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That was 2004. After nearly being kicked off the team the previous year, Ricky Santos had spent the summer working out—and watching film, as instructed. He started the season sitting on the bench as a fourth-string quarterback, but time, fortune and an injury to All-American Mike Granieri '04 in the middle of a game against Div. I-A champion Delaware gave Santos his break. En route to rewriting the record books, winning the Walter Payton Award and leading the Wildcats to appearances in two national tournaments, Santos helped put UNH football back on the map.

Santos graduated last spring and now plays with the Montreal Alouettes, leaving all eyes on quarterback R.J. Toman. The Wildcats opened their 2008 season with a victory over Army at West Point, N.Y. Hundreds of UNH alumni and fans attended, including UNH President Mark Huddleston. Toman scrambled quickly out of Santos' monolithic shadow, leading a decisive 66-yard drive in the second half that put the game away. The team won its next three games, beating Rhode Island 51-43, Albany 32-24 and Dartmouth 42-6.

On Oct. 25, UNH notched its 500th victory with a 42-14 drubbing of Towson State. Of these 500 wins, McDonnell has played a part in 142—a relatively obscure statistic revealing an impressive accomplishment. "Having Sean as the head coach ensures a New Hampshire state of mind," says Etro. "Tough, intense, making the most of what he's got."

The resurgence in UNH football has seen attendance at home games double in recent years. On a brisk November afternoon, a hospitality tent in Boulder Field has about 200 people packed beneath it. "We used to get about 20 or 30 people," says Etro, who operates the tent with fellow officers of the UNH Cat Club. "Now we are packed for every home game."

Former middle linebacker Alan Tallman '05, who teaches English and coaches football and lacrosse at Boston College High School, is recounting the good old days, as players and fans alike will do when they get under the big tent. The year was 2003, and the game was against powerhouse Hofstra. "When I came here in 2001," Tallman recalls, "we were 4-7. Coach said that when we won, he would lead us in the fight song in the locker room afterward. Well, we didn't get much opportunity to sing at first. And then we beat Hofstra. Coach Mac burst into the UNH fight song. The marching band joined in and we all sang until we were hoarse. I'll never forget that moment."~

* The print version of this story contained an error about Coach Boston's years of coaching. Jim Carsley '68 of Quechee, Vt., pointed out the mistake.

David Moore works in UNH's Editorial and Creative Services. He lives in Lee, N.H.