PITTSBURGH – Following a 52-7 Homecoming victory over Saint Francis, two Dukes earned top weekly honors from the NEC, as
Joel Kpassou was named NEC Special Teams Player of the Week and
Ryan Petras earned NEC Rookie of the Week for the second consecutive week.
Tyson Meiguez and
Tyler Riddell were also recognized among the league's Prime Performers, the conference announced Monday afternoon.
Kpassou provided an electrifying start to Saturday's win, returning the opening kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown — Duquesne's first kickoff return score since 2016 and first to open a game since 2014. The return helped spark a 28-point first quarter, tying the Dukes' highest-scoring opening period as an FCS member. It was also the first kickoff return by an NEC player this season.
Petras became just the third Duke ever to earn back-to-back Rookie of the Week honors, joining A.J. Hines (2016) and Edward Robinson (2023). The true freshman wideout caught his fourth touchdown of the season, a 12-yard score that put Duquesne up 21-0 in the first quarter. Four of his six career receptions have gone for touchdowns.
Meiguez returned a fumble 40 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter to extend the lead to 45-0 — the largest halftime advantage in program history at the FCS level. Last week's NEC Defensive Player of the Week, Meiguez added three tackles and a sack, helping anchor a defense that limited Saint Francis to 1-for-13 on third down, just 45 rushing yards, and only three trips past midfield in 14 drives.
Riddell went 12 of 24 for 185 yards and four touchdowns, all before halftime, earning his third straight NEC weekly honor and fourth of the season. It was also his third consecutive game — and fourth this season — with at least three touchdown passes. Three of those came in the first quarter, including a 57-yard connection on the opening drive, extending his streak of 50-yard completions to six of seven games. Riddell currently ranks second nationally at the FCS level with 18 passing touchdowns.
With the win, Duquesne improved to 4-3 overall and 2-0 in NEC play. The Dukes now hit the road for three straight games, beginning Saturday at Mercyhurst. Kickoff from Erie is set for 6 p.m.
2025 NEC Weekly Honors
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