Bridgewater, N.J. – Duquesne University defensive back
DJ Cerisier and running back
Ness Davis were named to the 2026 Preseason All-Northeast Conference Team, while the Dukes were selected to finish second in the NEC Preseason Coaches' Poll,
the league announced Monday.
Duquesne enters the 2026 season following a 7-5 campaign in 2025, including a 5-2 mark in NEC play and a second-place finish in the final league standings.
The Dukes have won seven NEC championships since 2011 and made three FCS Playoff appearances since 2015. Duquesne has posted 27 winning seasons in 33 years at the FCS level, including 10 winning campaigns in the last 11 seasons.
The selection marks the 16th consecutive season Duquesne has been picked among the top three teams in the NEC Preseason Coaches' Poll. The Dukes received two first-place votes and have earned at least one first-place vote in 15 of the last 16 preseason polls.
PRESEASON ALL-NEC SELECTIONS
DJ Cerisier (R-Jr., DB – Cheltenham, Pa.)
Cerisier earns Preseason All-NEC recognition after back-to-back second-team all-conference selections. The redshirt junior defensive back returns for his fourth season with the Dukes and enters the year riding a streak of 23 consecutive starts. A key contributor in the Duquesne secondary, Cerisier led the team with nine passes defended in 2025, recording one interception and eight pass breakups. He also forced a fumble on a scoop-and-score against Saint Francis and registered a career-high 24 tackles.
Ness Davis (Sr., RB – Athens, Ga.)
Davis adds to his preseason recognition entering the 2026 season, earning a spot on the Preseason All-NEC Team along with a selection to the Walter Payton Award Preseason Watch List, which honors the FCS National Offensive Player of the Year. He was also recognized among the top returning running backs in the FCS by Hero Sports. Entering his second season with Duquesne and fifth year of collegiate football, Davis earned second-team All-NEC honors in 2025 after rushing for 927 yards on 144 carries over 12 games. He ranked third in the NEC in rushing yards and finished 11th nationally in the FCS with an average of 6.4 yards per carry, recording two rushing touchdowns on runs of 20 and 59 yards. Across 32 career games, Davis has totaled 1,412 rushing yards and five touchdowns.
2026 SEASON
Head coach
Jerry Schmitt enters his 22nd season leading the Duquesne football program and his 33rd season overall on the Dukes' staff. The longest-tenured head coach in the FCS, Schmitt enters the season with 135 career victories at the FCS level, the most among active coaches.
Duquesne opens the 2026 campaign on Sept. 5 at Air Force, beginning a stretch of three consecutive road games to start the season. The opening slate includes two matchups against FBS opponents and a nationally televised contest on USA Network at Washington State in Week 3, with a road matchup at Youngstown State between the two.
The Dukes will host their home opener on Sept. 26 against Rio Grande (Ohio) at Rooney Field. Duquesne begins NEC play on Oct. 10, hosting LIU as part of Homecoming and Family Weekend.
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Full schedule here
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2026 NEC FOOTBALL PRESEASON COACHES' POLL
1. Central Connecticut (6)
2. Duquesne (2)
3. LIU
4. Wagner
5. Mercyhurst
6. Robert Morris
7. Stonehill
8. New Haven
* First-place votes in parentheses ( ).
* Chicago State is not eligible for the regular-season title in 2026.
* Mercyhurst and New Haven are not eliglble for the NEC's AQ to the FCS Playoffs.
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