UL’s 36-35 nail-biting win over in-state rivals UL-Monroe wasn’t just another "W" for the Ragin Cajuns.

The victory, which came down to the final seconds, marked not only the first season since 1987 in which the team has won every home game but also the first time since 1993 it’s earned eight wins in a single season, paving the way for the Cajuns to compete in a post-season bowl game for the first time since 1970. For an older generation of Cajun football fans, the impressive season is a return to former glory. For younger supporters, the success is an unfamiliar showing.

"We’ve been living in Lafayette our whole lives, and this is one of the first winning seasons we can really remember," said Seth Biessenberger, 30, who was tailgating Saturday with his brother, Cain, 25.

Fans and tailgaters Saturday felt an extra sense of excitement from several factors.

Nearly the entire crowd wore white to support the team as part of the "white-out game." The crowd honored 16 seniors, who were playing at Cajun Field for the last time, and the victory brought UL’s all-time series record against ULM to 24-23.

"Coach Hudspeth has definitely turned around the UL name," said Cain Biessenberger, a UL junior studying industrial technology.

"And brought a bigger fan base," Seth added. "I’ve never seen the crowd this big."

This year’s attendance broke previous records with an average of more than 29,000 fans at each game.

Farrel LeBoeuf, of Kaplan, graduated from USL in 1975, and he tailgated Saturday with a group of friends, including Steve Judice, of Scott. LeBoeuf and Judice have set up a tent in the same spot for every home game since 1976.

"Win or lose, we’ve been coming over here for years," LeBoeuf said. "Now, to finally have a winning season like this one is out of sight."

During this past season, LeBoeuf said a crowd of only about 50 people would attend his tailgate. This year, the community’s support is strong, and "all you have to do is look around to see it," he said.

"This year, we’re feeding 150 people at our tailgate every game," LeBoeuf said. "Everybody wants to be a part of the movement."

For longtime fans Andy Kober and Brian May, who tailgated with May’s sons Logan and Lance, 21 and 23 respectively, the football team’s winning season reflects UL moving in a positive direction as a whole, both on and off the field.

Kober attributed a new university president, a new athletic director and a new head coach as factors that broke the "staleness" many UL fans felt during recent years.

He said the administration has given the team the tools it needs to succeed, and noted efforts like the "Wear Red on Fridays" campaign have helped build the community’s backing.

"It all starts at the top," Kober said. "If you can stay consistent, the community will always support you."

May said the Cajun’s home-field dominance this year helped the community rally behind the team.

"There are people here this year who used to skip games last year," Brian May said. "If they lose a home game, it depletes the crowd for the next week’s game. That’s just how Lafayette fans are."

For the "705 tailgaters" who enjoy pregame festivities under the shade of an oak tree next to the stadium, Hudspeth’s coaching has been the difference between "night and day" from last year’s team leadership.

"We’ve got the players, but the coaching as made all the difference," said Kenneth Roy, of Delcambre.

Shadd Leger, 28, graduated from UL in 2008 and began following the team during his freshman year. He said this season reflects "an attitude change."

"It’s a change in the mindset behind the team that’s brought us this success," Leger said. "It’s a different feeling this year, and you can tell the community is behind it."

For current UL students, the winning season is a point of pride.

"It feels good to finally have a good football team," said Eric Andrepont, a 21-year-old electrical engineering junior from Youngsville.

"It gives you a sense of pride as a UL student," added Timmy Bates, a 21-year-old industrial engineering junior from Youngsville. "There’s a lot more school spirit now than last year — less LSU and more UL."

Judice said he was particularly excited about UL’s nearly certain bowl-game appearance. He said he’d like the team to play in the New Orleans Bowl for traveling conveniences.

"Wherever we go, we’ll be happy," Judice said.