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Duquesne fb defensive line vs. YSU 2026
Dylan Kickler

GAME 3: Dukes Head West for National TV Matchup at Washington State

9/16/2026 12:00:00 PM

DUQUESNE FOOTBALL
GAME 3
Saturday, Sept. 19 • 3:30 PM (ET)
DUQUESNE DUKES
0-2 (0-0 NEC)
VS.
WASHINGTON STATE COUGARS
0-2 (0-0 Pac-12)
LOCATION
Gesa Field
Pullman, Wash.
TELEVISION
Guy Haberman (pxp)
Alex Brink (analyst)
Kate Harrison (sideline)
RADIO
Alex Panormios (pxp - 32nd season)
Tim Benz (analyst)
Jack McVay (sideline)
DUQUESNE GAME NOTES WASHINGTON STATE GAME NOTES
NEC conference NOTES LIVE STATS
SETTING THE SCENE
ON THE ROAD AGAIN 

Duquesne wraps up a three-game road trip against two FBS opponents and a top-10 FCS program with a cross-country trip to Pullman, Washington, for a nationally televised matchup against Washington State on USA Network. Both teams are in search of their first win of the season. Carson Camp and Ryan Petras connected on a 22-yard touchdown pass last week at No. 10 Youngstown State for the Dukes' first touchdown of the season, while Ness Davis earned NEC Prime Performer honors after rushing for 88 yards. Davis ranks second in the NEC, averaging 60 yards per game through two weeks. Washington State opened the season with losses at No. 17 Washington (24-10) and Kansas State (34-7), with quarterback Caden Pinnick accounting for the Cougars' lone offensive touchdown, an 11-yard rush at Washington, and Jaylen Thomas leading the defense with two interceptions last week, including a 50-yard pick-six, to earn Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week honors.

GAME NOTES
Notes to Know
01
ROAD TRIPPIN'
It is just the third time as an FCS program and the sixth time in the 99 seasons of Duquesne football that the Dukes have opened a season with three consecutive road games — 2024 (at Toledo, at Boston College, at No. 21/20 Youngstown State), 2017 (at No. 4 South Dakota State, Valparaiso and Dayton), 1950, 1949 (4 straight), and 1925.
02
WHAT TIME IS IT?
The trip to Pullman marks Duquesne's second game outside the Eastern Time Zone in three weeks and just the third time the Dukes have played two games outside the Eastern Time Zone in the same season. Previously in 2018, more than two months apart, Duquesne played at Hawai'i on Sept. 22 and at South Dakota State in the second round of the FCS Playoffs on Dec. 1, and opened the 2017 season with back-to-back trips to the Central Time Zone at South Dakota State and Valparaiso.
03
LEGENDARY LEADER
Jerry Schmitt, a Pittsburgh native, is in his 22nd season leading the Dukes; 
  • Longest tenured head coach in the FCS (22nd season)
  • Most overall head-coaching seasons among active FCS coaches (27th season)
  • 135 wins at Duquesne — most wins at FCS level among active head coaches
  • 163 career overall wins — one of three active FCS coaches with over 160
  • 21st among active coaches (all NCAA levels) in career wins (163)
  • 33rd season on Duquesne staff (11 years as assistant, 7 years as OC)
  • Became Duquesne HC in 2005 after 5 seasons as HC at alma mater, Westminster
  • Led Duquesne transition into the NEC and FCS scholarship football
  • 17 seasons at Duquesne with a .500 or better record ... 16 with a winning mark.
  • 10 conference championships as HC (7 in NEC, 3 in MAAC)
  • 3 FCS Playoff appearances (all since 2015)
  • 4 conference coach of the year honors (2 in NEC, 2 in MAAC)
  • 3-time finalist for FCS Coach of the Year
  • Finished top 2 in the NEC standings in 9 of last 11 seasons.
04
ROSTER TURNOVER
Of Duquesne's 14 All-NEC selections in 2025, just two return in 2026 — Second Team running back Ness Davis and Second Team defensive back DJ Cerisier. Ten graduated and two transferred. Only four players who started six or more games last season return: offensive starters Kahini Austin (RG) and Daniel Tarabrella (TE), and defensive backs Cerisier and Dallas Harper. Among the defensive and offensive lines, 368 career games played graduated or transferred from the 2025 roster.

The Dukes' 2026 roster features 39 newcomers, including 13 transfers. Despite the turnover, Duquesne returns both 2025 NEC Rookie of the Year honorees, with Ryan Petras earning Offensive Rookie of the Year and Caleb Jones taking Defensive Rookie of the Year. Duquesne has won each of the last two Offensive Rookie of the Year awards, with Shawn Solomon, Jr. earning the honor in 2024 and Petras in 2025.
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.
49
Matt CLARK DRAINED A CAREER-LONG 49-YARD FIELD GOAL LAST WEEK, THE SECOND-LONGEST IN DUQUESNE PROGRAM HISTORY BEHIND CHARLIE LEVENTRY'S 51-YARD MAKE IN 2021.
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 2 NEC PRIME PERFORMER
RB • #32
Davis was named to the Walter Payton Award Preseason Watch List, which recognizes the top offensive player in the FCS. Davis also earned Preseason All-NEC honors and was recognized by HERO Sports as one of the FCS' top returning running backs. A 2025 Second Team All-NEC selection, Davis rushed for 927 yards and two touchdowns last season. Last week, Davis ran for 88 yards on 11 carries at No. 10 Youngstown State to earn an NEC Prime Performer honor, highlighted by a 36-yard run that featured a hurdle over a defender and helped set up points on the opening drive..
THE SERIES
Series History
  • Three of four non-conference opponents are first-time opponents (Air Force, Washington State, Rio Grande)
All-Time Series First meeting
vs. Pac-12 First meeting
vs. FBS Opponents 15th all-time FBS opponent (Defeated Ohio in 2021)
WEEKLY COACHES SHOW
WEEK 3 AIRING
Thursday, Sept. 17 • 7:00 PM • SportsNet Pittsburgh+
FEATURING
Head Coach Jerry Schmitt & Player Guest: Matt Clark (Gr., K)
 
 
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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