Sept. 4, 2002

PITTSBURGH - The National Collegiate Athletic Association has ruled that Duquesne University senior running back Josh Rue (Pittsburgh, PA/Gateway) - a preseason second team All-American pick by Don Hansen's Football Gazette - has not met academic continuing eligibility standards and will not be eligible to suit up for the Dukes this fall.

DU head coach Greg Gattuso learned of the ruling, which ends Rue's collegiate playing career, late Tuesday afternoon.

"I'm very disappointed for Josh and wish him the best in the future," said Gattuso. "You just don't replace a player of his caliber. He was arguably the most dominant player in the MAAC last season. We'll miss him on both sides of the football - as a runner and pass rusher."

The loss of the 6-3, 245-pound Rue (916 yards and 12 rushing TDs last season) leaves the Dukes with a sizable hole in the backfield. Rue, along with graduated running back Donte Small, combined for 1,901 of Duquesne's 2,005 rushing yards last season. In all, the combination of Small and Rue accounted for 80.6 percent of DU's rushes, 94.8 of the rushing yards and 18 of the Dukes' 22 rushing TDs in 2001. Rue also saw action as a defensive end, finishing last season with 4.0 sacks - the second-highest total on the team.

Matt Hrutkay (South Plainfield, N.J./Immaculata), a 5-11, 220-pound junior, will take Rue's place in the starting lineup in Saturday's season-opener vs. Bucknell.

"I feel both Matt and [6-0, 230-pound junior] Anthony Patton (Aliquippa, Pa./Hopewell) will give us a physical presence at the fullback spot," said Gattuso. "But there's going to be a period of adjustment."

Hrutkay saw his first game action last season, carrying 28 times for 111 yards. Patton, who made the move from linebacker to fullback this fall, has yet to take the field at fullback.