After closing the 2013 campaign strong by winning three of their last four, capturing a share of the NEC regular season title for the second time in three years, the Duquesne Dukes are looking to build on things and put together a solid 2014 season. The Dukes were picked to finish second in the preseason NEC poll, right behind defending champion Sacred Heart, but there is a lot of optimism surrounding Jerry Schmitt’s team entering the season. A lot of that has to do with Schmitt, who tends to ... Read More
Duquesne Dukes Look Back at Missed Opportunities
When Duquesne Dukes head coach Jerry Schmitt looks back on the 2012 season, he will look back on missed opportunities and a great senior class. While it will be very hard to replace a successful class of seniors that included: running back Larry McCoy, quarterback Sean Patterson, safety Serge Kona, linebacker Horvin Latimer and others, it will be the missed opportunities throughout the season that prevented this Dukes team from potentially repeating their success from a season ago and ... Read More
Duquesne’s Rally Falls Short, Drops 3rd Straight to Albany
Thanks to back-to-back losses to Monmouth and Robert Morris, the Northeast Conference showdown between the Duquesne Dukes and Albany Great Danes lost a little bit of its luster. Coming into the season, many projected this to decide the NEC champion, but that wasn’t the case. Jerry Schmitt’s Dukes couldn’t snap their skid and were outplayed on both sides of the ball in the first half as Albany ruined senior day for the Dukes, scoring early and often, en route to a 38-31 victory to keep the ... Read More
McCoy Sets Record; Duquesne Loses Heartbreaker to Monmouth
Duquesne Dukes running back Larry McCoy made history Saturday afternoon. With his 29 carry, 131 yard performance against Monmouth, McCoy passed Donte Small to become the all-time leading rusher in Duquesne history. McCoy took a third quarter carry for four yards and passed the 69 yards he needed coming into the game to eclipse the 4,260 yards Small racked up from 1998-2001. But McCoy actually had to break the record twice, losing four yards on his next carry. But he left no doubt when he ... Read More
Duquesne Looks to Continue Win Streak vs. CCSU
If any team didn't want a week off, it likely was the Duquesne Dukes, who entered their bye week winners of their past four games. But while you never want to take a break when you are on a winning streak, a rest could have been just what the doctor ordered. The Dukes (4-1, 2-0) have made it a tendency of starting games slowly, only to rally in the fourth quarter to find ways to win football games. In fact, Duquesne has trailed in the fourth quarter in three of their four victories. That's ... Read More
Duquesne Rallies to win 4th Straight
The Duquesne Dukes have made it a habit as of late getting out of the gates slow and coming on strong in the fourth quarter. It’s not the ideal recipe for head coach Jerry Schmitt’s team, but it’s been working as the Dukes used another big fourth quarter performance to come from behind and defeat Saint Francis 24-21 in NEC Conference play. “It’s certainly not the way we want to keep playing,” said Schmitt. “I don’t want to be in that situation all of the time. I’m glad we play well in the ... Read More
Dukes Use Strong 4th Quarter to Defeat Dayton
Sometimes it’s not how you start, but how you finish. That was the case Saturday afternoon for the Duquesne Dukes, who for three quarters couldn’t get anything going offensively against the Dayton Flyers. But the Dukes’ offense came alive- scoring on consecutive drives in the fourth quarter to come away with a 17-7 win. It was the 2012 home opener for Jerry Schmitt’s Dukes, but even though it took a while, Schmitt was happy with the way Duquesne (1-1) responded after a tough Week 1 that ... Read More
Dukes Look to Shore Up Pass Defense in Home Opener
For one half at least, things looked good for the Duquesne Dukes in their season opener against Old Dominion. Duquesne took a 20-10 halftime lead into the locker room against No. 6 Old Dominion- the highest ranked FCS team that the Dukes have ever faced. Then Monarchs quarterback Taylor Heinicke went nuts, setting school records for yards (492) and passing attempts (63) as Old Dominion ended up cruising to a 57-23 season opening victory. Duquesne allowed 723 total yards and Heinicke ... Read More
Duquesne looks to build on successful 2011 season
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 ... Read More