2017 Duquesne Football Schedule

PITTSBURGH -- Non-conference games at perennial Football Champion Subdivision power South Dakota State and at Football Bowl Subdivision-reclassifying Liberty highlight the 2017 Duquesne football schedule announced today.

The Dukes, who return 14 starters from last year's 8-3 Northeast Conference co-Championship team, open with three consecutive road games for the first time since 1950.

DU kicks off the 2017 season on Thursday, August 31 against a South Dakota State team coming off its first Missouri Valley Football Conference title and fifth-straight FCS playoff appearance. SDSU, which went 9-4 in 2016, finished the season ranked No. 6 by STATS FCS and No. 7 in the FCS Coaches Poll.

This will be the second-ever game between the Dukes and Jackrabbits, who last met on Nov. 11, 1932 when Duquesne - under legendary head coach Elmer Layden - defeated SDSU, 34-12, at Forbes Field.

DU continues with back-to-back road games against Pioneer Football League members Valparaiso (Sept. 9) and Dayton (Sept. 16).

It will be the first meeting with Valpo since the Dukes swept a home-and-home series in 2011 & 2012.

This will be the tenth consecutive season Duquesne and Dayton will meet. The Dukes, who were one of two teams to defeat the 9-2 Flyers last season, hold an 8-6 edge in the series that dates back to 1920. DU has won seven of the past 10, with all three Dayton wins coming at home.

Duquesne follows an off week with its home opener against West Virginia Wesleyan on Sept. 30. It will be DU's latest home opening game since becoming an FCS member in 1993.

The Dukes, who have won a share of four of the past six NEC titles, open conference play on Oct. 7 vs. Wagner in a Homecoming Weekend matchup.

DU continues with NEC games at Robert Morris (Oct. 14), vs. Saint Francis U (Oct. 21) and at Sacred Heart (Oct. 28) before heading to Lynchburg, Va. to face Liberty in its final non-conference game.

Liberty, which opens on Sept. 2 at Baylor, is beginning a two-year FBS reclassification process. The Flames, who joined the Big South Conference in 2002, have won eight conference titles - with the last coming last season.

The Dukes host CCSU on Nov. 11 before concluding the regular season at Bryant on Nov. 18.

Duquesne, under 13th-year head coach Jerry Schmitt, opens spring practice on March 13, with the annual spring game slated for April 1.

For ticket information regarding the 2017 season, fans are encouraged to call 412-232-DUKE (3853) or click here.

2017 SCHEDULE QUICK NOTES

FOUR AT HOME: The Dukes will play four times at home and seven times on the road. The four home games are the fewest since 2007.

LATE START: DU's Sept. 30 home opener vs. West Virginia Wesleyan is the school's latest home opener since 1970, when the program competed at the club level. The is the first time since 1950 that Duquesne is opening with three consecutive road games.

NEW FACE: The Dukes will be playing one first-time opponent in Liberty which is in the process of reclassifying into the Football Bowl Subdivision.

LONG TIME, NO SEE: This will be DU's second game against South Dakota State. On Nov. 11, 1932, head coach Elmer Layden's Dukes defeated SDSU 34-12 at Forbes Field.

NON-CONFERENCE BREAKDOWN: DU will play five non-conference games: South Dakota State (Missouri Valley Football Conference), Valparaiso (Pioneer Football League), Dayton (Pioneer Football League), West Virginia Wesleyan (Division II Mountain East Conference) and Liberty (Big South Conference).