Franklin, Mass. – For the second consecutive week, Dean College freshman Desmond Dias (Rochester, Mass.) has been named the Eastern Collegiate Football Conference (ECFC) Rookie of the Week it was announced by the conference office on Monday.

Dias helped the Bulldogs to an impressive 41-20 win over league rival Anna Maria on Saturday, keeping Dean in first-place and setting up a huge showdown with Gallaudet University on Saturday in Washington, D.C.

The first-year linebacker ended Saturday with a game-high 12 tackles, a sack, a pass breakup and a total of two tackles for loss.

In the two conference contests this season, Dias is averaging 11.5 tackles and the Bulldog defense overall is much improved, yielding just 15.5 points per game and has 11 sacks.

Dias leads all ECFC freshmen in sacks (3) and ranks second in tackles for loss (6).

Saturday's showdown with the Bison will give the winner sole possession of first place in the conference standings and an inside track on the conference championship.