ORONO, Maine -- University of Maine quarterback Joe Fagnano has earned this week's New England Football Writers Association Gold Helmet Award, presented by the Jack Grinold Eastern Massachusetts Chapter of the National Football Foundation.

Fagnano, a true freshman from Williamsport, Pa., completed 25-of-37 passes for an impressive 445-yards and five touchdowns. Fagnano's 445 pass yards were the most by a Maine quarterback since 2009. Fagnano set 2019 CAA single-game league highs in both total yards (469) and passing yards (445) as he became just the third UMaine quarterback to toss five touchdowns in a single game since 2009. The 400-plus yard passing performance is the third time this season in which the Black Bears have gone over 400-yards passing in a single game.

The New England Football Writers Association Gold Helmet Award is presented weekly to the top performer in all of New England's Division-I football programs as part of a luncheon held at Harvard University.

Fagnano and the Black Bears return to action when they host William & Mary on Saturday, Oct. 26 at 1 p.m. Tickets are still available for Saturday's Homecoming contest and can be purchased by phone at 207.581.BEAR or online at GoBlackBears.com/tickets.

For more information on the Gold Helmet Awards and the New England Football Writers Association, please visit www.newenglandfootballwriters.com, which includes weekly preview information submitted from teams across all divisions.  For more information on the Grinold Chapter, please visit www.grinoldchapter.com.

-UMaine-