What Is 2010 New Hampshire Wildcats football

Overview

The 2010 New Hampshire Wildcats football team represented the University of New Hampshire during the 2010 NCAA Division I FCS football season. Competing in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA), the team was led by head coach Ricky Santos and played its home games at Cowell Stadium in Durham, New Hampshire.

The Wildcats had a strong season, finishing with a 9–4 overall record and a 7–1 mark in conference play. Their performance earned them the CAA championship and a top seed in the FCS playoffs, where they advanced to the semifinals before falling to Eastern Washington.

• Record: The team finished the season with a 9–4 overall record and a dominant 7–1 in CAA play, securing the conference title.
• Playoff run: New Hampshire advanced to the FCS semifinals, defeating Appalachian State and Georgia Southern before losing to Eastern Washington 20–19.
• Head coach: Ricky Santos was in his second year as head coach, guiding the team to its deepest playoff run since 2008.
• Home stadium: The Wildcats played all home games at Cowell Stadium, a 11,000-seat venue on the UNH campus in Durham, NH.
• Key player: Senior quarterback Drew Ferris led the offense, throwing for over 2,300 yards and 18 touchdowns during the regular season.

How It Works

The 2010 season followed the standard NCAA Division I FCS football structure, with an 11-game regular season followed by a 20-team playoff tournament. Teams were selected based on conference performance and national rankings.

• Regular season: The Wildcats played a 11-game schedule, including eight CAA matchups and three non-conference games against FBS and FCS opponents.
• CAA standings: Teams earned points based on win-loss records, with tiebreakers used to determine the conference champion and playoff qualifiers.
• Playoff qualification: New Hampshire earned an at-large bid to the FCS playoffs as the No. 2 seed after finishing second in the CAA.
• Bracket format: The FCS playoffs used a single-elimination format with 20 teams; New Hampshire hosted two home playoff games.
• Scoring system: The team averaged 28.5 points per game, ranking 12th nationally in scoring offense during the regular season.
• Defensive performance: The defense allowed just 19.6 points per game, one of the best marks in the FCS, led by linebacker Trevor Reilly.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2010 New Hampshire Wildcats compared to other top FCS teams in key statistical categories:

The table shows that while New Hampshire didn’t score as many points as Eastern Washington or Georgia Southern, their defense was among the stingiest in the FCS. Their balanced performance made them a consistent playoff threat throughout the season.

Why It Matters

The 2010 season was significant for the New Hampshire football program, reinforcing its status as a national FCS power. The team’s deep playoff run and conference title highlighted the strength of the CAA and elevated the profile of UNH athletics.

• Program legacy: The semifinal appearance marked the fifth time in nine years New Hampshire reached at least the FCS semifinals, showcasing program consistency.
• Recruiting boost: Success in 2010 helped attract higher-rated recruits to the UNH football program in subsequent years.
• CAA reputation: The Wildcats’ performance helped cement the CAA as the premier FCS conference, with multiple teams earning playoff bids.
• Player development: Several players from the 2010 roster went on to sign NFL contracts or play professionally overseas.
• Community impact: Playoff games at Cowell Stadium brought thousands of fans to Durham, boosting local tourism and school spirit.
• Historical context: The 2010 season remains one of the most successful in UNH football history, often cited in program retrospectives.

The 2010 New Hampshire Wildcats exemplified the competitive depth of FCS football, combining strong defense, disciplined coaching, and postseason resilience. Their season remains a benchmark for future teams at the university.