PITTSBURGH – Duquesne running back
Taj Butts has been named the
Stats Perform FCS National Offensive Player of the Week, the organization announced Monday. The redshirt senior earns the honor after delivering one of the top rushing games in program history in the Dukes' 38–33 win over Central Connecticut State on Saturday.
Butts rushed for a career-high 254 yards and three touchdowns on just 14 carries, averaging 18.1 yards per attempt. He scored on runs of 29, 57 and 59 yards, becoming the first Duke to eclipse 250 rushing yards in a game since 2003. The 59-yard score proved to be the game-winning touchdown with 3:19 to play. His 254 yards rank fifth-most in a game in program history and helped keep Duquesne in contention for the NEC title entering the final week of the regular season.
The national performance — the seventh-most rushing yards by an FCS player this season — also earned Butts a coveted Helmet Sticker on ESPN's College Football Final, recognizing his effort as one of the top performances in college football last weekend.
Saturday's outing, which was his first since Oct. 18, marked the third 100-yard game of Butts' career.
Butts and 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.
TAJ BUTTS POSTGAME PRESS CONFERENCE
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