WESTFIELD, Mass. –Westfield State senior running back Jordan Smith (Coventry, Conn.) has been chosen as the Gold Helmet winner by the New England Football Writers as presented by the Jack Grinold/Eastern Massachusetts Chapter of the National Football Foundation for his record-setting performance this weekend in the Owls 49-0 win over Fitchburg State University.

The prestigious Gold Helmet is presented to the player with the most outstanding performance of the week, with one award presented to the top Division I player, and one to the top player in Divisions II and III.

Smith shares the award this week with the Division I recipient, Harvard University quarterback Jaden Craig.

Smith, ran for 223 yards and a school-record five rushing touchdowns as the Owls steamrolled Fitchburg State, 49-0. Smith had TD runs of 1, 40, 9, 30, and 4-yards. Smith did his damage on 25 carries, gaining 8.92 yards per carry, also a Owls' single-game record for a player with more than 20 carries. Smith's big day enabled him to crack the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the season, as he finishes the year with 1,076 yards, and 10 touchdowns.

Smith was also named as the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference offensive player of the week for his efforts.

Smith becomes the first Owl to win the Gold Helmet since Evan Berneche in 2010.

Release courtesy of Westfield State Sports Information