Middlebury running back Connor McClellan has been tabbed this week's recipient of the New England Football Writers/Grinold Chapter Gold Helmet and was lauded with NESCAC Offensive Player of the Week laurels following his standout performance against Williams on Saturday.

HIGHLIGHTS

• McClellan was a workhorse on the ground, rushing for a career-high 95 yards on 11 carries (8.6 yards per attempt) to help push Middlebury past the Ephs, 32-29 in overtime.
• The Panther also tallied a career-high three rushing touchdowns in the victory.
• McClellan got his day started with a seven-yard touchdown to push the Panthers ahead by a 14-13 score at halftime.
• He followed that up with a career-best 37-yard run to the house to tie the game at 23-23 with 28 ticks left in the third quarter.
• McClellan capped his outing by bulldozing his way into the endzone from one yard out in overtime to secure the Panthers' third-consecutive victory over their conference foe.
• He also snagged a 12-yard reception in Saturday's contest.
• His 95-yard output is the seventh-highest in a game in the NESCAC and the most by any Panther back this season.
• The rookie is the only Middlebury player to garner the prestigious award so far this season.

McClellan and the rest of the Panthers close their two-game homestand with a battle against undefeated Trinity on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.