CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – University of Massachusetts Dartmouth quarterback Dante Aviles-Santos has been named recipient of the New England Football Writers College Division season Gold Helmet award presented to the most valuable player in Divisions II and III. The award will be presented at the New England Football Writers Captains and Awards Banquet on Thursday, December 8, at the Sheraton Framingham (Mass.) Hotel and Conference Center.

Aviles-Santos, a native of Cumberland, R.I., and a graduate of Cumberland High school, led the Corsairs to a perfect 8-0 record in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) play and the MASCAC title. In 10 total games the junior completed 199 of 328 passes (.604 completion percentage), throwing for 2,940 yards and 26 touchdowns with only six interceptions. In last week's game against Plymouth State University which was for the MASCAC Championship, Aviles-Santos completed 26 of 29 passes (.897 completion percentage) for 316 yards and three scoring strikes.

Aviles is ranked fifth nationally in Division III in passing yards and tied for 16th in total touchdown passes. He is 25th in completions per game with 19.9 and 27th in yards per pass attempt at 8.96. UMass Dartmouth was the 15th ranked scoring team in Division III during the 2022 season with an average of 42.1 points per game. The Corsairs will take their high-powered offense to Ithaca, N.Y. on Saturday to face Ithaca College in the first round of the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament.

"The UMass Dartmouth Football Program is so fortunate to have Dante as a key member of our team," UMass Dartmouth head coach Mark Robichaud said. "Dante is an incredibly skilled athlete who is a natural leader and a tremendous competitor who is constantly striving to become a better teammate, athlete, leader and young man. We are incredibly proud of him."

Aviles-Santos is the first UMass Dartmouth player to be honored by the NEFW with the Season Gold Helmet Award. The award has been presented since 1974.

Release courtesy of New England Football Writers Association