CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Wesleyan senior defensive lineman Nick Helbig '23 is the recipient of this week's New England Football Writers Association Gold Helmet Award, presented by the Jack Grinold Eastern Massachusetts Chapter of the National Football Foundation. A weekly honor rarely given to defensive players, Helbig earns the distinction as the top collegiate football player in New England across both NCAA Divisions II and III.

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Helbig was a one-man wrecking crew on defense as the reigning NESCAC Defensive Player of the Year posted a career-high three sacks to go along with two forced fumbled and seven tackles (four solo) in a 41-10 home win over Bates on Saturday. Helbig broke through for a TFL and forced fumble on a crucial 4^th-and-goal play on Bates' opening drive to snuff a prime scoring chance. He later strip-sacked Bates QB Liam Foley early in the third with the Bobcats only trailing by 10, setting up the Cardinals for a touchdown score just two plays later that continued what was a 24-0 scoring run for Wesleyan. Through 19 career games, Helbig has 16 career sacks and 27 TFL.
 
All of the weekly Gold Helmet recipients will be honored at the annual NEFW Captains and Awards Banquet on Thursday, December 8, at the Sheraton Framingham Hotel and Conference Center.