Rowan DuBois | staff writer

After a four game win streak and a 3-0 start to conference play, a surprise 24-13 loss to Wagner means Duquesne faces three must-win games to close out its season.

With a well-timed bye week coming immediately after the loss, the Dukes have had time to reflect on how it changes the course of their season.

“I won’t say that I’m happy we lost last week, because I’m not,” Duquesne wide receiver Joey Isabella said.

“But I like having the pressure of knowing that we have to win out now.”

In the finale of the 2024 season, the Dukes faced a similar situation. The task was simple — travel to Central Connecticut State University and win. A victory would solidify Duquesne as the NEC champions and get them in the FCS playoffs for the second consecutive year.

It seemed doable for the Dukes, considering they were flying high off of eight consecutive wins and a 5-0 conference start, but the game didn’t go the way the Dukes wanted it. Duquesne lost 21-14 and in tragic fashion, as quarterback Darius Perrantes threw seven interceptions in his last game as a Duke.

The Dukes will have a chance for revenge this year, as a crucial matchup with first-place CCSU awaits them in their final home game on Nov. 15.

“It sucked,” Isabella said. “At the end of the day, we lost it, and that’s what it is, but we have an opportunity to get it back against them this year.”

The Dukes have a new quarterback in Gardner-Webb transfer Tyler Riddell, and they vow things will be different as the matchup against CCSU could very well be the game that decides the NEC champion.

“Playing in those games is what football players dream of,” Duquesne defensive end Antonio Epps said.

“One score games, championship games to go to the playoffs, there is no better feeling than that in my opinion.”

Emotions will be at an all-time high as it will be the last game on Rooney Field for both Epps, Isabella and a number of other veterans.

“I have been here a long time,” Isabella said, “So there will be some emotions. Feeling that, and having the game be against CCSU, the team that ended our season last year, there is a lot laying on the line for me, but I’m excited.”

But before the Dukes can turn their focus to CCSU, they have to get past a tough away game against Long Island University on Saturday. The matchup caps off a three-game road stretch and will be the Dukes’ longest commute of the three. LIU holds a 3-6 record but just gave CCSU a real test, falling to the Blue Devils 10-7.

“I’m pretty familiar with LIU,” Epps said. “I’ve played them my whole career here, and every game we have had has been a competitive one. I expect nothing less than for us to go on the road [for] seven or eight hours and face another team who is looking to give us a loss.”

If the Dukes can get the job done in Long Island, and back home against CCSU, they will have to face off against local rivals Robert Morris in their season finale. Securing a win in all three games would guarantee Duquesne the NEC title outright.

“I think it would be amazing to win out and end my career at Duquesne like that,” Isabella said. “Going on one last playoff run here at Duquesne, that’s the dream.”

The last time the Dukes won the NEC outright and received the automatic FCS playoff bid that comes with the conference victory was in 2023. Many of the players who experienced the title are still on the team.

“My favorite moment ever as a Duke was when we won it outright,” Epps said. “There was no better feeling than that. The whole vibe, seeing everyone celebrate, coaches, trainers, managers, players, everyone just came together.”

The celebrations were brief, though, as the Dukes shipped up to Youngstown State for their playoff game and were handed a 40-7 loss.

“We went in there too excited, and things got out of hand quickly,” Isabella said. “We have a lot of guys who were on that team, who had that experience, so I think if we do make it, we will go in there to win this time.”

Isabella is tied for first in the FCS in receiving touchdowns with 10 on the season, including at least one touchdown catch in his last five games. Despite coming off a frustrating loss, Isabella’s eyes are fixed on lengthening the season with his historic pace.

“Hopefully, by the end of the season, I’ll be alone in first,” Isabella said. “That’s the goal, so we need to make some playoff games for that, too.”

But individual statistics are the last thing on the minds of Duquesne’s players as they prepare to enter the crucial stretch.

“I think pressure is good,” Isabella said. “It can create a great team if your team is good under pressure. I think it can drive the best players to be the best version of themselves. I like having the pressure on us; it excites me.”

Rowan DuBois can be reached at duboisr1@duq.edu