What Is 2012 New Hampshire Wildcats football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2012 New Hampshire Wildcats football team represented the University of New Hampshire in the NCAA Division I FCS football season, finishing with a 7–4 overall record and a 5–3 mark in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA). They did not qualify for the FCS playoffs that year under head coach Ricky Santos.

Key Facts

The 2012 New Hampshire Wildcats finished with a 7–4 overall record
They played in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) with a 5–3 conference record
Head coach Ricky Santos was in his second season
The team did not qualify for the 2012 FCS playoffs
Home games were played at Cowell Stadium in Durham, NH

Overview

The 2012 New Hampshire Wildcats football team represented the University of New Hampshire during the 2012 NCAA Division I FCS football season. Competing in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA), the team was led by head coach Ricky Santos, who was in his second year at the helm following the retirement of longtime coach Sean McDonnell due to health reasons.

The Wildcats showed competitiveness in conference play but fell short of postseason qualification. Despite a solid 7–4 overall record and a 5–3 mark in the CAA, they did not receive an at-large bid to the FCS playoffs. Their home games were played at the historic Cowell Stadium in Durham, New Hampshire.

Seven wins marked a slight improvement from the 2011 season, when the team finished 5–6, showing progress under second-year head coach Ricky Santos.
The team's 5–3 conference record placed them in the middle of the CAA standings, behind powerhouses like North Dakota State and Georgia Southern.
Quarterback Ricky Santos had previously been a standout player for the Wildcats and transitioned into coaching after his playing career ended due to injury.
Key victories included wins over Albany (34–20) and Richmond (37–26), both strong CAA programs during that era.
The season concluded without a playoff appearance, ending a streak of seven consecutive FCS postseason berths from 2004 to 2010.

Season Performance

The 2012 campaign featured a mix of offensive firepower and defensive inconsistency. The Wildcats relied heavily on a balanced attack, with contributions from both the passing and rushing games, while facing challenges in closing out tight games against top-tier CAA opponents.

Offensive output: The team averaged 27.8 points per game, ranking in the top half of the CAA, powered by quarterback Michael Drummond and running back Kevin Robinson.
Defensive struggles: Allowed 24.6 points per game, with key lapses in losses to Villanova and James Madison, both ranked teams at the time.
Home-field advantage: Went 5–1 at Cowell Stadium, where strong crowd support and field conditions favored the Wildcats’ style of play.
Rivalry results: Lost to in-state foe New Hampshire–Maine (Border Battle) for the first time since 2007, falling 27–21 in a tightly contested game.
Non-conference challenges: Opened the season with a loss to UC Davis (30–27), a strong FCS program from the Big Sky Conference.
Senior leadership: Captain and linebacker Joe O'Donnell led the defense with 98 total tackles, earning second-team All-CAA honors.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2012 Wildcats compared to recent seasons and conference peers:

Season	Overall Record	CAA Record	Playoff Appearance	Head Coach
2012	7–4	5–3	No	Ricky Santos
2011	5–6	4–4	No	Ricky Santos
2010	11–2	7–1	Yes (Quarterfinals)	Sean McDonnell
2009	9–4	6–2	Yes (Semifinals)	Sean McDonnell
2008	11–3	7–1	Yes (Final)	Sean McDonnell

The 2012 season marked a transitional phase for the program. While the team improved from the previous year, it failed to regain the national prominence seen from 2007 to 2009, when UNH reached the FCS National Championship game. The drop in playoff appearances reflected both increased CAA competition and roster turnover.

Why It Matters

The 2012 season is remembered as a rebuilding year that highlighted both the challenges of coaching transitions and the depth of competition in the FCS. It underscored the difficulty of maintaining elite status in college football amid shifting rosters and conference realignment.

The season emphasized the importance of continuity in coaching, as Ricky Santos adjusted to leading a program with high expectations.
It revealed recruiting and development gaps that emerged after key senior classes graduated following the 2010 season.
The loss to Maine disrupted a decade-long winning streak in the Border Battle, impacting fan morale and regional pride.
Despite missing the playoffs, several players from the 2012 roster went on to earn All-CAA honors in subsequent seasons.
The team’s performance influenced future scheduling strategies, with more emphasis on non-conference winnable games to boost playoff resumes.
Cowell Stadium remained a key recruiting asset, with its intimate setting and tradition continuing to attract regional talent.

While not a standout year in terms of wins or accolades, the 2012 season laid groundwork for future development. It served as a reminder that even historically strong FCS programs must adapt to remain competitive in an evolving college football landscape.