01

HOME OPENER HISTORY

The Dukes have won 18 consecutive home openers and 26 of their last 27, including a 20-1 mark under head coach Jerry Schmitt, who has the most career victories at the FCS level (135) among active coaches and is the longest-tenured head coach (22nd season) in the FCS.

02

DEFENDING ROONEY

Duquesne is 52-13 all-time in non-conference home games at Rooney Field, including a 28-2 mark since 2008. Under Schmitt, the Dukes are 35-4 in non-conference home games. Duquesne is 19-3 against non-Division I opponents since joining the FCS in 1993 and has won 14 consecutive games against non-Division I foes. This marks the ninth consecutive full season in which Duquesne has faced a non-Division I opponent.

03

WEEK 3 LEFTOVERS

The Dukes battled FBS opponent Washington State to a one-score game at halftime (14- 7) last week before the Cougars pulled away in the second half. Duquesne's touchdown came on a 1-yard keeper by Carson Camp after Dazhaun Hopkins set up the Dukes at the goal line with a 54-yard run. Dallas Harper recorded the defense's first turnover of the season with an interception on Washington State's opening drive, his second consecutive season with an interception against an FBS opponent. James Monds III led the defense with a career-best seven tackles, while Ryan Petras paced the receiving corps with a career-high four receptions for 56 yards, including a highlight-reel 35-yard one-handed catch on third down in the third quarter

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.

DB • #5

Harper recorded the Duquesne defense's first takeaway of the season last week with an interception on the opening drive. The pick was his second against an FBS opponent in two seasons, also recording one in the endzone at Pitt in 2025. A local product from Gateway HS, returned home to Pittsburgh last season after beginning his career for two years at Youngstown State. Harper, who snagged three interceptions in 2025 — ranking third in the NEC, is also the leading returning tackler (36) for the Dukes from last season.