We were already heading down from an Elite FCS program to a mediocre program under Morris in 2010. However rivalry games matter in New England. Our old attendance record was 32,848 for the first Colonial Clash at Gillette.

Pretty sure will beat that record with the Battle in the Bay State against Boston College Saturday. College football games matter in New England and pretty much guarantee our attendance will be consistently in the 30's k range against BC and UConn.

For reference in 2010, the Colonial Clash had over 1 million viewers on Comcast.

Quote:Oct. 27, 2010

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - In addition to setting the CAA conference attendance record of 32,848 at Gillette Stadium, the Colonial Clash set a league record for TV audience. The CAA reports that the Colonial Clash drew a record 0.88 TV rating on Comcast SportsNet. That means that more than 1,000,000 households were tuned into the UMass-UNH football game from Gillette Stadium.

A full rating point represents 1,159,000 households, so with a mark of 0.88, approximately 1,019,000 homes were tuned at to the Colonial Clash.

http://www.umassathletics.com/news/2010/...ing.aspx#_

Yes we need to expand McGuirk, but heard for the first time I'm aware of, when McGuirk sells out, the Athletic Department is prepared to sell additional seats,SRO.