PITTSBURGH - Duquesne captured its 14th-straight home-opening victory with a 56-7 triumph over Virginia University of Lynchburg on Saturday afternoon in front of an energized Homecoming crowd at Arthur J. Rooney Field. 

The Dukes collect their second-consecutive victory on the season, improving to 2-1 heading into their Northeast Conference (NEC) opener next Saturday, Oct. 2 at Merrimack. 

Four different players found the end zone for Duquesne as the Dukes tallied 480 yards of total offense in the contest, including 289 yards on the ground. In addition, four different Duquesne kickers connected on field goals in the win. 

The Dukes got on the board first when Billy Lucas scored his first touchdown of the season on a 10-yard run. 

Brian Bruzdewicz then drilled a 38-yard field goal on Duquesne's next drive set up by a pair of long runs by Lucas and Garrett Owens to push the lead to 10-0. 

Late in the first quarter, Spencer DeMedal intercepted a Darrius Sample pass and returned it 29 yards for a score, putting Duquesne on top 17-0 after the first period. 

Owens broke off a 55-yard touchdown rush on the Dukes' next march, the longest of his Duquesne career. 

After Duquesne forced a turnover on downs, Lucas reached pay dirt for the second time of the day, this run coming from nine yards out to extend the Dukes' advantage to 31-0. 

Following a fumble on a punt snap which was recovered by Duquesne's Jon Muehlbauer in Dragon territory, JaMario Clements recorded his first two collegiate carries - the first going for an 18-yard gain with the second resulting in a five-yard touchdown rush for the Dukes. 

A safety to open the second half gave Duquesne a 40-0 edge before Joey Corado (38 yards), Zach Sterr (41 yards) and Andrew Smith (26 yards) all notched their first career field goals to expand the lead to 49-0. 

VUL would get on the board with a 65-yard touchdown pass from Raekwon Rudolph to Cinsere Clark with 2:58 showing on the fourth quarter clock. 

The Dukes responded right away as Chase Diehl hit Ryan Iacone across the middle for a 68-yard touchdown connection for the final margin. The scoring strike marked the first career reception for Iacone as well as the first career pass attempt for Diehl. 

Owens tallied 108 rushing yards and a touchdown, his 15th career 100-yard rushing performance and the fourth 100-yard showing of his Duquesne career.

Clements toted the ball 10 times for 58 yards and his first career touchdown for the Dukes. Lucas finished with three runs for 39 yards with two touchdowns, while DaMon Macklin registered 37 yards on six carries and Ky'ren Cunningham added 20 yards on the ground for Duquesne. 

Nick Leopold recorded a pair of receptions for 38 yards for the Dukes, including a 30-yard catch in the third quarter. 

The Duquesne defense limited the Dragons to 131 total yards of offense with just 13 rushing yards on the day. 

The Dukes tallied 20 first downs and were 5-of-10 on third down. Duquesne held VUL to 1-of-10 on third down and 0-of-2 on fourth down. 

Four different Dukes completed a pass in the win, led by Darius Perrantes who finished 6-of-8 for 78 yards. 

DeMedal posted a team-high four tackles with an interception, while Todd Hill tallied a pair of tackles for loss including a sack. Muehlbauer recorded a leaping interception late in the third quarter for Duquesne in addition to his fumble recovery earlier in the contest.

NEXT UP
Duquesne begins NEC play next Saturday, Oct. 2 on the road at Merrimack at 1 p.m. on NEC Front Row. 

GAME NOTES

• The Dukes have now won 14 home openers in a row with the victory. Head coach Jerry Schmitt is now 16-1 in home-opening games and Duquesne is now 22-2 in non-conference play at Rooney Field since the beginning of the 2008 season.
• Duquesne is now 114-31 all-time at Arthur J. Rooney Field. 
• The Dukes' 56 points were their most scored in a game since a 56-14 win over La Salle on Nov. 5, 2005.
• The 49-point margin of victory is the largest for Duquesne since a 49-0 triumph over Butler on Sept. 13, 2003. 
• DeMedal recorded his first fifth career interception and first returned for a touchdown. 
• Owens has now recorded 15 100-yard rushing performances, including four in eight career games at Duquesne.