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UConn Huskies Linebacker Jackson Mitchell Named Winner of NEFWA's Gold Helmet Award

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Football

UConn junior linebacker Jackson Mitchell (Ridgefield, CT) was named the Week 9 recipients of the New England Football Writers Association Gold Helmet Awards presented by the Jack Grinold/Eastern Massachusetts Chapter of the National Football Foundation.  Western CT State wide receiver Julian Ferguson was also named a winner this week.

Mitchell powered a dominant UConn defense effort on Saturday as the Huskies recorded the program's first-ever win over New England rival Boston College, 13-3, at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field.  Mitchell finished the game with 12 tackles, a sack and an interception while also forcing a fumble and recovering a fumble to lead a UConn defense that held BC to just three points and 76 yards rushing.  The Huskies took a 10-3 lead into the fourth quarter where Mitchell did the most damage of the night.  Starting with BC's drive with 9:53 to go, the junior linebacker had a hand in forcing three-straight Eagle turnovers to help UConn seal the win.  Mitchell forced a fumble with 8:35 left that led the Huskies' second field goal of the afternoon and a 13-3 lead.  On BC's next possession, he recorded his first interception of the season and then after the Huskies were forced to punt, he recovered a fumble by BC on the return with 4:06 left.  He posted four of his 12 tackle in the fourth quarter.

Mitchell had 12 tackles, his fifth game in nine this season with double digit tackles.  His 12 stops give him an even 100 tackles for the year and he also leads the team with 4.5 sacks, three fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles.

The win ended a 0-12-2 drought against the Eagles in a series that dates back to 1908.  The UConn defense gave up just three points in the win, a season-low fo the Eagles.

For the eighth straight year, the Jack Grinold Eastern Massachusetts Chapter of the National Football Foundation is the presenting sponsor for both the weekly and end-of-year Gold Helmet Awards presented to student-athletes from FBS, FCS, Division II and Division III institutions throughout New England.