Pittsburgh, Pa. – The Duquesne University football program has finalized its
2026 schedule.
The Dukes will play 11 games, including four non-conference contests and seven straight Northeast Conference (NEC) games to close the season. Two of the non-conference matchups will come against FBS opponents. Duquesne is set to host five games at Rooney Field, with the home opener scheduled for Sept. 26 against Rio Grande (Ohio).
The season begins on Sept. 5 at Air Force, the first of three consecutive road games to open the year. Duquesne will make a short trip to Youngstown State on Sept. 12 before returning out west to face Washington State on Sept. 19. The Dukes conclude non-conference play with their home opener against Rio Grande on Sept. 26, which will also serve as Senior Day.
The four-game non-conference slate accompanies the
seven-game NEC schedule, which was announced in early March. The Oct. 10 conference opener against LIU will be part of Homecoming and Family Weekend on the Bluff.
Ticket information for the 2026 season will be announced soon.
Duquesne finished 7-5 overall and 5-2 in NEC play last season, securing its 27th winning record in 33 seasons at the FCS level. The Dukes have posted 10 winning seasons in the last 11 years dating back to 2015. Duquesne placed second in the NEC standings and has finished in the top two five times over the past six seasons.
SCHEDULE NOTES
Marks the sixth consecutive season facing two FBS opponents (Air Force, Washington State) and the seventh time since 2018 ... Will be the program's 14th and 15th all-time matchups against FBS opponents ... Latest home opener since 2017 (Sept. 30 vs. West Virginia Wesleyan) ... Ninth consecutive full season facing a non-Division I opponent (Rio Grande) ... Three of four non-conference opponents are first-time opponents (Air Force, Washington State, Rio Grande) ... Opens NEC play at home for the third straight season; third time in the last four years facing LIU in the conference opener ... Second time in three years the regular season ends at Central Connecticut State ... Five home games mark the third straight season with at least five contests at Rooney Field, the longest such streak since 2008–16
2026 DUQUESNE FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
*NEC game
DUQ OVERALL RECORD VS. 2026 OPPONENTS: 56-35-1
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