WESTFIELD, Mass. – The Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) has announced its major award winners in football and UMass Dartmouth student-athlete
Noah Barrera has been honored. The freshman defensive lineman was tabbed as the 2023 Defensive Rookie of the Year.
It has been an outstanding season through 10 games for Barrera, who leads all team rookies with 25 total tackles. Seven of his tackles have been solo efforts, while two have come for a loss of eight yards. Additionally, Barrera has recorded 1.5 sacks for seven yards lost. He also has a pass break-up, a quarterback hurry and a forced fumble on the season.
Barrera has recorded a tackle in every game this season, including four in a 26-0 victory over Massachusetts Maritime Academy. He also recorded sacks in wins over Framingham State and Fitchburg State.
The rookie has played a key role in a Corsairs defense that has allowed just 13.0 points per game – which is the lowest average in the MASCAC. The squad has also surrendered just 93.3 passing yards per game, which ranks as the fewest amongst all Division III schools. The defense has also allowed just 17 touchdowns on the season, limiting opponents to just 248.5 yards of total offense.
UMass Dartmouth, under the direction of first-year head coach
Josh Sylvester, returns to action on Saturday at 12pm. Selected to the New England Bowl, the Corsairs will travel to Western New England University to face the Golden Bears.
