STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. - The Duquesne University football team clinched at least a share of its sixth Northeast Conference title on Saturday afternoon with a hard-fought 34-26 victory over Wagner at Hameline Field.

After a pair of lead changes in the second half, the Dukes persevered to improve to 5-0 in NEC play, their best start ever as a member of the NEC - which they joined in 2008. 

Trailing 28-20, Wagner (3-6, 3-3) went 83 yards down the field and found the endzone with 1:51 remaining in the game. The Seahawks were forced to go for a two-point conversion to try and tie the game in large part due to Duquesne's Jaelen Carson blocking a PAT in the first half.  

Wagner's two-point try was denied by CJ Barnes with a perfectly timed hit of the intended receiver forcing an incompletion and maintaining the Dukes two-point lead. Nick Leopold recovered the ensuing on-side kick and DU rolled to victory.  

The Seahawks got the ball back with two seconds left on the clock and Ryan Lopez put the finishing touches on the win with a fumble return for touchdown as time expired after a strip sack by Khatavian Franks to make it 34-26. 

HOW IT HAPPENED 
After a quiet and quick first quarter, Duquesne got on the board with a 45-yard touchdown pass from Darius Perrantes to Tedy Afful at the 12:22 mark of the second quarter. 

The next drive after the defense forced a three-and-out, the Dukes marched 91 yards on 12 plays capped off by a three-yard Edward Robinson rushing touchdown for a 14-0 lead. Duquesne converted a pair of third downs on the drive, including a 45-yard connection between Perrantes and Joey Isabella on 3rd-and-14, then Robinson's score came on 4th down. 

Wagner answered Duquesne's 14-0 start with 20 consecutive points. The Seahawks scored just before the half, then added a pair of touchdowns in the third quarter to take a 20-14 lead at the 3:51 mark. Carson's blocked PAT came on the first-half score with 13 seconds left. It was the first PAT block by a Duke since Rob Marra on November 2, 2018 also at Wagner.

The Dukes responded from Wagner's third straight touchdown with their second 12-play scoring drive of the game. Spanning the end of the third quarter and beginning of the fourth, Duquesne went 75-yards to retake the lead with 13 minutes remaining. Robinson finished off the drive with his second touchdown of the day, this time from 11 yards out. Following a pair of third-down conversions, Perrantes found Quan Easterling for 15-yards to get into the red-zone. 

Khatavian Franks snagged an interception on a tipped pass five plays after DU regained the lead and returned it 31 yards for a touchdown extending the lead to 28-20. 

Wagner did not give in, putting together a late touchdown drive, but the two-point conversion was denied by the Dukes defense to stay in front and a last second fumble return for a touchdown capped off the victory. 

NOTES 

• Duquesne's NEC title share is their sixth since joining the league in 2008 … DU is one win or one Merrimack conference loss away from earning the NEC's outright title and automatic bid to the FCS playoffs. 

• With the Dukes win, they improve to 6-3 overall, clinching a .500 or better record for the 28th time in 31 FCS seasons. 

• Darius Perrantes finished 12-for-26 passing with 248 yards, a touchdown and an interception … He has now thrown for 200+ yards in four straight games and all five conference outings … His touchdown extended his league lead to 17 and has now thrown at least one in eight of the nine games. 

• Tedy Afful grabbed his fifth TD catch of the season, fourth in conference play … DJ Powell racked up a game-high five catches and 111 yards with a long reception of 55 yards … It is Powell's first 100-yard game as a Duke and second of his career. 

• Freshman Edward Robinson recorded his first multi-touchdown game with two scores while charting 80 yards on 27 carries, the most by a DU back this year … It was the second time this season a DU running back has rushed in two scores. 

• Duquesne was slightly outgained 389-340 in total offense, but featured a 248-163 advantage through the air … The Dukes had a season-high seven passes for over 15-yards, four of which for 30+ yards. 

• The Dukes defense had five players chart seven or more tackles, led by Jayden Johnson and Antonio Epps with 10 each ... Epps' 10 tied a career-high set earlier this season at WVU … Jason Patterson recorded a career-best nine tackles, while Noah Palmer and Jaelen Carson had seven apiece … Palmer had 1.5 sacks to lead the team, which had three, bringing his season total to 4.5.

• Khatavian Franks' pick-six was the second of the season for Duquesne (Ayden Garnes had one in the season opener) … Ryan Lopez's fumble return for a touchdown to close the game was the second of the season (Tim Lowery had one vs. Saint Francis) … Before Lowery's scoop and score, Duquesne did not have a fumble return for touchdown since 2016. 

• Dayvia Gbor added his third interception of the year in the third quarter … All three have come in conference play … He now ranks second in the NEC in interceptions and is the first Duke to have three INTs in a season since 2019. 

• The win was DU's first of the season when trailing after the third quarter (1-3). 

• Duquesne scored first for the seventh time in nine games and improved to 5-2 when doing so. 

POSTGAME INTERVIEWS
Head Coach Jerry Schmitt


Noah Palmer


UP NEXT 
Duquesne hosts Stonehill next Saturday for Senior Day at Rooney Field. Kickoff is set for 12 pm. The Dukes will have the chance to secure the league's outright title and automatic bid to the NCAA FCS Playoffs for the third time in program history. 

FOLLOW THE DUKES
Follow Duquesne football online all season at GoDuquesne.com, as well as on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook (@DuqFB).