They came in 34 strong did the recruits in the Class of 2010, firm in the resolve that they would help restore the proud tradition of the winningest program in the history of Ivy League football.

The record book will show that the 14 seniors who stuck it out and wore a Dartmouth uniform this fall did not enjoy anywhere near the success they envisioned when they arrived on campus. They did not come close to an Ivy League championship. They did not have a single winning record.

But listen to coach Buddy Teevens and he will tell you that the won-loss record is a poor measure of the contribution made by the small band of brothers who remain. He'll tell you that they will finish their careers today having done exactly what they set out to do. That with their determination and selfless approach they have put in place the foundation upon which the next chapter of Dartmouth football greatness will be built.

Winning is easy. Losing is hard, and Teevens knows it.

"It has not been easy for these guys," he admitted. "They've gone through some tough times. But to stick together the way they have shows they place a value on what they've helped to build."

Of the 14 seniors who played this fall just seven started games. Only safety Peter Pidermann and offensive tackle Alex Toth will be starters in all 10 games. Others have seen playing time and starting roles impounded as the season wore on by the freshmen and sophomores who will lead the Dartmouth renaissance after they are gone.

"There was a pivot point and somebody had to be a part of it," Teevens said. "These guys set the example. I've said it every year but these guys have been the real separator. The freshmen have said that. These guys take you under their wing and treat you as equals.

"Some of it is out of necessity, some of it is the quality of the younger guys we have, but the seniors have been mentoring people who are taking their spots and they are not complaining about it."

Think about that. Four years of winter conditioning. Four years of morning lifts. Four years of Saturday afternoon heartache. Four years of scratching for playing time and when it finally comes helping younger players take it away. All without complaining.

That kind of selflessness has not gone unnoticed. Take it from junior co-captain Timmy McManus, who knows the 30 players in his class have a tough act to follow next fall.

"The seniors have really been the driving force which helped us turn this around the second half of the year," he said. "I think it's going to carry over and next year when we are sitting there with a winning record and maybe an Ivy League championship we'll be able to look back and say that this senior class is the reason we're here."

For sophomore defensive lineman Eddie Smith, Pidermann and quarterback Max Heiges - one who started every game and one who has yet to play a varsity down this fall - symbolize the qualities that those who follow in their footsteps strive to match.

"I looked up to Pete Pidermann as a leader," Smith said. "Personally, I got through the Harvard game for Pete because I saw how much he was hurting with the injuries he had, and he was still fighting his butt off trying to win the game. It was like, you know what? If he's doing that, what am I doing slacking off just trying to get by? I need to get there. That's why I admire him as a leader. And there's Max Heiges, who hasn't really had a chance to play but never complains. You talk to guys on the team and nobody will have a bad word to say about Max Heiges, ever.

"Twenty guys may have left, but the guys that stayed, stuck it out and stuck with it are the kind of guys you want to be like," Smith continued. "The kind of mentality they've instilled in us is going to play a big role in the success we are going to have in the coming years. Not that we 'could' have. That we 'are' going to have."

Next year's seniors along with those who come behind them owe a debt of gratitude to the 14 seniors who will finish their careers today according to Teevens.

"They have a love of the game that I think they've passed on to the younger guys," he said. "It's not acceptable to quit any longer. It's interesting. They bring it up every once in a while. 'Remember we came in with 34 guys and we're all that's left.' ...

"There's a culture now that exists where football is important, you are passionate about it, you work hard. You are committed to your teammates. You are accountable and responsible. You are doing a great job academically, a great job off the field and in the community. It wasn't like that when we first came in and these guys deserve a lot of the credit for it."

Added Teevens: "People talk about losing and character building. I think going through an experience like this is the character builder. What this collective group chose to do, and two-thirds of them opted not to follow through on, has been a great example for the younger guys. They don't think about leaving and I credit the guys who are here."

While they won't leave with Ivy League championship rings, the 14 seniors on this year's team will leave with strong memories of Dartmouth football. A random sampling of some of the memories they will take with them:

Tailback Rob Mitchelson: "A favorite memory that I will take from Dartmouth football is the feeling of joy after a win. Of course my Dartmouth football career has had its fair share of disappointments, and as a class we all expected to win far more, but nothing compares to how great it feels to win.  Stepping foot inside the locker room with 100-plus of your closest brothers after clawing for every last inch and coming out victorious is something I will always take with me. Winning doesn't come easy. A lot about people is revealed in difficult times, and it's a special feeling when an entire team's preparation and effort become a success."

Safety Tony Pastoors: "Coach Teevens, just because of who he is, and what he has meant to so many of us, but also Coach (Sammy McCorkle's) 'tackle Tuesdays,' Coach (Chris Wilkerson) and his endless supply of caffeine and energy, Coach (Cedric) Calhoun's field goal blocks, and always getting excited to call an all out block.

"I'd say a common factor is a toughness, determination, and a refuse to back down/quit attitude. We've all been through a lot in four years, but the ones left are the ones that it means the most to and the ones who refused to give in and that's something I'll remember forever."

Wide receiver James O'Brien: "I can't say that this is a favorite memory but one (of many) that I'll take away from Dartmouth football is the early morning off-season training. I remember one morning freshman year walking through snow up to our knees across campus at 5 a.m. At the time I couldn't see myself getting through it but I think that's part of what makes our program so tough. We go through things like that and I'm proud that we do. I think it brings the guys together; when you and your buddies are running drills in Leverone when it feels like the rest of the world is sleeping. It made me feel like I was a part of something worthwhile."

Senior safety Peter Pidermann: "My favorite memory I will take away from my career here is the brotherhood and camaraderie in DB meetings. How close you become over the years, spending hours a day watching film together; always joking around with each other and even Coach Mac joining in from time to time. When I look back at my time here I think DB meetings stand out as something that has meant a lot to me."

Defensive tackle Michel Wu: "One thing I will always remember is doing up-downs for an entire period behind the bleacher stands with Coach Calhoun my sophomore year. He took us behind the stands so no one could see us, and we must have done close to 100 up-downs in one go. ... This particular incident is something that is always brought up and laughed about in hindsight.

"I will always remember this memory not just because its funny to think about, but it epitomizes football and the bond we have in our class. We all play because we love the game, but there are definitely times where it is not enjoyable. ... However, it is the adversity that has brought us closer together and drives us to be better every day.  In a sense, I don't think football would be as enjoyable or impactful to my life if it was easy."

Defensive end Jeff Smith: "I suppose some of my favorite memories of Dartmouth football would be waking up at 5 a.m., to go to mat drills in the middle of a huge snowstorm, having it take 30 minutes just to reach the football facilities because you couldn't walk, and then get there only to see Coach T out in the cold shoveling the snow. Either that or just making it through with Mike Wu, since we were the only defensive linemen to make it through all four years. And all the times I've called him 'Panda' or ordered Ramunto's with him on Fridays when we didn't make the bus to away games."

Quarterback Alex Jenny: "My best memory is probably the 13 or so seniors that have been through four years with me. It was definitely a tough road with not many wins, and the guys in my class have stuck through it, and we have had some great memories."