip waited No.19 ACU (2-1) when they visited Angelo State in San Angelo, Texas. ACU had won 9 out 10 last meetings against the Rams.[36]
Abilene Christian was held to only 9 rushing yards the whole game while giving up 7 sacks in the 23–28 loss to Angelo State.[37]
Personnel
Coaching staff
| Abilene Christian Wildcats coaches | ||||||||
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Head coach Assistant coaches
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Roster
| 2012 Abilene Christian Wildcats | ||||||||||
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Quarterback
Running back
Wide receiver
Tight end
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Offensive line
Defensive line
Deep Snapper
Kickers
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Linebacker
Defensive back
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Weekly awards
Week 1 defensive player of the week: Nick Richardson. He had six sacks against McMurry.
Week 1 honorably mention: Mitchell Gale completed 68 percent of his passes for 290 yards.[40]
Week 3 offensive player of the week: Taylor Gabriel (WR), who had 5 catches for 50 yards and two touchdowns.
Week 3 honorable mention: L.B. Suggs tipped the ball that ended in the first half, preventing Tarleton State being more than 10 points up at the half. He had also a game-high 11 tackles.[41]