SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (November 3, 2026) – Western New England football's Marcus Crawford and Cody Jackson have received honors this week from the Conference of New England, with Crawford earning the Special Teams Player of the Week and Jackson the Rookie of the Week, following a 49-0 win over New England College in Week 8. 

Crawford brought in a 79-yard touchdown on the opening kickoff of the game to earn this week's award, becoming the first Golden Bear of the season to score on a kickoff. Crawford started the scoring rout for the Blue and Gold in the opening 14 seconds of the contest against New England College. Crawford also posted two more touchdowns for the Golden Bears on the ground, rushing for eight-yard and four-yard scores to extend the lead in the win. In total, the WNE graduate student picked up seven carries for 60 yards, averaging over eight yards per carry. 

Jackson had a career day for Western New England, making his second appearance of the season at the quarterback position. Jackson threw six completions on ten attempts at New England College for 52 yards, connecting on his first career touchdown through the air in the third quarter, WNE's lone passing touchdown of the afternoon. Jackson led all rushers last week, coming away with ten rushing attempts for 81 yards and scoring his first career touchdown on the ground in the win. 

The Western New England football team returns home for its final game of the regular season on Saturday, November 7, at 12:00 PM, hosting Maine Maritime Academy at Golden Bear Stadium.