The Duquesne Dukes quietly put together a solid 2011 season, in which they finished 9-2 and near the top of the Northeast Conference. They finished 7-1 in the NEC, but a loss to Albany meant the Great Danes headed to the FCS Playoffs while the season ended prematurely for the Dukes.
Head coach Jerry Schmitt’s team returns a ton of talent from that 2011 team and while there are still some holes left to be filled, this Duquesne team still is capable of winning the NEC. While Albany certainly will be in the mix again in 2012, this year the Dukes get them at home.
Most of the projected success on paper has to do with the Duquesne defense.
A year ago, the Dukes finished with the nation’s top pass defense and finished No. 4 overall. They have some holes to fill upfront in their 3-4 set, but their back eight should be very strong and should be the best defensive unit in the conference.
Free safety Serge Kona is the top defensive player in the conference, but the rest of the secondary will be new starters. But Rich Piekarski gained valuable experience a season ago and should be fine at the other safety.
Sophomores Brandon Martin and Devin Williams join junior college transfer Nick Floyd, at cornerback, so Schmitt should have plenty of options to turn to.
However the strength of the Duquesne defense should be the linebacking core, which has a ton of talent.
Horvin Latimer, Derrick Lakins, and Chidozie Oparanozie all return as starters and should be joined by Dorian Bell, a transfer from Ohio State, giving Duquesne the best linebacking core in the NEC.
However as good as the defense looks on paper, the offense has many more question marks.
They are fine in the backfield as they return both quarterback Sean Patterson, who threw for over 2,000 yards in 2011 and running back Larry McCoy, who rushed for over 1,300.
McCoy is a 5’10” back with speed, who should be in for a big year after rushing for 1,381 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2011.
Patterson is a duel-threat quarterback who can both run and throw the ball, completing 57.3 percent of his passes for 2,011 yards and 23 touchdowns a season ago.
However the biggest question is who Patterson will throw the ball to?
Noel Oduho is Duquesne’s leading returning receiver, but had only 32 yards in receptions last season. With Isaac Spragg and Connor Dixon, who caught 21 of Patterson’s 23 touchdowns a season ago, both gone, someone is going to have to step up and make plays on the outside.
In addition to Oduho, production will need to come from a group of receivers that also includes: Sean Brady, Randall Coleman, Montana State transfer Gianni Carter.
But while the wide receiver position is a big concern for the Dukes, the biggest question mark Duquesne faces is on the offensive line.
Guard Eric Warning is an all-conference caliber player and tackle Jeremy Summers is returning at the right tackle spot, but the rest of the starters are gone. Nick Redden played some at center last year, but the rest of the line, and its depth, will be largely inexperienced.
Even with the question marks on both the defensive and offensive lines, Duquesne can still win the NEC.
They should be a team that relies on a good ground game and a tough defense. They’ve lost a lot from a season ago, but I expect Schmitt to play to their strengths and maybe with some surprise production from some unlikely sources along the way, Duquesne will be heading back to the FCS Playoffs.
Duquesne kicks off their 2012 regular season against Old Dominion on Saturday, Sept. 1 in Norfolk, Va.
2011 Record: (9-2, 7-1)
- Coach: Jerry Schmitt (42-31 at Duquesne, 70-52 overall)
- Offensive Coordinator: Gary Dunn
- Defensive Coordinator: Dave Opfar
Returning Leaders:
- Rushing: Larry McCoy, RB, 1,381 yards
- Passing: Sean Patterson, QB, 2,011 yards
- Receiving: Noel Oduho, WR, 32 yards
- Tackles: Horvin Latimer, LB, 60
- Sacks: Derrick Lakins, LB, 2; Zach Richert, LB, 2
- Interceptions: Serge Kona, S, 2
2011 Team Stats:
- Rushing Offense: 212.82 yards per game
- Passing Offense: 184.82 yards per game
- Total Offense: 397.64 yards per game
- Scoring Offense: 30.36 points per game
- Rushing Defense: 142.36 yards per game
- Pass Defense: 139.27 yards per game
- Total Defense: 281.64 yards per game
- Scoring Defense: 18.27 points per game
Photo Credits: Duquesne University
