Sept. 2, 2011

PITTSBURGH - The Duquesne University Department of Athletics was informed by the NCAA on Friday afternoon that receiver Connor Dixon (South Park, Pa./South Park) has been granted a sixth year of eligibility and will join the team in Lewisburg, Pa. for Saturday night's game at Bucknell.

The appeal request was based on an illness and injury Dixon suffered in 2006 and 2007 respectively at while Michigan State, which limited his participation during his first two college seasons.

Dixon, who transferred to Duquesne as a quarterback following his redshirt freshman season at MSU, started the first eight games under center for the Dukes in 2008 before late-season shoulder soreness forced him to miss the ninth game and play sparingly in the season finale. Despite the limited late-season action, he completed 52.1 percent of his passes for 1,899 yards and 20 touchdowns.

The 6-5, 206-pounder made the move from quarterback to receiver eight games into his junior year, in a move necessitated by repeated injuries to his right throwing shoulder. He adjusted quickly, catching 22 passes for 333 yards in DU's final four games 2009.

He caught 43 passes for 602 yards and five touchdowns in earning second team All-NEC honors last season.

Dixon, who completed his undergraduate degree in finance in December, is enrolled in Duquesne's sports leadership graduate program.

He has not practiced with the team since last November.