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Duquesne University Athletics

football team takes field vs. stonehill 2025
Liam Kirkpatrick

GAME 7: Dukes Host Saint Francis for Homecoming

10/8/2025 12:15:00 PM

PITTSBURGH – Duquesne wraps up its three-game homestand by hosting Saint Francis this Saturday for Homecoming & Family Weekend at Rooney Field.

THE MATCHUP
October 11, 2025 • 1:00 PM • Rooney Field (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
Duquesne Dukes (3-3, 1-0 NEC) Saint Francis Red Flash (0-5, 0-1 NEC) ADDITIONAL INFO / GAMEDAY LINKS OPENING KICKOFF
Homecoming on The Bluff: The Dukes have won four of their last five Homecoming games and are 14-5 under head coach Jerry Schmitt in those contests. This marks the first time since 2018 that Duquesne opens NEC play with back-to-back home games. The Dukes have started 2-0 in league play in five of the last six seasons.

NEC Honors: Four Dukes earned NEC weekly recognition after last week's win. LB Tyson Meiguez was named Defensive Player of the Week (9 tackles, 1.5 TFL, FF, PBU) and WR Ryan Petras earned Rookie of the Week (3 rec., 82 yds, 2 TDs). QB Tyler Riddell (19-31, 239 yds, 3 TDs) and RB Ness Davis (15 car., 111 yds, TD) were each tabbed Prime Performers. 

Last Time Out: Duquesne opened NEC play with a 34–14 victory over Stonehill, building a 27-0 lead through three quarters and outgaining the Skyhawks 426–254. QB Tyler Riddell threw for 239 yards and three touchdowns, becoming the second active FCS quarterback to surpass 9,000 career passing yards. WR Joey Isabella caught eight passes for 54 yards and a score, eclipsing 2,000 career receiving yards, while freshman WR Ryan Petras added 82 yards and two touchdowns. RB Ness Davis rushed for 111 yards and a TD, and RB Taj Butts scored from 18 yards out. LB Tyson Meiguez led the defense with nine tackles, 1.5 TFL, a forced fumble, and a breakup, while DB Dallas Harper recorded his second interception of the season. The win moved Duquesne to 15-3 all-time in NEC openers and 10-1 when opening conference play at home.

Saint Francis Scout: The Red Flash were idle last week and enter 0-5 (0-1 NEC) with a 31-7 loss at CCSU in Week 3 to open conference play. SFU averages a league-low 9.2 points per game while allowing an NEC-high 34.8, but owns the NEC's top-ranked pass defense — just 141.8 yards per game (4th FCS) with a 105.75 opponent efficiency rating (10th FCS). The Red Flash have surrendered 257.8 rushing yards per game and produced 59.8 yards per game on the ground offensively. LB Geno Calgaro, a 2024 FCS Freshman All-American, ranks second in the NEC with 54 tackles. WR DJ Maultsby had 9 receptions for 141 yards and a touchdown at Bucknell to earn an NEC Rookie of the Week honor. Earlier this year, the university announced plans to reclassify its athletics program to NCAA Division III beginning in 2026–27. 

SERIES HISTORY
Duquesne owns a 40-10 record over Saint Francis in their all-time series. Saturday's matchup marks the 51st meeting, making it the most-played opponent in program history. The next closest is Geneva, which Duquesne played 29 times from 1901–1992. Among current NEC/Division I members, Robert Morris ranks next with 21 all-time meetings.

The Dukes - Red Flash series began in 1913 and the matchup has been played every full season since 2005 and all but 10 seasons since 1969.

Last Season: Duquesne's defense led the way in a 38-7 win at Saint Francis last year. The Dukes scored twice on defense — a pick-six and a fumble return — did not allow a third-down conversion (0-13), and held SFU to just 29 rushing yards and 172 total yards. On offense, Joey Isabella posted a game-high six catches for 94 yards and a touchdown.

Last Time at Rooney: Saint Francis' last visit to Rooney Field in 2023 was also Homecoming & Family Weekend, drawing a crowd of over 3,000. Duquesne built a 31-7 halftime lead. The Red Flash mounted a late comeback, attempting a 45-yard game-tying field goal in the final seconds, which went wide. Joey Isabella led the offense with 116 yards on four catches and a touchdown.

DEFENDING ROONEY
Duquesne is 40-18 all-time in NEC home games, 1-0 this season (34-14 over Stonehill) and went 3-0 last season with wins over LIU, Robert Morris, and Wagner.

The Dukes are 24-7 in home conference games since 2015 and have won four in a row.

BLUFF BITES
Second Quarter Surge: Duquesne has scored 20+ points in the second quarter in back-to-back games and three times this season. The Dukes are averaging 13.5 points per game in the second quarter, their highest-scoring frame of the year.

In the End Zone: Duquesne leads the NEC in scoring at 28.3 points per game with 24 total touchdowns. Against FCS opponents, the Dukes average 33.0 points per game with a 2-1 record.

Offensive Outburst: Duquesne is averaging 462.5 yards of total offense over the last two games and leads the NEC at 360.8 yards per game overall.

Run Game Rulers: The Dukes lead the NEC in both rushing offense (164.0 ypg) and rushing defense (142.0 ypg). DU has rushed for 175+ yards in four of six games, including a season-high 298 vs. New Haven. Four backs have 30+ carries: Ness Davis leads with 349 yards on 49 carries (7.1 avg.), ranking fourth in the NEC in rushing yards and third in yards per carry. Taj Butts ranks eighth (245 yards), while Shawn Solomon, Jr. (183) and Dazhaun Hopkins (120) add to the unit. All four running backs have rushing TDs, while QBs Tyler Riddell and Logan Kushner each have two and WR Ryan Petras has one. Defensively, the Dukes held Stonehill to 91 rushing yards last week — their second opponent under 100 this season.

Riddell Rocket: Graduate transfer QB Tyler Riddell became the second active FCS quarterback to surpass 9,000 career passing yards last week. He leads the NEC in passing touchdowns (14 – 3rd FCS) and passing efficiency (150.9 – 27th FCS), while also ranking 7th nationally in points responsible for (96). Riddell needs 147.2 yards per game over the final six regular season games to reach 10,000 career passing yards. Though he won't appear in Duquesne's career record book as a graduate transfer, only two Dukes in program history have ever reached that mark — Dillon Buechel (10,320, 2013–16) and Niel Loebig (10,254, 2001–04).

Freshman Force: Ryan Petras, a true freshman from Bethel Park (Pa.), caught two touchdowns last week in an NEC Rookie of the Week performance. He has three receiving TDs on four catches this season plus one rushing touchdown on two carries. B.J. Alexander and Daniel Tarabrella each have two receiving TDs, giving DU four receivers with multiple scores.

Veteran Offensive Line: Duquesne's veteran line has combined for nearly 150 career games played among its starters, each with at least four years of college experience. The group has allowed just 1.67 sacks per game, tied for fewest in the NEC.

We'll Take That: The Dukes have five interceptions, tied for most in the NEC. Jabari Odoemenem and Dallas Harper each have two, while Avery Morris added a pick-six vs. New Haven. Harper's interception last week marked three straight games with an INT for the defense. Duquesne has a takeaway in five of six games, including two red-zone interceptions — most in the NEC. Morris' pick-six extended DU's streak to five straight seasons with a defensive touchdown, and he remains the only NEC player this season with an interception return for a touchdown.

Clutch on Fourth: Duquesne led the FCS last season in fourth-down conversions (90%, 18-for-20). This year, the Dukes rank 17th nationally at 69.3% (9-for-13) — second in the NEC.

Pressure Point: Six Dukes have recorded the team's six sacks, while 20 players have combined for 34 tackles for loss. Leaders include Jack Dunkley (4.5 TFL, 1.0 sack), Jabari Odoemenem (4.5 TFL), Avery Morris (4.0 TFL, 1.0 sack), and Kevin Kurzinger (3.0 TFL, 1.0 sack).

Historic Pick-Two: DJ Cerisier's 100-yard interception return of a two-point conversion vs. New Haven was just the third recorded 100-yard defensive extra point return in FCS history, the first since 1992, and the first at any NCAA level since 2002.

Catching History: Graduate WR Joey Isabella ranks tied for second in the FCS and leads the NEC with seven receiving touchdowns, adding one last week. His seven scores are at least three more than any other NEC receiver. Isabella surpassed 2,000 career receiving yards last week, now totaling 2,051 yards. In Duquesne's record book, which lists the top seven in program history, Reggie Harris (1997–2000) is seventh with 2,423 career yards. Isabella's 138 career receptions are five shy of the top seven, with Jeremy Conley (143, 1998–2002) in seventh and Randy Vulakovich (154, 2000–03) fifth. Nehari Crawford owns the program record with 2,719 career receiving yards and 190 receptions (2015–18). To break the program record this regular season, Isabella would need to average 8.7 receptions and 111.3 yards per game. Isabella is also tied for seventh in program history with 24 career touchdown receptions, matching Chris King (2012–15). Michel Warfield (2002–04) ranks fifth with 29, while Reggie Harris (1997-2000) holds the all-time record with 34 career touchdown receptions. This season, Isabella leads the league with 479 receiving yards, ranking 11th in the FCS, and averages 79.8 yards per game. He tied a career high for the third time this season last week with eight receptions and currently averages 6.33 catches per game, which ranks ninth in the FCS.

ACTIVE CAREER LEADERS IN THE FCS
Graduate transfer quarterback Tyler Riddell became just the second active FCS quarterback to surpass 9,000 career passing yards last week. He currently ranks second among active FCS passers with 9,059 yards, trailing only Monmouth's Derek Robertson (10,431). Riddell is also one of just 11 active quarterbacks across all NCAA levels to eclipse the 9,000-yard milestone.

Riddell is second among active FCS quarterbacks in completions (753) and attempts (1,268), making him one of only two quarterbacks above 700 completions and 1,000 attempts. His 69 career touchdown passes rank third among active FCS quarterbacks, while he is second in total touchdowns responsible for (74), including 69 passing and 5 rushing.

Graduate wide receiver Joey Isabella ranks second among active FCS players with 24 career receiving touchdowns and 12th with 138 career receptions. His career yards per catch average of 14.9 is tied for fourth among active FCS players.

Junior defensive lineman Jack Dunkley is tied for third among all active FCS players in forced fumbles per game, averaging 0.18 over his career. He has recorded four forced fumbles in 22 career appearances for the Dukes.

VETERAN LEADERSHIP
Duquesne's roster is anchored by experience, with 11 players having appeared in 40 or more career games, and two more set to reach that milestone this week. Five of these players have competed in all 40+ games at Duquesne. LEGENDARY COACH
Head Coach Jerry Schmitt's 131 FCS wins rank third among active FCS coaches. He is one of six active FCS coaches with 150 or more career victories and will vie for career win #160 this week, which would make him one of five active FCS coaches to reach that milestone.

Schmitt passed Dan McCann last season to become the longest-tenured coach in program history. McCann led the Dukes for 19 seasons (1970–83, 1988–92). Now in his 32nd season on the Duquesne staff, Schmitt spent 11 years as an assistant across three stints (1985–87, 1992, 1993–99) before being named head coach in 2005. The Pittsburgh native is the longest tenured coach in the NEC and second-longest tenured active FCS coach (21st season at DUQ / 26th overall).

STREAK SPOTLIGHT
WR Joey Isabella – Multiple receptions in 15 straight; tied career high with 8 last week … TD catch in 2 straight and 4 of last 5.

WR B.J. Alexander – Multiple receptions in 5 straight; extended with 2 catches last week.

WR Jermaine Johnson – Multiple receptions in 3 straight and 5 of 6; extended with 2 catches last week.

RB Ness Davis – Team rushing leader in 3 straight; 100+ yards in 2 of last 3.

QB Tyler Riddell – 15+ completions, 200+ yards, 3 TD passes in back-to-back games.

DL Adrian Ramirez – TFL in 3 straight and 4 of last 5. 

LB Jabari Odoemenem – TFL in 2 straight and 4 of last 5.

DL Jack Dunkley – TFL in 2 straight and 5 of 6 this season.

TRENDS TO NOTE
Duquesne is 15-0 since 2023 when scoring more than 30 points (3-0 in 2025: 55-14 vs. Lincoln, 44-18 vs. New Haven, 34-14 vs. Stonehill).

The Dukes are 12-0 when leading after the first quarter (1-0 in 2025 after a 14-0 first-quarter lead vs. Lincoln).

DUQ - SFU CONNECTION
Duquesne offensive coordinator Anthony Doria was a record-setting quarterback at Saint Francis, where he graduated in 2007. The 2005 NEC Offensive Player of the Year, Doria threw for a then-conference record 8,544 passing yards during his career.

UP NEXT
Duquesne will embark on its longest end-of-season road stretch since 1990, playing four of its final games away from home. Next Saturday, the Dukes travel to Mercyhurst for a 6 p.m. kickoff in Erie, Pa.

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 Thursday at 11:30 p.m. Quarterback Tyler RIddell is the player guest. Visit sportsnetpittsburgh.com for viewing information.

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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