PITTSBURGH – Duquesne senior quarterback Sean Patterson (Toledo, Ohio/St. John’s Jesuit) and junior linebacker Dorian Bell (Monroeville, Pa./Gateway) were named Northeast Conference Football Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week respectively for their performances in Duquesne’s 35-3 win over Sacred Heart on Saturday.
Patterson, the NEC pass efficiency leader, figured in all five DU touchdowns with two TD passes and a career-high three scoring runs to help the Dukes extend their home winning streak to 10.
The three-year starter threw touchdown passes of 44 and 12 yards to Gianni Carter and scored on runs of 14, 15 and 44 yards to lead DU.
Patterson, who left the game with nine minutes left, threw for 156 yards and ran for 52 more.
It is the fourth career Offensive Player of the Week – and first this season – for Patterson who has thrown for 5,846 yards and 57 touchdowns.
Bell, a second-year Ohio State transfer, was named Defensive Player of the Week for the second time this season after posting 14 tackles (9 solo) including 4.0 sacks, an interception and a forced fumble.
The Pittsburgh native, who finished with 5.0 total tackles for loss, helped the Dukes limit SHU to 215 yards of total offense, including 92 yards on 35 rushing attempts (2.6 ypc.).
Bell ranks tenth nationally and leads the NEC with an 11.3 tackles per game average.
Duquesne (5-2, 3-1), which is one game behind league-leading Albany (6-1, 4-0) will be looking to stay in the title hunt and extend its home win streak when it hosts Monmouth (3-4, 2-2) on Saturday, Oct. 27 at 12:10 p.m.
