The 2012 season was a season of champions; a season of close calls; a season of incredible plays; a season of a National Championship for SAU (Saint Augustus University).
With a schedule to be proud of for once, SAU started off with an impressive win at the Autzen Zoo in Eugene, as Oregon never has a prayer against the vaunted passing attack of SAU as they ran away with it 42-13.
SAU then followed that with a Boise State blowout upset that is the worst loss Boise State has EVER received at home (and the third worst loss of all-time for Boise State) to the tune of 59-10. James Collins would break the school passing TD record in the game by throwing 5 TD passes before being sat down at the end of the 3rd quarter. Also this game, Tony Mitchell would break the school single game carries record, touting the rock 38 times for 185 yards as well as Thomas Moses breaking the school single game TD record, catching 4 touchdown passes.
SAU would rattle off two more wins over preseason top 25 teams (Houston and Boise State would be the only teams on their schedule that would end the season ranked in the top 25) in Houston and Vanderbilt, both of which were close, hard fought games were receiver Thomas Moses continued to shine and cracked the Heisman Watch List after the Vanderbilt game. During this stretch, SAU would also reach the Top 25 in the middle of the season for the first time in school history. Also during this stretch, receiver Thomas Moses would break another school single game record, recording 303 yards receiving.
Next, SAU traveled to Western Kentucky, meeting the second of four required trips to their place as part of their 2009 agreement. The game would be fairly uneventful as SAU cruised to a 30-13 win, increasing their win streak to 13 games, including a 7 game home winning streak.
SAU then traveled to Indiana as they continued their trip across America in an attempt to increase their National Exposure. SAU would reach #16 in the polls this week with a hard fought, grind it out game against Indiana, traveling back to Worcester with a 26-19 victory.
SAU would have little time to rest as they had two talented opponents in Pittsburgh and UCF both traveling to Worcester. The Pittsburgh game would be huge as it was a chance to show off to highly sought after junior college 4* halfback recruit Charles Franklin. It indeed turned out to be quite a show as SAU would walk away with a 25-24 win over the Panthers as they stopped them on Pitt's final drive outside of FG range to preserve the win. UCF would prove to also be quite a game as SAU would squeeze out a win in the end 23-17, as, once again, Moses would prove to be the player of the game with his performance.
Next, SAU traveled to beautiful Hawai'i to play some football and came away with yet another hard fought defensive win, beating the Warriors 10-6, pushing their unbeaten record to 9-0 and their win streak to 17 games, 9 straight at home.
Both streaks would continue as SAU played host to cross state Boston College and cross country Utah. Boston College and Utah would both mark school single game records being broken; defensive end James Bailey as he recorded 3 sacks in the defeat of Boston College 27-3 and senior transfer and resident Mr Popular James Collins would break the previous mark of 5 TD passes set by himself against Oregon by throwing for 6 TD passes in an absolute thrashing of Utah 45-10.
With the defeat of Utah (who was ranked at #23 before their loss to SAU), SAU did the unimaginable.
Ranked #1 in all three polls for the first time in school history, SAU traveled to cross city rivals Holy Cross to play one of the most important Holy War games ever in SAU history as SAU tried to do the unthinkable and finish the season undefeated against the hardest schedule they've ever faced.
Yet, Holy Cross wasn't about to just roll over and let it happen. They came to play football this day, taking a 7-6 lead over SAU at the end of the 1st quarter. Quarter 2 marked a 21-3 explosion by SAU on the arm of freshman backup quarterback Patrick Baas (James Collins would miss most of the game because of flu-like symptoms that prevented him from ever being a real factor). The 3rd quarter looked to be more of the same as SAU intercepted a CHC (College of Holy Cross) pass on their opening drive and took it to the house, extending the lead to 34-3, but CHC wasn't done yet. The 3rd quarter would ultimately be a CHC quarter as they would explode for 17 points themselves, sparked by a 71 yard INT and score by CHC. The 3rd quarter ended with the momentum squarely in CHC's corner down by only 14 points 34-20. Unfortunately for CHC, SAU clamped down on defense and pulled away to ultimately win the game 40-20, completing the unlikely task of going 12-0 for the first time in school history and holding steadfast at a chance for the BCS National Championship game.
The Conference Championship Week would prove to be a showcase of two teams vying for a chance to play in the BCS National Championship game in Clemson and Georgia Tech. Both had spectacular seasons, with Georgia Tech winning the matchup between the two teams earlier in the year (and promptly losing to a Virginia Tech team that Clemson had beaten earlier in the season), but Clemson would have the upperhand this time around, as they squeaked past Georgia Tech 21-17 on their way for a date with SAU for the BCS National Championship.
After the Conference Championship Week, it was also announced that Thomas Moses would be awarded the Best WR of the year Award but it turned out that he would be passed up upon when it came to the Heisman Trophy (where he had lead most of the season by many annalists' projections), with the trophy being awarded to the talented Nebraska RB instead. Also, during that time, it was announced that Thomas Moses would be named a 1st team All-American choice with LB Mark Whitlock and CB Matt Britt adding onto the talented stock of Freshman All-Americans on the SAU roster.
Then came the BCS National Championship Game; the big one; the reason you play the games.
Everyone had Clemson as the clear favorite. Vegas had SAU as 9 point underdogs. Kurk Herbstreit and Lee Corso both picked Clemson to win it. It seemed like everyone outside of Massachusetts thought Clemson was going to win the game:
SAU thought differently though and proved it on the field, turning what could be a once in a lifetime event into a reality as SAU walked away with a 34-17 victory and what's sure to be one of the greatest seasons ever in school history.
Thomas Moses ended the season with new school records for career and season WR stats.
Tommy Mitchell set school records in all rushing categories.
Tony Duncan continued his spectacular college career by extending his school record in tackles and interceptions as did Jeremy Bailey in sacks.
James Collins leaves school as the record holder in all season QB stats after just one season of play.
Season Record: 13-0
Coach's Poll: #1
USA Today Poll: #1
BCS Poll: #1
Awards Won: Coach of the Year; Best WR
Bowl Record: 2-1
Conference: Independent
Conference Title: None
National Title: 2012
Wk 1 |
@ #16 Oregon |
W 42-13 |
Wk 2 |
@ Boise State |
W 59-10 |
Wk 3 |
#22 Houston |
W 16-15 |
Wk 4 |
Bye |
Bye |
Wk 5 |
Bye |
Bye |
Wk 6 |
#18 Vanderbilt |
W 31-24 |
Wk 7 |
@ Western Kentucky |
W 30-13 |
Wk 8 |
@ Indiana |
W 26-19 |
Wk 9 |
Pittsburgh |
W 25-24 |
Wk 10 |
UCF |
W 23-17 |
Wk 11 |
Bye |
Bye |
Wk 12 |
@ Hawai'i |
W 10-6 |
Wk 13 |
Boston College |
W 27-3 |
Wk 14 |
Utah |
W 45-10 |
Wk 15 |
@ Holy Cross |
W 40-20 |
BCS Championship |
Clemson |
W 34-17 |
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