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University of New Hampshire Athletics
Athlete Awards
82
Neil O'Connor
- Award:
- Men's Spotlight
- Week:
- 9/12/2017
- Sport:
- Football
- Bio:
- View Full Bio
Neil O’Connor (Leominster, Mass.), a junior wide receiver on the No. 9 University of New Hampshire football team, was awarded the New England Football Writers Gold Helmet on Wednesday afternoon.
O’Connor was recognized for his outstanding performance that led UNH to a 22-12 victory against FBS foe Georgia Southern University on Sept. 9. He finished the game with a career-high 11 catches for 118 yards and two touchdowns; he also had one carry for four yards. O’Connor accounted for 11 of the team’s 13 receptions.
O’Connor set the tone on the Wildcats’ first possession of the game. On the team’s second play from scrimmage, his 18-yard catch advanced the ball near midfield. Then on 3rd-and-10 from the GS 32, O’Connor hauled in an 11-yard pass to extend the drive. Four plays later, his 10-yard TD reception staked UNH to an 8-0 lead.
O’Connor completed the first quarter with five catches for 76 yards and at 3:48 of the second quarter, his 18-yard scoring play extended the Wildcats’ advantage to 22-0.
With New Hampshire leading 22-12 and 3:42 remaining in the fourth quarter, O’Connor shook off a tackler on an underneath crossing route and turned upfield for an 11-yard gain to move the chains and help secure the victory – the first by UNH against an FBS school since 2009.
O’Connor was recognized for his outstanding performance that led UNH to a 22-12 victory against FBS foe Georgia Southern University on Sept. 9. He finished the game with a career-high 11 catches for 118 yards and two touchdowns; he also had one carry for four yards. O’Connor accounted for 11 of the team’s 13 receptions.
O’Connor set the tone on the Wildcats’ first possession of the game. On the team’s second play from scrimmage, his 18-yard catch advanced the ball near midfield. Then on 3rd-and-10 from the GS 32, O’Connor hauled in an 11-yard pass to extend the drive. Four plays later, his 10-yard TD reception staked UNH to an 8-0 lead.
O’Connor completed the first quarter with five catches for 76 yards and at 3:48 of the second quarter, his 18-yard scoring play extended the Wildcats’ advantage to 22-0.
With New Hampshire leading 22-12 and 3:42 remaining in the fourth quarter, O’Connor shook off a tackler on an underneath crossing route and turned upfield for an 11-yard gain to move the chains and help secure the victory – the first by UNH against an FBS school since 2009.
Date | Athlete | Sport |
|---|---|---|
| 9/29/2025 | Nicole Poulakis | Field Hockey |
| 9/29/2025 | Matt Vezza | Football |
| 9/22/2025 | Ruth White | Women's Cross Country |
| 9/22/2025 | Chase Wilson | Football |
| 9/15/2025 | Kathelijne Knuttel | Field Hockey |
| 9/15/2025 | Scott Williams | Men's Soccer |
| 9/10/2025 | Ricshya Walker | Women's Soccer |
| 9/10/2025 | Nick Reed | Football |
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