WALTHAM, Mass. – Bentley University graduate student and linebacker Cole McCubrey (Boylston/Tahanto Regional HS) has been selected for the Joe Zabilski Award by the Gridiron Club of Greater Boston as the best Division II-III defensive player in New England.

In addition, his coach, Bill Kavanaugh, was honored by the Gridiron Club as the New England Division II-III Coach of the Year.

McCubrey had a standout season in his only year as a Falcon following his transfer from Massachusetts. He led the Northeast-10 in tackles (114) and was third in the conference in tackles per game. He was the leading tackler at UMass in both 2019 and 2020, and finished his career with 279 tackles and seven forced fumbles in 50 careers.

The Zabilski Award is the latest earned by McCubrey for his performance this fall. The list includes Northeast-10 Defensive Player of the Year, first-team D2CCA All-Super Region 1, New England Football Writers Division II-III All-New England, first-team All-Northeast-10 and CoSIDA Academic All-Super Region 1.

McCubrey is the third Bentley defensive player to receive the Zabilski Award for Defense. Paul Tetzel was the honoree in 2007 and Ben Nassar was recognized in both 1997 and 1998.

Kavanaugh led the Falcons to a 9-2 record, their best since he captained the 2003 team to a 10-1 season, and the program's first NCAA Division II playoff berth since 2004. Bentley won its first eight games, creating a 13-game winning streak that started in October 2019, and finished second in the Northeast-10. Kavanaugh, who received Coach of the Year honors from the Northeast-10 in 2019, completed his eighth Bentley season with a 40-34 record.

In the NCAA Division II national statistics, his team ranked seventh in defensive touchdowns, ninth in turnover margin, 14^th in fewest sacks allowed, 15^th in winning percentage, 16^th in fumbles recovered, 16^th in fewest fumbles lost, 19^th in fewest penalties, 20^th in turnovers gained and 20^th in fewest turnovers lost. The Falcons were ranked 20^th in the final regular season American Football Coaches Association Division II coaches poll.

The Gridiron Club traditionally presents its awards at its annual Bob Whelan Awards Night, but due to the pandemic, this year's dinner has been postponed. Both McCubrey and Kavanaugh will be honored on campus at a date to be determined.

Founded in 1932, the Gridiron Club of Greater Boston (www.gridclubofgreaterboston.com) promotes the game of football at all levels and nurtures the ideals of citizenship, sportsmanship, leadership, and athletic and academic achievement. Through its annual dinners and golf tournament, the club carries on its tradition of honoring exemplary players, coaches and officials at all levels of the sport, and supporting worthy charitable causes, especially those that assist children.