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 12 of 24 passes for 240 yards and a touchdown while accounting for both Duquesne scores. He connected with Myles Walker for an 18-yard touchdown to cap a seven-play, 71-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 14 tackles, tying a career-best mark, adding 2.0 tackles for loss and half a sack. Duquesne posted eight tackles for loss and two sacks. Bernard Blakey also charted 2.0 tackles for loss and was in on a pair of sacks for 1.0 total.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Dukes received the opening kickoff and covered 71 yards in seven plays finding the endzone to take an early lead. Carson Camp completed four passes on the drive, including a 16-yard connection with Myles Walker and a 27-yard completion to Khiryn Boyd on back-to-back plays. Three plays later, Camp connected with Walker for an 18-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. Stonehill missed a 36-yard field goal attempt as the half expired.

After a Skyhawk three-and-out 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. Will Martin forced a fumble that Stonehill recovered to set up the first fourth-down stop, as the Dukes took over after an incomplete pass on fourth-and-3 at the Duquesne 26. On the Skyhawks' next possession, Nico Pate stuffed the running back on third-and-3 to set up another fourth-down stop, with Duquesne forcing another incomplete pass on fourth-and-2 at their own 21.

The Duquesne defense continued to deliver with 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 III 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-5 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 now 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 240-173 and outgained the Skyhawks 311-258. Carson Camp finished 12-for-24 for 240 yards and accounted for both touchdowns with a 18-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.
• Senior Luke Miller tied a career-best with a game-high 14 tackles, sophomore Jeff Banks had a career-high 10 (7 solo), and senior Nico Pate tallied a career-high eight. Carter Lance (4) and Cam Frazier (3) also posted career-best tackle marks.
• Duquesne recorded seven or more tackles for loss for the third consecutive game. Miller and Blakey each recorded a career-high 2.0 tackles for loss, while Lance, Banks (first career TFL) and Pate each had 1.0. Fields and Jones (first career TFL) added 0.5 apiece. Blakey recorded two half-sacks, teaming up with Miller for the first sack of Miller's career and with Fields for the other half-sack.
• First career interception for James Monds III, plus a career-best three pass breakups.
• Myles Walker caught three passes for 65 yards and a touchdown, including grabs for 16, 18 and a career-long 27 yards.
• 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 42 receiving yards on one catch, a third-and-7 reception in the fourth quarter.
• Shawn Solomon, Jr. led the rushing attack with 40 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