PITTSBURGH – Duquesne hosts New Haven on Saturday at Rooney Field to open a three-game homestand and and complete their non-conference slate.
THE MATCHUP
September 27, 2025 • 12:00 PM • Rooney Field (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
Duquesne Dukes (1-3, 0-0 NEC)
New Haven Chargers (2-2)
ADDITIONAL INFO / GAMEDAY LINKS
- FAN INFO
- FOLLOW LIVE
- GAME NOTES
- COACH'S SHOW
OPENING KICKOFF
Non-Conference Finale: Duquesne (1-3) wraps up non-conference play this week by hosting New Haven (2-2), the NEC's newest member. The Chargers will join the league in football next season and are competing in all other NEC sports this year. This marks the first time since 2018 that Duquesne is hosting a second FCS non-conference opponent at home, when Valparaiso and Dayton visited the Bluff. The game begins a three-game homestand for the Dukes, who open NEC play next week against Stonehill before hosting Saint Francis on Homecoming and Family Weekend.
NEC Prime Performer: Running back
Ness Davis earned NEC Prime Performer honors after rushing for 102 yards on 11 carries at FBS Akron. His outing was highlighted by a 74-yard burst — the longest run in the NEC last week and second-longest this season — that set up Duquesne's lone touchdown. The game marked his first 100-yard performance as a Duke and the second of his career.
Last Time Out: Duquesne dropped a 51-7 decision at FBS Akron. Sophomore quarterback
Logan Kushner scored on a one-yard run in the third quarter, his second rushing touchdown in as many weeks, set up by Davis' 74-yard gain. Davis finished with 102 yards on 11 carries for his first 100-yard game as a Duke. Shawn Solomon Jr. added 65 yards on 11 attempts, including a 34-yard run. Defensively, linebacker
Jabari Odoemenem recorded his first career interception, while
Antonio Epps led the team with seven tackles in his return from injury. It was the Dukes' first-ever meeting with Akron and their second FBS matchup this season. Duquesne has now faced multiple FBS opponents in five straight years.
New Haven Scout: After opening the season with losses at Marist (31-14) and Mercyhurst (48-14), New Haven has rebounded with back-to-back wins over Albany (24-17) and Division II Saginaw Valley State (35-28). Saturday's game will be the Chargers' fourth road contest of the season. New Haven averages 21.8 points and 337 yards per game while allowing 31.0 points and 444 yards. QB AJ Duffy has passed for over 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns. Five receivers have scored, four with multiple TDs, led by Joshua Tracey with three. Ten of the team's 12 touchdowns have come through the air. Defensively, New Haven has 10 sacks while allowing just three, figures that would both lead the NEC. Their 251.5 passing yards per game would top the league, while 262.8 passing yards allowed would rank last in the NEC.
BLUFF BITES
In the Endzone: Duquesne's 13 touchdowns are the most in the NEC. The Dukes average 23.0 points per game, tied for the conference lead.
Pressure Point: Five Dukes have combined for five sacks, while 17 different players have accounted for 23.0 tackles for loss.
Jack Dunkley (3.5),
Jabari Odoemenem (2.5) and
Kevin Kurzinger (2.5) lead the way.
Balanced Backfield: Three Dukes have topped 100 rushing yards this season and four have 20 or more carries.
Ness Davis leads with 154 yards on 26 attempts after last week's 100-yard performance. Shawn Solomon Jr. has 146 yards on 31 carries,
Taj Butts 103 yards on 22 attempts, and Dazhuan Hopkins 72 yards on 23 carries. Davis' 5.9 yards per rush ranks sixth in the NEC, and his 74-yard burst at Akron was the second-longest run in the league this season.
Air Attack: QB
Tyler Riddell is the NEC's most efficient passer with a 140.8 efficiency rating. His eight touchdown passes are second in the conference and 10th in the FCS.
Milestone Watch: WR
Joey Isabella is 95 yards shy of 2,000 career receiving yards and is one of just two active NEC players with more than 1,500 career yards. This season, Isabella ranks 14th in the FCS with 6.0 receptions per game and 15th nationally with 333 receiving yards. He is also top 20 in both touchdown catches (3) and receiving yards per game (83.3). His three touchdowns are tied for the NEC lead, while his other marks rank second in the conference.
DEFENDING ROONEY
Duquesne is 51-13 all-time in non-conference home games at Rooney Field, including a 27-2 mark since 2008.
Under Schmitt, the Dukes are 34-4 in non-conference home games.
TRENDS TO NOTE
Dating to 2023, Duquesne is 13-0 when scoring more than 30 points and 12-0 when leading after the first quarter. This season, the Dukes are 1-0 in both categories, highlighted by a 55-14 win over Lincoln (Pa.) and a 14-0 first-quarter lead in Week 2.
STREAK SPOTLIGHT
WR
Joey Isabella – Has recorded multiple receptions in 13 consecutive games, a streak extended with two catches at Akron.
QB
Logan Kushner – Has scored on a one-yard rushing touchdown in back-to-back games, the first two touchdowns of his career.
LB
Ethon Cole – Has recorded 3+ tackles in every game this season, including three last week. He has posted a season-high six stops twice (at Pitt, vs. Lehigh).
UP NEXT
Duquesne opens Northeast Conference play next Saturday at Rooney Field, hosting Stonehill with a noon kickoff.
Purchase tickets here.
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 4:30 PM. Team captain and starting center
Cameron McLaurin 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),
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Facebook (@DuqFB).
