BRIDGEWATER, N.J. – Three Dukes earned NEC Week 12 honors on Monday, as Taj Butts, Michael Berarducci, and Antonio Epps were each recognized for their standout performances in Duquesne's 38–33 win over Central Connecticut State. Quarterback Tyler Riddell was also tabbed an NEC Prime Performer.

Butts, the NEC Offensive Player of the Week, delivered a career-high 254 rushing yards on 14 carries (18.1 yards per carry) and three touchdowns. The redshirt senior broke loose for a 59-yard, game-winning touchdown in the fourth quarter, his second 50-plus-yard score of the day. It marked the most rushing yards in a game by a Duke since 2003 and stands as the fifth-highest single-game total in program history. The effort, which was also the seventh-most rushing yards by an FCS player this season, earned him Stats Perform FCS National Offensive Player of the Week honors and a coveted Helmet Sticker on ESPN's College Football Final, recognizing it as one of the top performances across college football last weekend. This is the second NEC Offensive Player of the Week honor of his career, the first came in 2023 also after a 100-yard outing against CCSU.

Berarducci earned NEC Special Teams Player of the Week after repeatedly flipping the field for the Dukes. The senior punter averaged 50.7 yards on six punts, including four over 50 yards and three over 60, and pinned the Blue Devils inside their own 20 four times. He also launched a career-long 67-yard punt, tied for the fifth-longest in program history. This marks Berarducci's first NEC honor and he is the first Duquesne punter to earn Special Teams Player of the Week since Aaron Fleck in 2013.

Epps was named NEC Defensive Player of the Week for the first time in his career following a career-high 12 tackles (nine solo) and the game-sealing interception with 36 seconds remaining. It was the second career interception for Epps, who was playing in his 40th career game as a Duke.

Riddell, who completed 14 of 22 passes for 182 yards and three touchdowns, marking his fifth game this season with three or more scoring passes, was recognized as an NEC Prime Performer, his fourth weekly honor of the season.

FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS


POSTGAME PRESS CONFERENCE WITH BUTTS & EPPS


UP NEXT
The Dukes (6–5, 4–2 NEC) close the regular season on Saturday at Robert Morris at 2 p.m. Duquesne remains in contention for a share of the NEC championship and the league's FCS playoff bid with a win and a Central Connecticut loss.

2025 NEC Weekly Honors

• Week 1: WR – Joey Isabella (Prime Performer)
• Week 2: QB – Tyler Riddell (Prime Performer)
• Week 3: WR – Joey Isabella (Prime Performer) // LB – Jabari Odoemenem (Prime Performer)
• Week 4: RB – Ness Davis (Prime Performer)
• Week 5: QB – Tyler Riddell (Offensive Player of the Week) // WR – Joey Isabella (Prime Performer) // LB – Avery Morris (Prime Performer)
• Week 6: LB – Tyson Meiguez (Defensive Player of the Week) // WR – Ryan Petras (Rookie of the Week) // QB – Tyler Riddell (Prime Performer) // RB – Ness Davis (Prime Performer)
• Week 7: DB – Joel Kpassou (Special Teams Player of the Week) // WR – Ryan Petras (Rookie of the Week) // LB – Tyson Meiguez (Prime Performer) // QB – Tyler Riddell (Prime Performer)
• Week 8: RB – Ness Davis (Offensive Player of the Week) // LB – Avery Morris (Defensive Player of the Week - Honorable Mention National DPOW) // K – Matt Clark (Special Teams Player of the Week) // DL – Kevin Kurzinger (Prime Performer)
• Week 9: LB – Tyson Meiguez (Prime Performer)
• Week 12: RB  – Taj Butts (Offensive Player of the Week) //  DB – Antonio Epps (Defensive Player of the Week) // P – Michael Berarducci (Special Teams Player of the Week) // QB – Tyler Riddell (Prime Performer)

FOLLOW THE DUKES
Follow Duquesne football online all season at GoDuquesne.com, as well as on X (Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook (@DuqFB).
 

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