2012 North Carolina Tar Heels football team

The 2012 North Carolina Tar Heels football team represented the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as a member of Coastal Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) during the 2012 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was led by first-year head coach Larry Fedora and played their home games at Kenan Memorial Stadium. The Tar Heels finished the season 8–4 overall and 5–3 in ACC play to tie for first in the Coastal Division with the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets and the Miami Hurricanes. Due to NCAA sanctions imposed in the wake of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill football scandal, North Carolina was ineligible for the conference title and banned for postseason play for the 2012 season.

2012 North Carolina Tar Heels football
ConferenceAtlantic Coast Conference
DivisionCoastal
Record8–4 (5–3 ACC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorBlake Anderson (1st season)
Offensive schemeSpread
Defensive coordinatorDan Disch (1st season)
Base defense4–2–5
CaptainGiovani Bernard, Jonathan Cooper, Pete Mangum, Kevin Reddick, Sylvester Williams
Home stadiumKenan Memorial Stadium
Seasons
← 2011
2013 →
2012 Atlantic Coast Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
Atlantic Division
No. 10 Florida State xy$   7 1     12 2  
No. 11 Clemson x   7 1     11 2  
NC State   4 4     7 6  
Wake Forest   3 5     5 7  
Maryland   2 6     4 8  
Boston College   1 7     2 10  
Coastal Division
Georgia Tech xy   5 3     7 7  
North Carolina   5 3     8 4  
Miami (FL)   5 3     7 5  
Virginia Tech   4 4     7 6  
Duke   3 5     6 7  
Virginia   2 6     4 8  
Championship: Florida State 21, Georgia Tech 15
  • $ – BCS representative as conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • y – Championship game participant
  • † North Carolina ineligible for ACC title, championship game, and bowl game due to NCAA sanctions.[1]
    ‡ Miami ineligible for ACC title, championship game, and bowl game due to self-imposed sanctions.[1]
Rankings from AP Poll

Sanctions from scandal

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On March 12, 2012, the university was notified of penalties issued by the NCAA Committee on Infractions for violations discovered in the 2010 season. North Carolina was banned from all postseason play in 2012, including bowl games and the ACC Championship Game.[2] Also, UNC was placed probation for three years and lost five scholarships per season for three seasons beginning with the recruiting class of 2013.[3]

Recruiting

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National Signing Day was on February 1, 2012, and was the first chance for high school seniors to officially declare which university or college they will be attending for their college career. North Carolina had 23 high school seniors sign a National Letter of Intent to play football with them. Terrance Knox and Shakeel Rashad both graduated from high school early and enrolled at UNC in January 2012.[4]

College recruiting information (2012)
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight 40 Commit date
Kanler Coker
QB
Flowery Branch, GA Flowery Branch HS 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 4.75 Jan 16, 2012 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: 73
Kedrick Davis
WR
Charlotte, NC Berry Academy 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) 165 lb (75 kg) 4.3 Jun 11, 2011 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: 77
Quinshad Davis
WR
Gaffney, SC Gaffney HS 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 4.6 Feb 1, 2012 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: 79
John Ferranto
OL
Burlington, NJ Township HS 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 270 lb (120 kg) 5.23 Jun 3, 2011 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: 45
Clint Heaven
S
Palmetto, FL Manatee HS 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 4.89 Jan 19, 2012 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: 76
Jon Heck
OL
Jacksonville, FL The Bolles School 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 290 lb (130 kg) 5.2 Jun 30, 2011 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: 77
Joe Jackson
LB
Jacksonville, FL First Coast HS 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 4.65 Nov 7, 2011 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: 79
T. J. Jiles
CB
Cape Coral, FL Cape Coral HS 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 165 lb (75 kg) 4.55 Oct 10, 2011 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: 75
Terrance Knox
TE
Concord, NC Concord HS 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 240 lb (110 kg) 4.7 Jun 1, 2011 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: 78
Dan Mastromatteo
LB
Absecon, NJ Holy Spirit HS 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 4.86 Aug 4, 2011 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: 78
J.J. Patterson
OL
Roanoke Rapids, NC Roanoke Rapids HS 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 330 lb (150 kg) 5.25 Apr 9, 2011 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: 79
Caleb Peterson
OL
Auburn, AL Auburn HS 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 310 lb (140 kg) 5.45 Jan 18, 2012 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: 80
Shakeel Rashad
LB
Jacksonville, FL Episcopal HS 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 4.89 Feb 3, 2011 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: 79
Jessie Rogers
DE
Arlington, TX Bowie HS 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 240 lb (110 kg) 4.75 Sep 18, 2011 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: 75
Malik Simmons
CB
Lehigh Acres, FL Lehigh HS 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 4.55 Oct 31, 2011 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: 77
Kendrick Singleton
WR
Macclenny, FL Baker County HS 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 4.5 Jan 28, 2012 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: 72
Nathan Staub
LB
Buford, GA Buford HS 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 4.65 Nov 15, 2011 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: 75
James Summers
QB
Greensboro, NC Page HS 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 4.74 Jan 26, 2012 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: 79
Monte Taylor
DE
Springdale, MD Flowers HS 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 4.7 Jan 29, 2012 
Star ratings: Rivals:    247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: 75
Justin Thomason
DE
McDonough, GA Eagle's Landing Christian Academy 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 240 lb (110 kg) 4.75 Jan 22, 2012 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: 76
Damien Washington
WR
Kannapolis, NC A.L. Brown HS 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 4.68 Aug 9, 2011 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: 76
Phillip Williamson
LB
Durham, NC Jordan HS 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 4.84 May 20, 2011 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: 77
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 40   Rivals: 42
  • ‡ Refers to 40 yard dash
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height, weight and 40 time.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "North Carolina Commit List for 2012". Rivals.com. Retrieved February 1, 2012.
  • "Scout.com Football Recruiting: North Carolina". Scout.com. Retrieved February 1, 2012.
  • "RecruitTracker 2012: North Carolina". 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.

Coaching staff

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New football coach Larry Fedora officially took over as the head coach at UNC on January 1, 2012. He signed a 7-year contract worth more than $1.7 million annually.[5] He takes over a team that is banned from a bowl game for the 2012–13 season.

Name.[6] Position Seasons in Position
Larry Fedora Head coach 1st
Deke Adams Defensive Line 1st
Blake Anderson Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks 1st
Walt Bell Tight Ends 1st
Gunter Brewer Passing game coordinator/wide receivers 1st (6th Overall at UNC)
Dan Disch Defensive coordinator 1st
David Duggan Defensive assistant/special teams coordinator 1st
Randy Jordan Running backs coach 1st
Chris Kapilovic Run game coordinator/offensive line 1st
Vic Koenning Associate head coach for defense 1st
Lou Hernandez Strength and conditioning coordinator 1st

Schedule

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DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
September 112:30 p.m.Elon*ACCNW 62–050,500[7]
September 83:00 p.m.at Wake ForestACCRSNL 27–2829,526[7]
September 153:30 p.m.at No. 19 Louisville*ABC/ESPN2L 34–3953,334[7]
September 223:30 p.m.East Carolina*
  • Kenan Memorial Stadium
  • Chapel Hill, NC
ESPNUW 27–659,500[7]
September 293:30 p.m.Idaho*
  • Kenan Memorial Stadium
  • Chapel Hill, NC
ACCRSNW 66–032,000[7]
October 612:30 p.m.Virginia Tech
  • Kenan Memorial Stadium
  • Chapel Hill, NC
ACCNW 48–3454,000[7]
October 132:30 p.m.at Miami (FL)ESPNUW 18–1458,954[7]
October 207:00 p.m.at DukeESPNUL 30–3333,941[7]
October 2712:30 p.m.North Carolina State
  • Kenan Memorial Stadium
  • Chapel Hill, NC (rivalry)
ACCNW 43–3562,000[7]
November 1012:30 p.m.Georgia Tech 
  • Kenan Memorial Stadium
  • Chapel Hill, NC
ACCNL 50–6850,000[7]
November 157:30 p.m.at VirginiaESPNW 37–1345,760[7]
November 243:00 p.m.Maryland
  • Kenan Memorial Stadium
  • Chapel Hill, NC
ACCRSNW 45–3844,000[7]
  • *Non-conference game
  •  Homecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Eastern time

Game summaries

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Elon

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Week 1: Elon Phoenix
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Phoenix 0 0 000
Tar Heels 14 21 27062

at Kenan Memorial Stadium

  • Date: September 1, 2012
  • Game time: 12:30 pm
  • Game weather: 89 °F (32 °C), sunny
  • Game attendance: 50,500
  • Referee: David Epperley
  • TV: ACC Network
Game information

North Carolina started a new era under head coach Larry Fedora with the first shutout since beating Duke 38–0 to finish the 1999 season. The last time UNC scored 62 points was in the 1995 season against Ohio, which is only 3 points shy of the school record. Giovani Bernard scored 3 touchdowns (one rushing, one receiving, and one punt return), all before sitting out the entire second half of the game. Carolina also completed passes to 14 different receivers, including one reception by quarterback Bryn Renner. The Tar Heels also set a school and ACC record with 260 punt return yards during the game.[8]

Wake Forest

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Week 2: Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Tar Heels 7 7 10327
Demon Deacons 7 14 0728

at Groves Stadium

  • Date: September 8, 2012
  • Game time: 3:00 pm
  • Game weather: 71 °F (22 °C), rainy then overcast
  • Game attendance: 29,526
  • Referee: Gary Patterson
  • TV: Regional Sports Network
Game information

Louisville

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Week 3: Louisville Cardinals
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Tar Heels 0 7 72034
Cardinals 15 21 0339

at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium

  • Date: September 15, 2012
  • Game time: 3:30 pm
  • Game weather: 76 °F (24 °C), partly cloudy
  • Game attendance: 53,334
  • Referee: B. Allen
  • TV: ESPN2/ABC
Game information

East Carolina

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Week 4: East Carolina Pirates
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Pirates 0 6 006
Tar Heels 7 3 14327

at Kenan Stadium

  • Date: September 22, 2012
  • Game time: 3:30 pm
  • Game weather: 83 °F (28 °C), sunny
  • Game attendance: 59,500
  • Referee: Brad Roger
  • TV: ESPNU
Game information

Idaho

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Week 5: Idaho Vandals
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Vandals 0 0 000
Tar Heels 28 17 14766

at Kenan Stadium

  • Date: September 29, 2012
  • Game time: 3:30 pm
  • Game weather: 61 °F (16 °C), light rain
  • Game attendance: 32,000
  • Referee: Walt Davenport
  • TV: RSN
Game information

Virginia Tech

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Week 6: Virginia Tech Hokies
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Hokies 14 6 6834
Tar Heels 14 14 17348

at Kenan Stadium

  • Date: October 6, 2012
  • Game time: 12:30 pm
  • Game weather: 78 °F (26 °C), sunny
  • Game attendance: 54,000
  • Referee: Jim Hyson
  • TV: ACCN
Game information

Miami (FL)

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Week 7: Miami Hurricanes
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Tar Heels 7 8 3018
Hurricanes 0 7 7014

at Sun Life Stadium

  • Date: October 13, 2011
  • Game time: 2:30 pm
  • Game weather: 84 °F (29 °C), partly cloudy
  • Game attendance: 58,954
  • Referee: J. Magallanes
  • TV: ESPNU
Game information

Duke

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Week 8: Duke Blue Devils
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Tar Heels 3 3 32130
Blue Devils 10 10 31033

at Wallace Wade Stadium

  • Date: October 20, 2012
  • Game time: 7:00 pm
  • Game weather: 62 °F (17 °C), clear
  • Game attendance: 33,941
  • Referee: Jeff Heaser
  • TV: ESPNU
Game information

NC State

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Week 9: NC State Wolfpack
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Wolfpack 14 14 7035
Tar Heels 25 0 01843

at Kenan Stadium

  • Date: October 27, 2012
  • Game time: 12:30 pm
  • Game weather: 65 °F (18 °C), mostly cloudy
  • Game attendance: 62,000
  • Referee: Ron Cherry
  • TV: ACC Network
Game information

Georgia Tech

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Week 10: Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Yellow Jackets 14 14 301068
Tar Heels 14 15 14750

at Kenan Stadium

  • Date: November 10, 2012
  • Game time: 12:30 pm
  • Game weather: 69 °F (21 °C), sunny
  • Game attendance: 50,000
  • Referee: Brad Allen
  • TV: ACC Network
Game information

Virginia

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Week 11: Virginia Cavaliers
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Tar Heels 7 13 01737
Cavaliers 3 7 3013

at Scott Stadium

  • Date: November 15, 2012
  • Game time: 7:30 pm
  • Game weather: 41 °F (5 °C), Partly cloudy
  • Game attendance: 45,760
  • Referee: Jeff Flanagan
  • TV: ESPN
Game information

NFL draft

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Round[9] Pick Player Position NFL Team
1 7 Jonathan Cooper G Arizona Cardinals
1 28 Sylvester Williams DT Denver Broncos
2 37 Giovani Bernard RB Cincinnati Bengals
3 89 Brennan Williams T Houston Texans
7 214 Travis Bond G Minnesota Vikings

References

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  1. ^ a b "2018 ACC Media Guide" (PDF). theacc.com. ACC. p. 115. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
  2. ^ "UNC banned from 2012 postseason". ESPN. 2012. Retrieved March 29, 2012.
  3. ^ Carter, Andrew (March 13, 2012). "UNC's Thorp Calls NCAA Penalties 'Painful'". The News & Observer. Raleigh. Archived from the original on March 15, 2012. Retrieved March 29, 2012.
  4. ^ "2012 North Carolina Football Signees List". tarheelblue.com. 2012. Retrieved February 3, 2012.
  5. ^ "Larry Fedora takes over Tar Heels". ESPN. 2012. Retrieved February 3, 2012.
  6. ^ "University of North Carolina Football Roster". tarheelblue.com. 2012. Retrieved January 24, 2012.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "2013 UNC Football Media Guide" (PDF).
  8. ^ "North Carolina embarrasses Elon in coach Larry Fedora's debut". ESPN. 2012. Retrieved September 6, 2012.
  9. ^ "2013 NFL Draft Tracker". NFL. 2013. Retrieved December 23, 2013.