WALTHAM, Mass. – At halftime of Saturday's football game against Assumption College, Bentley University will recognize former defensive stalwart Ben Nassar (North Andover), whose selection into the Northeast-10 Conference Hall of Fame was announced in June.

The 1999 graduate, who was inducted into the Bentley Athletic Hall of Fame in 2005, sparkled on the gridiron for the Falcons from 1995-98. He was twice named the recipient of the Joe Zabilski Award, which is presented annually by the Gridiron Club of Greater Boston to the top offensive and defensive Division II-III players in New England. Nassar is the only defensive player to garner the prestigious honor twice since the award debuted in 1996.

Nassar, during his four years as a six-foot-two, 248-pound defensive end, spent a great deal of time in the opponents' backfield. Eighty-two of his 188 career tackles resulted in losses, with 40.5 sacks included in that number.  He recovered a fumble five times during his four seasons.

Nassar was a force from the start, making 10.5 sacks as a freshman.  That was a performance that earned him honorable mention All-Eastern Collegiate Football Conference honors.

His first dominant season came as a sophomore in 1996 when he collected a myriad of honors, including the first of three Division II-III All-New England awards from the New England Football Writers. Nassar, whose 43 tackles included 24 for losses totaling 143 yards and a school record 15.5 sacks, was selected as the ECFC Lineman of the Year and Bentley's Defensive MVP.

Nassar was the Defensive Player of the Year in the Eastern Football Conference, the forerunner of the Northeast-10, during the 1997 and 1998 seasons. He ran his string of team Defensive MVP honors to three straight by garnering the honor both those years, and was also named to both the EFC and the ECAC Division II North all-star teams each of those seasons.

Nassar was also the first recipient of the Bob Connors Memorial Award, which is presented annually to the Bentley football player who best exemplifies the spirit of Bentley football.

During his four years, Nassar helped Bentley to a 31-10 record, including 8-2 during his final campaign.

Saturday's game will kick off at 1 pm.