MIDDLETOWN, Conn. – Following a career game in a season-opening road win at Bates, Wesleyan football QB Niko Candido '25 picked up NESCAC Offensive Player of the Week honors, as announced by the league office on Monday afternoon. This is the first POW honor for Candido in his Cardinal career.
 
After splitting duties under center last season, Candido took every snap at quarterback in a 28-17 win over Bates on Friday night. The junior signal caller threw for 341 yards on 28-for-37 passing (75.7%) with three touchdowns. He became the first Wesleyan quarterback to throw for 300+ yards since Ashton Scott '22 hit the mark against Trinity in 2019 and the 341 yards is the most for a Cardinal since Mark Piccirillo '19 threw for 388 against Bates in 2017.
 
Candido and the Cardinals are in for a big test on Saturday at home against Middlebury. The Panthers just posted a single-game team record nine sacks in a season-opening 21-7 home win over Amherst.