BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- Bridgewater State University junior linebacker Brendan Albert has been selected as this week's Division II/III recipient of the New England Football Writers Association Gold Helmet Award presented by the Jack Grinold Eastern Massachusetts Chapter of the National Football Foundation.

For the seventh 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.

Albert is the Bears' second Gold Helmet Award winner in the last two seasons as former quarterback Stefano D'Emilia earned the honor in 2019 (Oct. 20).

Albert recorded a team-high 11 tackles (eight solo), including a sack and two tackles for loss, to go along with two forced fumbles and a 12-yard fumble return for a touchdown in Bridgewater State's 27-24 MASCAC win over Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) rival Plymouth State University. The Canton, Massachusetts product's first collegiate touchdown gave the Bears a 27-3 lead late in the third quarter.

Through three games this season, Albert has recorded 41 tackles (23 solo), four tackles for loss, a sack, three forced fumbles and one recovered fumble. He currently leads the MASCAC in forced fumbles and is tied for the league lead in recovered fumbles. Albert also ranks second in both tackles and solo tackles as well as fourth in tackles for loss.

Earlier today, Albert was named the MASCAC Football Defensive Player of the Week.

The BSU football team is currently 1-2 on the season and 1-0 in the MASCAC. The Bears will entertain conference rival Western Connecticut State University on Friday night at six o'clock.