2012 North Dakota State Bison football team
{{short description|American college football season}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox college sports team season
| year = 2012
| team = North Dakota State Bison
| sport = football
| image = North Dakota State Bison wordmark.svg
| image_size = 175
| conference = Missouri Valley Football Conference
| short_conf = MVFC
| TSNRank = 1
| FCSCoachRank = 1
| record = 14–1
| conf_record = 7–1
| head_coach = Craig Bohl
| hc_year = 10th
| off_coach = Brent Vigen
| oc_year = 4th
| off_scheme = Pro-style
| def_coach = Chris Klieman
| dc_year = 1st
| def_scheme = 4–3
| captain =
| stadium = Fargodome
| champion = NCAA Division I champion
MVFC champion
| bowl = NCAA Division I Championship
| bowl_result = W 39–13 vs. Sam Houston State
}}
{{2012 Missouri Valley Football Conference standings}}
The 2012 North Dakota State Bison football team represented North Dakota State University in the 2012 NCAA Division I FCS football season. They were led by tenth-year head coach Craig Bohl and played their home games at the Fargodome in Fargo, North Dakota. North Dakota State entered the season as the defending NCAA Division I Football and Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) champions. In 2012, the Bison won their second straight MVFC title posting, a 7–1 conference record and 10–1 overall mark in the regular season. In the FCS playoffs they defeated South Dakota State, Wofford, Georgia Southern, and Sam Houston State to finish the season 14–1 and win their second consecutive national title.{{cite web |title=2012 NDSU football schedule |url=https://gobison.com/sports/football/schedule/2012 |website=North Dakota State Athletics |accessdate=October 9, 2021}}
Schedule
{{CFB schedule
| rankyear = 2012
| rankdivision = NCAA Division I FCS
| poll = The Sports Network
| timezone = Central
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = September 1
| time = 6:00 pm
| w/l = w
| nonconf = y
| rank = 2
| opponent = Robert Morris
| site_stadium = Fargodome
| site_cityst = Fargo, ND
| score = 52–0
| attend = 18,769
| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86768621/opener-bison-in-runaway/|work=The Bismarck Tribune|title=Opener: Bison in runaway|date=September 2, 2012|accessdate=October 9, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = September 8
| time = 6:00 pm
| w/l = w
| nonconf = y
| away = y
| rank = 2
| opponent = Colorado State
| site_stadium = Hughes Stadium
| site_cityst = Fort Collins, CO
| tv = NBC ND/KTVD
| score = 22–7
| attend = 23,567
| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86768706/humbles-at-home-csu-football-team-broug/|work=Fort Collins Coloradoan|title=Humbled at home, CSU football team brought back to earth after loss to North Dakota State|date=September 9, 2012|accessdate=October 9, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = September 22
| time = 3:00 pm
| w/l = w
| nonconf = y
| rank = 1
| opponent = Prairie View A&M
| site_stadium = Fargodome
| site_cityst = Fargo, ND
| tv = NBC ND/ESPN3
| score = 66–7
| attend = 18,623
| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86768822/bison-do-not-miss-the-beat/|work=The Bismarck Tribune|title=Bison do not miss the beat|date=September 23, 2012|accessdate=October 9, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = September 29
| time = 6:00 pm
| w/l = w
| away = y
| rank = 1
| opponent = Northern Iowa
| opprank = 14
| site_stadium = UNI-Dome
| site_cityst = Cedar Falls, IA
| tv = KVLY/Panther Sports Network/ KWWL-TV
| score = 33–21
| attend = 16,008
| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86768890/no-1-ndsu-downs-northern-iowa/|work=Sioux City Journal|title=No. 1 NDSU downs Northern Iowa|date=September 30, 2012|accessdate=October 9, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = October 6
| time = 1:00 pm
| w/l = w
| homecoming = y
| rank = 1
| opponent = Youngstown State
| opprank = 3
| site_stadium = Fargodome
| site_cityst = Fargo, ND
| tv = NBC ND/ESPN3/ MVFC TV
| score = 48–7
| attend = 19,065
| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86768972/bison-exact-revenge-ndsu-does-no-wrong/|work=The Bismarck Tribune|title=Bison exact revenge, NDSU does no wrong in win over Penguins|date=October 7, 2012|accessdate=October 9, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = October 13
| time = 3:00 pm
| w/l = l
| rank = 1
| opponent = Indiana State
| site_stadium = Fargodome
| site_cityst = Fargo, ND
| tv = NBC ND/ESPN3
| score = 14–17
| attend = 18,164
| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86769125/ndsu-is-upset-top-ranked-bison-lose-to/|work=The Bismarck Tribune|title=NDSU is upset, top-ranked Bison lose to Sycamores|date=October 14, 2012|accessdate=October 9, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = October 20
| time = 6:00 pm
| w/l = w
| away = y
| rank = 4
| opponent = South Dakota
| site_stadium = Howard Wood Field
| site_cityst = Sioux Falls, SD
| tv = Midco SN
| score = 54–0
| attend = 9,269
| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86769208/coyotes-put-up-little-resistance-against/|work=Sioux City Journal|title=Coyotes put up little resistance against NDSU|date=October 21, 2012|accessdate=October 9, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = October 27
| time = 3:00 pm
| w/l = w
| rank = 3
| opponent = Southern Illinois
| gamename = Harvest Bowl
| site_stadium = Fargodome
| site_cityst = Fargo, ND
| tv = NBC ND/FCS
| score = 23–17
| attend = 18,066
| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86769294/siu-falls-short/|work=Southern Illinoisan|title=SIU falls short|date=October 28, 2012|accessdate=October 9, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = November 3
| time = 1:00 pm
| w/l = w
| away = y
| rank = 1
| opponent = Missouri State
| site_stadium = Plaster Sports Complex
| site_cityst = Springfield, MO
| tv = NBC ND/Mediacom
| score = 21–17
| attend = 6,253
| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86769393/bears-upset-bid-comes-up-short/|work=The Springfield News-Leader|title=Bears' upset bid comes up short|date=November 4, 2012|accessdate=October 9, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = November 10
| time = 3:00 pm
| w/l = w
| rank = 1
| opponent = South Dakota State
| opprank = 16
| gamename = Dakota Marker
| site_stadium = Fargodome
| site_cityst = Fargo, ND
| tv = NBC ND/FCS
| score = 20–17
| attend = 18,721
| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86769483/jackrabbits-lose-dakota-marker-game-to-n/|work=Rapid City Journal|title=Jackrabbits lose Dakota Marker game to NDSU|date=November 11, 2012|accessdate=October 9, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = November 17
| time = 1:00 pm
| w/l = w
| away = y
| rank = 1
| opponent = Illinois State
| opprank = 11
| site_stadium = Hancock Stadium
| site_cityst = Normal, IL
| tv = NBC ND
| score = 38–20
| attend = 6,793
| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86769575/bisons-4th-quarter-surge-sinks-redbirds/|work=The Pantagraph|title=Bisons' 4th-quarter surge sinks Redbirds|date=November 28, 2012|accessdate=October 9, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = December 1
| time = 3:00 pm
| w/l = w
| nonconf = y
| rank = 1
| opponent = South Dakota State
| opprank = 19
| gamename = FCS Playoffs Second Round
| site_stadium = Fargodome
| site_cityst = Fargo, ND
| tv = ESPN3
| score = 28–3
| attend = 18,482
| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86769659/bison-defense-is-dominant-again/|work=The Bismarck Tribune|title=Bison defense is dominant again|date=December 2, 2012|accessdate=October 9, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = December 8
| time = 2:00 pm
| w/l = w
| nonconf = y
| rank = 1
| opponent = Wofford
| opprank = 9
| gamename = FCS Playoffs Quarterfinals
| site_stadium = Fargodome
| site_cityst = Fargo, ND
| tv = ESPN3
| score = 14–7
| attend = 18,267
| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86769747/terriers-playoff-run-ends-in-fargo/|work=The State|title=Terriers' playoff run ends in Fargo|date=December 9, 2012|accessdate=October 9, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = December 14
| time = 7:00 pm
| w/l = w
| nonconf = y
| rank = 1
| opponent = Georgia Southern
| opprank = 6
| gamename = FCS Playoffs Semifinals
| site_stadium = Fargodome
| site_cityst = Fargo, ND
| tv = ESPN2
| score = 23–20
| attend = 18,484
| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86769824/no-luck-in-north-dakota/|work=The Macon Telegraph|title=No luck in North Dakota|date=December 15, 2012|accessdate=October 9, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = January 5
| time = 12:00 pm
| w/l = w
| nonconf = y
| neutral = y
| rank = 1
| opponent = Sam Houston State
| opprank = 5
| gamename = FCS Playoffs National Championship Game
| site_stadium = FC Dallas Stadium
| site_cityst = Frisco, TX
| tv = ESPN2
| score = 39–13
| attend = 21,411
| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86769888/n-dakota-state-takes-title/|work=Fort Worth Star-Telegram|title=N. Dakota State takes title|date=January 6, 2013|accessdate=October 9, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}}
}}
}}
Ranking movements
{{Ranking movements
| poll1title = Sports Network
| poll1firstweek = 0
| poll1lastweek = 16
| poll1_0=2
| poll1_1=2
| poll1_2=1
| poll1_3=1
| poll1_4=1
| poll1_5=1
| poll1_6=1
| poll1_7=4
| poll1_8=3
| poll1_9=1
| poll1_10=1
| poll1_11=1
| poll1_12=1
| poll1_13=1
| poll1_14=1
| poll1_15=1
| poll1_16=1
| poll2title = Coaches
| poll2firstweek = 0
| poll2lastweek = 16
| poll2_0=1
| poll2_1=1
| poll2_2=1
| poll2_3=1
| poll2_4=1
| poll2_5=1
| poll2_6=1
| poll2_7=4
| poll2_8=3
| poll2_9=2
| poll2_10=1
| poll2_11=1
| poll2_12=1
| poll2_13=1
| poll2_14=1
| poll2_15=1
| poll2_16=1
}}
Coaching staff
| class="wikitable"
! Name !! Position !! Year at | |||
| align="center" | Head coach | 10th | Nebraska (1982) |
| align="center" | Offensive coordinator Quarterbacks | 15th | North Dakota State (1998) |
| align="center" | Defensive coordinator Defensive backs | 2nd | Northern Iowa (1990) |
| align="center" | Recruiting coordinator Wide receivers coach | 3rd | Indiana (2006) |
| align="center" | Defensive ends coach | 7th | North Dakota State (2006) |
| align="center" | Offensive line | 4th | North Dakota State (1995) |
| align="center" | Defensive tackles coach | 3rd | Wisconsin–Eau Claire (2003) |
| align="center" | Special teams coordinator Tight ends Fullbacks Backs | 6th | Concordia (WI) (2002) |
| align="center" | Linebackers | 1st | Nebraska (1989) |
| align="center" | Offensive assistant | 1st | Bemidji State (2009) |
| align="center"
| John Richardson | Defensive assistant | 2nd | North Dakota State (2010) |
References
{{Reflist}}
{{2012 North Dakota State Bison football navbox}}
{{North Dakota State Bison football navbox}}
{{NCAA Division I-AA/FCS football champion navbox}}
{{Missouri Valley Football Conference champions}}
Category:North Dakota State Bison football seasons
Category:NCAA Division I Football Champions
Category:Missouri Valley Football Conference champion seasons