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Duquesne University Athletics

Drew Cook extends for a catch at Air Force 2026
Jonathan Suni

GAME 2: Dukes Visit No. 10 Youngstown State

9/9/2026 12:00:00 PM

DUQUESNE FOOTBALL
GAME 2
Saturday, Sept. 12 • 2:00 PM
DUQUESNE DUKES
0-1 (0-0 NEC)
VS.
#10 YOUNGSTOWN STATE PENGUINS
1-1 (0-0 MVFC)
LOCATION
Stambaugh Stadium
Youngstown, Ohio
TELEVISION
Drae Smith (pxp)
Chris Sammarone (analyst)
RADIO
Alex Panormios (pxp - 32nd season)
Tim Benz (analyst)
Jack McVay (sideline)
DUQUESNE GAME NOTES YOUNGSTOWN STATE GAME NOTES
NEC conference NOTES LIVE STATS
SETTING THE SCENE
Dukes Return to Youngstown

Duquesne continues a three-game road trip to start the year on Saturday, following a 34-0 setback at FBS member Air Force in the season opener. Graduate transfer Zach Chambers led the Dukes with a game- and career-high nine tackles, earning NEC Prime Performer recognition, while 15 Dukes made their collegiate debuts and eight starters made their first career starts.

The Dukes now travel to face No. 10 Youngstown State in their first trip back to Stambaugh Stadium since 2024, when Duquesne pulled off a 28-25 upset of the then-No. 20 Penguins. Saturday marks the fourth meeting between the programs in the last five seasons. Youngstown State enters 1-1 after a 45-13 loss at FBS Kentucky last week. Led by quarterback Beau Brungard, the 2025 Walter Payton Award winner and unanimous First Team All-American he is also on the watch list this year, the Penguins have qualified for the FCS Playoffs twice in the last three seasons, including a 2023 first-round matchup with Duquesne. Brungard is again on the Walter Payton Award Watch List this season.

Senior running back Ness Davis gives the Dukes a Walter Payton Award candidate of their own, earning a spot on the preseason watch list and recognition from 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.

GAME NOTES
Notes to Know
01
DUKES VS. RANKED OPPONENTS
This is the third straight season Duquesne will play a ranked FCS opponent (#10/12 Lehigh in 2025, #21/20 Youngstown State in 2024, #9/10 Delaware and #21/23 Youngstown State in 2023). 

Duquesne is 2-10 all-time vs. FCS ranked opponents. 

This will be the sixth time Duquesne faces a top-10 ranked team.

Last Ranked Win — Duquesne earned its second-ever win over a ranked FCS opponent in 2024 defeating No. 21/20 Youngstown State, 28-25. JaMario Clements rushed for 204 yards with a late 75-yard touchdown to seal the victory, while Tedy Afful added two scores. The Dukes avenged their 2023 FCS playoff loss to the Penguins. Shawn Solomon, Jr. got Duquesne on the board with a first-quarter rushing touchdown, his first of his career. Luke Miller led the Dukes with a career-best 14 tackles and was Co-NEC Defensive Player of the Week after the win. Also returning from that game is; Nico Pate, who recorded a fourth-quarter sack that forced a third-and-21 with just over three minutes remaining and Duquesne holding a four-point lead, as well as DJ Cerisier, Ethon Cole and Adrian Ramirez who all added two tackles. The Dukes won with just 17:43 time of possession to 42:17 for YSU.

The first ranked win was 31-10 over No. 16/19 Towson in the opening round of the 2018 FCS Playoffs.
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. 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.
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
TRENDS TO NOTE
Duquesne ... 
is 18-0 since 2023 when scoring more than 30 points.
is 16-0 since 2023 when leading after the first quarter.
has never been shut out in consecutive games as a Division I program.
BY THE NUMBERS
#2
DUQUESNE'S SLOT IN THE NEC PRESEASON COACHES POLL, THE 16TH CONSECUTIVE SEASON VOTED IN THE TOP THREE.
8
The starting lineup for the dukes at air force featured eight PLAYERS THAT MADE THEIR FIRST CAREER START.
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.
44.29
The punting duo of Andrew Graham and Justin Willis combined to average 44.29 yards per punt — the best in the NEC and top-10 in the FCS through Week 1.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT
WEEK 1 NEC PRIME PERFORMER
LB • #11
Chambers made his Duquesne debut Saturday as a graduate transfer in the season opener at Air Force. The Glen Allen, Va., native recorded a career- and game-high nine tackles, including four solo stops, in his 41st collegiate game, earning an NEC Prime Performer honor.

Two of Chambers' solo tackles came back-to-back in the second quarter and helped force a three-and-out by the Falcons.
THE SERIES
Series History
  • Eighth all-time meeting; fourth in five seasons. All eight have been at Stambaugh Stadium, including a first-round matchup in the 2023 FCS Playoffs.
  • Duquesne won 28-25 at #20 YSU in 2024, its second win over a ranked FCS opponent in program history.
  • First meeting: 2013
All-Time Series YSU leads 6-1
Last Meeting 9.14.2024 — Duquesne (28) - #20 YSU (25)
Current Streak Duquesne W1
WEEKLY COACHES SHOW
WEEK 2 AIRING
Thursday, Sept. 10 • 10:30 PM • SportsNet Pittsburgh+
FEATURING
Head Coach Jerry Schmitt & Player Guest: Luke Miller (Sr., LB, Team Captain)

 
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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