PITTSBURGH — Duquesne opened NEC play with a 34–14 win over Stonehill on Saturday at Rooney Field.

The Dukes (3-3, 1-0 NEC) held Stonehill (2-4, 1-0 NEC) scoreless through three quarters, building a 27-0 lead en route to victory behind 426 yards of offense, including 195 rushing and 231 passing. After a scoreless first quarter, Duquesne broke it open with three consecutive touchdown drives.

Quarterback Tyler Riddell completed 19 of 31 passes for 231 yards and three touchdowns, marking his second straight game with three scoring passes and becoming just the second active FCS quarterback to reach 9,000 career passing yards. Joey Isabella added a receiving touchdown, eclipsing 2,000 career receiving yards in the first quarter. He finished with eight catches for 54 yards and a touchdown, matching his career high for receptions in a game. Ryan Petras had two receiving touchdowns and led the receivers with 82 yards on three catches.

Taj Butts and Ness Davis each scored on the ground. Davis had a game-high 111 rushing yards on 15 carries, his second 100-yard game in the last three outings, while Butts added 71 yards on 14 carries, including his 18-yard touchdown run.

Tyson Meiguez returned from injury to lead the Dukes' defense with nine tackles, a career-high 1.5 tackles for loss, a forced fumble, and a pass breakup. Dallas Harper recorded his second interception of the season in the third quarter. Duquesne forced four three-and-outs, and the Skyhawks entered Duquesne territory on just four of their 11 drives.

The win moves Duquesne to 15-3 all-time in NEC openers and 10-1 when opening at home.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Both defenses stood tall in the opening quarter, but at the 10:20 mark of the second, Taj Butts broke loose for an 18-yard touchdown run to put Duquesne on the board. Butts' run capped a 13-play, 81-yard drive that consumed 7:25 of game time. Joey Isabella converted a fourth-down play earlier in the drive, setting up Butts' score.

After a missed 34-yard field goal attempt by Stonehill, the Dukes responded with an 80-yard, 10-play drive capped by a 20-yard touchdown run from Ness Davis. On Duquesne's next possession, a 21-yard pass from Tyler Riddell to Ryan Petras extended the lead to 20-0 just before halftime.

Duquesne opened the second half by stopping Stonehill on a fourth-and-2 at its own 31 and added a Dallas Harper interception on the following drive. The Dukes extended the lead to 27-0 with 1:51 remaining in the third quarter on a 52-yard Riddell-to-Petras touchdown pass.

Stonehill avoided a shutout in the fourth quarter with two touchdown drives, but Duquesne added another score when Riddell threw his third touchdown pass of the day, a 7-yard strike to Joey Isabella. Khiryn Boyd made a 30-yard reception on fourth-and-13 to help extend the drive.

NOTES

• Duquesne improves to 15-3 all-time in NEC openers, 10-1 when opening at home, and has won six of the last seven.
• Dukes are now 2-2 all-time vs. Stonehill, winning two straight; +20 margin is largest in series history.
• Duquesne outgained Stonehill 426-254 yards.
• Joey Isabella: eclipsed 2,000 career receiving yards; eight catches (tied career high); 15 straight games with multiple receptions; TD in back-to-back games, four of last five.
• Ness Davis: 111 rushing yards on 15 carries (both season highs); 20-yard TD run; third straight game leading Dukes in rushing; third career 100-yard game, second this season.
• Tyler Riddell: 19-for-31 passing (season highs); three TDs for second straight game; fourth game with multiple TD passes this season; 10th career 3-TD game, 15th career multiple-TD game; surpassed 9,000 career passing yards, becoming one of two active FCS quarterbacks to reach that mark; 50+ yard completion in five of six games this season.
• Ryan Petras: early career-best 3 receptions, 82 yards, 2 TDs, 52-yard touchdown; true freshman, sixth game; three TD catches in four receptions this season.
• Tyson Meiguez: nine tackles, 1.5 TFL (career high); returned after missing two games.
• 18 Dukes with multiple tackles, 25 with at least one.
• Avery Morris: 2.0 TFL, lone sack (career highs); A.J. Ackerman and Jabari Odoemenem 1.0 TFL; Jack Dunkley, Adrian Ramirez, Kevin Kurzinger 0.5 TFL each; third straight game with a TFL for Ramirez.
• Dukes posted 7.0 TFL with one sack; Dallas Harper had second interception of career and season.
• Duquesne converted 7-of-14 third downs, holding Stonehill to 4-of-15.

POSTGAME PRESS CONFERENCES
Head Coach Jerry Schmitt

WR Ryan Petras & LB Tyson Meiguez


UP NEXT
Duquesne closes its three-game homestand next Saturday, hosting Saint Francis for Homecoming and Family Weekend on The Bluff. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Rooney Field.

FOLLOW THE DUKES
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