The University of New Hampshire football team gets its season started Thursday night against their rivals from Maine.
The Wildcats enter the game ranked 9th in the Football Championship Subdivision, formally Division 1-AA.
The team finished last year’s regular season with a 7-4 record, advancing to the playoffs for a 14th consecutive season, the longest active streak in the country.
Coach Sean McDonnell, now in his 20th year leading the team, says he’s eager to get going.
“When we go to kickoff, man, it is going to be that pumping, and it is going to be adrenaline flowing,” says McDonnell. “No better feeling, to be honest with you.”
This is the 109th meeting between the Wildcats and the Black Bears. The winner, in addition to bragging rights, gets to hoist a commemorative musket.
The Wildcats have won the last eight straight meetings.
“You need a little luck in these rivalry games to get one over the hump at times, but it’s been a great, great run for our kids, just looking to continue the run going on Thursday night,” says McDonnell.
Game time is 7 o’clock at Alfond Stadium in Maine.