Jerry Schmitt wasn’t quite ready to use one word in particular to describe his defensive front seven after just six games.
“Dominant is end of the season,” said Schmitt, now in his 21st year as Duquesne’s head coach.
The opening statement second-year Dukes defensive coordinator Mickey Jacobs and his players made Saturday in their first Northeast Conference game of the season, though, came pretty close to that standard.
In a matchup of the NEC’s top two defenses, it was Duquesne, which carried a 27-point lead and shutout into the fourth quarter before emerging with a commanding 34-14 victory over visiting Stonehill at Arthur J. Rooney Field.
The Dukes (3-3, 1-0) held the Skyhawks (2-4, 1-1) to 254 yards of total offense, with only 91 yards coming via the rushing attack.
Over the first three quarters with its starting defense still in the game, Duquesne yielded just 127 yards of offense – 89 through the air and 38 on the ground.
“I was really concerned because they ran the ball effectively against a lot of teams and then that opens up the play-action, but our defense did a heck of a job,” Schmitt said. “It’s a credit to our players and a credit to our staff, both sides, for preparing our guys and putting that on the field today.”
Graduate-student linebacker Tyson Meiguez, who played four seasons at Georgia Tech and the 2024 campaign at Murray State before transferring to Duquesne, tallied a team-high 9 tackles, 1½ for a loss, with a forced fumble and pass breakup.
Another transfer, graduate-student Avery Morris, also made his presence felt up front for the Dukes. This 6-foot-2, 230-pound former UTSA and Charlotte linebacker recorded 4 tackles, 2 for a loss, with 1 sack.
Redshirt sophomore defensive back Dallas Harper, a Gateway product and Youngstown State transfer, also intercepted a Skyhawks quarterback Jack O’Connell pass.
“The front seven, man, we are a force to be reckoned with,” Meiguez said. “I’ve got full trust and faith in the guys in front of me, and they’ve got faith in me and the calls. I love playing with them guys. We’re a real force, and we showed that today.”
Stonehill’s defense entered the game conceding just 327.8 yards per game, 18.2 points per outing and just 11 touchdowns, which were all the lowest in the NEC. The Dukes ranked second in the conference with an average of 347.8 yards per game.
Meiguez said his defense left no doubt Saturday about which team now sits solidly atop the NEC.
“I feel like from within we already felt as if we were the best defense,” he said. “We really don’t get into what others think, we just go out there and try to play Duquesne football.”
And as good as Duquesne’s defense was against Stonehill, its offense was nearly equal to the task.
Quarterback Tyler Riddell completed 19 of 31 passes for 231 yards and 3 touchdowns to pace the Dukes.
Freshman wide receiver Ryan Petras, a Bethel Park product, had 3 catches for 82 yards and 2 touchdowns, while graduate student Joey Isabella recorded 8 catches for 54 yards and a score to surpass 2,000 career receiving yards.
Running back Ness Davis also carried the ball 15 times for 111 yards and a touchdown to go along with Taj Butts’ 14 carries for 71 yards and a score.
After playing a scoreless first quarter, Duquesne broke through for four unanswered touchdowns to take a 27-0 lead into the fourth quarter.
“We just weren’t consistent on offense, and that hurt us,” Schmitt said. “I thought we got a little more consistent, and then we made some big plays. We got the ball to our skilled receivers, and I think that helped us get going a little bit.”
Butts opened the scoring with an 18-yard touchdown run before Ness added a 20-yard run for a score.
Petras then went to work catching a 21-yard touchdown pass from Riddell with just 37 seconds left until halftime before handing the Dukes a 27-0 lead by reeling in a 52-yard scoring strike with 1:51 left in the third quarter to put the game out of reach.
“Shoutout to all the receivers, especially Joey,” Petras said. “Everyone is kind of keying on him, and that’s kind of popping me free, which is nice.”
Petras now has 4 catches for 105 yards. His three touchdown receptions are second on the team behind Duquesne’s top receiver Joey Isabella, who has 38 catches for 479 yards and 7 scores.
“He’s a great role model, his character, honestly, how he carries himself on and off the field and just how he leads by example,” said Petras of Isabella.
With Isabella drawing attention on the outside, Petras said he has been able to find room over the middle.
“I love the slot, not getting pressed and kind of shimmying around defenders, I kind of like that,” he said. “I just find the open area in the defense.”
Schmitt said he, too, is pleased with Petras’ progression through six games of his collegiate career.
“I’m really happy for him,” Schmitt said. “He’s getting opportunities because he’s coming in, and it’s a talented receiving room, and so he’s earned the opportunity to get on the field.
“He’s working really hard, and he’s paying attention,” Schmitt added. “He’s very smart. No comparisons, he’s Ryan Petras, and we’re happy to have him.”
No. 6-ranked California upset by Seton Hill
Just one week after earning a major upset of then No. 4 Slippery Rock, it was No. 6 California University of Pennsylvania’s turn to absorb its first loss of the season, as Seton Hill traveled to Adamson Stadium and scored 10 unanswered second-half points en route to earning a 16-7 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference West Division victory.
The Griffins (3-3, 1-1) rushed for 238 yards and two touchdowns, led by Connellsville native Ky’Ron Craggette. This senior running back carried the ball 27 times for 155 yards and the winning 48-yard run with 2:22 left in the contest.
Seton Hill freshman quarterback Darrian Carter also rushed for 97 yards and a first-quarter touchdown against California (4-1, 1-1).
Graduate-student defensive lineman Ben Weaver notched two sacks for the Griffins, while junior linebacker Thomas Jefferson registered a team-high 10 tackles, 2 for a loss.
California quarterback Roman Purcell was held to just 85 yards passing, a touchdown and an interception. He completed 5 passes for 55 yards and the Vulcans’ lone score to running back Kendrick Agenor.
No. 14 Slippery Rock surprised for second week in a row
For the second week in a row, No. 14 Slippery Rock sustained a crushing upset loss, this time to previously winless Gannon, 38-35, at McConnell Family Stadium in Erie.
The Rock (3-2, 0-2) turned the ball over three times and conceded an 89-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by the Golden Knights’ Damario Moore to drop consecutive PSAC West Division contests.
Running back JayJay Jordan led Slippery Rock with 248 yards and 3 touchdowns on 21 carries, while Quentin Harrison chipped in with 76 yards and another score on the ground.
Quarterback DaOne Owens threw for 165 yards, 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions for the Rock. He completed 3 passes for 51 yards and 1 touchdown to wide receiver John Sabo.
Redshirt sophomore quarterback Ty Hurst threw for 209 yards and two touchdowns for Gannon (1-4, 1-0). He also rushed for 66 yards and a score.
IUP dominates Edinboro to sit alone atop PSAC West Division
Indiana University of Pennsylvania scored three unanswered first-quarter touchdowns and never looked back to earn a 35-12 victory over visiting Edinboro at George P. Miller Stadium.
In the wake of a barrage of upsets around Western Pennsylvania, the Crimson Hawks (4-1, 2-0) unexpectedly found themselves alone atop the PSAC West Division with the win over the Fighting Scots (2-3, 2-1).
Quarterback Matthew Rueve threw for 179 yards, 2 touchdowns and 1 interception for IUP. He completed 3 passes for 23 yards and a score to Belle Vernon native and Pitt transfer Devin Whitlock, while also completing a 5-yard touchdown pass to Aliquippa product Cyair Clark.
Leon Parson also rushed for 68 yards and a touchdown for the Crimson Hawks.
No. 17 Carnegie Mellon dominates in first Centennial Conference game
Quarterback Joey McGinnis IV completed 11 of 14 passes for 278 yards and 2 touchdowns, while the No. 17 Carnegie Mellon defense forced three turnovers and recorded six sacks to earn a 56-7 rout of McDaniel in its first Centennial Conference game at Gesling Stadium in Oakland.
The Tartans (3-1, 1-0) outgained the Green Terror (1-3, 0-1), 436-172, in its first conference game since leaving the Presidents’ Athletic Conference before the start of this season.
Wide receiver Reece Kolke registered 4 catches for a team-high 129 yards and 1 touchdown to lead the Carnegie Mellon passing attack, while Peters Township product Brendan McCullough chipped in with 4 catches for 99 yards and a score.
Sophomore linebacker Robert Sturges tallied 5 tackles and 3 sacks for the Tartans, while defensive lineman Mitchell Stokey added 1½ sacks. DJ Johnson and Ethan Ming recorded an interception each for Carnegie Mellon, and Jah’sir Donald recovered a fumble.
Washington & Jefferson offense surges for consecutive PAC victories
Washington & Jefferson’s offense racked up 589 yards as the Presidents dominated Hiram, 70-13, at Charles A. Henry Field at Malmisur Stadium in Hiram, Ohio, to earn its second PAC victory in as many weeks and largest road scoring output since 1891.
Quarterback Kellan Stahl threw for 259 yards, 2 touchdowns and 1 interception for the Presidents (2-2, 2-0), while running back Kobe Derosa rushed for 61 yards, three scores and added a 33-yard touchdown reception against the Terriers (2-3, 1-2).
Running back Andrew Sharp, a Baldwin product, also rushed for 56 yards and 2 touchdowns for W&J, which also got two touchdown runs from Cam Mulvaney.
Wide receiver John Peduzzi caught 5 passes for 62 yards and a touchdown for the Presidents.
Grove City rebounds with complete performance in win over Geneva
Quarterback Sutton Ellis threw for 182 yards and 3 touchdowns, while linebacker Ben Bladel, a Moon graduate, registered a team-high 7 tackles with 4 sacks to help Grove City break up its two-game losing skid with a 22-9 victory over Geneva (2-3, 2-1) in a PAC contest at Reeves Field in Beaver Falls.
Breck Peacock led the Wolverines passing attack with 6 catches for 103 yards and 2 touchdowns, while junior Daniel Sullivan reeled in 3 catches for 9 yards and a score.
Grove City (2-2, 1-1) running back Chase Rankin carried the ball 25 times for 157 yards.
Geneva junior quarterback Caleb Romano threw for 335 yards, 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions. His favorite target was wide receiver Luke Crumbacher, who caught 5 passes for 150 yards and 1 touchdown.
Senior wide receiver Keaton Baker also caught 5 passes for 107 yards.
Quarterback Ty McGowan returns to lead Westminster to rout of Bethany
Senior quarterback Ty McGowan, a Moon product, returned to action, completing 7 of 8 passes for 142 yards and 2 touchdowns to lead Westminster to a 50-0 PAC victory over Bethany at Harold Burry Stadium in New Wilmington.
The Titans (3-1, 2-0) rolled up 411 rushing yards against the Bison (0-4, 0-2), led by Clayton Cannon Jr., who carried the ball 8 times for 112 yards and 2 touchdowns. De’Mere White also rushed for 60 yards and a touchdown for Westminster, while Nate Wadsworth added a 1-yard scoring run.
Brite Cannon caught three passes for 89 yards and a touchdown for the Titans, to go along with White’s 9-yard scoring strike from McGowan.
Robert Morris falters late in loss to Merrimack
Robert Morris surrendered 14 unanswered fourth-quarter points and fell to Merrimack, 24-7, at Duane Stadium in North Andover, Mass.
Quarterback Cooper Panteck threw for 120 yards, 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions in his collegiate debut with the Colonials (1-4).
Panteck’s lone score against the Warriors (3-3) came on a 12-yard first-quarter touchdown pass to Chaz Middleton.
Pitt freshman QB Mason Heintschel shines in debut
Freshman quarterback Mason Heintschel completed 30 of 41 passes for 323 yards and 4 touchdowns to lead Pitt to a 48-7 victory over Boston College at Acrisure Stadium in his first career collegiate start.
Heintschel completed 9 passes for 115 yards and 1 touchdown to Kenny Jones, while Justin Holmes also reeled in 3 passes for 40 yards and a score. Zion Fowler-el chipped in with 2 catches for 20 yards and 1 touchdown and Deuce Spann added two catches for 12 yards and a touchdown against an overmatched Boston College (1-4, 0-3 ACC) defense.
Pitt (3-2, 1-1) also rushed for 172 yards in its first ACC victory of the season. Panthers running back Ja’kyrian Turner rushed for 67 yards and a touchdown, while Juelz Goff added 59 yards and a score on the ground.
John is a copy editor and page designer at the Post-Gazette, but he's currently on strike. Email him at jsanta@unionprogress.com.