Full NEC Virtual Media Day Video

SOMERSET, N.J. - Duquesne was voted to finish second in a tie with Central Connecticut in the 2021 Northeast Conference (NEC) Preseason Coaches Poll while seven Dukes garnered Preseason All-NEC honors as announced during the NEC's Virtual Media Day event on Tuesday morning.

Sacred Heart was picked to win the conference with four first-place votes followed by the Dukes with a pair of first-place votes and the Blue Devils with one first-place vote tied for second, Bryant fourth, Saint Francis U fifth, LIU sixth and Wagner seventh. 

Duquesne quarterback Joe Mischler, wide receiver Cyrus Holder, tight end Bill O'Malley, offensive linemen Jake Dixon and Vincent Lumia, defensive back Leandro DeBrito as well as kicker Brian Bruzdewicz garnered preseason all-league honors for the Dukes. 

This marks the 11th-straight year in which Duquesne was selected first or second in the conference preseason coaches poll. The Dukes, led by Jerry Schmitt who is entering his 17th season at the helm, have recorded 69 overall wins, 43 conference victories as well as five league titles over the last ten seasons, all figures which lead the NEC. 

In addition, the NEC announced its 2021 ESPN3 feature games schedule on Tuesday for the upcoming season, with the Dukes slated to appear at least twice on The Worldwide Leader in Sports: Duquesne's NEC Championship game rematch at Sacred Heart on Oct. 23 followed by the Dukes' matchup against intrastate foe Saint Francis U on Oct. 30. There will be a pair of "Flex" matchups in the final two weeks of the regular season which will be picked by the conference at a later date, as well. 

Duquesne is set to open the 2021 campaign on the road at TCU on Sept. 4 at 8 p.m. ET. The game will air live on Big 12 Now on ESPN+. The Dukes begin their four-game home slate hosting Virginia University of Lynchburg on Sept. 25 at 1 p.m. at Arthur J. Rooney Field. Ticket information for the 2021 season can be found by clicking HERE. 

2021 NEC Football Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Sacred Heart (4)
2. Duquesne (2)
Central Connecticut (1)
4. Bryant
5. Saint Francis
6. Long Island
7. Wagner


2021 All-Northeast Conference Football Preseason Team
Offense
QB - Joe Mischler - Duquesne
RB - Julius Chestnut - Sacred Heart 
RB - Daniel Adeboboye - Bryant 
WR - Naseim Brantley - Sacred Heart 
WR - Cyrus Holder - Duquesne 
WR - Tyshaun James - Central Connecticut 
TE/HB - Bill O'Malley - Duquesne
OL - JD DiRenzo - Sacred Heart 
OL - Jake Dixon - Duquesne 
OL - Vincent Lumia - Duquesne 
OL - J'Von Brown - Central Connecticut 
OL - Josh Sokol - Sacred Heart 

Defense
DL - Joe Amalfitano - Long Island 
DL - Jack Daly - Bryant
DL - James Watkins - Saint Francis 
DL - Kevin Peprah - Sacred Heart 
LB - Joe Andressen - Bryant 
LB - Tre Jones - Central Connecticut 
LB - Titus Leo - Wagner 
LB - Chris Outterbridge - Sacred Heart 
DB - Andre Brackett - Bryant 
DB - Randy Brito - Sacred Heart 
DB - Caleb Holden - Merrimack 
DB - Leandro DeBrito - Duquesne

Special Teams
K - Brian Bruzdewicz - Duquesne 
P - Noah Gettman - Sacred Heart 
RS - Andre Brackett - Bryant 


#NECFB On ESPN3 Schedule
Sep 11 – Sacred Heart at Bryant
Sep 18 – Wagner at Saint Francis U
Oct 16 – Merrimack at LIU
Oct 23 -- Duquesne at Sacred Heart
Oct 30 – Saint Francis U at Duquesne
Nov 6 – Bryant at Central Connecticut
Nov 13 – FLEX [LIU at BRY; CCSU at DUQ; WAG at SHU; MACK at SFU]
Nov 20 – FLEX [BRY at MACK; SFU at CCSU; DUQ at WAG; SHU at LIU]