Rhode Island senior quarterback Derek Cassidy was honored as the winner of the Boston Globe Gold Helmet Award during the New England Football Writers weekly luncheon on October 8, 2008.

Cassidy received the honor after he threw for a career-high five touchdown passes in the Rams’ 37-13 Governor’s Cup victory over Brown on October 4. The Winter Haven, Fla., native was 25-of-37 for 298 yards, completing passes to eight different receivers.

Cassidy joins former URI All-America quarterback Tom Ehrhardt as the only players in school history to throw for five touchdowns in a single game.

Cassidy was also honored as the CAA Football Offensive Player of the Week on October 6, 2008.