YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- In a rematch of the opening round of the 2023 FCS Playoffs, the Duquesne University football team earned its first win of the 2024 season on Saturday at No. 20 Youngstown State, 28-25. JaMario Clements rushed for a career-high 204 yards and a touchdown, while Tedy Afful added a pair of touchdown catches to lead the Dukes to their second win over a ranked opponent in program history.

Darius Perrantes and Afful connected for touchdowns on back-to-back possessions, closing out the first half and opening the second, Antonio Epps intercepted a pass in the end zone on YSU's opening drive of the second half and Duquesne's defense locked down the Penguins after the break to earn the victory.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Youngstown State scored on its first three drives with a field goal and a pair of rushing touchdowns to take a 17-7 lead with 1:56 remaining in the first half.

Duquesne executed a two-minute drill and put together a nine-play, 75-yard touchdown drive to score 20 seconds before the break to make it 17-14. Perrantes was 6-for-8 on the drive, which finished with a three-yard, back-shoulder touchdown grab by Afful.

The Dukes early score came via Shawn Solomon, Jr.'s first career touchdown midway through the first frame, which was punched in from three yards out after Clements scampered 72 yards downfield on the first play of the drive.

Out of the locker room, YSU took the opening possession into the red zone amassing 8:28 of game time but was stymied on play number 13, as Epps recorded his first career interception in the endzone.

Perrantes and John Erby connected to convert a 3rd-and-19, which propelled an 80-yard march into the endzone on 11 plays following the interception. A five-yard fade route from Perrantes to Afful for their second touchdown of the game put DU up 21-17 lead with 1:21 remaining in the third quarter.

The Dukes defense held strong to maintain the lead the rest of the way, forcing back-to-back punts and holding the Penguins to -5 rushing yards in the fourth quarter. Jack Dunkley and Nico Pate each had sacks in the fourth quarter to force third-and-long situations. Duquesne held YSU to a total of 38 rushing yards in the second half after the Penguins racked up 140 in the first half.

Clements rattled off his second 70-plus yard run of the game and this time found the endzone to provide much needed insurance putting DU ahead 28-17 with 1:40 to play.

Youngstown State made a late push with a touchdown and two-point conversion with 20 seconds left, but Jordan Heisey secured the on-side kick attempt to seal the deal.

NOTES

• First win over ranked opponent for Duquesne since 11.24.18 at No. 16 Towson (31-10) in first round of FCS Playoffs, now 2-9 all-time vs. FCS ranked teams.
• DU avenged a 2023 FCS Playoff loss with its first win over Youngstown State, now 1-6 vs. the Penguins.
• Three lead changes ... Duquesne trailed by as many as 10 (17-7 at 1:56 mark in 2nd) and led by as many as 11 (28-17 at 1:40 mark in 4th).
• JaMario Clements had a career-high 204 yards with one touchdown ... Most yards in a game since A.J. Hines (213) on 11.10.18 at Sacred Heart ... Had 106 yards in first half ... Runs of 72 and 75 yards ... 75-yard touchdown was longest run by a Duke since 10.23.21 (Garrett Owens at Sacred Heart).
• Shawn Solomon, Jr.'s touchdown was the first of his career.
• Tedy Afful had a career-high seven catches with two touchdowns (tied career-high) and a team-high 56 yards receiving.
• Quarterback Darius Perrantes finished 17-for-26 with 157 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions ... Had seven completions of 10+ yards ... With two touchdowns today, Perrantes is now tied for fifth all-time at Duquesne for career passing touchdowns with Dave Loya (1994-97) at 47.
• Luke Miller (14 tackles, 8 solos), CJ Barnes (7 tackles, 2 solos), TJ Jones (7 tackles, 6 solos) led defense ... Miller and Jones' tackle total were career highs.
• Gianni Rizzo, Jack Dunkley and Nico Pate all had a sack each ... Dunkley (sophomore) has now had a sack in each of the first three games this season and four consecutive outings ... Dunkley had 2.0 TFLs to lead all players in the game ... Pate's sack was the first of his career.
• First career interception for Antonio Epps.
• Brian Bruzdewicz became the fourth placekicker in program history to reach 100 career PATs with his first one today ... Now at 103, which ranks third all-time passing Earl Bellisario (102 from 2000-02), after going 4-for-4 in the game.
• YSU led time of possession; 42:17 to 17:43. 

POSTGAME QUOTES
Head Coach Jerry Schmitt


JaMario Clements


Jack Dunkley


UP NEXT
Duquesne hosts West Virginia Wesleyan next weekend (Sept. 21) for its home opener and senior day at Rooney Field. Kick off is scheduled for noon live on NEC Front Row. For tickets, click here.

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