PITTSBURGH - Duquesne University football had 15 players recognized on the Phil Steele NEC 2023 All Conference Team in a release by the publication today.

Four Dukes earned first-team honors, five were placed on the second team, and six were voted to the third team.

Walter Payton Award finalist Darius Perrantes owned the quarterback position on the first team after posting a league-best 21 passing touchdowns and 2,324 passing yards. 

Graduate transfer wide receiver DJ Powell led the NEC with nine touchdown catches, which also ranks top-10 in the FCS, as he claimed a first-team selection.

Noah Palmer paced the Dukes with 4.5 sacks on the defensive line, all of which came in conference play - tying for a league-high, garnering first-team defensive honors.

Defensive back Ayden Garnes rounded out the four first-teamers. Garnes tied for an NEC-most 13 passes defended, intercepting two along with 11 breakups. The first of his two INTs came on the second play of the season and was returned into the endzone for a pick six.

Keshawn Brown (WR), Michael Dorundo (OL), Gianni Rizzo (LB), Jayden Johnson (LB), and Dayvia Gbor (DB) all were tabbed second team.

Edward Robinson (RB), Tedy Afful (WR), Gary Satterwhite III (OL), Michael Fallah (OL), Ryan Lopez (DL), and CJ Barnes (DB) were selected as third-team honorees.

Phil Steele is a college football magazine with a dedication to FCS coverage. For more information, visit www.PhilSteele.com.

Duquesne (7-5, 6-1 NEC) made its third appearance in the FCS playoffs this season after winning its sixth Northeast Conference (NEC) championship.

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