SOMERSET, N.J. - Duquesne defensive back Jeremiah Josephs (Pittsburgh, Pa. / Gateway / Miami (Ohio)) garnered Northeast Conference (NEC) Defensive Player of the Week accolades for his performance in the Dukes' 37-14 victory at Merrimack, conference officials announced on Monday afternoon. 

Josephs helped the Duquesne defense stifle the Warrior offense, which came into the contest leading the conference in scoring and total offense. Josephs and the Dukes held Merrimack under the 300-yard mark for the first time this season.

The sophomore defensive back picked off two passes and logged a tackle for loss on a three-and-out series for the Warriors. He totaled five tackles and two pass break-ups in addition to the two first-half interceptions.

Josephs allowed Duquesne to break a 7-7 tie early in the second quarter when he intercepted a third-down pass at the Merrimack 34-yard line and ran it down to the Warrior five-yard line, setting up a Dukes touchdown. The Keystone State product struck again by picking off a pass at the Duquesne 28-yard line and retuning it all the way to the Merrimack 10 with 5:14 remaining in the first half, leading to a DU field goal. He was credited with pass break-ups on each of the two plays prior to his second interception.

Bryant quarterback Zevi Eckhaus was named the NEC Offensive Player of the Week as well as Rookie of the Week while Saint Francis U kicker Alex Schmoke earned NEC Special Teams Player of the Week laurels.

Josephs and the Dukes are back in action this Saturday, Oct. 9 hosting Bryant at noon at Arthur J. Rooney Field.