2008 Football Wrap-Up: Potential and Contrasts

From OnTheBluff.Com- It was a year that began with a new conference, a new stadium, new scholarship players, and a “new commitment” to football. The first night game at Rooney was beautiful and showed the potential of great things. The last game ended in the rain and with that potential still unattained.

2008 was indescribable due to its amazing contrasts. Each time a conclusion is reached, it has to be erased to write the opposite. The 2008 season was a season of great potential of what could be and of great contrast.

The contrasts began even before the season started with the renovations to Rooney Field.

The bathrooms, turf, and new seating were fantastic additions, but the seating capacity was actually reduced to make the field look more like a community park field rather than a D-1 Collegiate Football venue. Dayton and Albany fans were amazed that they could just walk up and sit right along the sidelines behind their team (without paying). The home team fans didn’t mind a bit paying for their tickets and then being asked to contribute to the new athletic fund. Duquesne fans are a generous bunch.

The fans got a new band that sounded great, but not one of the marching variety. If you didn’t sit next to them you probably couldn’t hear them well. Who really thinks of a half-time show at a college football game anyway? Duquesne has a first class music school that attract lots of spirited students from high school band programs.

There was a new picnic area that served food and a great beer. Unfortunately it was a bit over priced at three times the price of a ticket. Pittsburgh fans were also not fooled by calling it a “Tailgate” Area. We know what “tailgating” is and there was not a designated tailgate area to be found. Tailgating is bringing your best chili, ribs, or hot sausage recipes and debating who makes the best beans. The entire length of Bluff Street would do nicely.

The concession stand was a nice addition. Giving the venders the best view at the 50-yard line was a nice touch, but would it have made sense to tuck it in under the new bleachers? There could have been more seats in front of it and more room for the “press” on the first floor of the “press” box. The press box is a facility that does much to bring the media closer together in many ways. Seriously, if given a choice to cover a home game at Duquesne or at Robert Morris, the media will always choose travel to Moon Township. The best place to see a game at Rooney is right at the condiment table.

It was perhaps a team with the most potential talent from being able to recruit a scholarship player for the first time since 1950, yet it was the first team to post a losing season since 1994.

The talented Conner Dixon broke the school record for touchdown passes one game, yet couldn’t find a receiver in the yellow pages at times. The Sports Network cited the quarterback position as being one of the deepest and most talented in the nation at the beginning of the year. Conner and Kevin are still the best QB combo in the conference and perhaps in 1-AA. To be fair, both were hurt at the end of the season.

The first game of the year at Bucknell provided the best example of the year’s schizophrenic nature. How can the same defensive squad give up 42 points in the first half and only 6 in the second? How could the offensive squad score only once in the first half and score 35 in the second? Same players, same field, same opponent.

These questions continued all throughout the year. This Duquesne team came the closest of any in the NEC to beating champion Albany and out did them statistically. Yet the Dukes only managed to defeat St. Francis and Wagner during the rest of the season.

The rushing defense just as much of a crapshoot as it could get. One week it held Wagner to 26 yards rushing on 29 attempts. Other weeks it made visiting running backs look like Jim Brown vs. the local sandlot team. There were great individual efforts from folks like Totino, Scruggs, and Apparonozie but defenses must have a good overall team effort and game plan

Rooney Field could be a great college venue if they put up more bleachers. Maybe if admission were charged, the cost would be affordable. Just as on the field, “attitude is everything”, “atmosphere is everything” to the fans. Give the fans something to do at half-time. If no band, bring in Skippy the Frisbee catching canine. Have the new radio broadcast playing at the new picnic area.

The defense has shown to be a hungry and talented group. They can’t afford to stay on the field so long next year.

Duquesne showed a decent running game. They have to develop it more to keep themselves on the filed longer (see above). Cleo Williams and Greg Hough did well when given the chance, but a bigger power back would have done well to offset the occasional size disadvantage on the line. Duquesne hasn’t had a true power runner since Josh Rue, but could use one.

Most of all, games are won and lost on the line. Duquesne historically has had good talent at the skill positions. To play in this conference, the Dukes need a heavier and more dominant contribution from both offensive and defensive lines. I hope both groups are in the weight room at the present moment.

Will next year’s team be better? It should be given the fact that we lose only 9 seniors. Next year may be the year that this lives up to its potential.

2008-2009 ACHA Men's Division 1 Ranking #4 Dukes at #20

Duquesne beat SRU 7-5 and West Virginia 6-5, so they should move up a bit more.

UNION LAKE, MI - Courtesy ACHA The defending ACHA Men's Division 1 National Champions, the University of Illinois, received 34 of a possible 41 votes to top the polls in Ranking #4, while #2 Lindenwood University garnered the other 7 first-place votes. This sets up a #1 vs #2 matchup this weekend, as #1 Illinois will travel to #2 Lindewood with the #1 ranking and 1st place in the CSCHL on the line.

Duquesne and Pittsburgh were the big gainers, each moving up 3 spots to come in at #20 and #21 respectively, while Central Oklahoma (#9) and Stony Brook (#17) each moved up 2 spots. Minot State, the only undefeated team left in Division 1 (10-0-0), jumps into the rankings for the first time since the 2005-2006 season. Penn State Berks makes its debut in the polls for the first time, in only its second season at the Divsion 1 level, coming in at #25.


2008-2009 ACHA Men's Division 1 Ranking #4
1 Illinois 34 13-1-0 920
2 Lindenwood 7 16-1-1 893
3 Penn State 12-2-0 819
4 Liberty 13-3-1 800
5 Delaware 10-2-3 787
6 Oklahoma 12-2-0 746
7 Iowa State 15-2-1 698
8 West Chester 10-4-0 662
9 Central Oklahoma 11-3-1 619
10 Kent State 9-5-1 564
11 Rhode Island 10-4-1 551
12 Ohio 7-6-0 529
13 Michigan-Dearborn 11-6-0 483
14 Robert Morris (PA) 13-3-0 460
15 West Virginia 8-4-2 352
16 Robert Morris (IL) 8-9-1 299
17 T Oakland 5-8-3 223
17 T Stony Brook 7-7-0 223
19 Western Michigan 5-6-0 212
20 Duquesne 9-2-0 186
21 Pittsburgh 8-4-0 171
22 Youngstown State 11-4-2 147
23 Minot State 10-0-0
24 Mercyhurst 16-6-0 113
25 Penn State Berks 10-2-1 56

Others receiving votes: Drexel, Canton, Indiana (PA), Arizona State, Adrian, Niagara, Washington & Jefferson, Eastern Michigan, Slippery Rock, Arizona, Towson, and Scranton.
The fifth ranking of the regular season will be released on Friday, December 5.

The 2009 ACHA Men's Division 1 National Championships will be hosted by John Carroll University and the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission and will take place March 14-18, 2009 at the Gilmour Academy in Gates Mills, OH. Sixteen teams will qualify for the tournament

Duquesne Hockey Rides 7 Game Streak

From OnTheBluff.Com 11/19/08

The Duquesne Dukes Hockey team, currently ranked # 22 by the American Collegiate Hockey Association will try to extend its 7 game win streak this Friday and Saturday against Slippery Rock and West Virginia. The Friday game starts at 7:30 in Cranberry and the West Virginia game starts at 3:30 at the Duke’s home arena, the Ice Castle in Castle Shannon.

The Dukes haven’t played since they blew away Cornell 8-1 during a swing through New York. The Dukes overall record for the year stands at 9-2 and includes impressive wins over Buffalo and last year’s Northeast Collegiate Hockey League Champion, Rutgers.

Duquesne To Host The College Hockey Mid-America Post Season Tournament.

Courtesy Duquesne Hockey- The member teams of College Hockey Mid-America have chosen the proposal submitted by Duquesne University, in conjunction with Ice Castle Ice Arena, as the winner of the league's annual bid to host its post-season tournament. The Top 6 teams in the final CHMA standings will converge on Ice Castle February 27th through March 1st to determine the league's playoff champion. Duquesne was the CHMA's first playoff champion in 2007 and will look to be the league's first two-time champion in 2009.
"The excellent competition between all the league's teams, combined with the stellar facilities of Ice Castle and the top-notch hospitality provided by Duquesne University, will surely make for an exciting event," said Duquesne Head Coach Dave Fryer. "Our team has performed very well on the ice at the previous two CHMA Playoffs, and now we have a chance to showcase ourselves as its host, as well."
More information on the 2009 CHMA Playoffs will be made available during the 2008-09 season through the Duquesne Hockey website and the CHMA site (www.collegehockeymidamerica.com).

Some recent posts from the Football Forum that also deal with hockey too

Subject: Duquesne Hockey starts out at 7-2
Author:Doug

Date Posted: Sunday, November 16, 02:54:41pm

Sept.26 California University of PA Away W, 8-4 1-0-0 0-0-0
Oct. 3 Mercyhurst College Away L, 3-5 1-1-0 0-0-0
Oct. 4 University at Buffalo Away W, 6-1 2-1-0 0-0-0
Oct. 12 University of Pittsburgh Home L, 3-5 2-2-0 0-1-0
Oct. 17 Indiana University of PA Away W, 6-0 3-2-0 1-1-0
Oct. 18 Penn State Berks University Home W, 8-2 4-2-0 1-1-0
Oct. 25 Youngstown State University Away W, 4-3 5-2-0 2-1-0
Nov. 1 Rutgers University Home W, 6-4 6-2-0 2-1-0
Nov. 2 California University of PA Home W, 9-6 7-2-0 2-1-0

The rest of schedule-
11/21 Slippery Rock Cranberry, PA 7:30
11/22 West Virginia ICE CASTLE 3:30
12/6 W & J ICE CASTLE 3:30
12/7 IUP ICE CASTLE 2:00
1/10 Mercyhurst ICE CASTLE 3:30
1/11 Liberty ICE CASTLE 2:00
1/16 West Virginia Morgantown, WV 10:00
1/17 Kent State Cleveland, OH 5:00
1/24 Youngstown State ICE CASTLE 3:30
1/25 John Carroll ICE CASTLE 2:00
1/30 Slippery Rock Cranberry, PA 10:30
2/4 W & J Canonsburg, PA 9:05
2/6 Liberty Lynchburg, VA 7:30
2/7 Liberty Lynchburg, VA 7:30
2/13 West Chester West Chester, PA 9:15
2/14 Penn State Berks Reading, PA TBA
2/20 John Carroll Cleveland, OH 8:10
2/21 Slippery Rock ICE CASTLE 3:30
2/22 Pitt Harmarville, PA 9:40
TBA Kent State ICE CASTLE
TBD 2/27-3/1 League Playoffs ICE CASTLE
TBD March ACHA Nationals Cleveland, OH TBD


[> Subject: Re: Duquesne Hockey starts out at 7-2
Author:Marquis
Date Posted: Sunday, November 16, 03:07:12pm

I is my biggest hope as a Duquesne and a hockey fan to have the Dukes start an NCAA team and play across the street at the Pens new arena. The Pens could scout out some visiting college talent, so both would benefit.The women could add softball or golf to balance out Title 9. Neither would be very expensive. Pittsburgh is a hockey town! Lets Play!!

Subject: 2008 Coffee Mug Nominations
Author:Coffee
Date Posted: Saturday, November 15, 09:33:12pm

These were tougher than last year. Shaler Tom didn't post as often as others, but they were always thoughtful, constructive and original.
~2008 COFFEE MUG NOMINATIONS~
Player of the Year 2008 Offense- Sean Bunevich
Player of the Year 2008 Defense- Chidozie Oparanozie
Non-Player of the Year- Alex Pamormius
Past Player- Buff Donelli
Past Non-Player of the Year- Greg Gatuso
Fan of the Year- Shaler Tom

Subject: Charlotte Approves a Football Program
Author:Coffee
Date Posted: Saturday, November 15, 09:15:49pm

The A-10 needs to get their heads together to re-start a football conference. Charlotte's Board just voted to start a program. If Duquesne, Dayton, Fordham, Charlotte, RI, and Richmond could get together, the'd have the needed 6 for a conference. UMASS may go 1-A and has a better chance at supporting a D-1 team than Temple. Marist would be a good add as would Old Dominion who is thinking of a team. LaSalle dropped citing lack of teams to schedule just when they build a nice stadium. This would change it for them. I'm sure that there would be a few more to consider. There are rumors that the CAA may split.But- We need a few seats added even if we are happy staying in the NEC- If you build it they will come. No kid of great worth will come to play at a field that is 1/5 the size of his high school field.

Duquesne Follows Familiar Script in Loss to Momouth 37-14

From OnTheBluff.Com, 11/15/08

Pittsburgh- Duquesne ended its season as it did in a number of games this year. They started strong in the first half only to have its offense bog down as the game went on. The Dukes again lost the time of possession battle as an opponent’s running game ground out 200+ yards.

The first quarter was fun to watch as the visiting Monmouth Hawks and Dukes punched and counter-punched with each possession as the Dukes took a 14-10 lead on a 10 Yard touchdown run by Kevin Rombach and a three-yard TD pass by Conner Dixon to Brian Layhue. Duquesne alternated quarterbacks throughout the game with each showing brief glimpses of why Duquesne was predicted to have one of the deepest teams in 1-AA at the position.

When Monmouth quarterback Brett Burke launched a 57-yard touchdown pass to Rodney Solomon to put the Hawks up 17-14, the Dukes again answered with a decent drive into Hawk territory before having to settle for an apparent game-tying field goal. The snap seemed to be a bit behind holder Kevin Rombach who then tried unsuccessfully to run for the first down.

Neither team was able to score in the second quarter. Mark Troyan tried again to tie the score after the Dukes drove down to the Monmouth 6 yard line on the first drive of the second half, but his kick was blocked.

Duquesne’s offense would not score again as David Sinisi began to grind out yardage on his way to finishing with his total of 174 for the day. Altogether Monmouth gained 234 yards on the ground. Burke mixed in another long touchdown pass of 83 yards John Nalbone to pull away from the Dukes for good. Burke finished the game with 14 of 23 passes for 263 yards. Neither Duquesne quarterback had close to 100 yards passing.


Game Notes:
-Monmouth, like Albany, tuned up for the NEC with a very challenging out-of-conference schedule playing Rhode Island, Maine and Coastal Carolina.
-Former quarterback and current receivers coach, Dave Loya was recognized at halftime for his induction into the Duquesne Hall of Fame.
- Duquesne loses only nine seniors.

Monmouth Tries to Solve Duquesne's Identity Crisis

From OnTheBluff.com 11/14/08

Mark Draskovich
OnTheBluff.com Football Analyst

The Monmouth coaching staff has to figure out just who they are playing this week when they line up to face the Dukes. One set of game film will show a Duquesne team that started the first half of their first game of the season giving up 42 points to Bucknell. Then the coaches will have to design a game plan to stop the Dukes that held Bucknell to six points in the second half while scoring 35 to almost pull out a win.

Next the coaches will have to explain how to hold the Dukes scoreless for three quarters, as did St. Francis but warn them of the offense that posted three touchdowns in the second quarter against the Red Flash.

They will have to make sure that the Hawks are ready for the only team to be able to beat the Dayton Flyers in their past 16 games. This is the same Dayton team that beat the reigning conference champion, Albany in last year’s Gridiron Classic. This Duquesne team out-gained Albany who went undefeated so far in conference this year and held their own against three ranked CAA teams.

This Duquesne team is dangerous enough to jump out to leads against Albany, Robert Morris, Sacred Heart and Bryant, only to lose each game. Monmouth Coach Kevin Callahan will have to figure out which run defense the NEC’s leading rusher will face. The team that held Wagner to 26 yards on 29 carries or the one that gave up an average of 208 yards per game previously.

When Monmouth gets done looking at all the game films and tries to determine how Duquesne can look so good on one game film reel and so bad on the next, perhaps Coach Callahan can explain it to Duquesne Coach Jerry Schmitt.

Coach Schmitt has yet to name a starting quarterback for the game that begins at 1:00 at Rooney Field. The Duke’s las game of the year can be heard on 1360 WMNY and over the internet on Redzone Media.

RE: Team Spirit at Duquesne from The Forum

Author:Jamie
Date Posted: Sunday, October 12, 11:25:33am

Hey Coffee, just wondering...where in the h*ll is the spirit for this team? I was at the game and couldn't get over how SO FEW DUKES FANS CHEER FOR THIS TEAM. Sure we have a zillion cheerleaders, but let's face it - few people follow what they're saying. Robert Morris fans clearly showed their support for their team. Dukes fans seem to have no enthusiasm. Pathetic . And where were any students? Does Duquesne have any student buses or anything like that?

Author:Kitty Kat Duke
Date Posted: Sunday, October 12, 01:23:30pm
Maybe the cheerleaders need to drum up some student support. Like a raffle each quarter or half and you have to be there to win? Kind of hard to cheer if everyone around you is quiet! Let's pass out megaphones!!!

[> [> Subject: Re: Team Spirit
Author:Coffee
Date Posted: Sunday, October 12, 03:11:20pm
Jamie/KKD- Robert Morris has some great fans and the layout that breeds more. They have an excellent tail-gate area with the students doing a live pre-game on speakers and the game broadcast all around. They also have a beautiful new collegiate stadium that seats just a bit more than ours and a band that gives you the feeling of attending an event. I don't know if they have busses.

I hate to say it, but Duquesne has done some big things, both good and bad to influence fan development. First they fry the marching band rather than pumping it up and replace it with a small pep band that can't be seen or heard. They close down a great tail-gate area instead of allowing the thing to spread all along Bluff Street and replace it with a $15 a head picnic area. Family/Group of 5 x 15 = $75 + tickets = $115 or $40 and a pack of dogs and some chips?????? Why can't they do both? They get a radio contract, but no radio to hear it at the game. They spend money to renovate the stadium and produce a half-way set of bleachers. They put in a consession stand with the condiment table taking out the best potential seats at the 50. Then, they hire students to chase away fans who try to sit in one of the few empty seats at the 50. They start a new athletic fund, then fail to charge visitors to attend the game.

It takes some common sense to do this right. You can't shame fans into supporting the team. You have to create the "event" and fans will choose to come.I see a day when the university crams seats into every possible place around Rooney. Student booths from every campus group on academic walk, a tailgate area along the entire length of Bluff Street (and a picnic area under Mellon) the pre-game, half time and post game radio on speakers and a small, but very lively marching band and color guard.

Just Call Him "Dozie"!

Some of Duquesne's new crop of freshmen are leaving game announcers and reporters tong-tied and speechless. Namely, starting freshman linebacker Jerry Schmitt has brought in is Chidizie Oparanonie, pronounced "Chi-DOZE-e-AY o-pear-a-NOZE-e-AY". Oparanozie has just been named the Northeast Conference Rookie of the Week for the second week in a row. The true freshman Pittsburgh native recovered a Dayton fumble for his third take-away in two games. Both interceptions led to Duquesne touchdowns against St. Francis a week earlier. Overall, he ranks second on the team in tackles, tailing only sophomore Nathan Totino When asked in a pre-game interview about the name, Schmitt replied, "We just call him "Dozie". Dozie was originally brought in to play running back, but is such a good athlete; he is now starting at Linebacker for the Dukes. Dozie isn't the only first year player with the Dukes. Altogether, 5 start on defense and two on offense for the Dukes. Freshman, John Brisk has also shown tremendous promise when put in at punter. On some teams, the arrival of all of the first year players would cause problems with the upperclassmen. Not at Duquesne. Coach Schmitt is mixing these first year players with a few of the older proven veterans to find a winning combination. This mix effectively stopped Dayton's ten game win-streak last week 24-18. On the other end of the experience curve is team captain, Greg Hough who ended last year as the team's feature running back, went back to linebacker, a position he played the previous year, then to running back and now is the teams starting full back. Most seniors would be upset with having to move to make room for under-classmen. Not Hough. He willingly leads by example to show that the players must be willing to do what it takes to win. Another selfless Duke is last year's starter and pre-season all-conference quarterback Kevin Rombaugh. Kevin works well with sophomore transfer (Michigan State) Conner Dixon who has thrown for 11 touchdowns and ran for another in just three games. Schmitt is proud of his players who state their case for playing time on the field and not after practices. This combination of the old and new is starting to jell for the Dukes.NOTES: Duquesne takes on Albany this week at 1:00 at Rooney Field for the first time since the 2002 ECAC Bowl. Albany was the only hurdle between the Dukes and a perfect season and a chance at the 1-AA playoffs. Few teams from non-automatic conferences have ever been ranked. The then 11-0 Dukes made it as high as #16 that year in the TSN and Hansen Polls before the loss. Albany was the pre-season #1 pick in the NEC Coach's Poll. Duquesne was picked to finish #5. This is the second straight week the Dukes take on "mid-major" conference champions. Last week the Dukes knocked off Dayton who was favored by close to two touchdowns. The Dukes are also underdogs by the same spread this week. This is Albany's first game of he year outside the CAA, the toughest FCS conference. Cleo Williams has had two straight 100-yard games. The game is carried live locally on AM Money Talk 1360 WMNY and streamed live on wwwredzonemedia.com. Streaming video and in-game stats are available at www.GoDuquesne.com.

Steel City Football Rivalry Renewed

Pittsburgh- College football in the Pittsburgh area goes all the way back to 1890 when the University of Pittsburgh played its first recorded game against the Allegheny Athletic Association, losing 38-0. Duquesne would follow a year later in 1891, but their first games are lost to recorded memory. The third of the great early Steel City football rivals, Carnegie Tech, now Carnegie Mellon University wasn’t founded as a school until 1900, but lost no time by starting a team of its own in 1906.

It was in 1906 that the first meeting for any of the three when Pitt beat up on Carnegie Tech 35-0. Tech got revenge in the next game, but had to wait 17 years in 1923 by a score of 7-2. Duquesne’s teams reached prominence under coach and former Notre Dame Four Horseman, Elmer Layden. One of their standout early players was Steeler founder and namesake of Rooney Field, Art Rooney Sr.. Art Sr. was their quarterback and place kicker in the 1920’s. It took Duquesne’s 41st year after starting a program to play in an inter-city game with Carnegie Tech, drawing 0-0 in a charity game in 1931.

But man, did the Pittsburgh college football rivalries took off BIG TIME after that. All three teams, Pitt, Duquesne and Carnegie Tech, were ranked often in the first national college football rankings put out by the Associated Press.

As the teams became better, the rivalries became bitter. All three teams played nationally known opponents including Notre Dame and the then powerful service academies. But they often faced more determined battles in their own back yards. Both Pitt and Duquesne played in New Year’s Day Bowls, but National Championships were up for grabs when they met during their regular season. Back then only the very top teams played in the Rose, Orange and Cotton Bowls. There were no Outback Bowls or the dozens of other modern bowls that cheapen the achievement today.

The college game and its rivalries actually dominated local sports to a point where the same Art Rooney had to take the Steelers on the road to places like Johnstown, Louisville, and New Orleans to sell tickets.

Unfortunately the rivalry between Pitt and Duquesne ended in 1939 with a Pitt loss to the Dukes when the AP then ranked Pitt #1. The Dukes went on to an undefeated season that year, being ranked #10 in the AP. The last game of the great city rivalry came in 1943 when Pitt ended it as it began over Carnegie Tech beating the Tartans handily 45-6. By then, Duquesne had folded its team for World War II and only briefly tried again after the war. Pitt’s rivalries then turned to Penn State and today’s Backyard Brawl with West Virginia.

The Pittsburgh collegiate rivalry lay dormant for decades until Duquesne’s club football team stepped up to Division III and re-ignited their rivalry with the Tartans of Carnegie Mellon. CMU and Duquesne played spirited games from 1980 to 1991 at times even at Three Rivers Stadium. When Duquesne stepped up again to 1-AA, the Steel City Rivalries ended again.

It didn’t end for long. A new collegiate team would be founded a century after Pitt and Duquesne began theirs in Pittsburgh. Robert Morris started from scratch under the direction of former NFL head coach Joe Walton. Duquesne’s series with the Colonials began in 1994 with the Dukes holding a slight edge 5-4. Both teams were consistently ranked at or near the top of non-scholarship 1-AA football. Now, both teams are stepping up in talent when the NEC member Robert Morris began offering scholarships three years ago. Duquesne offered its first scholarship since 1950 when it joined the Northeast Conference this year.

And so, with both teams now in the same conference and stepping up in competition, the Steel City Football Rivalry is on again. The latest edition of the “Battle of the ‘Burgh” takes place this Saturday, October 11 at High Noon at Robert Morris’ Joe Walton Stadium.
Game Notes: The game will be televised live as part of the NEC’s television package, seen locally on Fox Sports Pittsburgh. It is also carried live on radio on AM 1360 WMNY AM 730 WPIT and streaming on the web at redzonemedia.com.

Robert Morris Gets Even With Duquesne 34-27

Moon Township, PA- This is what the future of the region’s 1-AA (FCS) college football is all about, two local college rivals, a TV and two radio broadcasts, one marching band, a festival atmosphere for Robert Morris’ Homecoming, bright sunshine on a cool crisp fall afternoon as the leaves are just starting to change. It was a fantastic game with dramatic momentum swings and a standing room only crowd. The only bad thing about the day for visiting Duquesne was the final score. The Dukes fell to Robert Morris 34-27 in a game that the Colonials had to win to salvage their season.

The game really came down to two key factors. The young defense could not stop Colonial running back Myles Russ and when they finally did on a key third down, the referee decided to throw a questionable flag that kept the game from being a real classic. Russ ran for a career high 246 yards and kept the Duquesne offense off the field. Time after time the Colonials converted 3rd downs when a drive could have stalled.

The Duquesne Offense showed its inconsistency again on its first possession without gaining a first down after getting the ball on a fumble recovery at RMU’s 40. Duquesne showed the value on the next drive of having two talented quarterbacks, when Conner Dixon went out after a nice run down to the Colonial 31. In only the second play all year, Kevin Rombaugh threw the remaining 31 yards to Alex Roberson for the opening touchdown.

Robert Morris bounced right back with a 64 yard kickoff return by to the Duke’s 24.
The Colonials drove to the Duquesne five before the defense stiffened to settle for a 20-yard field goal.

Rombach continued to show the lack of rust by driving the Duke’s on a pair of field goal drives. The first down for a 12 play 64 yard drive to the RMU 3 for a 20 yard Troyan field goal and the second for a 36-yarder. Rombach started the second half, but failed to gain a first down on the first drive.

Robert Morris took their first lead of the game 19-13 on a 5 yard pass from Erik Cwalinski to T.J. Green, but the snap for the extra point was low and they missed the PAT. Duquesne got back with a balanced play call with counter runs and slants off play action to go up 20-19 on a Cleo Williams 2 yard run.


Russ was determined to impress with his speed during a drive into Duquesne territory before a center field interception by who returned it 26 yards for Troyan’s second field goal. He finished the next drive all by himself with a 51 yard run ending up just barely staying in bounds down the left side. He took over the play for the Colonials in the second half. Running most of the way on a third quarter drive to put the Colonials back up 27-20.

Williams capped off the next 10 play Duquesne drive with a two yard scrum to tie the game at 27.

The winning drive for the Colonials was scored as Russ or Cwalinski would convert one timely third down after another. The drive finished with an impressive, not-to-be-denied dive into the end zone by Regis Flowers to put the Colonials up by the final score of 34-27. After Duquesne’s final drive stalled, the Colonials also appeared to be stopped on a third down in their own territory. However, a weak flag for a late hit gave the Colonials the chance to run out the clock.

The flag gave the Colonials the chance to run out the clock and prevent an even more dramatic finish. However, the Dukes for a second week in a row let a win slip away in a close game. Thee young Dukes must learn how to win these close games to be able to better enjoy, they can learn to enjoy the rivalry games, be band, the crisp fall days, the marching band and the crowds even better.


NOTES: Beautiful new Joe Walton Stadium represents another bright aspect of the future of this level of football in the region. Both teams have either new or re-built fields and both are now in the same conference. As more fans see the allure of this brand of college football, it should create an even bigger game- The game was a standing room only, announced crowd of 4,999. Walton Stadium’s capacity in listed as 3,000. It was the largest crowd in RMU’s history.

Greg Hough continued to do what it takes with excellent blocking for Cleo Williams and showing good hands out of the backfield and the ability to gain yards after the catch. He also showed success running counters for decent yardage. He averaged close to 10 yards per carry. The Dukes really have to learn to go more often to what is working.

Russ’s 246 yards was the 6th best ever in the NEC and the third best total ever for Robert Morris.
The Walton stadium announcers tried valiantly to pronounce Chidozie Oparanozie’s name. It came out a different way each time it was called, but they didn’t take the easy way out y just calling him “Dozie”..

Dukes Prove Much, But Lose to Albany

Pittsburgh- Duquesne proved a lot when it lost 33-23 to Albany, the pre-season pick to repeat as the Northeast Conference. They hung in for three quarters until two costly turnovers handed the Albany Great Danes 13 points in the fourth quarter.

They Dukes proved that they can win against the best in the NEC and 1-AA (FCS)…
…They also proved that they couldn’t do it if they make too many mistakes.

The Dukes proved that they are willing to take a gamble by throwing long down to the Albany three-yard-line on a third and one…
…They also proved that these gambles sometime backfire when they turn the ball over twice on 4th and short in the first quarter.

They proved to have an excellent crop of receivers who can strike from all over the field…
…They also proved that the same receivers could drop the ball.

Conner Dixon proved again that he could throw for touchdowns (2)…
…He also proved he can throw for costly interceptions (3).

The offense proved it could move the ball well under pressure…
… They also proved that they couldn’t do so consistently for four games now.

Cleo Williams proved he could run the ball against anybody…
…He also proved that he needs more carries.

Mark Troyan proved to be a pretty decent kicker…
…He also proved that he could set up the other team with a dribbled kickoff.

The defense proved that it has guts and will bend but is hard to break…
… It also proved that it would break if you give Albany the ball deep in our own territory twice in the fourth quarter.

The defense proved that it could go toe to toe against a heavier line that gave the best in the nation all it could handle…
…They also proved that they must finish tackles.

The Duquesne fans proved to be as smart, loyal and supportive as any in the nation for college football…
… They also proved that here really should be more of them given the excellent football the Dukes have played year after year.

The Dukes proved for the 4th game in a row that they can come back…
…They also proved for the second time that they can’t give away too much of a lead.

The young Dukes proved again that they have character and guts…
…They also proved that they really should watch their language a bit when the bleachers have kids so close to the field.

The Dukes proved that they could work hard to establish a radio contract…
…They also proved that they really should have a radio on at the new tailgate area.

The University’s excellent music program proved to be able to produce an excellent pep band…
…They also proved that they really need an excellent marching band for a real college football program atmosphere. You shouldn’t have to try to hear the band!

Rooney Field proves to be an excellent place to watch a good football game…
…It also proves to need just a bit more seating feel like a real college venue. The Dayton fans said the same last week.

The Dukes prove to continue to share the ball and play as a team no matter what class the player is…
…They proved that they shouldn’t share the ball with the other team

Albany proved that it could play well and out-gain a great team like #5 UMass and still lose…
… Unfortunately, so did Duquesne (392 to 312).


Notes: The Dukes showed excellent play calling during their first two drives when they effectively mixed in the run with the pass. The Dukes showed a respect for their football tradition at half time by recognizing Dan McCann’s Club Team Championship and Greg Gatuso’s Mid-Major Championship of 2003. Both coaches were there. Gatuso’s Panther’s upset #10 USF this week.

I liked what Albany did with their two quick kicks in the first half. It gave the Dukes poor field position. I hope the Dukes can run the same play.

Duquesne is perhaps the only Division 1 college football program that puts the condiment table at the 50-yard line where they could have built two more rows of prime seats.



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Duquesne/Dayton: The Hard Court Rivalry Moves to the Turf

Duquesne and Dayton, two Atlantic 10 brothers have seen a lot of each other since they first met in 1953 on the basketball court. All together, the two urban, private, catholic, tradition rich, basketball institutions have met a total of 57 times. This rivalry includes perhaps Duquesne’s most notable game ever when in 1955 Duquesne beat the Flyers 70-58 to capture the NIT Championship. The NIT was then the most important national tournament in the nation. A quick glance over the yearly meetings between Duquesne and Dayton of the 40’s 50’s and 60’s usually show one or both schools ranked in the AP Top 20. Although Dayton has dominated since the late 70’s, Duquesne took the last game 93-89 last January 24.

The Dukes and Flyers take their rivalry to the football field for only the sixth time in 88 years. The Dukes and Flyers first met in 1920 when Art Rooney Sr. (Steeler’s founder and namesake for Rooney Field) was their quarterback and place-kicker. Duquesne won that first game 20-0. They also won the last of the series in 2002 (35-28). Dayton took the three games in between (1923, 1924 and 2001). The 2002 game featured the #1 and #2 teams in the TSN Mid-Major Poll. Dayton enters the game again on top having beat NEC Champion Albany in last year’s ECAC Classic.