2012 North Carolina Tar Heels football team

2012 North Carolina Tar Heels football
Conference Atlantic Coast Conference
Coastal
Record 8–4 (5–3 ACC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinator Blake Anderson (1st season)
Offensive scheme Spread
Defensive coordinator Dan Disch (1st season)
Base defense 4–2–5
Captain Giovani Bernard, Jonathan Cooper, Pete Mangum, Kevin Reddick, Sylvester Williams
Home stadium Kenan Memorial Stadium
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.
    ‡ Miami ineligible for ACC title, championship game, and bowl game due to self-imposed sanctions.
Rankings from AP Poll

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.

Sanctions from scandal

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. Also, UNC was placed probation for three years and lost five scholarships per season for three seasons beginning with the recruiting class of 2013.

Recruiting

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.

US college sports recruiting information for 2012 recruits
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 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   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 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   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 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   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 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   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 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   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 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   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 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   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 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   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 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   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 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   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 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   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 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   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 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   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 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   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 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   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 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   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 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   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 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   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 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   Rivals:2/5 stars   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 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   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 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   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 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   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

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. He takes over a team that is banned from a bowl game for the 2012–13 season.

Name. 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

Date Time Opponent Site TV Result Attendance
September 1 12:30 p.m. Elon* ACCN W 62–0 50,500
September 8 3:00 p.m. at Wake Forest ACCRSN L 27–28 29,526
September 15 3:30 p.m. at No. 19 Louisville* ABC/ESPN2 L 34–39 53,334
September 22 3:30 p.m. East Carolina*
  • Kenan Memorial Stadium
  • Chapel Hill, NC
ESPNU W 27–6 59,500
September 29 3:30 p.m. Idaho*
  • Kenan Memorial Stadium
  • Chapel Hill, NC
ACCRSN W 66–0 32,000
October 6 12:30 p.m. Virginia Tech
  • Kenan Memorial Stadium
  • Chapel Hill, NC
ACCN W 48–34 54,000
October 13 2:30 p.m. at Miami (FL) ESPNU W 18–14 58,954
October 20 7:00 p.m. at Duke ESPNU L 30–33 33,941
October 27 12:30 p.m. North Carolina State
  • Kenan Memorial Stadium
  • Chapel Hill, NC (rivalry)
ACCN W 43–35 62,000
November 10 12:30 p.m. Georgia Techdagger
  • Kenan Memorial Stadium
  • Chapel Hill, NC
ACCN L 50–68 50,000
November 15 7:30 p.m. at Virginia ESPN W 37–13 45,760
November 24 3:00 p.m. Maryland
  • Kenan Memorial Stadium
  • Chapel Hill, NC
ACCRSN W 45–38 44,000
  • *Non-conference game
  • daggerHomecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Eastern time

Game summaries

Elon

Week 1: Elon Phoenix
Period 1 2 3 4 Total
Phoenix 0 0 0 0 0
Tar Heels 14 21 27 0 62

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.

Wake Forest

Week 2: Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Period 1 2 3 4 Total
Tar Heels 7 7 10 3 27
Demon Deacons 7 14 0 7 28

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

Week 3: Louisville Cardinals
Period 1 2 3 4 Total
Tar Heels 0 7 7 20 34
Cardinals 15 21 0 3 39

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

Week 4: East Carolina Pirates
Period 1 2 3 4 Total
Pirates 0 6 0 0 6
Tar Heels 7 3 14 3 27

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

Week 5: Idaho Vandals
Period 1 2 3 4 Total
Vandals 0 0 0 0 0
Tar Heels 28 17 14 7 66

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

Week 6: Virginia Tech Hokies
Period 1 2 3 4 Total
Hokies 14 6 6 8 34
Tar Heels 14 14 17 3 48

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)

Week 7: Miami Hurricanes
Period 1 2 3 4 Total
Tar Heels 7 8 3 0 18
Hurricanes 0 7 7 0 14

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

Week 8: Duke Blue Devils
Period 1 2 3 4 Total
Tar Heels 3 3 3 21 30
Blue Devils 10 10 3 10 33

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

Week 9: NC State Wolfpack
Period 1 2 3 4 Total
Wolfpack 14 14 7 0 35
Tar Heels 25 0 0 18 43

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

Week 10: Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Period 1 2 3 4 Total
Yellow Jackets 14 14 30 10 68
Tar Heels 14 15 14 7 50

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

Week 11: Virginia Cavaliers
Period 1 2 3 4 Total
Tar Heels 7 13 0 17 37
Cavaliers 3 7 3 0 13

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

Round 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