Oct. 17, 2011

PITTSBURGH - Duquesne senior linebacker Christopher Oliver (Washington, D.C./Calvin Coolidge) earned Northeast Conference Football Defensive Player of the Week honors for his performance in Duquesne's dramatic 28-21 win over Central Connecticut State on Saturday.

The 6-0, 200-pounder, who posted a game- and career-high 12 tackles (7 solo), was responsible for a key defensive play in the win. With the game tied with just over five minutes left. CCSU completed a pass at the Duquesne 10. DU cornerback Jared Williams stripped the ball and Oliver emerged from a mound of players with the pigskin to both end a Blue Devil scoring threat and set up Duquesne's game-winning 90-yard drive.

Oliver, who has led the Dukes in tackles in four games, leads the team with 58 stops - 16 more than the next-closest player. His 5.5 tackles for loss are also tops on the team. Oliver has also broken up three passes and recovered a fumble in helping the Dukes to a 5-2 (3-1 in the NEC) start.

Duquesne returns to action at home against Wagner (1-5, 1-2) on Saturday at 12:10 p.m.

Duquesne's 2011 NEC Players of the Week
Sept. 12 -- Sean Patterson, QB -- Offensive Player of the Week
Sept. 12 -- Charlie Leventry, P/PK -- Special Teams Player of the Week
Sept. 26 -- Connor Dixon, WR -- Offensive Player of the Week
Oct. 17 -- Christopher Oliver, LB -- Defensive Player of the Week