Courtesy of Framingham State Sports Information

Cambridge, Mass. – Framingham State junior quarterback Matt Silva (Dracut, Mass.) and Harvard wide receiver Andrew Fischer have been awarded New England Football Writers' Association Gold Helmets after strong performances on November 22^nd.

Silva completed 17 of 34 passes for 273 yards and four touchdowns in the Rams 42-36 victory over Rensselaer in the ECAC North Atlantic Bowl.  The win helped the Rams tie the single season school record for victories as they moved to 10-1 on the season. The quarterback rushed for 16 yards and a score in the game which proved to be the game-winner.

Silva got the Rams off to a quick start connecting with receivers for 14 and 20-yard touchdown passes to get out to a 14-0 lead. After Rensselaer tied the game in the third quarter, Silva found receiver Tevin Jones (Springfield, Mass.) with an 11-yard strike to regain the lead. The Engineers managed to take the lead back in the fourth, but Silva found Bob Sivret (Auburn, Mass.) for a 31-yard touchdown on a screen pass and rushed for the ensuing two-point conversion to send the game to overtime. Silva rushed one yard for the game winning touchdown in overtime.  This is Silva's second Gold Helmet award in his career.

Fischer recorded a career-high 264 yards of total offense in a 31-24 victory over Yale to help the Crimson finish the season unbeaten at 10-0. The junior from Diamond Bar, California, caught eight passes for 149 yards and two touchdowns in the 141st playing of "The Game," added 79 yards on just two rushes, including a 58-yard end around that led to a Harvard score, and tallied 30 yards in the return game. Fischer crossed into the endzone for the first time in the third quarter after teammate Seitu Smith found the receiver on a streak to the endzone for a 40-yard score. He added his second touchdown with 55 seconds remaining when he beat his man for a 35-yard touchdown pass from Conner Hempel to secure the victory and undefeated season.

Portions of release courtesy of NEFW