* – Louisiana–Lafayette vacated 4 wins due to NCAA violations. ** – South Alabama was inelible for conference title or bowl game as part of their transition to the FBS.
The 2012 Louisiana–Monroe Warhawks football team represented the University of Louisiana at Monroe in the 2012 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Warhawks were led by third-year head coach Todd Berry and played their home games at Malone Stadium. They were a member of the Sun Belt Conference. They finished the season 8–5, 6–2 in Sun Belt play to finish in a three-way tie for second place. They were invited to the Independence Bowl, the first bowl appearance in school history, where they were defeated by Ohio.
The Warhawks came into War Memorial Stadium as 30.5 point underdogs. In regulation, the Warhawks played the Razorbacks to a tie. Arkansas, who had three starters (including QB Tyler Wilson) injured in the game, was held to a field goal in the 1st overtime. ULM faced a 4th and 1 in same overtime period, and elected to pursue a first down. The result was a ULM QB Kolton Browning game-winning touchdown run. Browning finished with 481 total yards, three touchdowns passing, and one touchdown rushing.
Louisiana-Monroe's victory over #8 Arkansas marked the first victory by any Sun Belt Conference team over a top-ten opponent and the first victory over any ranked opponent since 2004.[2]
Ranking movements Legend:██ Increase in ranking. ██ Decrease in ranking. NR = Not ranked. RV = Received votes. т = Tied with team above or below. ( ) = First place votes.