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Duquesne University Athletics

Football takes the field for 2026 home opener
Brandon Reed

GAME 5: Dukes Open NEC Play on Homecoming and Family Weekend

10/8/2026 12:00:00 PM

DUQUESNE FOOTBALL
GAME 5
Saturday, Oct. 10 • 1:00 PM
Homecoming & Family Weekend
LIU SHARKS
1-5 (1-0 NEC)
VS.
DUQUESNE DUKES
1-3 (0-0 NEC)
LOCATION
Pittsburgh, Pa.
TELEVISION
Tim Benz (pxp)
Ellis Cannon (analyst)
RADIO
Colton DeBiase (pxp)
Josh Taylor (analyst)
Jack McVay (sideline)
TICKETS DUQUESNE GAME NOTES
NEC conference NOTES LIVE STATS
DIGITAL PROGRAM
SETTING THE SCENE
CONFERENCE OPENER

Duquesne (1-3) hosts LIU (1-5, 1-0) in its NEC opener. The Dukes are 15-3 in NEC openers since joining in 2008, including 10-1 at home, and have won six of their last seven overall. It marks the third consecutive season opening NEC play at home and the third time in the last four seasons that Duquesne has faced LIU in its conference opener. The Dukes defeated the Sharks, 47-21, at home in 2024 and won, 31-28, at LIU in 2023.

GAME NOTES
Notes to Know
01
NEC SUCCESS
The Dukes are 67-30 in NEC play since 2011, the most wins in the league by at least 20 victories (CCSU, 47), with seven conference titles and three FCS Playoff appearances.
02
DEFENDING ROONEY
Duquesne ...
  • Is 42-18 all-time in NEC contests at Rooney Field and 25-7 since 2015.
  • Has won six straight NEC home games, with 3-0 marks each of the last two seasons.
  • Owns 11 wins in its last 12 overall games at Rooney Field.
  • Is 10-1 in NEC Openers at home ... 15-3 overall in NEC openers since joining in '08.
  • Is 15-5 in Homecoming games under head coach Jerry Schmitt (since 2005), with homecoming wins in three straight seasons and five of the last six.
03
19TH STRAIGHT HOME-OPENING WIN
Duquesne scored on five of its first six possessions and cruised to its 19th consecutive home-opening victory last time out on Sept. 26 against Rio Grande (NAIA) at Rooney Field. All seven touchdowns were scored by different players. Carson Camp completed 16 of 21 passes for 211 yards and three touchdowns, tying his career high, with touchdown passes to Ness Davis, Zae-Mear Correll and Khiryn Boyd. On the ground, Shawn Solomon, Jr., Myles Walker, Dazhaun Hopkins and Cam Oliver each added a rushing touchdown. Oliver led the Dukes with a career-best 125 yards rushing as Duquesne outgained Rio Grande, 500-23, including a 251-to-minus-five advantage on the ground. The defense recorded 13 tackles for loss and four sacks, while Zion Patillo added a safety after recording back-to-back sacks and a tackle for loss on the same drive. Patillo finished with career highs of five tackles and four tackles for loss to go with two sacks, a safety and a fumble recovery. Matt Marcinko chipped in a 29-yard field goal to round out the scoring.
04
RUSHING LEADERS FACE OFF
Duquesne and LIU own the top two rushing offenses in the NEC entering Week 6. The Dukes lead the conference at 143.5 yards per game, followed by LIU at 135.5.
BY THE NUMBERS
#2
DUQUESNE'S SLOT IN THE NEC PRESEASON COACHES POLL, THE 16TH CONSECUTIVE SEASON VOTED IN THE TOP THREE. THE DUKES HAVE FINISHED TOP TWO IN THE FINAL STANDINGS IN NINE OF THE LAST 11 SEASONS.
18
IN THE DUKES' FCS ERA (33 SEASONS), DUQUESNE HAS WON 18 CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS (11 MAAC, 7 NEC) AND MADE THREE NCAA FCS PLAYOFF APPEARANCES.
30
Duquesne is 19-0 since 2023 when scoring more than 30 points.
52
Duquesne features 52 Pennsylvania natives on its 102-man roster, including 37 players who graduated from high schools in the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL).
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT
Week 4 NEC PRIME PERFORMERS
QB • #18
The graduate transfer made his Rooney Field debut with three touchdowns, tying his career high, all in the first half to help the Dukes build a 34-0 halftime lead en route to a 53-0 win over Rio Grande. Camp finished 16-for-21 for 211 yards, with all three touchdown passes going to different receivers for their first career touchdown catches.
DL • #44
Patillo headlined a Duquesne defense that recorded its seventh shutout in the last seven seasons with a safety in the third quarter of the home-opening victory on his Senior Day. He recorded three straight tackles for loss on the drive, including back-to-back sacks of 11 and 7 yards before breaking through the middle of the line for a third consecutive TFL in the end zone. The safety was Duquesne's first since 2021. Patillo finished with career highs of five tackles and four tackles for loss, along with two sacks, a safety and a fumble recovery.
THE SERIES
Series History
All-Time Series vs. LIU Overall: DUQ leads 5-2
At Rooney Field: DUQ leads 3-1
Last Meeting: 11.8.25 - LIU W, 29-11 
Duquesne in NEC Openers Overall: 15-3
At Rooney Field: 10-1
WEEKLY COACHES SHOW
AIRs
Thursday, Oct. 8 • 5:00 PM • SportsNet Pittsburgh
FEATURING
Head Coach Jerry Schmitt & Player Guest: Adrian Ramirez (Sr., DL)
 
STAY CONNECTED
Follow the Dukes
Follow @DuqFB on social media and visit GoDuquesne.com for the latest updates, highlights and full coverage of the 2026 season.

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