April 13, 2004
Non-conference games against four Patriot League opponents highlight the 2004 Duquesne University football schedule released today.
Duquesne, which has won seven of the last nine Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Football League championships - including the last five in a row, returns 13 starters from last year's 8-3-0 Sports Network I-AA Mid-Major National Champion team.
The Dukes begin defense of their national title on September 4 at Holy Cross - the first Patriot League team on the schedule. It will be the first meeting since 1949 between the Dukes and Crusaders.
The next weekend, DU will make its first trip to Robert Morris in 10 years to face the cross-town rival Colonials. The Dukes, who have won the last two meetings between the two schools, last made the trip to Moon Township on October 8, 1994.
Duquesne opens the home season against former MAAC and current Patriot League member Georgetown on September 18.
The following week the Dukes head to the Bronx, N.Y. to face Fordham. The Rams, who tied the school record for regular-season wins in going 9-3 last season, are among the favorites to win this year's Patriot League title.
DU puts its 29-game MAAC winning streak on the line in the conference opener vs. Iona on Oct. 9 at Rooney Field. The Dukes also have conference games at Saint Peter's on Oct. 16, at home vs. Marist (Homecoming) on Oct. 30 and at La Salle on Nov. 6.
Duquesne concludes the 2004 season at home with back-to-back games vs. defending Pioneer Football League South Division champion Morehead State on Nov. 13 and Patriot League member Bucknell on Nov. 20.
Leading the way for the Dukes is 2003 MAAC Offensive Player of the Year Niel Loebig (Sr., QB, McDonald, Pa./South Fayette). Loebig, who has thrown for 7,883 yards and 76 touchdowns in three seasons, enters his senior year with a 27-7-0 record as a starter. His 76 career touchdown passes rank third among returning quarterbacks at the NCAA Division I and I-AA levels. Loebig, a three-time first team All-MAAC QB, will be joined by fellow all-league returnees linemen Mike Daniluk (Sr., G, Cranberry Twp., Pa./Seneca Valley), Bob Healy (Jr., G, Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin) and Josh Martin (Jr., T, Imperial, Pa./West Allegheny). Receiver Michel Warfield (Jr., WR, Oxon Hill, Md./Bishop McNamara), who caught 51 passes for 1,147 yards (22.5 ypc.) and 14 touchdowns last season, also earned All-MAAC honors last year.
Lineman Josh Antinopoulos (Jr., DT, Monaca, Pa./Monaca) and middle linebacker Harry Carter (Jr., MLB, Lanham, Md./Eleanor Roosevelt), who were both named to last year's Sports Network All-America team, return to anchor the Dukes' defense. Antinopoulos and Carter will be joined by six other returning starters including fellow All-MAAC picks outside linebackers Javonn Bradley (Jr., OLB, Rochester, Pa./Rochester) and Ryan Tolan (Sr., OLB, LaVerne, Calif./Bonita), defensive end Antoine Bullock (Jr., DE, Houston, Texas/Sugar Land Kempner), cornerbacks Armar Watson (Sr., CB, Forrestville, Md./Suitland) and Michael Ford (Jr., CB, Clinton, Md./Oxon Hill) and safety R.J. Romano (Jr., S, Carrollton, Ohio/Carrollton).
Head coach Greg Gattuso (90-29-0) concludes spring practice on Saturday with the Red/Blue game at 6:00 p.m. on Rooney Field. Admission is free.
2004 Duquesne Football
game times are tentative
Date Opponent TimeSept. 4 at Holy Cross 12:30 p.m.Sept. 11 at Robert Morris 1:30 p.m.Sept. 18 GEORGETOWN 1:30 p.m.Sept. 25 at Fordham 1:00 p.m.Oct. 9 IONA* 1:30 p.m.Oct. 16 at Saint Peter's* 12:00 p.m.Oct. 30 MARIST* (HC) 1:30 p.m.Nov. 6 at La Salle* TBANov. 13 MOREHEAD STATE 12:00 p.m.Nov. 20 BUCKNELL 12:00 p.m.
* - Denotes MAAC Football League games
HC - Indicates Homecoming Game vs. Marist
Home games are played at Arthur J. Rooney Athletic Field on the Duquesne campus For tickets call 412-232-DUKE (3853)
