2012 Abilene Christian Wildcats football team

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.

2012 Abilene Christian Wildcats football
ConferenceLone Star Conference
Record7–4 (4–4 LSC)
Head coach
Defensive coordinatorDarian Dulin (1st season)
Captains
Home stadiumShotwell Stadium
(capacity: 15,075)
2012 Lone Star Conference football standings
ConfOverall
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  
  • + – Conference co-champions
  • ^ – NCAA Division II playoff participant
  • # – Kanza Bowl participant † – Eastern New Mexico vacated all three wins
Rankings from AFCA poll

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

Abeline 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]

US college sports recruiting information for 2012 recruits
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Keith Barnett
CB		 Converse, Texas Converse Judson High School 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 180 lb (82 kg)  
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Josh Bloom
DT		 Kingwood, Texas Kingwood Park High School 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 300 lb (140 kg)  
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Tyler Chapa
CB		 San Antonio, Texas Warren High School 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 180 lb (82 kg)  
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Robbie Goldschmidt
LB		 The Woodlands, Texas The Woodlands High School 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 230 lb (100 kg)  
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Chukwuma Oputa
LB		 Dallas, Texas Woodrow Wilson High School 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 230 lb (100 kg)  
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Parker McKenzie
QB		 Spring Branch, Texas Smithson Valley High School 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 175 lb (79 kg)  
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Chad Quisenberry
TE		 Wolfforth, Texas Frenship High School 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 235 lb (107 kg)  
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Christian Rodriguez
OL		 Los Fresnos, Texas Los Fresnos High School 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 270 lb (120 kg)  
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Cade Stone
QB		 North Richland Hills, Texas Fort Worth Christian High School 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 175 lb (79 kg)  
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Garrett Langthorp
OL		 Conroe, Texas Blinn College 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 290 lb (130 kg)  
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Melvin Shead
DL		 Cayuga, Texas Kilgore College 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 290 lb (130 kg)  
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Eric Frain
CB		 Union, New Jersey Los Angeles Pierce College 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 205 lb (93 kg)  
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Nick Finney
DL		 Santa Fe Springs, California Fullerton College 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 300 lb (140 kg)  
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Overall recruiting rankings:
  • 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:

Schedule
DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendanceSource
September 16:00 p.m.McMurry*No. 10
W 51–011,337[7][8]
September 76:00 p.m.No. 24 Texas A&M–KingsvilleNo. 9
  • Shotwell Stadium
  • Abilene, TX (Action Sports Champions Classic)
KRBC-TVL 13–167,435[9]
September 154:00 p.m.vs. Tarleton StateNo. 20
W 34–3119,134[10]
September 226:00 p.m.at Angelo StateNo. 19
L 23–287,320[11]
September 276:36 p.m.at Delta State*
W 34–285,123[12]
October 66:00 p.m.Eastern New Mexico
  • Shotwell Stadium
  • Abilene, TX
W 59–173,576[13]
October 136:00 p.m.at No. 20 West Texas A&M
FoxSportsSouthwest.comL 0–3613,019[14]
October 202:00 p.m.No. 12 Midwestern Statedagger
  • Shotwell Stadium
  • Abilene, TX
L 31–357,212[15]
October 272:00 p.m.at Texas A&M–Commerce
W 24–175,224[16]
November 312:00 p.m.No. 13 West Alabama*
  • Shotwell Stadium
  • Abilene, TX
W 22–163,517[17]
November 107:00 p.m.at Incarnate Word
W 24–122,649[18]
  • *Non-conference game
  • daggerHomecoming
  • Rankings from AFCA Poll released prior to the game

[19][20][21]

Game summaries

McMurry
McMurry at Abilene Christian
1 234Total
War Hawks 0 000 0
• Wildcats 0 21237 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)
Scoring summary
27:20ACUCharcandrick West 13 yd run (Morgan Lineberry kick) )ACU 7–0
22:30ACUTravis Tarver II 2 yd run (Morgan Lineberry kick)ACU 14–0
20:48ACUTaylor Gabriel 9 yd pass from Mitchell Gale (Morgan Lineberry kick)ACU 21–0
38:30ACUMorgan Lineberry 25 yd field goalACU 24–0
36:42ACUTaylor Gabriel 7 yd run (Morgan Lineberry kick)ACU 31–0
31:55ACUMarcel Threat 8 yd run (Morgan Lineberry kick failed)ACU 37–0
30:35ACUTravis Tarver II 5 yd run (Morgan Lineberry kick)ACU 44–0
48:44ACUMarcel 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

StatisticsACUMCMURRY
Points510
Total Plays6890
First downs2721
First downs from Rushing112
First downs from Passing1315
First downs from Penalties34
Total yards461301
Rushing yards16529
Passing yards296289
Rushing plays3929
Passing plays2961
Passing: Comp–Att–Int20-29-138-61-1
Time of possession30:1229:48
Average Punt3228.3
3rd down conversion5/10 (50%)3/19 (16%)
4th down conversion2/11 (18%)0/0
Sacks101
Red zone0-28-8
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Abilene ChristianPassingMitchell Gale19/28, 290 yards, 1 TD
RushingMarcel Threat14 carries, 88 yards, 2 TD
ReceivingTaylor Gabriel7 receptions, 108 yards, 1 TD
McMurryPassingJake Mullin37/59, 288 yards, 0 TD
RushingChris Simpson8 carries, 35 yards, 0 TD
ReceivingEric Shaffer7 receptions, 55 yards

Texas A&M–Kingsville
Texas A&M–Kingsville at Abilene Christian
1 234Total
• Javelinas 0 1033 16
Wildcats 6 007 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
Scoring summary
10:00ACUTaylor Gabriel 7 yd run (Morgan Lineberry kick failed)ACU 6–0
29:31TAMUKR. Armstrong 22 yd pass from Nate Poppell (Matt Stoll kick)TAMUK 7–6
21:09TAMUKMatt Stoll 35 yd field goalTAMUK 10–6
37:06TAMUKMatt Stoll 29 yd field goalTAMUK 13–6
414:57TAMUKMatt Stoll 31 yd field goalTAMUK 16–6
414:45ACUDarr. 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
Tarleton State vs Abilene Christian
1 234Total
Texans 14 6011 31
• Wildcats 7 31410 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)
Scoring summary
108:37ACUCharcandrick West 1 yd run (Morgan Lineberry kick)ACU 7–0
105:26TARLETONJerome Regal 16 yd pass from Aaron Doyle (Blake Barnes kick)7–7
100:27TARLETONVaughn Smith 10 yd pass from Aaron Doyle (Blake Barnes kick)TARLETON 14–7
212:17TARLETONBlake Barnes 28 yd field goalTARLETON 17-7
204:24TARLETONBlake Barnes 41 yd field goalTARLETON 20–7
201:53ACUMorgan Lineberry 27 yd field goalTARLETON 20–10
308:29ACUTravis Tarver II 7 yd run (Morgan Lineberry kick)TARLETON 20–17
304:03ACUTaylor Gabriel 6 yd pass from Mitchell Gale (Morgan Lineberry kick)ACU 24–20
412:00ACUMorgan Lineberry 30 yd field goalACU 27–20
409:35TARLETONBlake Barnes 25 yd field goalACU 27–23
403:12ACUTaylor Gabriel 16 yd pass from Mitchell Gale (Morgan Lineberry kick)ACU 34–23
401:02TARLETONAaron 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
Abilene Christian at Angelo State
1 234Total
Wildcats 9 0014 23
• Rams 7 777 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)
Scoring summary
113:16ACUDemarcus Thompson 33 yd pass from Mitchell Gale (Morgan Lineberry kick failed)ACU 6–0
109:21ACUMorgan Lineberry 32 yd field goalACU 9–0
106:22ASUBlake Hamblin 1 yd run (Jarred Martin kick)ACU 9–7
24:14ASUDonavan Roberts 8 yd run (Jarred Martin kick)ASU 14-9
301:50ASUBlake Hamblin 3 yd run (Jarred Martin kick)ASU 21–9
414:48ACUElton Crochran 33 yd pass from Mitchell Gale (Morgan Lineberry kick)ASU 21–16
409:11ASUJoey Knight 13 yd pass from Blake Hamblin (Jarred Martin kick)ASU 28–16
407:55ACUTaylor 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

Head coach

Assistant coaches

  • Mike Ribaudo – Linebackers coach
  • Darian Dulin – Defensive coordinator and secondary coach
  • Kendrick Holloway – Wide receivers coach
  • Nathan Young – Running backs coach, quarterbacks coach, recruiting coordinator
  • Sam Collins – offensive line coach

[38][39]

Roster
2012 Abilene Christian Wildcats

Quarterback

  • 12 Malcom Ruben – Redshirt freshman
  • 14 Parker McKenzie – freshman
  • 15 Mitchell Gale – Redshirt senior
  • 17 John David Baker – Redshirt junior

Running back

  • 8 Marcel Threat – Redshirt sophomore
  • 26 Charcandrik West – junior
  • 27 Travis Tarver II– Redshirt freshman

Wide receiver

  • 1 Cade Stone – freshman
  • 4 Taylor Gabriel – junior
  • 6 DeMarcus Thompson – sophomore
  • 16 Drew Peters – Redshirt sophomore
  • 23 Jace Hudson – Redshirt freshman
  • 38 Darrel Cantu-Harkless – Redshirt junior
  • 47 Darian Hogg – Redshirt junior
  • 82 Monte Green-Avery – Redshirt freshman
  • 83 Temi Ogunleye – Redshirt freshman

Tight end

  • 19 Jonahtan Parker – sophomore
  • 86 Noah Chesier – Redshirt sophomore
  • 87 Zack Agnew – Redshirt sophomore
  • 88 Jamie Walker – Redshirt freshman
  

Offensive line

  • 58 Reid Ware – junior
  • 61 Josh Perez – Redshirt junior
  • 64 Garrett Langthorp – junior
  • 66 Ben Kittley – Redshirt freshman
  • 70 Blake Spears – Redshirt junior
  • 74 Tyler McIntosh – Redshirt sophomore
  • 76 Colton Carnes – Redshirt sophomore
  • 78 Logan Hoppenrath – Redshirt sophomore
  • 79 Maxfield Priestley – Redshirt freshman

Defensive line

  • 15 Ryan Smith – Redshirt senior
  • 33 Rob Boyd – Redshirt sophomore
  • 54 Kolby Rowe – Redshirt sophomore
  • 55 Candon Canady – junior
  • 73 Ashton Thomas – Redshirt sophomore
  • 95 Nick Finney – junior
  • 95 Juan Hull II – Redshirt freshman
  • 99 Brandon Dornak – Redshirt sophomore

Deep Snapper

  • 40 Brent Schroder – junior

Kickers

  • 81 Spencer Covey – Redshirt senior
  • 85 Morgan Lineberry – senior
  

Linebacker

  • 2 Chris Summers – Redshirt sophomore
  • 5 Nick Richardson – Redshirt sophomore
  • 9 Thor Woerner – Redshirt junior
  • 14 Jesse Harper – Redshirt junior
  • 20 Justin Stephens – Redshirt sophomore
  • 22 Elton Crochran – Redshirt freshman
  • 36 Cy Wilson – Redshirt freshman
  • 41 Blake Rudd – Redshirt sophomore
  • 42 David Guinn – Redshirt freshman
  • 45 Chuck Oputa – freshman
  • 46 Torren Davis – Redshirt freshman
  • 51 Avery Alegeh – Redshirt freshman

Defensive back

  • 3 Justin Steward – sophomore
  • 7 L.B. Suggs – Redshirt senior
  • 18 Vicente Cantu-Harkless – sophomore
  • 21 Angel Lopes – Redshirt sophomore
  • 24 Eric Frain – junior
  • 25 Mike Wallage – senior
  • 29 Tyler Chapa – freshman
  • 30 Keith Barnett – sophomore
  • 31 Steven Ford – senior
  • 32 Lynn Grady – sophomore
  • 34 Caleb Withrow – Redshirt junior
  • 43 Dax Riley – Redshirt sophomore

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]

References
  1. "The Scoop on Stats – Week 11". Football Scoop.
  2. "The Scoop on Stats: Best of the Best (Special Teams and Wrap Up)". Football Scoop.
  3. "Wildcats to begin season ranked No. 10 in D2 by AFCA".
  4. "Gale named pre-season MVP by magazine; Wildcats ranked No. 13".
  5. "Sports Roundup". ACU Today Fall 2012: 64. December 12, 2012.
  6. "Wildcats nab 13 players on national signing day".
  7. No. 10 Wildcats ready to get 2012 season underway
  8. McMurry vs Abilene Christian (Sep 01, 2012)
  9. "Texas A&M-Kingsville vs Abilene Christian (Sep 08, 2012)".
  10. "TARLETON vs Abilene Christian (Sep 15, 2012)".
  11. "Abilene Christian vs Angelo State (Sep 22, 2012)".
  12. "Abilene Christian vs Delta State Univ. (Sep 27, 2012)".
  13. "Eastern New Mexico vs Abilene Christian (Oct 06, 2012)".
  14. "Abilene Christian vs West Texas A&M (Oct 13, 2012)".
  15. "Midwestern State vs Abilene Christian (Oct 20, 2012)".
  16. "Abilene Christian vs A&M-Commerce (Oct 27, 2012)".
  17. "West Alabama vs Abilene Christian (Nov 03, 2012)".
  18. "Abilene Christian vs Incarnate Word (Nov 10, 2012)".
  19. "Wildcats announce tough 2012 football schedule".
  20. "Abilene Christian Wildcats Schedule 2012". ESPN. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
  21. "2012 Football Schedule". Abilene Christian University Athletics. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
  22. "McMurry vs Abilene Christian (Sep 01, 2012)". Lone Star Conference.
  23. "No. 10 Wildcats ready to get 2012 season underway".
  24. "LSC Football Weekly Release (Week 1)". September 4, 2012.
  25. "Richardson's 6 sacks lead Wildcats to 51-0 win over McMurry".
  26. "Texas A&M-Kingsville vs Abilene Christian (Sep 08, 2012)". Lone Star Conference.
  27. "Wildcats, Javelinas set to meet for last time as LSC opponents". ACU sports.
  28. "#24 Javelinas shut down #9 ACU to take 16-13 win at Shotwell". ACU Sport.
  29. "2012 Football Weekly Releases. Week 2". Lone Star Conference.
  30. "Texas A&M-Kingsville vs Abilene Christian (Sep 08, 2012)". Lone Star Conference.
  31. "Tarleton State vs Abilene Christian (Sep 15, 2012)". Lone Star Conference.
  32. "Wildcats will have to re-group after loss to Kingsville; Texans up next".
  33. "No. 20 Wildcats storm back in second half to top Tarleton State, 34-31".
  34. "2012 Football Weekly Releases,, Week 3". Lone Star Conference.
  35. "Abilene Christian vs Angelo State (Sep 22, 2012)". Lone Star Conference.
  36. "#19 Wildcats, Rams set to tangle in key LSC contest in San Angelo".
  37. "2012 Football Weekly Releases. Week 4".
  38. "Collums revamps defensive staff".
  39. "Sunday January 8, 2012". Football Scoop.
  40. "2012 Football Weekly Releases". Lone Star Conference.
  41. "2012 Football Weekly Releases,, Week 3". Lone Star Conference.
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