Dawson Earns New England Football Writers Gold Helmet Award

Sophomore Aaron Dawson added to his collection of accolades on Wednesday, as he was named the New England Football Writers Gold Helmet Award winner.  Dawson is the first Blue Devil win win the award since Rob Hollomon won it twice in 2013 and 2014.  He joins former Blue Devils Stan House, Cory Harge, Justise Hairston, Hollomon and Gunnar Jespersen as winners of the award.  It is presented each week to the top Division I performer in New England.

Dawson's numbers last week in a win over Wagner have gained national attention, and helped the Blue Devils move to 3-1 in Northeast Conference play.

He was also named the Co-NEC Offensive Player of the week, the CFPA National Performer of the Week and the STATS FCS National Offensive Player of the Week.

He set a CCSU and NEC record with 361 rushing yards on just 24 carries, breaking the old mark of 332 yards set during the 2006 season by Justise Hairston.  His 361 yards was the sixth-highest single-game output in FCS history. 

Dawson, who had nine carries for 53 yards at halftime, rushed 15 times for 308 yards in the second half, setting the Division I (FBS and FCS) mark for rushing yardage in a single half.  And, Dawson's 197 rushing yards in the fourth quarter are the most rushing yards in a quarter in FCS history.  He had eight rushes for 197 yards and three touchdowns in the quarter, averaging 24.6 yards per rush.

Dawson also matched a school-record with 5 touchdowns in the game.  His touchdown runs came from 23, 45, 57, 60 and 55, including four in the second half.  Dawson averaged 15 yards per rush in the game.