Oct. 3, 2002

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LAFAYETTE (2-2, 1-0) at #1 DUQUESNE (4-0, 2-0)
Saturday, October 5 at 1:30 p.m. - Homecoming
Arthur J. Rooney Athletic Field (4,500) - Pittsburgh, Pa.

Radio: Fox Sports Pittsburgh - WBGG-AM 970
On the internet at: www.redzonemedia.com

DU COMPLETES NONCONFERENCE SLATE VS. LAFAYETTE

Duquesne, coming off a dramatic 35-28 road win at then-No.1 I-AA mid-major Dayton, returns home to complete the nonconference portion of its schedule vs. the Patriot League's Lafayette Leopards (2-2) on Saturday, Oct. 5 at Rooney Field (Homecoming kickoff at 1:00 p.m. - WBGG-AM 970, on the web at www.redzonemedia.com).

DU, who has assumed the top spot in The Sports Network I-AA Mid-Major Poll, is looking for its third consecutive home win over a Patriot League opponent. In its last two home games vs. a Patriot League team, the Dukes are 2-0 (23-14 over Lafayette on Nov. 11, 2000 and 35-14 over Bucknell in this year's season opener).

The Dukes offense rolled up 436 yards on Dayton last week, but needed a 10- yard TD pass from Niel Loebig to Jeremy Conley with nine seconds left to overcome four secondhalf turnovers and seal the win.

Lafayette is coming off a 34-19 loss at Princeton. This is the Leopards second road game of the season.

DUKES NO. 1

Duquesne is ranked No. 1 in this week's Sports Network I-AA Mid-Major Top 10.

This marks the second time the Dukes have achieved the top ranking in the poll which was established last season. DU, who defeated No. 1 Dayton last week, held the No. 1 spot for three weeks last year, ending Sept. 24, 2001. (The Dukes are also number 1 in this week's Don Hansen's National Weekly Football Gazette poll.)

DUKES AND LEOPARDS

Duquesne leads the series 2-0, having swept a home-and-home series in 1999 (28-17 at Easton) and 2000 (23-14 at Pittsburgh). The Dukes are 1-0 vs. the Patriot League this season with a 35- 14 victory over Bucknell in the season opener. DU has won its last two home games vs. Patriot League teams (Lafayette in 2000 and Bucknell this year).

DAYTON DISPATCHES

• The Dukes scored 35 points on a Dayton defense that came into the game leading the nation with a 3.3 ppg. average.
• Senior wide receiver Jeremy Conley (Pittsburgh, Pa./Allderdice) caught 9 passes for a school-record 245 yards. He broke his old record of 231 set at VMI in 2000. He was named MAAC Offensive Player of the Week and Don Hansen's National Weekly Football Gazette NCAA I-AA Mid-Major Co-Offensive Player of the Week for his effort.

  Conley now has three career 200-yard receiving games. The senior, who had 4 catches for 138 yards on DU's first two possessions, caught passes of 28, 54, 30, 26, 29, 27, 11, 30 and 10 yards on the afternoon.

  His game-winning 10-yard TD catch came with :09 on the clock. He had three grabs for 51 yards on the Dukes' game-winning 7-play, 80-yard drive.

• Sophomore quarterback Niel Loebig (McDonald, Pa./South Fayette) completed 22-of-37 passes for 411 yards and three scores (22, 26, 10). Loebig's 411 yards are the second-highest passing total in school history (Tony Zimmerman threw for 438 yards vs. Iona in 2000).

  Loebig, who became the second player in school history to throw for over 400 yards in a game, has now thrown for two or more TDs in 12 of 14 regular- season starts.

• Junior receiver Yardon Brantley (Reading, Pa./Reading Central Catholic) caught 6 passes for 64 yards with all six catches good for first downs. Five of Brantley's six grabs were good for third down conversions.
• True freshman middle linebacker Harry Carter (Lanham, Md./ Eleanor Roosevelt) led the Dukes with 9 tackles (4 solo) in his first career start.
• Dayton scored all 21 second half points following Duquesne turnovers (two interceptions and two fumbles).

Duquesne is 40-12 at home under head coach Greg Gattuso. Over the last three-plus years, the Dukes are 17-2 at Rooney Field. DU saw a 14-game home win streak snapped in a 42-16 loss to Dayton last season.

Since 1998, Duquesne owns non-conference wins over:

• Robert Morris (24-22 in 1998)
• St. John's (10-3 in 1999)
• Georgetown (44-20 in 2000)
• Lafayette (23-14 in 2000)
• VMI (41-18 in 2001)
• Bucknell (35-14 this season)

DU DEFENSE

A big reason for Duquesne's early-season success is the play of the defense. Through four games, the DU "D" is leading the nation, giving up an average of 170.5 yards per game. The defense, which entered the season as an unknown, has been dominating.

"I can't say enough for how the defense has performed," said head coach Greg Gattuso. "They are a very athletic group with excellent speed." In addition All-American cornerback Leigh Bodden and veteran stawarts like DT John Rodgers, DE Bill Arbogast and LBs Trent Wissner and Mitchell Zobb, the defense has been sparked by three talented true freshmen. Middle linebacker Harry Carter, who made his first career start at Dayton, ranks third on the team with 26 tackles (12 solo).

Defensive end Antione Bullock has seen extended action on passing downs and responded with three tackles for loss (-22) and 1.5 sacks (-17) and linebacker/ safety Javonn Bradley has already earned MAAC Rookie of the Week honors after posting a team high-tying 7 tackles, including one tackle for loss and a forced fumble vs. Marist.