Costigan named NEC Defensive Player of the Week

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Bryant University football senior Thomas Costigan (Stamford, Conn.) was named the Northeast Conference Defensive Player of the Week on Monday afternoon.

Costigan spearheaded a defensive effort that limited Duquesne to its lowest point total since a Week 0 visit to FBS member UMass. He totaled seven tackles and applied consistent pressure on the passer. Costigan registered a pair of sacks, both of which ended Duquesne drives, and was also credited with two meaningful quarterback hurries.

After his quarterback pressure on a 3rd-and-10 pass play forced the opposition into a punting situation early in the second quarter, Costigan struck again in the final minute of the first half. With Duquesne facing a 3rd-and-goal, the veteran linebacker strip-sacked the quarterback and recovered the fumble with 00:23 left. Costigan's second sack came in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter, dropping the passer for a six-yard loss on third down. With Duquesne looking to move the chains in hopes of mounting a game-winning drive, Costigan's quarterback hurry forced a fourth-down incompletion that allowed Bryant to set up in victory formation. Costigan's first tackle of the game limited the ball carrier to a one-yard gain on 2nd-and-7 play midway through the first quarter and the Dukes turned it over on downs two snaps later.

In addition, juniors Tomas Wright (St. Augustine, Fla.) and Robert Brown (Palmetto Bay, Fla.) were named #NECPrimePerformers. Wright posted three sacks and 4.5 tackles for a loss, while Brown had three TFLs, forced a fumble and returned a fumble 46 yards for a touchdown.

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