PITTSBURGH – In an intracity matchup between NCAA Division I levels, FCS member Duquesne faced the city's FBS program, Pittsburgh, for the first time since 1939 in front of 53,006 fans — the largest crowd for a Duquesne football game since the program's reinstatement in 1969. The Panthers pulled away for a 61-9 win Saturday at Acrisure Stadium to open the 2025 season.
Graduate transfer
B.J. Alexander hauled in his first touchdown as a Duke on a seven-yard strike from
Tyler Riddell midway through the second quarter to cut the deficit to 14-6. The scoring drive was set up by a 59-yard connection between Riddell and
Joey Isabella, who tied a career high with eight catches for 120 yards. It marked Isabella's second consecutive 100-yard receiving game, dating back to last year's finale, and the fourth of his career.
Riddell finished 14-of-23 for 154 yards and a touchdown.
Matt Marcinko added his first career field goal on an eight-play, 33-yard drive engineered by
Logan Kushner early in the fourth quarter.
Defensively,
Dallas Harper recorded his first interception as a Duke in the end zone to halt a Pitt scoring chance early in the second quarter, extending the Dukes' streak of games with a takeaway to 11 straight.
Jack Dunkley notched Duquesne's lone sack and led with two tackles for loss.
Pitt opened the scoring with an 88-yard punt return in the first quarter and later scored on eight of its final 10 possessions to pull away for the win.
NOTES
- First meeting between Pitt and Duquesne since 1939 … Panthers now lead the all-time series, 6-2.
- Pitt was the 12th FBS opponent in Duquesne program history (now 1-11) ... Duquesne will face a second FBS opponent this season on Sept. 20 at Akron.
- The 53,006 announced attendance at Acrisure Stadium marked the largest crowd for a Duquesne football game since the program's reinstatement in 1969, topping the 51,207 at Florida State in 2022.
- Joey Isabella posted his fourth career 100-yard game and tied a career high with eight receptions (also at Ohio in 2021) … had a long catch of 59 yards.
- Eight Dukes recorded at least one reception, with Jermaine Johnson (3 for 21 yards) also finishing with multiple grabs.
- Taj Butts led the rushing attack with 10 carries for 38 yards, including a 17-yard gain on Duquesne's first offensive play … Butts, Ness Davis (11 yards), and Kushner (10 yards) all had double-digit runs.
- Logan Kushner completed 3-of-4 passes for 17 yards and added 10 rushing yards in second-half action at quarterback.
- Dallas Harper recorded the first interception of his career.
- Jack Dunkley extended his streak of games with a tackle for loss to seven.
- Ethon Cole, Quan Rhodes-McKee, and Caleb Jones each tallied a team-high six tackles … career high for Cole and first career stops for Rhodes-McKee and Jones.
POSTGAME PRESS CONFERENCES / QUOTES
Head Coach Jerry Schmitt
Joey Isabella
Ken Gormley, President Duquesne University
"Today's Duquesne-Pitt football game was a huge win for the city, the region and both Universities. The pre-game tail-gates were swarming with fans and alums from both schools (plenty of people have degrees from both schools and family members who are grads of both Pitt and Duquesne). Even though FBS(Pitt) and FCS (Duquesne) football match-ups can sometimes be totally lopsided, Duquesne held its own and delivered an exciting game for a packed Acrisure Stadium. And it was a wonderful experience for the players of both teams to take the field where the Steelers play. Duquesne wasn't afraid to step up and play this game to bring back a rivalry that last saw the teams play in 1939. Now let's hope Pitt will play Duquesne the City Game in Men's Basketball again! It's another great tradition for the City and both schools - and the fans — want to see this great tradition continue. The nation is watching Pittsburgh come alive on many fronts - and college athletics is one of them. It was a proud day for everyone in the City, no matter which team they cheered on. Go Dukes! Let's Go Pitt!"
Ken Gormley
President, Duquesne University
UP NEXT
Duquesne hosts Lincoln (Pa.) in its home opener next Saturday, Sept. 6, at noon on Rooney Field. Senior Day festivities will take place prior to kickoff. Purchase tickets here.
FOLLOW THE DUKES
Follow Duquesne football online all season at GoDuquesne.com, as well as on X (Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook (@DuqFB).
