01

LEGENDARY LEADER

Head coach Jerry Schmitt enters his 22nd season at the helm of Duquesne in 2026, making him the longest-tenured head coach in the FCS. A three-time finalist for FCS Coach of the Year, Schmitt is also the winningest active head coach in the FCS with 135 victories at the FCS level. Under Schmitt, Duquesne has posted 17 winning seasons in 21 years and captured 10 conference championships, including three MAAC titles and seven NEC crowns.

02

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.

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.

03

WE'LL TAKE THAT

The Duquesne defense closed 2025 with at least one takeaway in nine consecutive games, finishing with a +2 turnover margin on 14 takeaways — four fumble recoveries, one muffed punt and nine interceptions. The Dukes recorded an interception in each FBS matchup.

Duquesne replaces nine of 11 defensive starters from a year ago and enters 2026 with first-year defensive coordinator Bill Nesselt leading a new-look unit. Four new coaches join the defensive staff: Associate Head Coach Greg Gattuso, cornerbacks coach Aamir Hall, defensive line coach Anton Juncaj and Nesselt.

04

DUKES VS. THE ARMED FORCES

While Duquesne has never faced Air Force, the Dukes did meet a U.S. military-affiliated team once previously. In 1942, Duquesne closed the season with a 13-0 victory over the Lakehurst Naval Air Base football team in front of 8,083 fans at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh on Thanksgiving Day. Forrest Hall and Joe Goode each scored touchdowns for the Dukes, who finished the season 6-3-1.

From 1933-42, Duquesne posted a 71-22-2 record (.762 winning percentage), ranking sixth nationally during the 10-year span behind Alabama, Tennessee, Duke, Fordham and Notre Dame.

DB • #2

Cerisier is a two-time All-NEC defensive back who led the Dukes with nine passes defended in 2025, recording eight pass breakups and one interception. He enters the 2026 season with a 23-game starting streak.

RB • #32

Davis earned Second Team All-NEC honors in his first season with the Dukes in 2025. He ranked third in the NEC with 927 rushing yards and 11th nationally in the FCS, averaging 6.4 yards per carry, while scoring two rushing touchdowns.

In addition to his Preseason All-NEC selection, senior running back Ness Davis was named to the Walter Payton Award Preseason Watch List, which recognizes the top offensive player in the FCS. Davis was also recognized by HERO Sports as one of the FCS' top returning running backs.