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Duquesne University Athletics

defensive line vs. lincoln 2025
Brandon Reed

GAME 9: Dukes Continue Road Stretch at Wagner

10/22/2025 2:00:00 PM

PITTSBURGH – Duquesne takes a four-game win streak and a 3-0 NEC record on the road to face Wagner this weekend in conference play.

THE MATCHUP
October 25, 2025 • 12:00 PM • Hameline Field (Staten Island, N.Y.)
(RV) Duquesne Dukes (5-3, 3-0 NEC) Wagner Seahawks (1-6, 0-2 NEC) ADDITIONAL INFO / GAMEDAY LINKS OPENING KICKOFF
Setting the Scene: Duquesne (5-3, 3-0 NEC) travels to Wagner (1-6, 0-2 NEC) for the middle game of a three-game road trip and the first of two straight in New York. The Dukes will have their only bye next week before returning to the NYC area to face LIU on Nov. 8. Duquesne has opened conference play 3-0 for the third straight season and sixth time since joining the league in 2008, outscoring NEC opponents 123-21 through three games. This week, the Dukes received votes in both the Stats Perform Top 25 (2) and AFCA Coaches Poll (1). Duquesne has won four straight dating to a 44-18 non-conference finale over New Haven, outscoring opponents 167-39 during the streak. The Dukes have posted four-game win streaks or longer in all but two seasons since 2011 and are chasing a five-game streak for just the second time since 2018; last season, Duquesne won eight straight. A win would improve Duquesne to 4-0 in NEC play for the third straight season and fifth time in the last seven years, lift its overall record to 6-3, and guarantee a .500 or better mark for the 30th time in 33 FCS seasons.

Weekly Honors: Four Dukes earned NEC recognition after the win at Mercyhurst. RB Ness Davis, LB Avery Morris, and K Matt Clark claimed Offensive, Defensive, and Special Teams Player of the Week honors, while DL Kevin Kurzinger was named a Prime Performer. Davis rushed for 164 yards and a touchdown, his third 100-yard game of the season. Morris recorded eight tackles, returned a fumble 35 yards for a score, and earned honorable mention National Defensive Player of the Week. Clark contributed 13 points on three field goals and four PATs — the most FG in a game by an NEC kicker vs. a Division I opponent this season and tied for second-most in a game in program history, marking the second straight week a Duke has earned SPTOW. Kurzinger added a career-best 3.0 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks.

Last Time Out: Duquesne turned in a dominant performance in a 37-0 road win at Mercyhurst in a battle of unbeaten NEC teams. The Dukes rushed for 356 yards — their most since 2018 — while holding the Lakers to just 12 rushing yards and 118 total yards of offense. Ness Davis led the way with 164 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries, and Joey Isabella opened the scoring with a 20-yard touchdown reception from Tyler Riddell. Matt Clark added 13 points on three field goals and four PATs as the Dukes scored on six of their nine drives before kneeling out the clock. Avery Morris returned a fumble 35 yards for a defensive touchdown, while Kevin Kurzinger posted a career-best 3.0 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks. Duquesne totaled seven tackles for loss, four sacks, and forced seven three-and-outs. The shutout marked the sixth straight season the Dukes have blanked an opponent.

Wagner Scout: Wagner pushed NEC-unbeaten Central Connecticut State to overtime last week before falling 24-17, leading 14-0 after the first quarter. QB Jordan Barton was 20-of-35 for 198 yards and a touchdown. The Seahawks average 12.7 points per game and allow 29.0, but have kept both NEC games close, including a 19-7 loss to Mercyhurst. In non-conference play, Wagner defeated Norfolk State (18-13), dropped 11-point games to Georgetown and Marist, and faced FBS opponents Kansas and Central Michigan. The Seahawks allow a league-high 398.7 yards per game but tie for the NEC lead with five fumble recoveries and have scored two defensive touchdowns.

SERIES HISTORY
Duquesne has won 10 straight games against Wagner and holds a 14–3 record versus the Seahawks as NEC opponents (15-5 overall). The Dukes have also captured five consecutive wins in Staten Island, including a 34–26 victory in their last trip in 2023.

Last Season: Duquesne used a 21-point second quarter to seize control in a 42–21 win at Rooney Field. Among the returning standouts from that matchup are Joey Isabella, who caught five passes for 67 yards and two touchdowns, and Taj Butts, who led all rushers with 76 yards on 21 carries. Defensively, Antonio Epps recorded six tackles and 1.0 TFL, while Jack Dunkley (forced) and Jaelen Carson (recovered) combined on a fumble turnover.

Last Time at Wagner: The Dukes scored three fourth-quarter touchdowns to overcome multiple lead changes in the second half and secure the victory (34-26). Antonio Epps led all returning players with 10 tackles, while Joey Isabella contributed a 45-yard reception and Taj Butts added three carries for 11 yards on offense.

WINNING TRADITION
  • Duquesne has posted a .500 or better record in 29 of its 32 FCS seasons and can clinch that mark for the 30th time in 33 years this week.
  • Since 1995, Duquesne has claimed 18 conference championships — 11 in the MAAC and seven in the NEC. The Dukes' seven NEC titles, all since 2011, are tied with Central Connecticut State for the most in league history. Duquesne also leads the NEC in wins since 2011 with 100 overall victories and 65 in league play — at least 32 more overall and 20 more conference wins than any other active program.
HIGH-SCORING DUKES
  • Duquesne leads the NEC in scoring offense (32.4 ppg) with 35 total touchdowns.
  • Against FCS opponents, the Dukes average 37.6 points per game with a 4–1 record — the lone loss coming to No. 10/12 Lehigh (35–21).
  • In conference play, DU is averaging 41 points scored and 7 points allowed per game.
COMPLETE PERFORMANCE
  • The Dukes have averaged 423 yards of total offense during their four-game win streak, topping 400+ yards in three of those games.
  • Duquesne leads all NEC competing members at 366.6 yards per game overall (398.0–179.0 margin in NEC play).
  • The defense ranks 13th nationally in total defense (308.0 ypg allowed).
STARTING FAST
  • Duquesne has scored on the opening drive in back-to-back games, including a 10-play, 75-yard drive last week.
  • The Dukes have scored on their first three offensive possessions in each of the past two games (3 TDs vs. SFU; 2 TDs, 1 FG at Mercyhurst).
CATCHING HISTORY
  • Joey Isabella leads the NEC in receptions (43), receiving yards (597, 15th in FCS), touchdowns (9, tied for first in FCS), and yards per game (74.6).
  • Has a receiving TD in 4 straight games and 6 of the last 7; his nine TDs are at least five more than any other NEC receiver
  • Surpassed 2,000 career receiving yards vs. Stonehill (2,169 total).
Ranks among Duquesne all-time leaders:
  • Receptions: 143 (T-7th all-time, closing in on 5th – 154 by Randy Vulakovich (2000-03))
  • Yards: 2,169 (chasing 2,423 for 7th)
  • TDs: 26 (6th all-time; 5th is Michel Warfield (29, 2002-04))
RIDDELL ROCKET
  • Graduate QB Tyler Riddell ranks 3rd in the FCS and 1st in the NEC with 19 passing touchdowns.
  • One of only two active FCS QBs with 9,000+ career passing yards, currently 2nd among active QBs with 74 TD passes.
  • Leads the NEC in efficiency (150.7) and ranks 6th nationally in points responsible for (126).
  • Needs 154.8 passing ypg over the final four games to reach 10,000 career yards.
  • Despite not being in the career records for Duquesne as a graduate transfer ... For reference, only two Dukes have ever reached 10,000+ yards and 75+ TDs: Dillon Buechel (10,320 yd / 75 TD, 2013–16) and Niel Loebig (10,254 yd / 103 TD, 2001–04)
DEFENSIVE DUKES
  • Duquesne posted a shutout last week, marking the sixth straight season with a shutout victory. DU has not posted back-to-back shutouts since 2002.
  • The Dukes forced a three-and-out on the opening drive in consecutive games, including three straight 3-and-outs to start at Mercyhurst.
  • DU's 10 pass breakups last week were the second-most in program NEC history (behind 11 vs. SFU in 2018).
  • The Dukes lead the NEC in pass defense in conference play (129.7 ypg).
  • DJ Cerisier leads the team with 6 PBUs, including one in five of the last six games.
  • Duquesne also leads the NEC with 23 tackles for loss and 10 sacks through three league games.
  • Kevin Kurzinger (7.0 TFL, 4.5 in NEC play) ranks T-2nd in the NEC.
  • Jack Dunkley (6.5) and Jabari Odoemenem (5.0) also have 5+ TFLs.
  • Kurzinger (3.0 sacks, T-5th in NEC) and Dunkley (2.5) lead the team.
  • 22 different players have recorded a TFL this season and nine Dukes have accounted for the 15 sacks.
DEFENSIVE SCORES
  • The Dukes have three defensive touchdowns this season — tied for second-most in the FCS.
  • Avery Morris has two: a 34-yard pick-six (New Haven) and a 35-yard fumble return (Mercyhurst).
  • Tyson Meiguez added a 40-yard scoop-and-score (Saint Francis).
  • Duquesne has recorded a defensive touchdown in five straight seasons and a scoop-and-score in back-to-back games.
WE'LL TAKE THAT RUN GAME RULERS
  • Duquesne leads the NEC in both rushing offense (179.4 ypg) and rushing defense (113.6 ypg – 15th FCS).
  • The Dukes eclipsed 350 rushing yards for the first time since 2018 last week and have held opponents under 100 rushing yards in three straight games.
In conference action:
  • Offense: 212.7 rushing ypg (1st)
  • Defense: 49.3 rushing ypg allowed (1st)
THIRD DOWN LEADERS
  • DU's defense leads NEC competing members with an opponent third-down conversion rate of 36.1%.
  • In conference play, opponents are just 10-for-43 (23.3%) on third down.
  • Offensively, the Dukes convert 53% of third downs in conference play (20-for-38).
  • Duquesne also allows the fewest first downs (16.8 per game) in the league.
SPREADING THE WEALTH FOUR-HEADED BACKFIELD
  • Four DU running backs have 200+ rushing yards this season:
  • Ness Davis: 164 yards last week (most by an NEC RB vs. D-I opponent this year); 538 yards on the season (3rd NEC), 7.2 ypc (2nd NEC), 67.3 ypg, 2 TDs
  • Taj Butts: 56 att, 292 yds (5.2 ypc), 41.7 ypg, 1 TD
  • Shawn Solomon, Jr.: 43 att, 250 yds (5.8 ypc), 41.7 ypg, 1 TD
  • Dazhaun Hopkins: 52 att, 213 yds (4.1 ypc), 30.4 ypg, 2 TD
VETERAN TRENCHES
  • DU's offensive and defensive lines feature 200+ combined career games played.
  • Every projected offensive line starter has at least four years of college experience.
  • The O-line allows just 1.4 sacks per game — fewest among NEC competing members — and only two in three league games.
Notable start streaks: CONTROLLING THE CLOCK
  • Duquesne leads the NEC in time of possession (32:59) and averages over 34 minutes in NEC play.
  • DU sustained three scoring drives of 6+ minutes last week at Mercyhurst.
  • The Dukes' TOP ranks 11th nationally in the FCS.
TRENDS TO NOTE 
  • Duquesne is 17-0 since 2023 when scoring more than 30 points (5-0 in 2025: 55-14 vs. Lincoln, 44-18 vs. New Haven, 34-14 vs. Stonehill, 52-7 vs. Saint Francis, 37-0 at Mercyhurst).
  • The Dukes are 14-0 when leading after the first quarter since 2023 (3-0 in 2025 after a 14-0 first-quarter lead vs. Lincoln, 28-0 first-quarter lead vs. Saint Francis, 14-0 first-quarter lead at Mercyhurst).
STREAK SPOTLIGHT
  • WR Joey Isabella – Multiple receptions in 17 straight; 3 last week … TD catch in 4 straight and 6 of last 7.
  • QB Tyler Riddell – TD pass in 4 straight ... 3+ TD passes in 3 of last 4.
  • LB Avery Morris – 4+ tackles in 3 straight ... Team-high 8 last week.
  • DL Adrian Ramirez – TFL in 5 straight and 6 of last 7. 
  • DL Jack Dunkley – TFL in 4 straight and 7 of 8 this season ... Sack in back-to-back games.
  • DL Kevin Kurzinger – TFL in 3 straight ... Career-high 3.0 and 2.0 sacks last week.
  • Defense – Less than 100 rushing yards allowed in 3 straight ... Scoop-and-score in back-to-back games ... Takeaway in 5 straight ... Sack in 3 straight, 4+ sacks in back-to-back games ... 7+ TFL in 3 straight.
VETERAN LEADERSHIP  UP NEXT
Duquesne will be off next week for a bye then return to New York on Nov. 8 for an NEC matchup at LIU.

MORE ON THE DUKES
View full game notes, interviews, local features and more from the entire season in the Media Center.

THIS WEEK ON THE JERRY SCHMITT COACH'S SHOW
The latest episode of the Jerry Schmitt Coach's Show premiers on SportsNet Pittsburgh on Friday at 1:00 a.m. Reigning NEC Offensive Player of the Week Ness Davis is the player guest. Visit sportsnetpittsburgh.com for viewing information, or view the replay on the GoDuquesne YouTube page.

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