What Is 2012 Cornell Big Red football

Content on WhatAnswers is provided "as is" for informational purposes. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees. Content is AI-assisted and should not be used as professional advice.

Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2012 Cornell Big Red football team represented Cornell University in the 2012 NCAA Division I FCS football season, finishing with a 4–6 record under head coach Kent Austin. They competed in the Ivy League and did not qualify for the postseason.

Key Facts

The 2012 Cornell Big Red football team finished with a 4–6 overall record
They went 3–4 in Ivy League play during the 2012 season
Head coach Kent Austin was in his second year leading the program
Cornell played its home games at Schoellkopf Field in Ithaca, New York
The team's 2012 season included a 20–17 win over Colgate in the rivalry game

Overview

The 2012 Cornell Big Red football season marked the 132nd year of the program, representing Cornell University in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). Competing in the Ivy League, the team was led by second-year head coach Kent Austin and played its home games at historic Schoellkopf Field in Ithaca, New York.

The Big Red finished the season with a 4–6 overall record and a 3–4 mark in conference play, placing fifth in the seven-team Ivy League standings. Despite a competitive schedule and a notable victory over crosstown rival Colgate, the team did not qualify for the FCS playoffs or earn a league title.

Overall record: The 2012 Cornell Big Red posted a 4–6 win-loss tally, their first losing season since 2008, reflecting challenges in non-conference matchups and close conference defeats.
Ivy League performance: With a 3–4 conference record, Cornell finished behind teams like Harvard and Princeton, missing out on the league championship and postseason consideration.
Head coach: Kent Austin entered his second season in 2012, focusing on rebuilding the offense and improving team discipline after a 3–7 debut season in 2011.
Home stadium: Schoellkopf Field, located on Cornell’s campus, hosted all home games and has a capacity of approximately 25,597, making it one of the oldest football venues in the U.S.
Rivalry win: A 20–17 victory over Colgate on September 22, 2012, stood out as a highlight, marking the 125th meeting between the two historic programs.

Season Performance

The 2012 season featured a mix of close losses and hard-fought wins, showcasing the team’s resilience despite an underperforming offense in several key games. The Big Red struggled to maintain consistency, particularly in the second half of the season.

Season opener: Cornell opened the season with a 48–21 loss to Fordham, highlighting defensive vulnerabilities that persisted throughout the year.
Key offensive player: Quarterback Kyle McFarlan started most games, throwing for 1,219 yards and 7 touchdowns, though the passing game lacked explosiveness.
Defensive standout: Linebacker Nate DePiero led the team with 87 total tackles, earning second-team All-Ivy honors for his consistent play.
Close losses: The team lost four games by seven points or fewer, including a 24–21 defeat to Brown and a 27–20 loss to Columbia, indicating narrow margins for improvement.
Home vs. away: Cornell went 3–2 at home but just 1–4 on the road, suggesting stronger performance in front of home crowds at Schoellkopf Field.
Season finale: The Big Red closed with a 35–20 win over Penn, providing a positive end to an otherwise challenging campaign.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2012 season compares to recent years in terms of performance and standings:

Season	Overall Record	Ivy Record	Head Coach	Notable Result
2012	4–6	3–4	Kent Austin	20–17 win over Colgate
2011	3–7	2–5	Kent Austin	First year under new coach
2010	4–6	3–4	Jim Knowles	Missed postseason
2008	4–6	3–4	Jim Knowles	Preceded a 9–1 season in 2009
2009	9–1	6–1	Jim Knowles	Shared Ivy title, best season in decades

The 2012 season mirrored the 2010 and 2011 campaigns in record but lacked the momentum seen in the dominant 2009 season. While improvement was evident compared to 2011, the team still lagged behind Ivy powerhouses like Harvard and Princeton, who consistently contended for national FCS rankings.

Why It Matters

The 2012 season was a transitional year for Cornell football, reflecting broader efforts to rebuild the program under new leadership. Though not a championship contender, the team laid groundwork for future development in recruiting and scheme.

Program continuity: The season helped solidify Kent Austin’s system, providing valuable experience for younger players entering 2013.
Recruiting pipeline: Competitive games against Ivy rivals kept Cornell visible to high school prospects in the Northeast.
Rivalry preservation: The win over Colgate maintained the intensity of one of college football’s oldest rivalries, dating back to 1889.
Player development: Several underclassmen gained starting experience, including future contributors like running back Jonathan McAdoo.
Conference parity: The close games highlighted the competitive balance within the Ivy League, where small margins determine outcomes.
Historical context: As part of a program with over 130 seasons, 2012 contributed to Cornell’s legacy despite lacking postseason success.

The 2012 Cornell Big Red football season may not stand out in terms of wins, but it played a role in the long-term evolution of the program, serving as a bridge between rebuilding years and future competitiveness in the Ivy League.