June 13, 2008

PITTSBURGH - Duquesne University head football coach Jerry Schmitt announced today that Michigan State transfer quarterback Connor Dixon (South Park, Pa./South Park) has signed a financial aid agreement and will be eligible to play for the football team this fall.

Dixon, who played in one game as the No. 2 quarterback for the Spartans last year, will have three seasons of eligibility at Duquesne.

"We're really pleased to have Connor as part of the Duquesne football program," said Schmitt. "He's a proven winner, a great athlete and an exceptional student. Having a player of Connor's caliber transfer to Duquesne says a lot about our program and where we are heading."

Dixon, who in his only collegiate appearance completed 3-of-5 passes for 37 yards and a touchdown against UAB in Michigan State's opener last season, redshirted in 2006.

The 6-4, 200-pound Dixon was ranked among the nation's top quarterbacks by Rivals.com (No. 17) and Scouts, Inc. (No. 37) after leading South Park to a 16-0 record and Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association Class AA state championship in 2005.

An Associated Press Class AA all-state selection as a senior, Dixon was also named AP Class AA Player of the Year after completing 78-of-150 passes (.520) for 1,868 yards and 20 touchdowns as South Park became just the second team in PIAA history to finish a perfect 16-0.

Dixon is the second Football Bowl Subdivision quarterback to transfer to Duquesne in the past 10 years. Tony Zimmerman transferred from the University of Pittsburgh following his freshman season and set 14 school records in leading the Dukes to a 26-7 record and two Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Football League championships in three years as a starter from 1998-00. Zimmerman, who threw for 7,313 yards and 73 touchdowns in 33 career games, still holds the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision career record for highest percentage of passes for touchdowns.

Duquesne, which will begin play as an associate football-playing member of the Northeast Conference this fall, granted only need-based financial aid for football playing student-athletes as a member of the MAAC from 1994-2007. DU adopted an athletics-based aid model in February in conjunction with the move to the new league.

The Dukes open the 2008 season at Bucknell on Saturday, Sept. 6.

CAREER STATS FOR CONNOR DIXON AT MICHIGAN STATE
Year   G/GS  Comp.-Att. Pct.   Yds.  TD  Int.  LG2006   Redshirted2007   1/0      3-5    .600     37    1   0    28