Dukes football charges past New Haven, 44-18

A football player in a navy blue and red uniform is positioned on the field, preparing for the play. Other players are lined up across from him in the background. — [Leo martinez-Valerio | staff writer] Joey Isabella had a career game against the Chargers hauling in three Q2 touchdowns.

Brendan Flatow | staff writer

Duquesne football was able to rebound after a tough loss against FBS Akron on Sept. 20, coming back home to Rooney Field and beating the New Haven Chargers 44-18. The win came in Duquesne’s final nonconference game, giving the Dukes their second win of 2025.

New Haven is set to become the newest NEC team next year, making the jump from NCAA Division II competition.

Duquesne wide receiver Joey Isabella continued his stellar 2025 campaign, hauling in a career-high three touchdowns in addition to 92 yards on six catches while only playing three quarters.

Isabella and Duquesne quarterback Tyler Riddell are developing a great relationship both on and off the field. The pair have already combined for 425 yards and six touchdowns, with Isabella averaging 85 receiving yards a game.

“[Riddell] said from the day he got here, he had a great relationship with Joey,” said Duquesne Head Coach Jerry Schmitt.

It was the Chargers who would get off to a fast start in the game. After forcing a quick 3-and-out, New Haven quarterback AJ Duffy found wide receiver Josh Tracey behind the defense for a 56-yard touchdown on their opening play.

Following a missed extra point, New Haven held a 6-0 lead until the second quarter, when Riddell found Isabella on a slant route for his first touchdown of the game to make the score 7-6 Dukes.

Three plays later, linebacker Jabari Odoemenem dropped back into coverage and intercepted Duffy’s pass to get possession back for Duquesne. Odoemenem now has an interception in two straight games.

A 50-yard rush by Taj Butts set the Duquesne offense up deep in Chargers territory, and the Dukes were able to hit paydirt with another Isabella slant, this one from 6 yards out.

Duquesne’s defense would flex its muscles once more, forcing another 3-and-out by New Haven. Riddell would waste no time finding Isabella again, finding him quickly over the middle of the field. Isabella bent the corner and tightroped the sideline, scampering 61 yards to the house, putting Duquesne up 21-6 at halftime.

Duquesne opened the half by moving the ball methodically down the field once again, relying on their deep running back room to manage the field. The running game proved to be the difference for Duquesne, finishing the drive with a 10-yard Riddell touchdown run.

On the ensuing Chargers possession, a bobbled pass was intercepted by linebacker Avery Morris. Morris was able to find a lane to the end zone, putting the game out of reach for New Haven at 35-6.

Football players on the field during a game, featuring a team in blue and red uniforms facing off against an opponent in yellow. — [Leo Martinez-Valerio | staff writer] Tyler Riddell continues to impress at Duquesne, totaling five touchdowns against the Chargers.

Duffy would respond by leading his team down the field for back-to-back touchdowns. The Chargers would try a 2-point conversion following both scores. Both attempts were unsuccessful, and the second attempt was intercepted by Duquesne cornerback DJ Cerisier and returned 100 yards, resulting in a rare pick-2 for the Dukes.

“I think there was probably a lot of guys on the team that weren’t sure what that is,” Schmitt said regarding Cerisier’s pick-2. “I’ll be honest with you, we talk about scoring off of that play, but I don’t know that we have ever said how many points you get and what the situation is.”

Running backs Ness Davis and Dazhaun Hopkins kept the offense moving for the Dukes, burning valuable time off the clock while simultaneously resting their defense. Riddell capped off the drive for Duquesne with an 8-yard rushing touchdown to bury the Chargers for good.

Riddell scored five total touchdowns against New Haven, matching a career high. He’s taken a new leap at Duquesne, putting up career numbers in yards and touchdown-interception ratio.

Isabella and Riddell have been working hard to build their relationship after the graduation of long-time quarterback Darius Perrantes. A transfer from Gardner-Webb, Riddell has been putting in the work to create a good relationship with his team.

“He always works hard, and I like to think I’m that way too.” Isabella said. “It’s not like we hang out all the time. We’re just similar people in the way we approach football.”

The Dukes will now turn their attention to NEC Conference play, opening with a three-game homestand at Rooney Field. Duquesne’s NEC schedule kicks off with Stonehill on Saturday at noon.

Brendan Flatow can be reached at flatowb@duq.edu