# 2012 Florida Gators football team

The 2012 Florida Gators football team represented the University of Florida in the sport of American football during the 2012 college football season. The Gators competed in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), and played their home games at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on the university's Gainesville, Florida campus. The 2012 season was the Gators' second under head coach Will Muschamp. They finished the season with 11–2 overall, 7–1 SEC. The team was invited to the 2013 Sugar Bowl, where they lost to the Louisville Cardinals, 33–23.

## Schedule

The 2012 Orange and Blue Debut game was played on April 7 at 1 p.m. and was televised on Sun Sports. Blue defeated Orange 21–20 in front of 38,100 fans.
The October 20 game against South Carolina hosted ESPN's College Gameday. In addition, their road games against Texas A&M and Tennessee were also hosted by College GameDay.
| Date | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
| September 1 | Bowling Green* | No. 23 | Ben Hill Griffin StadiumGainesville, FL | ESPN | W 27–14 | 84,704 |
| September 8 | at Texas A&M | No. 24 | Kyle FieldCollege Station, TX (College GameDay) | ESPN | W 20–17 | 87,114 |
| September 15 | at No. 23 Tennessee | No. 18 | Neyland StadiumKnoxville, TN (College GameDay) (rivalry) | ESPN | W 37–20 | 102,455 |
| September 22 | Kentucky | No. 14 | Ben Hill Griffin StadiumGainesville, FL (rivalry) | SECN | W 38–0 | 87,102 |
| October 6 | No. 4 LSU | No. 10 | Ben Hill Griffin StadiumGainesville, FL (rivalry) | CBS | W 14–6 | 90,824 |
| October 13 | at Vanderbilt | No. 4 | Vanderbilt StadiumNashville, TN | ESPNU | W 31–17 | 40,350 |
| October 20 | No. 9 South Carolina | No. 3 | Ben Hill Griffin StadiumGainesville, FL (College GameDay) | CBS | W 44–11 | 90,833 |
| October 27 | vs. No. 12 Georgia | No. 3 | EverBank FieldJacksonville, FL (rivalry) | CBS | L 9–17 | 84,644 |
| November 3 | Missouri | No. 8 | Ben Hill Griffin StadiumGainesville, FL | ESPN2 | W 14–7 | 90,496 |
| November 10 | Louisiana–Lafayette* | No. 7 | Ben Hill Griffin StadiumGainesville, FL | SECN | W 27–20 | 86,482 |
| November 17 | Jacksonville State* | No. 7 | Ben Hill Griffin StadiumGainesville, FL | PPV | W 23–0 | 82,691 |
| November 24 | at No. 10 Florida State* | No. 6 | Doak Campbell StadiumTallahassee, FL (rivalry) | ABC | W 37–26 | 83,429 |
| January 2, 2013 | vs. No. 22 Louisville* | No. 4 | SuperdomeNew Orleans, LA (Sugar Bowl) (College GameDay) | ESPN | L 23–33 | 54,178 |
| *Non-conference gameHomecomingRankings from AP Poll released before game time |||||||
Source:

## Rankings

Ranking movements Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking ( ) = First-place votes :
| | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week |
| Poll | Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | Final |
| AP | 23 | 24 | 18 | 14 | 11 | 10 | 4 | 3 | 3 (1) | 8 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 9 |
| Coaches | 23 | 23 | 17 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 10 |
| Harris | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | 6 | 3 | 3 (1) | 8 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 4 | Not released |
| BCS | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | 2 | 2 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 3 | Not released |

## Coaching staff

* Wide receivers coach Aubrey Hill resigned during the offseason, so Pease and graduate assistant Bush Hamdan coached wide receivers.
| Name | Current responsibilities | Joined staff |
| Will Muschamp | Head coach | 2011 |
| Brent Pease | Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks* | 2012 |
| Dan Quinn | Defensive coordinator | 2011 |
| D.J. Durkin | Linebackers/Special Teams | 2010 |
| Tim Davis | offensive line/Running game coordinator | 2012 |
| Brian White | Running Backs | 2009 |
| Derek Lewis | Tight Ends | 2011 |
| Travaris Robinson | Defensive Backs | 2011 |
| Bryant Young | Defensive line | 2011 |

## Recruiting class

College recruiting information :
| Name | Hometown | High school / college | Height | Weight | Commit date |
| Raphael Andrades WR | Tallahassee, Florida | Lincoln | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | Feb 1, 2012 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ||||||
| Willie Bailey CB | Hallandale, Florida | Hallandale | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 165 lb (75 kg) | Apr 6, 2011 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ||||||
| Jonathan Bullard DE | Shelby, North Carolina | Crest | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 255 lb (116 kg) | Jan 7, 2012 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ||||||
| Bryan Cox Jr. DE | Fort Lauderdale, Florida | St. Thomas Aquinas | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 230 lb (100 kg) | Jan 21, 2012 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ||||||
| Jessamen Dunker OL | Boynton Beach, Florida | Boynton Beach | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) | 315 lb (143 kg) | Mar 21, 2011 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ||||||
| Dante Fowler DE | St. Petersburg, Florida | Lakewood | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 235 lb (107 kg) | Feb 1, 2012 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ||||||
| Austin Hardin K | Atlanta, Georgia | Marist Brothers | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | Jun 22, 2011 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ||||||
| D.J. Humphries OL | Charlotte, North Carolina | Mallard Creek | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) | 270 lb (120 kg) | Aug 5, 2011 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ||||||
| Damien Jacobs DT | Scooba, Mississippi | East Mississippi C.C. | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 295 lb (134 kg) | Dec 21, 2011 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: N/A ||||||
| Matt Jones RB | Seffner, Florida | Armwood | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 220 lb (100 kg) | Feb 15, 2011 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ||||||
| Rhaheim Ledbetter S | Boiling Springs, North Carolina | Crest | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | Jul 15, 2011 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ||||||
| Jafar Mann DT | Stone Mountain, Georgia | Stephenson | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 275 lb (125 kg) | Mar 25, 2011 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ||||||
| Marcus Maye S | Melbourne, Florida | Holy Trinity | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 195 lb (88 kg) | Jul 18, 2011 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ||||||
| Alex McCalister DE | Clemmons, North Carolina | West Forsyth | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) | 220 lb (100 kg) | Jan 23, 2012 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ||||||
| Skyler Mornhinweg QB | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | St. Joseph's | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 215 lb (98 kg) | Jan 27, 2012 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ||||||
| Antonio Morrison LB | Bolingbrook, Illinois | Bolingbrook | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 220 lb (100 kg) | Aug 3, 2011 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ||||||
| Latroy Pittman WR | Citra, Florida | North Marion | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | Aug 18, 2010 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ||||||
| Brian Poole CB | Bradenton, Florida | Southeast | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | Jun 14, 2011 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ||||||
| Jeremi Powell MLB | Largo, Florida | Pinellas Park | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | Feb 19, 2011 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ||||||
| Kent Taylor TE | Land O' Lakes, Florida | Land O' Lakes | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 220 lb (100 kg) | Oct 27, 2011 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ||||||
| Colin Thompson TE | Warminster, Pennsylvania | Archbishop Wood Catholic | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 255 lb (116 kg) | May 5, 2011 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ||||||
| Quinteze Williams DE | Tyrone, Georgia | Sandy Creek | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 290 lb (130 kg) | Mar 30, 2011 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ||||||
| Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 5 Rivals: 3 247Sports: 4 ESPN: 4 ||||||
| 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 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. ||||||

## Season summary
### Bowling Green

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Bowling Green | 7 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 14 |
| • Florida | 0 | 14 | 3 | 10 | 27 |

### Texas A&M

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Florida | 7 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 20 |
| Texas A&M | 3 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 17 |

### Tennessee

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Florida | 7 | 3 | 17 | 10 | 37 |
| Tennessee | 7 | 7 | 6 | 0 | 20 |

### Kentucky

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Kentucky | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| • Florida | 3 | 21 | 7 | 7 | 38 |

### LSU

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| LSU | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| • Florida | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 14 |

### Vanderbilt

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Florida | 0 | 11 | 7 | 13 | 31 |
| Vanderbilt | 7 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 17 |

### South Carolina

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| South Carolina | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 11 |
| • Florida | 7 | 14 | 16 | 7 | 44 |

### Georgia

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Florida | 0 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 9 |
| • Georgia | 7 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 17 |

### Missouri

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Missouri | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| • Florida | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 14 |

### Louisiana-Lafayette

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Louisiana | 3 | 0 | 14 | 3 | 20 |
| • Florida | 3 | 7 | 3 | 14 | 27 |

### Jacksonville State

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Jacksonville St | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| • Florida | 10 | 0 | 7 | 6 | 23 |

### Florida State

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Florida | 3 | 10 | 0 | 24 | 37 |
| Florida State | 0 | 3 | 17 | 6 | 26 |
at Doak Campbell Stadium • Tallahassee, Florida
* Date: November 24
* Game time: 3:30 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: Sunny • 66 °F (19 °C) • Wind N/NW 10 miles per hour (16 km/h; 8.7 kn)
* Game attendance: 83,429
* Referee: Brad Allen
* Automated ScoreBook
Game information :
Florida
Jeff Driskel 15/23, 147 Yds, TD
Mike Gillislee 24 Rush, 140 Yds, 2 TD
Jordan Reed 4 Rec, 54 Yds
Florida State
EJ Manuel 18/33, 182 Yds, TD, 3 INT 12 Rush, 54 Yds, 2 TD
Rashad Greene 5 Rec, 65 Yds :
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | FLA | FSU |
| 1 | 9:13 | 14 | 54 | 5:47 | Florida | 39-yard field goal by Caleb Sturgis | 3 | 0 |
| 2 | 6:53 | 10 | 54 | 4:59 | Florida | 45-yard field goal by Caleb Sturgis | 6 | 0 |
| 2 | 5:26 | 3 | 21 | 1:20 | Florida | Mike Gillislee 9-yard touchdown run, Caleb Sturgis kick good | 13 | 0 |
| 2 | 0:00 | 9 | 56 | 2:10 | Florida State | 50-yard field goal by Dustin Hopkins | 13 | 3 |
| 3 | 10:27 | 4 | 25 | 1:06 | Florida State | Nick O'Leary 6-yard touchdown reception from EJ Manuel, Dustin Hopkins kick good | 13 | 10 |
| 3 | 8:30 | 2 | 26 | 1:49 | Florida State | EJ Manuel 1-yard touchdown run, Dustin Hopkins kick good | 13 | 17 |
| 3 | 4:24 | 4 | 13 | 1:15 | Florida State | 53-yard field goal by Dustin Hopkins | 13 | 20 |
| 4 | 13:27 | 13 | 64 | 5:53 | Florida | 32-yard field goal by Caleb Sturgis | 16 | 20 |
| 4 | 11:01 | 1 | 37 | 0:08 | Florida | Mike Gillislee 37-yard touchdown run, Caleb Sturgis kick good | 23 | 20 |
| 4 | 7:00 | 5 | 32 | 2:23 | Florida | Quinton Dunbar 14-yard touchdown reception from Jeff Driskel, Caleb Sturgis kick good | 30 | 20 |
| 4 | 2:33 | 4 | 56 | 1:25 | Florida | Matt Jones 32-yard touchdown run, Caleb Sturgis kick good | 37 | 20 |
| 4 | 0:00 | 11 | 77 | 2:28 | Florida State | EJ Manuel 22-yard touchdown run | 37 | 26 |
| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 37 | 26 |

### Sugar Bowl

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Louisville | 14 | 10 | 6 | 3 | 33 |
| Florida | 0 | 10 | 0 | 13 | 23 |

## Players drafted into the NFL

| Round | Pick | Player | Position | NFL club |
| 1 | 23 | Sharrif Floyd | DT | Minnesota Vikings |
| 1 | 32 | Matt Elam | S | Baltimore Ravens |
| 2 | 50 | Jon Bostic | LB | Chicago Bears |
| 3 | 85 | Jordan Reed | TE | Washington Redskins |
| 4 | 104 | Jelani Jenkins | LB | Miami Dolphins |
| 5 | 164 | Mike Gillislee | RB | Miami Dolphins |
| 5 | 166 | Caleb Sturgis | K | Miami Dolphins |
| 6 | 169 | Josh Evans | S | Jacksonville Jaguars |