2015 NEC Pre-Season All-Conference Team

Duquesne University has been picked to finish second in the Northeast Conference Football League, according to a preseason poll of the league's seven head coaches released today.

Bryant was tabbed as the preseason favorite with four first place votes while Duquesne received one first place vote. Defending champion Sacred Heart received the other two first place votes and were slated third. The Pioneers were followed by Wagner, St. Francis, Central Connecticut and Robert Morris.

This is the fifth straight year Duquesne has been picked second in the NEC's preseason poll. In 2011, DU tied for the league title with Albany with a 7-1 record, in 2012 Duquesne tied for sixth at 3-5, in 2013, the Red and Blue again tied for first with Sacred Heart at 4-2 and last year the Dukes finished fifth at 2-4. 11th-year head coach Jerry Schmitt returns 14 starters, including seven on defense and seven on offense.

For the second straight year, five Duquesne University football players were named to the Pre-Season All-NEC Team. Senior wide receiver Chris King (Crofton, Md./DeMatha Catholic) was the lone choice on offense while senior defensive lineman Zach Zidian (Youngstown, Ohio/Boardman), senior linebacker Sam Martello (Westlake, Ohio/St. Edward), junior defensive back Trenton Coles (Clairton, Pa./Clairton) and sophomore linebacker Nathan Stone (Scottdale, Pa/Greensburg Central Catholic) were all named on defense.

A first team All-NEC pick in 2014, King was second in the Northeast Conference and sixth in the country in touchdown receptions with 14 despite missing the season finale with an injury. His 1,127 receiving yards led the NEC, was 15th in the nation and was good for fourth best all-time in a season at Duquesne.

Zidian was fourth on the team in tackles from his nose tackle position with 61 (31 solo) and also added a sack, seven tackles for a loss, two pass break-ups and a blocked kick.

Martello was second on the team last season in tackles with 86 (46 solo). He also chipped in two sacks, seven tackles for a loss, an interception which he returned 47 yards, two pass break-ups, four quarterback hurries, a fumble recovery and a safety.

A transfer from Pitt last season, Coles played in nine contests for the Red and Blue and tallied 11 tackles and three pass break-ups.

Stone, who was the 2014 NEC Defensive Rookie of the Year, led the Dukes and was third in the NEC in tackles with 100 (53 solo). He added three sacks, eight tackles for a loss, three pass break-ups, three quarterback hurries and a forced fumble.

Duquesne opens the 2015 season at home against Kentucky Christian on Sept. 5 at noon.