Duquesne University Athletics

North Easton, Mass. – The Duquesne University football team earned a 14-7 road victory over Stonehill on Saturday for its first NEC win of the season.

The Dukes scored on the opening possession of both halves, while the defense held the Skyhawks scoreless after halftime to secure the victory and even their conference record at 1-1.

Carson Camp completed 11 of 23 passes for 243 yards and a touchdown while accounting for both Duquesne scores. He connected with Myles Walker for a 20-yard touchdown to cap a six-play, 70-yard opening drive before adding a five-yard touchdown run on the Dukes' first possession of the second half. Stonehill tied the game early in the second quarter, sending it to halftime knotted at 7-7.

The Duquesne defense forced turnovers on downs on back-to-back possessions in its own territory and followed with a three-and-out before James Monds III recorded the first interception of his career with 3:14 remaining. The Dukes then picked up a pair of first downs before a roughing-the-passer penalty on fourth-and-4 with 14 seconds remaining allowed them to retain possession and kneel out the victory.

Luke Miller led all players — for the second consecutive week — with a season-best 12 tackles, adding a tackle for loss and half a sack. Duquesne posted nine tackles for loss and two sacks, with Bernard Blakey leading the way with 2.5 tackles for loss and one sack.

HOW IT HAPPENED
A 28-yard kickoff return by Cam Frazier gave Duquesne possession at its own 30-yard line to open the game. The Dukes covered 70 yards in six plays to take an early lead. Carson Camp completed three passes on the drive, including an 18-yard connection with Myles Walker to reach midfield and a 27-yard completion to Khiryn Boyd. Three plays later, Camp connected with Walker for a 20-yard touchdown on third down.

The defensive battle ensued as Duquesne allowed just eight yards over Stonehill's first two possessions. The Skyhawks answered with a 13-play, 64-yard drive spanning the end of the first quarter and the start of the second to tie the game at 7-7. The teams traded punts before Stonehill missed a 33-yard field goal attempt, sending the game into halftime tied.

After a Skyhawk three-and-out to opened the second half, Duquesne put together a scoring drive to take a 14-7 lead with 11:19 remaining in the third quarter. Camp connected with former Skyhawk Noah Canty for a 27-yard gain on the first play of the possession to move the Dukes into the red zone. Four plays later, Camp scored on a five-yard run for his second rushing touchdown of the season.

Stonehill moved inside the Duquesne 30-yard line on each of its next two possessions but came away empty-handed. Luke Miller forced a fumble that Stonehill recovered to set up the first fourth-down stop, as the Dukes forced an incomplete pass on fourth-and-3 at the Duquesne 26. On the Skyhawks' next possession, Nico Pate tackled the running back for no gain on third-and-2 to set up another fourth-down stop, with Duquesne forcing an incomplete pass on fourth-and-2 at the 21.

The Duquesne defense continued to deliver, forcing a three-and-out before Stonehill took over after a fumble recovery at its own 40-yard line with 3:47 remaining and the Dukes holding a seven-point lead. On the first play of the possession, James Monds intercepted a pass to give Duquesne the ball back.

Shawn Solomon, Jr. rushed for a pair of first downs to help Duquesne run down the clock. On fourth-and-4 with 14 seconds remaining, Camp rolled out and drew a roughing-the-passer penalty to extend the drive. The Dukes retained possession and kneeled out the 14-7 victory.

NOTES

• Duquesne and Stonehill are both 1-1 in NEC play.
• The Dukes improved to 3-2 all-time against Stonehill and have won three straight meetings. Duquesne also improved to 14-5 in its first NEC road game of the season, winning its fourth straight.
• Duquesne outpassed Stonehill 243-173 and outgained the Skyhawks 313-258. Carson Camp finished 11-for-23 for 243 yards and accounted for both touchdowns with a 20-yard scoring pass to Walker and a five-yard touchdown run.
• Defense held Stonehill to 2-of-13 on third downs and had two fourth-down stops in the second half, both inside the Duquesne 30-yard line.
• Luke Miller led all players with 12 tackles, career-high seven for Jeff Banks, and career-best five for Carter Lance. Nico Pate also had five tackles, while Zion Patillo and Bernard Blakey recorded four each, with Blakey tying his career high.
• Duquesne recorded seven or more tackles for loss for the third consecutive game. Blakey led the way with a career-high 2.5 tackles for loss, followed by Patillo (1.5), Dashawn Fields (1.5), Miller (1.0), Lance (1.0), Pate (1.0) and Caleb Jones (0.5, the first of his career). Fields and Miller combined for a sack, giving Fields a sack in consecutive games and Miller the first sack of his career.
• First career interception for James Monds III.
• Myles Walker caught three passes for 65 yards, including an 18-yard reception and a 20-yard touchdown on the opening scoring drive, along with a career-long 27-yard catch.
• Khiryn Boyd hauled in two receptions for 55 yards on catches of 28 and 27 yards. All five of his receptions this season have gone for more than 20 yards.
• Antwon Thomas recorded a career-high 44 receiving yards on one catch, a third-and-7 reception in the fourth quarter.
• Shawn Solomon, Jr. led the rushing attack with 42 yards on 12 carries

UP NEXT
Duquesne hosts Wagner in NEC action at Rooney Field next Saturday. Kickoff is set for noon.

POSTGAME INTERVIEWS
Head Coach Jerry Schmitt


Luke Miller


HIGHLIGHTS