DARTMOUTH, Mass. – UMass Dartmouth senior running back
Mekhi Wilson this week's recipient of the New England Football Writers Association Gold Helmet Awards presented by the Jack Grinold/Eastern Massachusetts Chapter of the National Football Foundation. It marks the second career honor for the Corsairs' captain, earning the honor for DII/DIII in Week 7 of the awards.
Wilson, a native of Narragansett, R.I., has a record-setting day on Saturday as UMass Dartmouth defeated Worcester State, 49-40 on the road in MASCAC action. The senior carried the ball a career-high 39 times amassing 340 rushing yards – which eclipsed the previous single-game program record of 254 – previously set by Marvens Jean '25 in 2022.
The 340 rushing yards was not only a program record, but also marks the most by any player in Division III this season. Wilson ran for a pair of touchdowns in both the second (7 and 14 yards) and the fourth (13 and 11 yards) quarters, including 75 yards in the possession that led to the game clinching score.
In five games played this season, Wilson has carried the ball 122 times for 915 yards. He is averaging 7.5 yards per carry and 183.0 rushing yards per game. Overall, Wilson has rushed for 10 touchdowns, while also having a receiving score to his credit for 11 total touchdowns.
Amongst the best in Division III, Wilson entered this weekend's action ranked third in the nation in rushing yards per game – a mark that could rise to the top mark overall. He was also 19th in rushing yards per carry and scoring prior to Saturday's game.
In the MASCAC, Wilson leads the conference in multiple categories, including carries, total rushing yards, rushing yards per game and rushing touchdowns. He also ranks third overall in yards per rush.
Last season, Wilson led the MASCAC in rushing yards with 1,294 – which was 452 yards ahead of second place in the conference. With 214 carries, he averaged 129.4 yards per contest – which also ranked first among the conference's best. His 18 rushing touchdowns on the season were also a MASCAC-high – finishing with seven more than second place – while not fumbling the ball at all during the 2025 season.
Among the best in Division III, Wilson – an NEFW All-New England and All-MASCAC First Team Offense selection – ranked eighth in rushing yards per game, ninth in rushing touchdowns, 10th in scoring (11.4), 12th in rushing yards, 13th in total touchdowns (19), 16th in total points scored (114), 24th in all-purpose yards (141.1) and 30th in rushing yards per carry (6.05).
Wilson eclipsed the single season record for rushing touchdowns in a season with 18 during a win against Plymouth State, surpassing the previous mark of 16 set by J.T. Harold in both the 2007 and 2008 seasons, as well as Mike Masse in 1997. Additionally, Wilson finished with the third-most rushing yards in a single season behind Harold (1567) in 2008 and Shawn Theriault (1535) in 2003.
In his career, the 2025 D3football.com All-Region and MASCAC First Team selection, has played in 30 games. He has carried the ball 400 times for 2,749 total rushing yards. Wilson – who has 33 rushing touchdowns – has also caught 25 passes for 179 receiving yards with three scores.
UMass Dartmouth (2-3; 2-2 MASCAC) returns to action on October 24 when it hosts MASCAC-rival, Bridgewater State University on Blue & Gold Weekend. Kickoff is set for 4pm against the Bears on Cressy Field.
