Click HERE for PDF Release

NEC Offensive Player of the Week: Elijah Howard, Central Connecticut
NEC Defensive Player of the Week: Anthony Busa, Stonehill
NEC Special Teams Player of the Week: Matt Clark, Duquesne
NEC Rookie of the Week: Anthony Busa, Stonehill

Previous NEC Releases: Week 12 | Week 11 | Week 10 | Week 9 | Week 8 | Week 7 | Week 6 | Week 5 | Week 4 | Week 3 | Week 2 | Week 1 | Preseason Poll Release 

NEC/ATLANTIC TOMORROW'S OFFICE OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Elijah Howard, Central Connecticut
Running Back, Senior, 5-10, 185 lbs., Knoxville, TN/Baylor School (Virginia Tech)
Week 13 Stats: 163 rushing yards, 25 rushes, 6.5 yards per rush, 2 rushing touchdowns, 25 receiving yards, 4 receptions, 1 receiving touchdown
Howard put an exclamation point on the NEC’s first 1,000-yard rushing season since 2023 in Saturday’s regular season finale against Mercyhurst. The senior saved one of his best outings of the year for when it mattered most, as he totaled 188 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns to lead the Blue Devils to a 35-28 home win that clinched a berth to the FCS Playoffs for the second time in as many seasons. On the afternoon, Howard carried the ball 25 times for two touchdowns and 163 yards, including his 1,000th of the season midway through the second quarter, to run away with the NEC’s rushing title. Opening the contest with a 22-yard run into the end zone, the Knoxville, TN native made it a 14-14 game at the end of the first quarter with a four-yard touchdown run. Howard, who added 25 yards on four receptions, went on to provide the go-ahead score with 11:14 left in the fourth quarter when he caught an eight-yard touchdown pass from Brady Olson to make it a 35-28 lead. He enters the FCS Playoffs with a league-leading 1,078 yards rushing and 98.0 rushing yards per game to rank 13th in the nation, while his league-leading 11 rushing scores are good for 24th in the FCS. He concludes the season with a league-best three NEC/Atlantic Tomorrow’s Office Offensive Player of the Week awards.

NEC/ATLANTIC TOMORROW'S OFFICE DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Anthony Busa, Stonehill
Defensive Back, Sophomore, 6-3, 200 lbs., Newton, MA/Xaverian Brothers/East Coast Prep
Week 13 Stats: 12 tackles (9 solo), 2.5 tackles-for-loss, 0.5 sacks, 1 interception
Busa balled out in Stonehill’s regular season finale on Saturday. The defensive back posted a game-high 12 tackles, including nine solo stops, to anchor a Skyhawks’ back line that allowed just 10 points and racked up five turnovers in a 10-point win over visiting Saint Francis. The 12 tackles marked a career-best effort for the Newton, MA native, with his previous personal-best mark of 11 coming at Duquesne last month. In addition, Busa, who had 2.5 tackles-for-loss and 0.5 sacks, returned his second career interception for 28 yards. Busa concluded his sophomore season with 74 tackles, second-most among fellow Skyhawks, and a team-high eight pass breakups. With his honor, Stonehill landed a pair of NEC/Atlantic Tomorrow’s Office Defensive Player of the Week awards as junior linebacker Charles Battaglia earned the distinction on Sept. 29.

NEC/ATLANTIC TOMORROW'S OFFICE SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Matt Clark, Duquesne
Kicker, Senior, 5-9, 170 lbs., Easton, PA/Easton Area
Week 13 Stats: 2-2 FG (34, 42 yards), 1-1 PAT, 232 kickoff yards, 4 kickoffs, 58.0 yards per kickoff, 1 touchback
Clark played the role of hero for Duquesne on the final day of the 2025 regular season. Tying up the contest at 17-all with a 34-yard field goal with 8:18 left to play in the fourth quarter, the senior drilled a 33-yarder as time expired to lift the Dukes to the 20-17 win at crosstown rival Robert Morris. The Keystone State product’s game-clinching field goal at the buzzer was the first for Duquesne since Charlie Leventry walked it off for the Dukes with a successful 31-yard conversion at Sacred Heart on Nov. 14, 2009. Going perfect in each of his four scoring attempts after turning in a perfect 2-for-2 effort on PATs, Clark also handled the kickoff duties for his squad. On four attempts, he totaled 232 yards with a touchback to average 58.0 yards per kickoff on the afternoon. Clark finished with two NEC/Atlantic Tomorrow’s Office Special Teams Player of the Week awards. He is one of three Dukes to earn the distinction this season, joining Joel Kpassou (Oct. 13) and Michael Berarducci (Nov. 17).

NEC/ATLANTIC TOMORROW'S OFFICE ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Anthony Busa, Stonehill
Defensive Back, Sophomore, 6-3, 200 lbs., Newton, MA/Xaverian Brothers/East Coast Prep
Week 13 Stats: 12 tackles (9 solo), 2.5 tackles-for-loss, 0.5 sacks, 1 interception
Busa became the first player in the NEC this season to pull off the NEC/Atlantic Tomorrow’s Office Defensive Player of the Week and Rookie of the Week double. The sophomore registered his second career interception and anchored a Skyhawks’ defense that held Saint Francis to 10 points en route to scoring a 20-10 triumph on Saturday. In addition, the Newton, MA native racked up 12 tackles, including nine solo stops, while adding 2.5 tackles-for-loss and 0.5 sacks.


#NECFB PRIME PERFORMERS (Week 13)

Elijah Howard, CCSU (RB, Sr)
Howard accounted for three touchdowns and led all players with 188 all-purpose yards in a 35-28 win over Mercyhurst that clinched Central Connecticut’s second FCS Playoff berth in as many seasons. Carrying the ball 25 times to the tune of 163 yards and two touchdowns, the senior running back caught the go-ahead touchdown pass — an eight-yard connection with senior quarterback Brady Olson — with 11:14 left to put the Blue Devils on top for good. 
 
Eric Jackson, CCSU (DB, R-So)
Jackson tied fellow teammate Jack Stoll for a game-high 11 tackles on Saturday to help Central Connecticut secure the outright NEC regular season crown and claim the league’s AQ to the FCS Playoffs. The redshirt sophomore defensive back had one pass breakup and a forced fumble in the 35-28 home win over Mercyhurst.
 
Brady Olson, CCSU (QB, Sr)
Olson threw for three-or-more touchdowns for the sixth time this season to guide Central Connecticut to a big 35-28 win over visiting Mercyhurst on Saturday. Hitting three different players for touchdowns after completing 22-of-35 passes for 221 yards, the senior quarterback made a key stop on a potential pick-6 that ultimately prevented a Lakers’ score before halftime.  
 
Jack Stoll, CCSU (LB, Sr)
Stoll tied a game-best mark in tackles with 11 in Central Connecticut’s pivotal 35-28 win over Mercyhurst that clinched the NEC’s AQ to the FCS Playoffs on Saturday. Also earning 1.0 tackles-for-loss and a quarterback hurry, the senior linebacker had a key stop on a 2nd-and-10 in the red zone that turned away a Lakers’ scoring threat on the game’s second-to-last drive. 
 
Ness Davis, DUQ (RB, R-So)
Davis racked up a career high in rushing yards in Saturday’s walk-off win at crosstown rival Duquesne. The redshirt sophomore led all NEC rushers with 179 yards on 25 carries in the 20-17 triumph.
 
Jalen Bell, LIU (DB, So)
Bell saved his most productive game for LIU’s season finale. Posting a season-best 14 tackles to lead all NEC players in Week 13, the sophomore defensive back added 0.5 tackles-for-loss to pace the Sharks to the 24-17 win over NEC rival Wagner.
 
Ethan Greenwood, LIU (QB, R-Jr)
Greenwood passed for one touchdown and ran for another to lead LIU to a 24-17 win over NEC rival Wagner in Saturday’s season finale. Completing 11-of-15 passes for 155 yards, the redshirt junior rushed for a game-leading 103 yards on 21 carries for the Sharks, who closed out the campaign with a three-game win streak.
 
Brian Trobel, MU (RB, Sr)
Trobel eclipsed 100 rushing yards for the fourth time this season in impressive fashion, posting a career-best 166 yards on 21 carries in Mercyhurst’s season finale at league champion Central Connecticut on Saturday. The senior running back helped give his team their second lead of the game — a 21-14 edge — with a 63-yard touchdown run midway through the second quarter.
 
Geno Calgaro, SFU (LB, So)
The NEC’s leading tackler tacked on eight more stops to his count on Saturday in Saint Francis’ season finale at Stonehill. Adding 1.5 tackles-for-loss and a 27-yard fumble recovery, the sophomore linebacker eclipsed the century mark in tackles on the season to finish with 105.
 
Anthony Busa, STO (DB, So)
Busa enjoyed an explosive outing on Saturday to lead the Skyhawks to a 20-10 win over visiting Saint Francis in both teams’ season finales. Returning his second interception of the season for 28 yards, the sophomore defensive back added nine solo tackles, three assisted stops, 2.5 tackles-for-loss and 0.5 sacks to his count. Busa was also named the NEC/Atlantic Tomorrow’s Office Defensive Player of the Week and Rookie of the Week.
 
Joshua Roberson, STO (RB, Jr)
In Stonehill’s season finale, a 20-10 win over visiting Saint Francis on Saturday, Roberson racked up 128 rushing yards. The junior running back more than doubled his season total in that game alone, as he entered the contest with 109 yards on the ground. 
 
Shamar Williams, WC (DB, Jr)
Registering five tackles, including four solo stops, Williams stripped the ball out of the arms of an LIU running back and returned it 62 yards for a touchdown on Saturday. It marked the junior defensive back’s first career score.

  
AROUND THE NEC IN 8 SENTENCES

CENTRAL CONNECTICUT: Senior Elijah Howard, who registered three touchdowns in Saturdays’ victory, became the first NEC rusher since 2023 to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark. 

DUQUESNE: The Dukes have posted winning records in 30 of 33 FCS seasons and winning NEC marks in 10 of the last 11 seasons.

LIU: LIU matched the program record for most NEC wins since joining the league in 2019. The 2023 edition of the Sharks also finished with four conference victories.

MERCYHURST: The Lakers finished with four wins to tie Bryant (4-4 in 2009) for the most by an NEC squad in its first full season as a conference member. 

NEW HAVEN: Combining for nine touchdown catches with five and four, respectively, senior Kevonne Wilder (71.7 receiving yards per game) and classmate Joshua Tracey (55.9) are first and third, respectively, in receiving yards per game.

ROBERT MORRIS: Junior Ethan Shine ran for 75-or-more yards in each of his final five games against league foes and eclipsed the 100-yard mark twice in that stretch.

SAINT FRANCIS: Surpassing the 100 tackle mark for the first time in his career, Geno Calgaro racked up double digits in stops six times this season to finish his sophomore campaign ranked 17th in the FCS with 9.5 per contest.

STONEHILL: Stonehill, which forced a season-high five turnovers in Saturday's win over Saint Francis, recorded an NEC-leading three picks in the season finale.

WAGNER: Wagner’s four NEC wins in 2025 are the most since the 2016 campaign, a year that also saw the Seahawks go 4-2 against league competitiors.


2025 NEC FOOTBALL WEEKLY AWARD WINNERS:

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Sept. 1: AJ Duffy (New Haven)
Sept. 8: Luca Stanzani (LIU)
Sept. 15: AJ Duffy (New Haven)
Sept. 22: Elijah Howard (Central Connecticut)
Sept. 29: Tyler Riddell (Duquesne)
Oct. 6: Brady Olson (Central Connecticut)
Oct. 13: Brian Trobel (Mercyhurst)
Oct. 20: Ness Davis (Duquesne)
Oct. 27: Luca Stanzani (LIU)
Nov. 3: Ethan Shine (Robert Morris)
Nov. 10: Elijah Howard (Central Connecticut) & AJ Duffy (New Haven)
Nov. 17: Taj Butts (Duquesne)
Nov. 24: Elijah Howard (Central Connecticut)

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Sept. 1: Geno Calgaro (Saint Francis)
Sept. 8: Rafael Fasolino (LIU)
Sept. 15: Christopher Jean (Central Connecticut) & Liam Godwin (New Haven)
Sept. 22: Christopher Jean (Central Connecticut)
Sept. 29: Charles Battaglia (Stonehill)
Oct. 6: Tyson Meiguez (Duquesne)
Oct. 13: Malachi Wright (Central Connecticut)
Oct. 20: Avery Morris (Duquesne)
Oct. 27: Trey Watkins (LIU)
Nov. 3: Jack Stoll (Central Connecticut)
Nov. 10: Trey Watkins (LIU)
Nov. 17: Antonio Epps (Duquesne)
Nov. 24: Anthony Busa (Stonehill)

SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Sept. 1: Will Lynch (LIU) & Jayson Jenkins (Robert Morris)
Sept. 8: Jayson Jenkins (Robert Morris)
Sept. 15: Brayden Hall (Central Connecticut)
Sept. 22: Logan Chenette (Stonehill)
Sept. 29: Jadon Turner (Central Connecticut)
Oct. 6: Jack Hennessey (Central Connecticut)
Oct. 13: Joel Kpassou (Duquesne)
Oct. 20: Matt Clark (Duquesne)
Oct. 27: Domenic Scalese (Stonehill)
Nov. 3: Nicholas Romero (Wagner)
Nov. 10: Mac Plummer (Saint Francis)
Nov. 17: Michael Berarducci (Duquesne)
Nov. 24: Matt Clark (Duquesne)

ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Sept. 1: Jack Hennessey (Central Connecticut)
Sept. 8: Jameir Gamble (Mercyhurst)
Sept. 15: Naquan Johnson (LIU)
Sept. 22: Alim Parks, Jr. (Wagner)
Sept. 29: DJ Maultsby (Saint Francis)
Oct. 6: Ryan Petras (Duquesne)
Oct. 13: Ryan Petras (Duquesne)
Oct. 20: Zach Bonini (Central Connecticut)
Oct. 27: Jayden Simpson (LIU)
Nov. 3: Nicholas Romero (Wagner)
Nov. 10: Jaqai Carter (Robert Morris)
Nov. 17: Nicholas Romero (Wagner)
Nov. 24: Anthony Busa (Stonehill)