| Mode: | football |
| Year: | 2012 |
| Team: | Kent State Golden Flashes |
| Conference: | Mid-American Conference |
| Division: | East Division |
| Short Conf: | MAC |
| Record: | 11–3 |
| Conf Record: | 8–0 |
| Head Coach: | Darrell Hazell |
| Hc Year: | 2nd |
| Off Coach: | Brian Rock |
| Oc Year: | 2nd |
| Def Coach: | Jon Heacock |
| Dc Year: | 2nd |
| Off Scheme: | Spread |
| Def Scheme: | 4–3 |
| Stadium: | Dix Stadium |
| Champion: | MAC East Division champion |
| Conf Champ: | MAC Championship Game |
| Conf Champ Result: | L 37–44 2OT vs. Northern Illinois |
| Bowl: | GoDaddy.com Bowl |
| Bowl Result: | L 13–17 vs. Arkansas State |
The 2012 Kent State Golden Flashes football team represented Kent State University in the 2012 NCAA Division I FBS football season. They were led by second-year head coach Darrell Hazell and played their home games at Dix Stadium as a member of the East Division of the Mid-American Conference.
The Flashes had their most successful season since their MAC championship season of 1972, winning the MAC East outright with an 8–0 record, and made it to the MAC Championship game where they lost, 44–37, to Northern Illinois in double-overtime. The team peaked at #18 in the BCS polls, finishing the regular season at #25. Kent State earned their first bowl bid since 1972, and played in the GoDaddy.com Bowl against Arkansas State. The Golden Flashes were defeated by the Red Wolves, 17–13.
See also: 2012 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings.
See also: 2012 Towson Tigers football team.
This game is notable for a play that happened in the last minute of the second quarter. Kent State punted from the 50-yard line, and the ball touched, but was not caught by, Towson's returner, Derrick Joseph. It hit the ground and was recovered at the 7-yard line by Kent State linebacker Andre Parker, who then ran 58 yards the wrong way before two Towson players tackled him. However, a muffed punt cannot be advanced (or retreated) so Kent State simply took possession of the ball at the 7-yard line for the remainder of the half, and kicked a field goal before it ended.[1]
See also: 2012 Kentucky Wildcats football team.
See also: 2012 Buffalo Bulls football team.
See also: 2012 Ball State Cardinals football team.
See also: 2012 Eastern Michigan Eagles football team.
See also: 2012 Army Black Knights football team.
See also: 2012 Western Michigan Broncos football team.
See also: 2012 Rutgers Scarlet Knights football team.
See also: 2012 Akron Zips football team and Wagon Wheel (trophy).
See also: 2012 Miami RedHawks football team.
See also: 2012 Bowling Green Falcons football team and Battle for the Anniversary Award.
See also: 2012 Ohio Bobcats football team.
See also: 2012 Northern Illinois Huskies football team.
See also: 2013 GoDaddy.com Bowl and 2012 Arkansas State Red Wolves football team.